ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SURROUNDED BY AN AURA OF MYSTERY AND LEGEND, THE CANARY ISLANDS WERE KNOWN IN ANCIENT TIMES AS THE "FORTUNATE ISLANDS" DESCRIPTIONS WERE USUALLY EXAGGERATED AND IMPRECISE AND THEY WERE EVEN ASSOCIATED TO THE REMAINS OF ATLANTIS.

El Hierro Biosphere Reserve

THE NAME: the origin of the name "El Hierro" is unknown, but it could come from the old Canary Island language in which the island was called "Hero" or "Esero". One thing is certain and that is that it has nothing to do with the metal of the same name ("Hierro" is the Spanish word for iron), as there is no iron to be found on the island.

THE MERIDIAN: in the second century of our era, Ptolemy considered that the "Zero Meridian" passed through the western end of the island, the "End of the Ancient World" at the Orchilla lighthouse. This remained unchanged until, at the end of the 19th century, it was displaced by the Greenwich Meridian.

Some years ago, the lighthouse could be visited with the lighthouse keeper as the guide, and it was even possible to climb the long, steep steps up to the tower. It now operates automatically, however, so we have to be satisfied with an impressive sunset in an incomparable setting. It is worth a visit just for this.

THE "BIMBACHES":

The primitive inhabitants of El Hierro, the "Bimbapes" or "Bimbaches", came from nearby Africa. They are often mistaken for the "Guanches" who are, literally, the "Children of Tenerife".

They were a peaceful people with a complex social structure, in spite of the fact that they were an isolated community. They lived in caves or simple stone buildings, and obtained sufficient resources with which to survive from their environment: farming, livestock breeding, hunting, fishing and harvesting were regular activities.

The origin of the "Bimbaches"

LOS LETREROS: The "Bimbaches" left numerous petroglyphs which can be admired in different parts of the islands and have not yet been decrypted.

The longest and most significant are found in "Los Letreros de El Júlan", where we can also see the remains on an old meeting place called "Tagoror". Burial sites have also been discovered in caves, with mummified bodies and offerings such as domestic utensils, primitive tools and food containers.

The "Bimbaches", like all the primitive population of the archipelago, originated in northern Africa. Scientific research is now focusing on identifying the exact place or places from which communities travelled to each of the islands.

The Canary Island Government has asked the UNESCO to classify the El Julan archaeological site as a World Heritage Site.

The El Julan archaeological site has to be visited on foot, along a dirt road for about 8 km each way. In an hour and a half/two hours we see "Tagoror", the starting point for the archaeological visit. On the right of the side is a steep volcanic hill with "bimbache" engravings and on our way to see them we also find a series of shell fossils, showing the importance of one of the components in our ancestors" diet.

Depending on the season, it is possible to make the visit accompanied by a guide. A few meters after beginning the track you will find an interpreting centre. For the further information on opening hours of the centre and of the archaeological site of El Julan, please contact the following emial: eljulan@el-hierro.org

THE CONQUEST: El Hierro was taken by Jean de Bethencourt at the beginning of the 15th century, as part of the Norman conquest of the Canary Islands, affecting Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro.

The "bimbaches" offered little resistance and the island was soon colonised by European country folk who soon mixed with the original population. This saw the start of a lordship system which prevailed until the 19th century.