Itsaslabarrak Restaurant

AGIRREBURU

Type : Dolmen
Date : Chalcolithic-Bronze Age (3200-1500 BC)
Town : Bergara
Location : On Mount Agirreburu, 13 meters from the road that goes from Elosua to the antenna.

This dolmen was made up of a chamber of stone slabs covered by a burial mound. In the last excavation it was found that the structure, although deteriorated, is complete. It is one of the few elements in which human remains have been found.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 11.5 meters and a height of 0.75 meters.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later he investigated it together with T. Aranzadi and E. Eguren. Various structures and materials have been published in research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas Arquelógicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973). In 2019 it was excavated again by J. Tapia, and restored in 2020.

Findings

Before beginning the investigation, the dolmen had been looted. But the investigation recovered human bones and pieces of ceramic tableware. In 2002, after cleaning, a stone ax was found on the surface of the burial mound. In the 2019 excavation, more human bones and ceramic pieces were recovered, as well as another polished stone axe.

Highlights

In the Elosua-Plazentzia complex, Agirreburu has been one of the few dolmens in which human bones have been found. Unfortunately, those found in 1921 were lost, and could provide a large amount of information for today’s research (DNA, food, anthropology, etc.). In 2019 Agirreburu was investigated again, more human remains were found, and new restoration proposals are being studied.

FRANTSESBASOA

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Azkoitia – Bergara
Location : Between Elosumendi and Sorisaitza, in the place called Frantsesbasoa.

It is a small funerary chamber, from which three slabs and a small burial mound have been recovered. These types of megalithic monuments are known as cists, and suggest individual use.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 3.5 meters and a height of 0.1 meters high. The slab is 1.5 meters long, 0.5 meters high and 0.2 meters thick.

Research

In 2001, it was discovered by B. Barrero, I. Gaztelu, G. Mercader, L. Millán and M. Tamayo. In 2019 J. Tapia excavated and restored it.

Findings

4 flint fragments, 2 rock crystal prisms, and 1 volcanic glass flake. No metals, pottery shards, or human remains have been preserved.

Highlights

It was excavated and restored in 2019. It is a small dolmen, barely 1.5m long, which suggests individual use.

MAURKETA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Bergara
Location : On the Maurketa pass, on an esplanade between Frantsesbasoa and Leiopago.

No chamber is known and it is composed of a large burial mound. In the middle is a looting hole that opens up to the edge of the barrow.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 16.5 meters and a height of 1.6 meters. The looting hole is 5 meters in diameter and 1.3 meters deep.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. Since then, no further investigation has been conducted. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

During the excavation, a worked spark stone, a quartz crystal (salt gem) and three necklaces were found, one of them made of bones and the other two made of stones.

Highlights

The archaeologists also saw that the ground here is holed, but it is not clear if this hole is due to looting or is part of its original structure.

KEREXETAEGIA HEGOKOA

Type : Dolmen
Date : Chalcolithic (3200-2200 BC)
Town : Bergara
Location : On a plain on mount Leiopago, near the border between Bergara and Azkoitia.

The burial chamber was made up of several slabs, and another larger slab covered said chamber. Above, a cairn of stones covered the entire structure. Of that original structure, only 3 slabs were preserved in 1921, the cover was fallen and the tumulus was open with a pit. What can be seen today is the result of a reconstruction based on scientific solutions.

Measurements

A burial mound 17 meters in diameter and 1.80 meters high. The chamber is more or less 2×1.5 meters wide.

Research

J.M. found it. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. By then, the monument was already looted with a huge pit, and the cover of the chamber was already down. In the 1980s a group of private people did a rebuilding session, moving the cover. In 2014, M. Ceberio made an exact excavation and topography. Based on that data, in 2018, Bazeta, Tellería and Aguirre developed a reconstruction plan and gave it the appearance it shows today. The structure and materials have been published in several research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas Arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

In the 1921 excavation, a stone axe, an arrowhead, two sandpapers, a splinter of flintstone and a piece of pottery were found. In the 2014 excavation, 17 pieces of pottery and 7 spark stones were found.

