Ericeras en el Macizo del Gorbeia

Abstract

We begin this article reviewing some writings that explain the importance the chestnuts had in the Basque Country's diet. The chestnuts where basic meal during several months of the year, until the introduction of corn and potatoes and the lost of the chestnut-trees at the end of the XIXth century because of the "tinta" illness. Afterwards, we notice the presence of 36 "ericeras" found until nowadays in the Gorbeia. The "ericeras" were deposits for keeping chestnuts in good state. They were made of dry stones and they were situated in the same place as the chestnut-trees.