The agricultural wealth of Antas was discovered early in
neolithic times, as we know from archeological remains discovered
in El Aljoroque, El Garcel and la Pernera, where a slate
idol was unearthed that gave the area its name.
However, it was in the Bronze Age that Antas became the
centre of a prehistoric empire with the establishment of
Argar and the Argárica culture which rolled out across
southeastern Spain between 1900 and 1300 Bc.
Legendary Belgian archaeologist Luis Siret discovered an
entire city in which the formula for making bronze was kept
secret by the city fathers, using this to ensure their dominance
over other settlements such as Fuente Alamo in Cuevas del
Almanzora and Catas in Turre.