Highlights

Kerexetaegia Sur is the best preserved dolmen of the entire megalithic station, and for this reason its reconstruction has been possible. In addition, it is one of the monuments that has produced the most pieces, along with Gizaburuaga. The chamber that can be seen today is missing some slabs, but it was decided to leave it that way so that the interior of the chamber could be seen. It was also decided to leave the pit that the burial mound has, so that the structure could be entered.

KEREXETAEGIA IPARREKOA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Chalcolithic – Bronze Age (3,200-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Bergara
Location : Mount Leiopago is on a plain, near the border between Bergara and Azkoitia.

Only the tomb of the monument is preserved, built with local basalt stones. In the burial mound you can see a hole 0.7 meters deep.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 9-11 meters and a height of 0.8 meters.

Research

J.M. found it. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. They will rail. Since then it has not been excavated again. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

Thanks to the excavation a necklace of bones was found, which today is lost.

Highlights

Although the archaeological material found is not much, the necklace indicates that the bones have been preserved through the passage of time, and therefore, there may be bones preserved in the unexcavated areas. The dead were buried with clothes and accessories, that’s why many necklaces are found.

KEREXETA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Azkoitia
Location : On the Kerexeta pass, on the southern slope of Irukurutzeta.

In this case, as in many others, the original structure was looted and only the stone burial mound can be seen. The tumulus, in the center, contains a hole 0.5 m high. There are doubts as to whether it was a dolmen, since next to the hole a slab could be seen, perhaps that slab was from a destroyed chamber.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 17 meters and a height of 0.30 m.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later he investigated it together with T. Aranzadi and E. Eguren. At the beginning of the investigation, the burial mound was 1.5 meters high and the slab was on one edge of the hole. At the end of the investigation it was found that the stone floor had holes. Other similar holes are also mentioned in other dolmens of Karakate, but it is not clear if these have been caused by looting work, or are part of the original structure. The structures and materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

Only a few prehistoric materials were found: a sheet and a chip of spark stone. Along with these, modern materials: a piece of lead, slag, remains of fauna and pieces of crockery.

Highlights

Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren considered Kerexeta a dolmen. To them, it was a structure that had originally been a dolmen, which had later been looted and destroyed. Proof of this would be the modern materials and the bullets found, and as can be seen in the Archaeological Letter of 1982, the destruction of the monument has continued until recently.

AIZPURUKO ZABALA

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Bergara – Soraluze
Location : On the southern slope of Kurutzebakar, in the place called Aizpuruko zabala.

Today, only a slab of the original chamber is visible, around it you can see the stone mound, composed of local basalts. In 1921, however, 3 slabs were preserved and their orientation was east-west.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 13 meters and a height of 1.2 meters. The looting hole has a diameter of 3.5 meters and a depth of 0.5 meters. The measurements of the slabs found in 1921 are: a) 2.1 meters long, 1.7 meters high and 0.25 meters thick; b) 0.5 meters long, 1.3 meters high and 0.15 meters thick; c) 0.8 meters long and 0.3 meters thick.

Research

It was found by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. Since then, no further investigation has been conducted. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

During the excavation, a worked spark stone, a splinter and three bone necklaces were found.

Highlights

Similar necklaces were found at North Kerexetaegia, and the same type of worked spark stone (triangle-shaped) was found at Irukurutzeta.

IRUKURUTZETA

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Bergara
Location : Next to the top of Irukurutzeta, on the pass to the northwest.

Only one slab of the original chamber is preserved, and around it there is a large stone burial mound, made with local basalts. In the center of the barrow is a large looting hole, and within this a single slab can be seen.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 19 meters and a height of 1.8 meters. The looting hole is 4 meters in diameter and 0.7 meters deep. The chamber slab length is 1.6 meters, width 1.2 meters and thickness 0.4 meters.

Research

J.M. found it. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. In 2018, it was excavated by J. Tapia. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

Excavations have found various remains of materials from prehistory, despite the fact that the monument is badly damaged and mixed up. In the 1921 excavation, two pieces of spark stone were found, together with materials from the war against the French and from the modern era (coins, bullets). In the 2019 excavation, an arrowhead, sandpaper, two spark stone splinters and a piece of pottery were found, all of these also mixed with modern materials. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Highlights

In a graffiti painted on the slab, there is talk of burials that took place in 1878, and the coin is from 1793. This shows the antiquity of the looting work, but even so, it has been shown that there are possibilities of recovering materials from the prehistory.

