The enigmatic Benahoarita spheroids
Benahoarita spheroids are among the most interesting and exclusive archaeological pieces from the island of La Palma, according to Dr Jorge Pais, a Prehistory expert from the University of La Laguna and head of the Historical and Archaeological Heritage Section of the La Palma Island Council. In a social media post, he explained that these artefacts are made from basalt, gabbro, and compacted gravel.
Unique forms and decoration
This type of lithic object appears on other islands in the Canarian archipelago. However, those from Benahoare (the indigenous name for La Palma) are unique for their multitude of shapes—circular, oval, ovoid, beak-shaped, pear-shaped, and more. Furthermore, they were decorated with grooves of varying width and depth that form meanders and, on occasion, spirals.
Symbols of power and protection
Regarding their meaning, Dr Pais indicates that numerous theories have been suggested. These range from their use as projectile weapons, pastoral tools, counterweights, and representations of vulvas, to idols. “Their strange shapes, beautiful finish, pronounced polish, and scarcity lead us to think they could be a kind of symbol of power or amulet that conferred prestige and protection upon their owners,” he stated.
A spheroid’s remarkable journey
The spheroid illustrating this information, he explains, comes from Llano del Negro in Garafía. It was discovered by chance during agricultural work in the early 1960s. It was handed over to a German tourist, Joaquín Toepke, in exchange for freshly caught fish.
This person kept it for over 50 years, travelling to numerous countries before finally settling on El Hierro, where it was recovered for transfer to the Benahoarita Archaeological Museum in Los Llanos de Aridane. The artefact is covered with deep, wide grooves and has a lustrous, shiny appearance. It is now displayed resting on a mat made from dried leaves of the drago tree (Dracaena draco).
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