by Taetske | 5:30 pm
(Last Updated On: October 3, 2022)

 

Archaeological Sites in Malaga/Spain, Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante/U.S.A.

 

Malaga, Spain

I have always been interested in old things, be it furniture, buildings, or archaeological sites. I love stones and fossils and with the metal detector, I have found a couple of interesting items during my life.

Living in the south of Spain I am surrounded by ancient things and most of the time I see that the people here are interested in the past of this fascinating country.

Just as an example, when the big underground parking was built close to the harbor of Malaga, some old remains, walls, etc were found. This happens whenever deep digging is done in Malaga, unearthing the various cultures which lived on the Iberian Peninsula. The town hall was obliged to find a solution, and they came up with a good and aesthetic one.

They incorporated the remains in the underground parking so whenever you leave your car there you can have a look. I personally think it is so important to protect our past and I think in Malaga the authorities have done just that.  Leaving beautiful sights for us to see.

 

Malaga fountain and Alcazaba

Malaga Fountain and Alcazaba image Astrid Schmid

 

The Underground Heritage of Malaga

Archaeological Remains

This happened many years ago when I went on an expedition with my metal detector.

Next to the Guadalhorce river before reaching Malaga I went hunting on a recently plowed field walking toward the sea. I was very surprised to find pieces of amphora that had been dug up by the agriculture machine.  I now know that this area used to be a harbor in old times and that in those amphoras olive oil was being kept.

 

Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante

Being convinced one should preserve one’s archaeological inheritance, I was shocked to hear some unbelievable news from America.

How come, time and time again, human greed overrules common sense to preserve the histories of our land.  The beautiful and valuable things that exist on our planet are being annihilated because of a few dollars?

The Bear’s Ears National Monument is located in southeastern Utah, next to the Grand Canyon Recreation Area.  President Barack Obama created the monument on December 28, 2016, and originally encompassed over 1,350,000 acres (547,000 hectares) of land.  The Trump administration is going to reduce this area by an astounding 85% to 201,876 acres (81,696 ha).

 

Bear's Ears National Monument

Map By Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – BLM map for Bears Ears NM (archive), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64674726. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

 

The Grand Staircase-Escalante was designated a national monument by President Bill Clinton in 1996 and originally was over 1,880,000 acres (760,000 ha).  President Donald Trump ordered the monument’s size be reduced by 47% to just over 1 million acres. The benefactor of these reductions will be the oil and gas industry as well as coal and uranium mining companies.

 

45% reduction in size

Public Domain, File:Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument map overlay.png, created: 30 April 2007

 

These places are of significant importance to the native peoples (the Navajo Nation, Hopi, Ute Mountain Ute, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah, and Ouray Reservation, and the Pueblo of Zuni) of the area, and this theft is typical of the U.S. Governments continuing and repeated disrespect for the agreements and treaties signed by one administration and disregarded by a succeeding administration.

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Ancient Ruins in Bear's Ears NM

(House on Fire Ruin II Uploaded by PDTillman) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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There are thousands of sites within the Monuments boundaries that are very sensitive to human traffic.  Some sites are remnants of dwellings of the Anasazi (the Ancient Ones).  Many sites will have rock carvings and evidence of a history we still have yet to fully understand or appreciate.

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Grand-Staircase-Escalante

Grand-Staircase-Escalante image LoggaWiggler

 

Conclusion

Isn’t it the obligation of our governments to care for the inheritance we leave for future generations?  Instead of destroying evidence of past civilizations, we need to protect them and give them a place in our collective history. So future generations can enjoy seeing first hand, the wonderful and mysterious archaeological finds in the Bear’s Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

 

What we can learn from our ancestors

Ancient cultures like the Mound Builders held impressive worldviews. These native Indian cultures flourished for 4000 years before the first settlers came. They build great conical mounds where the bones of their leaders and loved ones were laid to rest.

Mysterious earthen shapes of birds, bears, snakes, and alligators, a real engineering feat show us glimpses of faraway times. You will hear about what happened in other places on our planet during these times. A fascinating and exciting book.

 

.4000 Years of American Indian Art, Science, Engineering, & Spirituality Reflected in Majestic Earthworks

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Some new information came my way. One of the biggest fossils finds in the U.S.  Bears Ears is in danger. This is the land President Trump has given away. I wrote this post in February 2018. During these years more important places were attacked and violated. I wonder when people realize that it is our obligation to preserve these important sites for future generations.