ARRIBIRIBILLETA

Type : Monolith
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town: Bergara – Elgoibar
Location : On the Irukurutzeta mountain, on the summit known as Kurutzezarra, on the border between Elgoibar and Bergara

The monolith was lying on a small stone top. After the latest archaeological investigations, it was known that the monolith was a menhir, and it was decided to put it back upright.

Measurements

The monolith has a length of 3.50 meters, a width of 1.6 meters and a thickness of 0.5 meters. The hole that kept the monolith standing is 1.9 X 1.3 meters wide and 0.6 meters deep.

Research

It was found by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. In that excavation, materials were found that are used to verify the cairns (Pieces of coal and tile). Since the border between Elgoibar and Bergara is located there, and since nothing was found in the excavation, the archaeologists took the monolith as just another milestone. In 2002 J. Castro denounced that the monolith was actually a menhir, taking the hill as a burial mound and the monolith as the cover of the chamber. In the same year, Altuna, Del Barrio, Fernández, Mariezkurrena and Turrillas confirmed the discovery and marked it. In 2013, J. Tapia and M. Ceberio excavated the site and showed that there was no menhir; the hill is a natural formation of stones and it was confirmed that there was a cairn on it. However, the pit to support the cairn was excavated in prehistory, below the modern embankment, another older embankment was found at the bottom of the pit, pieces of spark stones were also found. 3D examples of the monolith and the hole were created, and after studying the measurements, weights and forces, it was decided to rebuild it.

Findings

In the excavation only two pieces of spark stone were found, but the most important discovery was the exact study of the hole and the block.

Highlights

Arribiribilleta was the first step in the Dolmen Trail project. Until then, no project of this caliber had been launched in the Basque megalithic area.

KURUTZEBAKAR

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Bergara – Soraluze
Location : The burial mound has a diameter of 10 meters and a height of 0.8 meters. The looting pit has a diameter of 3 meters and a depth of 0.9 meters.

No chamber is known and it is composed of a circular barrow, which has a looting pit in the middle.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 10 meters and a height of 0.8 meters. The looting hole has a diameter of 3 meters and a depth of 0.9 meters.

Research

J.M. found it. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. Since then, no further investigation has been conducted. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

In the excavation only one prehistoric piece was found, a quartz crystal (salt gem), together with materials from the modern age (a rifle stone, a bullet).

Highlights

As has also been mentioned in other cases from the station, the archaeologists also saw that the floor of the rocks was also pierced here, but it is not clear if the hole was caused by looting or if it was part of the original structure. As for the materials, gems and quartz crystals can be found in the dolmens as grave goods for the dead. As in Irukurutzeta and Kerexeta, there were also firefights from the war against the French here, as indicated by the rifle material found.

NASIKOGOENA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 BC)
Town : Soraluze
Location : In the place known as Nasiko Goena, between the Kurutzebakar mountain and the Pagobedeinkatua pass.

No chamber is known. It is made up of a circular mound and from one side to the center a ditch can be seen.

Measurements

The burial mound has a diameter of 9 meters and a height of 1.5 meters. The pit is 7.5 meters long and 2 meters wide.

Research

It was found by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and a year later it was excavated by T. Aranzadi, J.M. Barandiarán and E. Eguren. Since then, no further investigation has been conducted. The structure and some materials have been published in various research works: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Cartas arqueológicas de Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973 ).

Findings

In the excavation no archaeological material was found.

Highlights

Nasikogoena, as in the case of Pagobedeinkatua, is located at a strategic transit point to cross the ridge. The dolmens and burial mounds of prehistory were used to mark territory and claim ownership of the dead.

PAGOBEDEINKATUA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Soraluze
Location : The hill of Pagobedeinkatu, between Atxolin and Kurutzebakar.

A circular tumulus, which shows a large hole in the middle most likely caused by looting. No chamber has been located.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 8.5 meters and a height of 0.80 meters. The hole is 0.5 m. deep.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and excavated a year later by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. Barandiaran. Since then, no further research has been carried out. The study of the structure and some materials has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

A flint chip was recovered during the excavation. During research done in 2017, another fragment of flint was found by the tumulus.

Highlights

The tumulus is located in a very well-known place, and occupies a strategic passage in the mountain range. As it forms a landmark, it is not surprising that myths, pilgrimages and beliefs arose around it.

