The peninsular antecedents of the architecture and function of the buildings of the Cancho Roano. Some questions about their origin and evolution

Abstract

The recent interpretation of Cancho Roano as a native sanctuary of eastern characteristics leads us to look for its architectural and functional antecedents in several peninsular buildings interpreted as places of cult or prestige constructions from the seventh century BC on in Tartessian and Iberian settlements. In this research, we are centring the analysis on the buildings from the Lower Guadalquivir, the mouth of Segura river, Cástulo, and the mouth of Sado river and the Bajo Alentejo, both in Portugal. The comparative analysis of these building permitted us to conclude that the Lower Guadalquivir buildings, interpreted recently as semitic sanctuaries, ar the closest to Cancho Roano.