Ancient History

The prehistorical settlements on the South East of the Peninsula, were followed by the Argaric culture, with important remains such as the ones in Antas.

Argaric culture was a very advanced civilization, and it has been deeply studied. Some of its remains can be found in the Almeria Museum. Although there are not reliable data of its presence in Arboleas, that does not mean that this culture did not settle here; and if they had established in Arboleas, it is thought that it would have been in the area were the Torre Vigía (watchtower) is located.

After this culture, it was the Phoenicians the next culture to enter the Peninsula, around 2.000 b.C. They came in through Villaricos and they iniatially settled in Cuevas del Almanzora, where the first caves were built; caves used as warehouses that can still be visited.

From there, they would follow the course of the river up, and Phoenicians tombs made with Macael Marvel can be found in different places on the South East of the Peninsula. There are not reliable remains of this period in Arboleas either. The Phoenicians gave way to the Carthaginians (old Phoenicians settled in Cartago).

Carthaginians and Romans were fighting over the control of the Mediterranean Sea. Carthaginians were the first ones to enter the Peninsula as a way of reaching the Romans. They entered through the Almanzora river and they settled all around the Comarca (Region). Remains of this culture are the watchtowers, and messages using the smoke signs technique were sent from these towers.

One of these watchtowers, located in Arboleas, was later rebuilt in the Middle Ages.

After Carthaginians, Romans came. Romans left several remains around the Comarca (Region). The most important remain of this period is the Roman path that ran through the valley and joined Baza and Lorca. There are also inns from this period, such as Venta Mateo.