The Lives of Prehistoric Monuments in Iron Age, Roman, and Medieval Europe: An Introduction

Prehistoric megalithic monuments, such as those near Covadonga in Asturias, Spain, held significant symbolic power even during the turbulent transition from the Visigoth Kingdom to the Christian Kingdom of Asturias. The study reveals that King Pelayo and his successor Favila strategically chose these ancient sites for burial, associating themselves with 'ancestral power' to legitimize their rule amidst political instability following the Arab invasion. This pattern of symbolic capitalization persisted into modern times when Felipe VI was invested as Prince of Asturias in 1977, drawing on the same historical roots. The research approach combines historiography and archaeological context to demonstrate how prehistoric monuments served as instruments of political legitimacy across centuries.

Díaz-Guardamino, M., & Sanjuán, L. G. (2015). The Lives of Prehistoric Monuments in Iron Age, Roman, and Medieval Europe: An Introduction. The Lives of Prehistoric Monuments in Iron Age, Roman, and Medieval Europe. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198724605.003.0007