AZKOIN

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : On the south-eastern slope of Atxolin, on the way to Pagobedeinkatua, in a beech forest.

There is no known chamber and the monument is composed of a large tumulus. There is a looting hole in the middle.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 16 meters and a height of 1.2 meters. The looting hole has a diameter of 3 metres and a depth of 0.7 metres.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and excavated a year later by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. Barandiaran. Since then, no further research has been carried out. The study of the structure and some materials has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

One single flint stone was found during the excavation.

Highlights

Similar to other cases in the area, archaeologists also found that the rock floor had been dug, but it is unclear whether the hole was made during looting or it is part of the original structure.

ATXOLINTXIKI II

Type : Cist
Date : Bronze Age (2,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : Some 150 m. from the top of Atxolin, on a flat area between rocks.

There is a small chamber in the middle of a tumulus of stones. A large beech tree has grown above the structure.

Measurements

The chamber is 1 X 0.6 meters wide and the diameter of the tumulus is 5 meters.

Research

It was discovered and researched by M. Ceberio in 2015. As a large beech has grown inside the structure, the chamber could not be inspected.

Findings

No archaeological material was recovered during the excavation.

Highlights

This type of structure, the cist, evolved from dolmens. During the Bronze Age dolmens were still used, but at the same time this new type appeared, with a smaller chamber, intended for single body burials.

ATXOLINTXIKI I

Type : Tumulus
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : Some 150 m. from the top of Atxolin, on a flat area between rocks.

No trace of the original chamber has been found. Only the tumulus, built with local basalts, is known. Right in the middle there is a hole of a depth of 0.6m.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 11 meters and a height of 0.95 meters.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and excavated a year later by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. Barandiaran. Since then, no further research has been carried out. The study of the structure and some materials has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

No archaeological material was recovered during the excavation.

Highlights

As is the case with other dolmens in the area, archaeologists also found that the rock floor had been dug, but it is unclear whether the hole was made during looting or it is part of the original structure.

ATXOLIN

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : Near the peak of Atxolin, in a rock formation.

Only one slab from the original chamber is preserved, and the stone tumulus, made with local basalts, can be seen around it.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 7 meters and a height of 0.8 meters, the slab is 1 x 0.6 wide.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and excavated a year later by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. Barandiaran. Since then, no further research has been carried out. The study of the structure and some materials has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

No archaeological material was recovered during the excavation. During the 2017 excavation, a flint shard was found on the slope of Atxolin, about 30 meters from the dolmen.

Highlights

Atxolin is a clear example of a territory developed since Neolithic times, since dolmens are built on locations with a clear view of the surrounding area. In this particular case, from the top of Atxolin, one can get a panoramic view of the whole area.

SABUA

Type : Tumulus
Date : Bronze Age (2,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : Between Atxolin and Idoia, in a flat area located to the northwest of Atxolin.

It is a small tumulus. No chamber has been found. It is located on a rocky outcrop, covered by grass, and it is hard to spot it in the relief of the terrain.

Measurements

Barandiaran calculated that the monument was 11 meters in diameter, but it is quite likely that the outcrop of the burial mound was also included. According to the excavation that was carried out, the tumulus has a diameter of 6 metres and a height of 0.5 metres.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, but no excavation was carried out. Later it was not possible to identify which of the raised land areas corresponded to the tumulus described by Barandiaran. In 2017, J. Tapia carried out some archaeological surveys and located a small tumulus, which according to him, may be the one mentioned by Barandiarán. The structure has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

Only part of the tumulus was excavated and no archaeological material was recovered.

Highlights

Taking into account the reduced dimensions of the tumulus, it may be a monument from a later period, probably from the Bronze Age. Even so, tumuli and dolmens are often built on natural protrusions in the landscape (small hills and outcrops), to give the monument greater prominence. This has been proven, for example, in Irukurutzeta. In 2019, new excavations will be carried out in Sabua.

IDOIA (IRUIA)

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Soraluze
Location : On the plain known as Idoia, on the north-western slope of Atxolin.

