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These were pretty interesting. I actually should have examined one of them up close.
1. Primary Function: Milk Coolers (Ollas)
These stone-lined "drawers" or niches were built directly into the hillside or underneath the main stone walls of the huts.
* **Natural Refrigeration:** Because they are built into the earth and shaded by heavy [llabranas] (flat stone slabs), they maintain a constant, cool temperature.
* **Storage:** Shepherds placed jugs of milk or freshly made cheese inside these niches to keep them from spoiling in the sun before they could be transported down to villages like **Urria** or **El Coto** (both of the village are just over this hill and down the left side).
2. Secondary Function: Shelters (Tenerías) These were used to shelter newborn calves. And interestingly - It allowed the shepherd to control the nursing process, ensuring the calves didn't drink all the milk intended for cheese production.
1. Primary Function: Milk Coolers (Ollas)
These stone-lined "drawers" or niches were built directly into the hillside or underneath the main stone walls of the huts.
* **Natural Refrigeration:** Because they are built into the earth and shaded by heavy [llabranas] (flat stone slabs), they maintain a constant, cool temperature.
* **Storage:** Shepherds placed jugs of milk or freshly made cheese inside these niches to keep them from spoiling in the sun before they could be transported down to villages like **Urria** or **El Coto** (both of the village are just over this hill and down the left side).
2. Secondary Function: Shelters (Tenerías) These were used to shelter newborn calves. And interestingly - It allowed the shepherd to control the nursing process, ensuring the calves didn't drink all the milk intended for cheese production.