Fuerteventura's remote past examined on Betancuria coast
Chronometric and Paleoenvironmental Analysis of the Aboriginal Shell Collector from the Junquillo Cave
A new scientific study carried out by researchers from the SIIM Research Group at the University of La Laguna is currently underway at one of the oldest archaeological sites on Fuerteventura: the Junquillo beach cave. The cave was used as a marine‑food processing area and was occupied, at the very least, from the 4th–5th centuries up to the 11th–12th centuries.
The team is performing chronometric analyses—using radiocarbon dating, thermoluminescence, and other techniques—to determine the age of the archaeological sediments. In parallel, paleoenvironmental studies are being conducted to reconstruct the biological environment of the period with the most advanced technologies available.
“The results of the surveys, carried out by the archaeological firm and promoted by the Cabildo Majorero, were presented to the media on Wednesday.”
Discovered in 2019
- In 2019 a cave was uncovered on Playa del Junquillo.
- The cavity measures approximately eight metres in length and one metre in height and contained abundant historic ceramic fragments.
The discovery resulted from a citizen report submitted by Antonio Santana and Juan Olivares, who warned authorities about illegal excavations taking place inside the cave. The floor had been disturbed by these unauthorized digs, yet malacological remains (shells and evidence of seafood consumption) were still present.
Recognizing the significance of the material, the Cultural Heritage Service of the Cabildo Majorero launched an archaeological investigation aimed at:
- Clarifying the cultural importance of the site.
- Determining its inclusion in the Island Archaeological Inventory.
The excavation yielded a large quantity of diverse materials, representing several phases of occupation:
- Malacofauna (shell remains).
- Ichthyo‑fauna (fish remains).
- Ceramic shards with decorative motifs characteristic of the aboriginal culture.
These findings confirm that the Junquillo cave served as a marine‑food processing location during its long period of use.