El Saltador Bajo: Copper Age and Rambla

El Saltador Bajo is a district of El Saltador on the left bank of the Rambla del Saltador. Of El Saltador’s districts, it is the most compact and also has the most houses. El Saltador is the northernmost settlement in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park; El Saltador Bajo is one of the settlements designated within the park’s zoning area. In Carboneras, El Saltador Bajo is designated as an archaeological site from the Copper Age.

Rambla, Agriculture and Settlement

The Rambla del Saltador is part of the natural environment of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Small springs once irrigated cultivated land on its right bank; many of these plots are now planted with olive trees. The shift from earlier irrigation to a landscape of olive trees offers a concrete insight into agricultural land use. The district lies on the left bank, while the cultivated plots described here are on the right bank—two different reference points along the same rambla.

Historical Traces

Historical livelihoods in El Saltador included gathering esparto grass for the fibre industry, agriculture, livestock farming and mining. These activities link the use of a plant-based raw material and the fibre industry with agricultural, livestock and mining work. The area’s history can therefore be viewed both through its archaeological classification and through its various economic livelihoods.

Near El Saltador, El Cumbrero is located beside the Rambla del Saltador. There you will find the Las Juntas watermill, also known as Molino de Beatriz Ruíz. It was once powered by water from a nearby spring: a channel carried the water to the mill wheel. This describes a historical use of water that differs from irrigating the cultivated plots.

Near El Saltador, the now-abandoned Peñas Negras mine lies on the Barranco del Arto. The ruins of some of its facilities and the entrances to its tunnels are visible there. The mine adds a concrete connection to mining to the area’s history. If you are planning a visit, check the current access arrangements in advance.

Getting Around the Area and Directions

In the area itself, the main street is a useful landmark. It runs from west to east, is open to car traffic and leads to Plaza Tierno Galván. The local doctor’s office is located in the square, along with sports and children’s play areas by the rambla; these are accessible via a staircase. If you plan to use these facilities, check their current condition before your visit.

There are two road references to distinguish when travelling here: the AL-6112 provides direct access to the western part of El Saltador Bajo. El Saltador can be reached directly from Carboneras via the AL-5105. The first route refers to an area within the district; the second is the route from Carboneras to El Saltador. As local access conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before setting off.

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