Is Tenerife’s archaeological heritage at risk due to social media exposure of Guanche sites?
The Guanches, the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands, left behind a rich and fascinating legacy in the form of burial sites, rock carvings, ceramics, and funerary artifacts. These remnants provide a unique insight into the life, traditions, and spirituality of this ancient culture.
Irresponsible Practices
The preservation of this precious heritage is under threat. The growing popularity of social media and amateur explorer groups has led to the widespread sharing of sensitive locations of archaeological discoveries, increasing the risk of looting and destruction. Simultaneously, urban development and construction projects pose significant threats to these fragile archaeological sites.
The collective Imastanem has warned against the irresponsible dissemination of these locations online. In 2024, this trend led to a rise in looting, destruction, and the disappearance of valuable Guanche remains on Tenerife.
Imastanem has described 2024 as a “terrible” year for archaeology in the Canary Islands, particularly concerning the protection of indigenous relics. Sharing these locations in amateur groups has resulted in a surge of illegal activities, including vandalism, theft, and damage to the heritage. The collective notes that the situation is further exacerbated by urban development projects in areas such as Adeje, Granadilla, El Rosario, and Arico.
Irresponsible Publicity
Sixto García, the leader of Imastanem, emphasizes the severe consequences of making these sites public: “As soon as an archaeological site, previously known only to a small group dedicated to its preservation, becomes widely known, it begins to suffer from disturbances, damage, and looting.”
He adds that there is a growing “fever” among amateurs to exchange locations, allowing them to take photos or collect indigenous artifacts. This behavior threatens the remaining Guanche finds, which are vital for the cultural and educational heritage of future generations.
Warnings to Authorities
This year, Imastanem has repeatedly alerted Tenerife’s Área de Patrimonio, urging action to protect various pre-colonial burial sites whose locations have been shared on social media and are now frequently visited.
These burial sites contain human remains, bead necklaces, and other funerary items. Witnesses report that some of these sites were untouched until recently, but public exposure has made them vulnerable to theft and destruction. The collective calls on authorities to safeguard these locations before they are irreparably damaged.
Threat of Urban Development
In addition to the social media issue, Imastanem highlights the impact of approved construction projects. Planned residential and commercial developments often overlook the landscape, biodiversity, and archaeological heritage present in these areas.
Many municipalities lack comprehensive archaeological catalogues that include all known sites. Even when warnings are issued, timely action is often absent, resulting in irreversible damage to these archaeological treasures during construction.
Cultural Value of Endangered Sites
The endangered areas include not only burial sites but also rock carvings and engravings, such as those of the Libyco-Canarian alphabet, linear markings, and five-pointed stars. These symbols are frequently found near Guanche burial sites and offer critical insights into their culture.
Imastanem urges authorities to include these engravings in municipal catalogues and protect them from future destruction caused by urban planning. They stress that preserving these locations is essential to ensure that this heritage is not lost beneath “layers of asphalt and concrete.”
A Call to Action
The collective appeals to both authorities and the public to treat Guanche heritage with care and to stop sharing sensitive locations on social media. The cultural and historical significance of these sites cannot be overstated, and their preservation is vital for providing future generations with access to this unique heritage.
Without immediate and effective measures, the Canary Islands risk losing invaluable archaeological treasures forever.
Pixabay © Photography
Tenerife’s Archaeological Heritage at Risk ©
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