Necropolis of the Aguilillas in Campillos Málaga

Located on a rocky promontory between the valleys of the Guadalteba and Turón rivers, in the province of Málaga, is the fascinating prehistoric acropolis known as the Necropolis of the Aguilillas .

It is a key archaeological site to understand the funerary practices of the communities that inhabited this region between 2100 and 1900 BC, in the transition between the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Age.

The funerary complex is made up of seven tombs excavated directly on the sandstone rock, distributed in four different sectors on the hillside. The tombs have an architecture similar to that of other prehistoric burials in the area, with an access corridor plan that leads to the main chamber where the burials were carried out.

Some of the tombs have even preserved the stone slabs that closed access to the chambers. Inside, the bone remains of around 50 individuals of different ages and sexes have been recovered, deposited in each grave over several generations.

Why visit the Aguilillas Necropolis

The main reason why you should visit the Aguilillas Necropolis is to discover its process and origin. In this case, the bodies were not buried complete, but rather a secondary burial was carried out with only the bones, after a period of exposure.

Along with the remains, abundant funerary trousseau composed of ceramics, necklace and bracelet ornaments, female idols carved in stone, as well as some of the first metal objects in the region, such as copper spearheads, also appeared.

These trousseaus tell us about the status and beliefs of this prehistoric community, where women of high social rank were buried with rich clothing and prestigious objects. Anthropological studies of human remains also show the presence of trepanation, a surgical practice on the skull carried out at this time for probably ritual reasons.

The prominent location of the necropolis was not chosen at random, but responded to a worldview in which tombs carved into the rock represented a return to the maternal womb of the earth. Furthermore, its elevated location allowed visual control of the surrounding valleys, reinforcing the sacred character of the place.

The Necropolis of Las Aguilillas was part of a broader funerary landscape, related to nearby contemporary settlements such as the high-altitude town of Castillón. The study of it has been key to increasing our knowledge about the prehistoric populations that occupied this region, their rites and their social organization.

After its discovery in the late 1980s, the site was investigated in depth by a team of archaeologists in the 1990s. More recently, it has been conditioned and marked to allow it to be visited and valued as a cultural and heritage resource.

A walk among prehistoric tombs

Currently it is possible to take a guided tour of the site following a circular path of about 2 km in length. The route begins in a nearby parking lot, from where you ascend the slope on foot to access the area of ​​the tombs.

At the beginning of the itinerary there is an area equipped with stone benches and panels with introductory information about the geographical context, the prehistoric human occupation of the area and the characteristics of the societies that built the necropolis.

Next, the path leads to the four sectors where the different graves are grouped. In each sector, explanatory panels have been installed on the specific architecture of the tombs and the data obtained after their excavation and study.

In this way the visitor can understand in situ the particularities of each burial while observing them, in a very enriching tour from an informative point of view. Elements such as the side niches, remains of slab closures, or the orientation of the main chambers stand out.

The route ends with spectacular views over the river valleys that converge under the rocky watchtower where the necropolis in Campillos is located . Without a doubt, a fascinating walk that immerses us in the ancient funerary traditions of these prehistoric populations that inhabited the Guadalteba Valley.

An enclave with history

Beyond its archaeological importance, Cerro de las Aguilillas also has notable historical value due to the preserved vestiges of the Spanish Civil War. Due to its strategic location, during the war a defensive position on the Republican side was established here to protect the dam, the reservoir and the town of Ardales from attacks by national troops.

Even today, the trenches and military constructions of that Republican front that occupied the hill between July 1936 and February 1937 can be seen on the ground. A small vestige of our recent history that coexists with the ancestral graves excavated in the rock.

A recovered cultural space

The enhancement of the Aguilillas Necropolis is part of a project to promote tourism around the Guadalhorce-Guadalteba reservoirs, carried out by the Department of Tourism and Sports of the Government of Andalusia.

The interventions have included the conditioning of the accesses, the creation of a parking lot and viewing points, as well as the installation of signage and interpretive panels to improve the understanding of the enclave by visitors.

In this way, a space of enormous cultural and heritage wealth has been recovered, integrating it as a sustainable tourist resource that provides new possibilities for the rural development of the region. The enhancement of historical sites like this one contributes to diversifying the territory’s offering, while guaranteeing the conservation of its legacy.

Other points of interest near the Necropolis of Las Aguilillas

Near this incredible enclave is one of the most important tourist spots in the interior of the province, El Caminito del Rey. You can do a complete route, since it is located just 40 minutes from Campillos. To end the day, we will wait for you at Hotel La Garganta, where you can enjoy incredible views of the Chorro Reservoir.

The Aguilillas Necropolis represents a fascinating portal to the funerary rituals of those prehistoric societies that preceded us in this beautiful enclave of the Guadalteba Valley. A place where the most remote history is interwoven with more recent times, inviting us to reflect on our past.