Necrópolis of Argiñeta and Hermitage of San Adrián, Elorrio

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The Necropolis of Argiñeta is a medieval cemetery located in Elorrio, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain. The site is connected to the Hermitage of San Adrian, a building believed to have been for Christian worship. The pieces of this necropolis are considered some of the earliest examples of Visigoth and Christian presence in the Basque Country. This site was added to Spain's cultural heritage register in 1931 (Bien de Interés Cultural). During the Middle Ages, the necropolis functioned as one of several others in the Duranguesado vicinity. During the late 19th century, nearby graves, in similar locations, were all centralized and moved to this location.

Description: The cemetery consists of 20 tombs dug out of stone, called sepulchers. There are also five stelas, acting as gravestones. Every object within the cemetery is carved from sandstone quarried in the Oiz Mountains. The individuals buried in these graves were likely from the upper class, as lower-class Pyrenean communities typically used simple open-earth burials. The sepulchers consist of two pieces. The first being the actual container for the deceased, which is anthropomorphically shaped. The second is the top of the container...