El Julan Archaeological Zone (Petroglyphs of the Bimbache)

The most important archaeological site on El Hierro and a key location for understanding the pre-Hispanic Bimbache culture. The El Julan Archaeological Zone is located in a remote area of southern El Hierro within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, centred around a ravine (Barranco del Julan) that contains over 100 petroglyphs (rock carvings) and several ritual areas created by the Bimbache, the indigenous people who inhabited El Hierro before the Spanish conquest in the 15th century. The carvings, incised on the basalt rock faces, include geometric patterns, spirals, concentric circles, and what appear to be anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures. Scholars believe the site was a sacred gathering place for the Bimbache — possibly a location for seasonal rituals linked to the pastoral calendar. The most significant concentration of carvings is at the site known as **Los Letreros**. Also within the zone are the remains of the **Tagoror de El Julan**, a traditional council meeting place where the Bimbache would gather for community deliberations. The site is protected and can only be visited via guided tours organised by the Cabildo Insular de El Hierro — advance booking is required through the tourism office in Valverde. The tours typically last 4–5 hours and involve hiking on rough terrain. The isolation of El Julan has helped preserve the petroglyphs in remarkable condition. The site provides a profound connection to the ancient cultural landscape of El Hierro.