Archaeologists from the University of Jaén have uncovered a monumental Iberian sanctuary near the town of Jódar in Jaén, Spain, dating back over 2,500 years (5th–4th century BCE). The site, known as El Fontanar, appears to have functioned as a temple dedicated to the cosmos, carefully aligned with the winter solstice, and highlights the sophisticated integration of celestial observation into sacred spaces, as detailed in the journal Complutum.
The sanctuary’s central feature is El Fontanar, a monolith exceeding five meters in height. During the winter solstice, sunlight interacts with this monolith and a nearby rock shelter standing approximately 6.8–7 meters high, creating a precise astronomical alignment. The shadow cast by the monolith onto the V-shaped recess of the rock shelter, which resembles female anatomy, is interpreted by researchers as a symbolic enactment of hierogamy—the sacred union of masculine and feminine forces. Such symbolism reflects ancient Mediterranean themes of fertility and renewal, although its exact meaning in Iberia remains a scholarly interpretation.
The monument’s construction predates the establishment of major Iberian settlements in the region, suggesting that ritual and astronomical practices played a formative role in shaping the landscape before urban development. El Fontanar forms part of a broader ritual landscape in the Jandulilla Valley, which also includes the heroon of El Pajarillo, associated with mythological narratives of a hero descending into the underworld. Together, these sites demonstrate how myth, landscape, and astronomy were interwoven in ancient Iberian ritual practice.
The precision of the monument’s design indicates advanced knowledge of solar movements and seasonal cycles. At dawn on the winter solstice, the sun rises through the tip of the monolith, casting a shadow that aligns with the vulva-shaped recess of the rock shelter for several minutes, before retreating as the sun ascends. This alignment reflects a deliberate orchestration of natural phenomena for ritual purposes, transforming celestial events into a lived, communal experience.
Comparisons have been drawn to other solar-aligned sites such as Stonehenge and Newgrange, but El Fontanar represents a unique Iberian expression of ritual, architecture, and astronomy. The combination of the phallic-shaped monolith and vulva-like rock shelter provides a tangible example of how ancient Iberians integrated symbolic meaning into the landscape, linking human life, myth, and the cosmos.
El Fontanar enriches our understanding of Iberian culture, revealing their technical sophistication, complex spiritual beliefs, and profound awareness of celestial cycles. The site stands as a testament to humanity’s enduring effort to understand its place in the universe and to harmonize ritual life with the rhythms of nature.