Only one slab from the original chamber is preserved. The stone tumulus, made with local basalts, can be sseen around it.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 9 meters and a height of 0.75 meters. The slab is 1.8 x 1.7 meters wide.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, and excavated a year later by T. Aranzadi, E. Eguren and J.M. Barandiaran. Since then, no further research has been carried out. The study of the structure and some materials has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

During excavation, three ceramic shards were found next to bones of present-day fauna. The pottery is handmade and dates from the Neolithic-Bronze Age.

Highlights

During the excavations carried out around the dolmen isolated remains from prehistoric times have been found. This is proof that the optimal conditions offered by the site (water, terrace, forest) were also exploited during prehistory.

GIZABURUAGA

Type : Dolmen
Date : Neolithic-Bronze Age (4,000-1,500 B.C.)
Town : Elgoibar – Soraluze
Location : Between Atxolin and Karakate, in a flat area located to the northwest of Idoia.

Today, two slabs of the original chamber are preserved. A stone tumulus, made with local basalts, can be seen around it. One of the slabs had fallen over, and during the reconstruction works it was put upright.

Measurements

The tumulus has a diameter of 11 meters and a height of 0.5 meters. The upright slab is 1.7 metres long, 0.5 metres high and 0.2 metres thick. The slab that was fallen over is 1.6 meters long, 1.1 meters wide and 0.2 meters thick. After reconstruction, the dimensions of the chamber are 1.7 X 1.6 meters.

Research

It was discovered by J.M. Barandiaran in 1920, but it was not excavated. During 2016 and 2017, J. Tapia carried out an archaeological excavation and reconstruction work. The structure has been published in several research papers: Aranzadi, Barandiaran and Eguren (1922), J. M. Barandiaran (1953), J. Elósegui (1953), Archaeological Maps of Gipuzkoa (1982, 1990), J. M. Apellániz (1973).

Findings

77 ceramic shards of at least 4 different vessels, one of which has been almost completely rebuilt; 12 flint pieces (a scraper, a slab, three retouched pieces, 7 laminar fragments and a core); 8 quartz glass pieces (rock crystal); an archer’s bracer; 8 stone necklace beads; a sharpening stone; 5 metal ornaments; fragments of carbonized human remains (more than 100 fragments); charcoal.

Highlights

Barandiarán only recorded the tumulus but did not excavate it. During the 2016-17 excavation, the sepulchral chamber was located and two phases of use were differentiated: the first during the Neolithic period, and the second later, in the Bronze Age. Between the two phases, part of the chamber collapsed and one of the slabs fell. In the last phase of use, beliefs changed and the funerary rites turned from burial to incineration.

San Blas

Christmas is over, but in Debabarrena we continue to make winter as sweet as possible. On 3 February, we make the most popular treat in our traditional repertoire of cakes and biscuits: Tortas de San Blas (Saint Blaise biscuits). Come and try them!

The tradition of making biscuits to celebrate the Feast of Saint Blaise is not exclusive to Debabarrena, and is typical also in other parts of the Basque Country, such as Abadiño and Llodio.

In our region, however, many people still make these biscuits at home and then take them to church to be blessed. Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throat-related problems, which is why, according to popular belief, in addition to eating the biscuits, you should also take a piece of string to church to be blessed, and then wear it tied around your neck for nine days before burning it. This will provide protection against colds and other illnesses for an entire year.

Ingredients

For the dough:

1 kg wheat flour
6 eggs
125 g pork lard (or butter or margarine)
½ kg granulated sugar
1 sachet of baking powder
15 drops of aniseed essence

For the glaze:

2 egg whites
250 g icing sugar
10 drops of lemon juice
3 drops of aniseed essence

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180º C.
Place the flour on a clean worktop and push into a volcano shape.
Break the eggs into the dip in the centre and mix with your hands.
Add the lard (or butter or margarine) and knead.
Gradually add the sugar and aniseed essence.
Knead until the dough is no longer sticky.
Shape into a ball and leave to stand for at least half an hour at room temperature.
Sprinkle the worktop and a rolling pin with flour.
Divide the dough into small balls and squash them down to around half a centimetre in thickness.
Adjust the shape using a plate or tray.
For a fluted border, pinch round the edge.
Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for around 15-20 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown but not toasted.
Meanwhile, for the glaze, beat the egg whites until stiff.
Still beating, add the icing sugar, lemon juice and aniseed essence until you have a dense white paste.
Spread the glaze over the still-warm biscuits using a spoon.

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