Prehispanic proves of Guanche people

The population of Gran Canary can look back on a varied history that goes back thousands of years. During a many years´ standing cooperation of international teams of historians, sociologist, art historians and archaeologists discovered numerous finds of the canarian native inhabitants until the colonisation. To this day the Canarian people are proud of their interesting history and their extraction of the Guanche people. As a result, there are various museums on Gran Canary showing historic exhibits.

Even in the open land archaeological places were created in a way that enables visitors to get an illustrative and entertaining impression of the prehispanic living circumstances. One of the most famous institutions of this kind is the "Museo Castillo La Fortaleza" in Santa Lucia de Tirajana. It exhibits ethnological finds regarding botany and zoology. 

Furthermore, the "Cenobio de Valeron" should be emphasized. This culturally very important place is a labyrinthine system of holes, being used by the prehispanic population for safekeeping corn, living and meeting. Also the "Cuevas de los Canarios" at the pit crater of Bandama near Santa Brigada were made for these aims. Inside these caves you can still find interesting engravings. One example of such caves is the hole system of  "Cueva Pintada", especially known for its rock paintings. It had been lived in until the Spanish colonisation and is regarded as a special example for the skillfulness of the former inhabitants of the island. The motives of  "Cueva Pintada" reflect symmetrical ornaments on prehispanic ceramics. Last but not least, the necropolis of Ateara near San Bartolomone de Tirajana with thousands of barrows is another impressing archeological evidence of Guanche times.