The “Megalithisation” of Iberia: A spatio-temporal model

Sanjuán, Leonardo García; Díaz, Francisco Sánchez; Rovira, Berta Morell

doi:10.1016/j.anthro.2022.103072

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The radiocarbon measurements on human bone that support this proposal derive from the “protomegalithic” structures discovered in Campo de Hockey (Cádiz, Spain), with dates around 4300 cal BC (Vijande-Vila et al 2015, 2022; García Sanjuán et al 2022), and from some tombs in northeastern Catalonia, with chronological intervals in ca. 4200 cal BC (García Sanjuán et al 2022: 5). After these early megalithic stages, burials could have occurred synchronously in various points on the peninsula, starting approximately between 3900–3700 cal BC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…However, recent reviews (Scarre et al 2003; Aranda Jiménez et al 2017; García Sanjuán et al 2022) concur in their statistical rejection of dates of long-lived samples for a general analysis of peninsular “megalithisation.” According to these latest studies, it is proposed that the first megalithic constructions took place during the 5th millennium (Scarre 2010; Laporte and Bueno Ramírez 2019) in coastal areas associated with European neolithic maritime routes (Schulz Paulsson 2019). The radiocarbon measurements on human bone that support this proposal derive from the “protomegalithic” structures discovered in Campo de Hockey (Cádiz, Spain), with dates around 4300 cal BC (Vijande-Vila et al 2015, 2022; García Sanjuán et al 2022), and from some tombs in northeastern Catalonia, with chronological intervals in ca. 4200 cal BC (García Sanjuán et al 2022: 5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Examples of funerary series that begin within this timeframe are to be found in the southeast and southwest of the peninsula, where excellent dating studies have been carried out in necropolises such as El Barranquete, Panoría, Las Churuletas, Llano del Jautón or La Atalaya (Granada and Almería) (e.g. ; Aranda Jiménez and Lozano Medina 2014; Lozano Medina and Aranda Jiménez 2018; Aranda Jiménez et al 2017, 2018a, 2018b, 2020b); in Pozuelo (Huelva) (Linares-Catela 2022); or in central and southern Portugal (Rocha and Morgado 2020), in the Areita dolmen (Viseu) (García Sanjuán et al 2022), the Carrascal dolmen (Sintra) (Silva et al 2019) or the El Sobreva dolmen (El Guiry et al 2016), to name a few examples.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chronological Study of Collective Burials in the Northern Iberian Plateau: Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates on Human Bones From the Megalithic Complex of La Lora (Burgos, Spain)

Santa Cruz

2024

Radiocarbon

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This paper offers a temporal analysis of the megalithic group of La Lora in the context of northern Iberian Plateau megalithism. For this purpose, 67 accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dates were obtained on human bone from the minimum number of individuals recovered from nine tombs. This is the first systematic dating project carried out in this dolmen group and has enabled the chronology of the main funerary series to be updated. The results reveal that the actual funerary use dates mainly to the 4th millennium BC, although, as deduced from the archaeological material, some tombs were reused in later periods. Additionally, the significant architectural polymorphism of the group, consisting mainly of simple dolmens and large corridor tombs, suggested a temporal evolution to monumentality. However, the dating shows a more complex reality, since it is likely that the large tombs functioned as funerary pantheons during the 4th millennium BC, characterized by a cyclical and recurrent use. In contrast, the simpler structures were preferred to be of shorter use and restricted to the first half of the 4th millennium.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chronological Study of Collective Burials in the Northern Iberian Plateau: Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates on Human Bones From the Megalithic Complex of La Lora (Burgos, Spain)

Santa Cruz

2024

Radiocarbon

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“…In this sense, we have an increasingly large body of 14 C dates that place southern Iberia as an early focus in the development of this phenomenon from c. 4000 cal. BCE [ 8 , 22 , 91 , 92 ]. This fits chronologically with the first depositional phase documented at CM.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, as in general in Southern Iberia, the use of burial caves becomes more frequent from the 4 th millennium onwards [ 21 ]. This trend is parallel to the use of megalithic chambers and hypogea [ 8 , 22 ], the latter becoming particularly recurrent throughout the 3 rd millennium cal BCE [ 23 ]. Examples of cave contexts from Andalusia include the Cueva de los 40 (also in Priego de Córdoba), dated between 3700–2900 cal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

As above, so below: Deposition, modification, and reutilization of human remains at Marmoles cave (Cueva de los Marmoles: Southern Spain, 4000–1000 cal. BCE)

Laffranchi,

Milella,

Vera Rodríguez

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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The deposition and manipulation of human remains in natural caves are well known for the Neolithic of Southern Iberia. The cultural meaning of these practices is however still largely unclear. Cueva de los Marmoles (CM, Priego-Córdoba) is one of the most important cave contexts from Southern Spain, which returned a large number of commingled skeletal remains suggesting its funerary use from the Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age. Here we discuss CM from a chronological and cultural perspective based on new radiocarbon, anthropological, and taphonomic analyses. These include the estimation of the minimum number of individuals, the exploration of fragmentation patterns characterizing different skeletal regions, and the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of modifications to the remains of possible anthropic origin. Radiocarbon data point to a funerary use of CM between the 5th -2nd millennium cal. BCE. MNI estimates reveal the presence of at least 12 individuals (seven adults and five nonadults). The low representation of elements from hands and feet suggests that individuals were placed in the cave while partially decomposed. Anthropic traces on the remains (e.g. fresh fractures, marrow canal modifications, and scraping marks) hint at their intentional fragmentation, cleaning from residual soft tissues, and in some cases reutilization. These practices are well-exemplified by the recovery of one "skull cup" and of two long bones used as tools. These data align with those from other cave contexts from the same geographic region, suggesting the presence, especially during the Neolithic period, of shared ideologies centered on the human body.

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Overarching Patterns of Ancient Transformation in Europe

Müller,

Kirleis,

Kneisel

et al. 2024

Quantitative Archaeology and Archaeological Modelling

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Collating insights from preceding chapters, and adding in further data from CRC 1266 research, this final chapter synthesises elements to initiate an understanding of transformation as a general phenomenon across the region. Notably, the identified 14 European transformation phases exhibit diverse regional and local impacts, reflected in the regional transformations studied in this research project.This chapter aims to bring together the ideas presented thus far in this volume in order to spark further development in integrative archaeology by highlighting the nuanced nature of transformations, transcending the conventional categorisation of European prehistory into Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages. This traditional division based primarily on technological advancements overlooks the multifaceted changes occurring concurrently across various societal forms in diverse environments. Instead, this study emphasises the necessity of considering multiple facets of human-environmental interactions for a comprehensive understanding of transformations. We conclude that comprehensive evaluation of European data to decipher transformation process across social, temporal and spatial scales requires holistic consideration, in order to be able to further develop an anatomy of transformation, which can contribute significantly to refining interpretations and models in archaeological understanding.

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The “Megalithisation” of Iberia: A spatio-temporal model

Cited by 8 publications

References 26 publications

Chronological Study of Collective Burials in the Northern Iberian Plateau: Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates on Human Bones From the Megalithic Complex of La Lora (Burgos, Spain)

Chronological Study of Collective Burials in the Northern Iberian Plateau: Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates on Human Bones From the Megalithic Complex of La Lora (Burgos, Spain)

As above, so below: Deposition, modification, and reutilization of human remains at Marmoles cave (Cueva de los Marmoles: Southern Spain, 4000–1000 cal. BCE)

Overarching Patterns of Ancient Transformation in Europe

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