Before you leave, have a look at Recommendations. It is a special page I have made for you. It holds a collection of things you might find interesting.

 

Source: Wikipedia and My Life

Photo source: Pixabay.

 

I have always admired Native Americans. Living in harmony with nature and only taking what they need. Perhaps you would like to read about my trip to America. I had a great time, 3 weeks visiting 5 states, and 3000km on the road.

Useful Native American Wisdom and my Happy Memories

Comments

Jack Taylor

What a great article about Archaeological Sites in Malaga/Spain, Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante/U.S.A. I love archeology and history too!. I’ve traveled all around the world visiting ancient sites such as the Mayan Pyramids in Mexico, the Pyramids in Egypt Machu Picchu and so many more. I don’t think I’ll get to see them all in my lifetime but I will surely try.

Jack

Feb 23.2018 | 08:28 pm

    Taetske

    Good evening Jack,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving this nice comment.I also feel that one life will surely be too short to discover all the marvels Mother Earth has to offer. I do hope that good sense will prevail so future generations will also be able to enjoy all the beauty  left behind by old civilizations. 

    Regards, Taetske

    Feb 23.2018 | 08:58 pm

Yashmin

Dear Taetske,
A very interesting article. Enjoyed reading it. Thank you.

Jun 13.2018 | 05:08 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon,

    Thank you for visiting my website.
    I also think that archaeological sites are interesting and important for future generations.
    What I find quite shocking is that these days in the U.S. it seems that President Trump does not care about the environment. Very sad!

    Regards, Taetske

    Jun 13.2018 | 05:48 pm

Tim Bennett

Your site is awesome.

Looking at these images, it is sobering to think that people used to live there. They had their own important lives and now the only thing that remains is these incredible sites.

Yes we need to look after them and yes governments need to make sure they are preserved.

I used to live in Sevilla for about 5 years, so I was particularly interested in the part about Malaga. I went to Malaga many times and never knew this was there.

I would love to visit one day!

You have done a great job.

Tim

Nov 05.2018 | 11:36 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Tim,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. Nice to hear you like my site, thank you for the compliment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    You used to live in Sevilla, how nice. Then you are familiar with the Andalusian way of life, nice and relaxed.

    If you should come to Malaga do not hesitate to contact me.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 02:24 pm

John

It is so important that we preserve our history for future generations to learn about what came before. We can learn so much from understanding the history of such places.  I always loved History in school, and love to take my son on days out to learn more around it too.  He is fascinated with Egypt at the moment and wants to go and see the pyramids.But I am personally interested in the Bears ears you mentioned.  It still amazes me that they can just decide to reduce its size and not worry about the consequences for the people.

John

Nov 05.2018 | 11:37 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning John,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    It is sad when our leaders are so short-sighted. What can one do? well, choose somebody else next time. I have never liked people who do not respect Mother Nature and all her creations. We live in a beautiful world. Why do we destroy it at such an alarming rate?

    You tell me your son is interested in old Egypt. I will give you the link to the first of 4 posts treating this subject and old civilizations. He might find it interesting to read.
    https://motherearthstreasures.com/there-is-controversial-evidence-of-prehistoric-civilizations
    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 11:55 am

Emmanuel Buysse

Great post and I love the info.

I love to visit archeaologic places, because I’m a history lover, I’ve already been all over the world to see those sights, the Romans, Mongols, you call it, I name it.

Now, about Spain, I knew it had some history, of course, but the things you mentioned are somewhat new.

I know Malaga has good things, but never went deeper in it.

But I’m curious to see them now, what I’m going to do is book a trip, you see me there very soon!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Nov 05.2018 | 11:38 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Emmanuel,

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF.

    I think it is so important to preserve all the things from the past. Sadly worldwide so much has been destroyed. That is why we have to take extra care of the things that remain. We owe it to the future generations.

    As I live here you are welcome to contact me on your next visit to Malaga.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 11:55 am

Richard Hoffmann

Hello Taetske,

I agree with your comment that Governments are obligated to care for historical sites to preserve them for future generations. It appears to me that too often, these sites are destroyed or changed to suit the popular opinion of the time or the current regime. When one looks at some of the ancient sites that have been destroyed in the middle east for example, it is truly sad to see how our history is being systematically wiped out.

