The Cultural Landscape "Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria": a Paradigmatic Proposal within UNESCO "Astronomy and World Heritage" Initiative

Recent research highlights Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria as a paradigmatic cultural landscape, deeply intertwined with astronomical observations. The study reveals that high-mountain sanctuaries on the island, particularly within the Caldera de Tejeda, were likely used for solar and lunar rituals, supported by fieldwork evidence. These sites offer exceptional natural monuments like Roques Bentayga and Nublo, which served as reference landmarks, facilitating close interaction between land- and skyscapes. The discovery of unique light and shadow effects at Risco Caído further underscores its significance. This research positions Gran Canaria as a prime candidate for the UNESCO 'Astronomy and World Heritage' initiative, illustrating the profound cultural relationship with celestial phenomena in this region.

Belmonte, J. A., Sanabria, J. C., Gil, J. C., de León, J., Marín, C., & Ruggles, C. L. (2018). THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE "RISCO CAÍDO AND THE SACRED MOUNTAINS OF GRAN CANARIA": A PARADIGMATIC PROPOSAL WITHIN UNESCO "ASTRONOMY AND WORLD HERITAGE" INITIATIVE. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1472290