Thanks for this great piece of writing and bringing to the attention of people the history to be seen and preserved in Spain.

Rich

Nov 05.2018 | 11:39 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Rich,

    It is very sad that so many beautiful things have disappeared. Like the big Budha Statues, Palmira and the museum in Kabul/Afghanistan. 

    In 2010, while being in Germany on holiday, I had the luck to be able to visit a fantastic exhibition on Afgan art pieces. They had been saved from the museum just before the Taliban came. These pieces showed the high cultural level this country used to have still while being a kingdom. The pieces were smuggled out of the country and came on exhibition in the U.S. and also various countries in Europe.

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 02:24 pm

Anita

I also love archaeological sites and the history that this places carries. It is such a great experience visiting such places, just seeing pictures is not enough. It is a pity when the government does not see value in such, and is more concentrated in the future developments. 

The future generation might not experience places like Grand Staircase, they will only read about it in history books which might not give them the same experience as visiting the site. I wonder if such moves can be reversed through power of the people like say a petition.

Nov 05.2018 | 11:51 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Anita,

    Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?

    You are right, it is no good to only see these beautiful sites in a book. It is difficult  to make a leader go back on a decision. Better would be to vote for more openminded people who want to preserve instead of to destroy.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 02:24 pm

Brenda

It’s sad to know that the decisions made by some of those in charge. Now will affect future generations. History is important, you have to know where you are coming from it plays a major part in your future. Thanks for sharing what’s happening to those historical sites in Spain and USA. That’s really unfortunate for the future generations.

Very informative post.

Nov 05.2018 | 11:52 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Brenda,

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    History is very important as it shows us what mistakes not to make again. The human race constantly does repeat the same mistakes, when will we learn?

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 03:05 pm

Nkhosingiphile

I also love archaeology,  seeing beautiful things that were conserved by those who were living in the history is so very nice for our generation to see and we also have to conserve it for those coming, the next generation. So it is not a nice thing to destroy all this beautiful things just for money… . 

Nov 05.2018 | 11:53 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Nkhosingipghile, oh, did I get that right and is this your name?

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    We really should take better care of all the important sites in the world so our future generations can also enjoy visiting.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 03:05 pm

Stephen

Hi Taetske,

I agree with you 100% that it is the obligation of those in authority to ensure that our history and inheritance are well preserved safely for the future generation to also enjoy seeing them first hand. I like what the authorities in Spain have worked had to preserve. We all love past history, however, if we don’t work to preserve them, there will be a time when there will be none, especially if we allow things like greed to come first in our life.

I personally, don’t understand why Donald Trump and his administration will reduce the size of a monument which has been kept and preserved safely by other authorities prior to his administration. Reducing the size of this monument by 47% is not a good idea at all in my opinion. He will make future government feel that they can also do the same and then gradually if care is not taken, something precious that has been preserved for years will now eventually vanish.

Well, they are in authority and so when they make a decision, we can’t stop them, but I think it isn’t a good idea at all. We will see what happens next to this decision has taken.

Thanks for sharing these valuable and well research information with us.

Stephen.

Nov 05.2018 | 12:07 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Stephen,

    I agree with you. It is too sad when one observes the person in power destroy valuable things which belong to all the people of that country. One should be more careful what leaders to vote for, everybody will suffer the consequences. Money seems to be more important than future generations. One should be ashamed of this as our planet is such a beautiful place. Future generations will not understand why we leave them this heritage and when they see the pictures of what we have been capable of destroying they will hate us.

    I am happy that in Spain they have realized we have to take care of our cultural heritage, it is a good example to follow.

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 05.2018 | 03:04 pm

Nina

Archaeological finds are our heritage and we have a duty to protect, maintain, and preserve them. Unfortunately, the authorities often run out of money for these areas, and unfortunately, many archeological finds and cultural monuments are falling into disrepair. It was very interesting to read your content about Archaeological Sites and Malaga and Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase -Escalante with accompanying photos.

Nov 01.2020 | 08:49 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Nina,

    Nice to hear you found my post interesting. Yes, I agree we should take care of our historical inheritance, that is our obligation. The running out of money might be true in certain cases, but in America that is not so. To want to make money is rather the opposite, do you not agree? Instead of taking care to destroy, I find disgusting. Once these places are destroyed there is no money in this world that can make it right again.

    Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Regards, Taetske

    Nov 02.2020 | 07:15 am

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