A man buried in Spain in the Bronze Age era

BAS023
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
BAS023
Date:
2130 BCE - 1941 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
U5b2b3
Y-DNA:
R1b1a1b1a1a2
Cultural Period:
The Argaric Culture of Spain
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Murcia. Totana. La Bastida
Coordinates:
37.7626, -1.5620
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Argaric culture was a prominent Early Bronze Age society that flourished in what is now southeastern Spain, from approximately 2200 to 1500 BCE. Named after the archaeological site of El Argar located in the region of Murcia, this culture is notable for its advanced societal structure, technological achievements, and influence over the broader Iberian Peninsula during its time.

Geographic and Environmental Context

The Argaric culture was primarily concentrated in the region that encompasses modern-day provinces of Almería, Murcia, and parts of Granada in southeastern Spain. This area is characterized by its rugged terrain, including coastal zones, mountainous areas, and river valleys which provided natural resources and defensible positions. The climate was Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, which influenced agricultural practices and settlement patterns.

Sociopolitical Structure

The society of the Argaric culture was highly stratified, a characteristic that distinguishes it from many of its contemporary cultures. There was a clear hierarchy, evidenced by the differential burial practices and the distribution of goods. Elite individuals were often buried with elaborate grave goods, signifying their high status. These burials were typically found in stone cists or under megalithic structures, presenting early indications of a class system.

Political organization likely revolved around local chieftains or princes who wielded control over territories. Settlements were often strategically located on hilltops, suggesting a concern for defense and control over surrounding lands. These fortified settlements, such as El Argar and La Bastida, were major population centers and are evidence of centralized planning.

Economy and Trade

The Argaric economy was largely based on agriculture, with wheat, barley, legumes, and olives being staple crops. Animal husbandry was also important, with sheep, goats, and pigs as primary livestock. This provided a stable food supply, supporting population growth and urbanization.

Argaric people were skilled metallurgists, renowned for their production of bronze tools, weapons, and ornaments. They utilized local copper and tin sources, and some copper may have been imported from other regions, highlighting their participation in broader trade networks. The introduction and development of metallurgy significantly impacted their economic and social systems, allowing for the production of goods that were crucial in trade.

Cultural and Technological Achievements

Architecturally, the Argaric people constructed impressive stone and mudbrick buildings, including defensive walls, towers, and residential structures. Their settlements display early signs of urban planning, with organized layouts and notable public buildings.

In terms of technology, the culture is noted for its pottery, which evolved from simple hand-made wares to more sophisticated and decorative forms. These ceramics were often black or gray burnished wares, which were used domestically as well as in funerary practices.

Burial Customs and Religion

Burial practices within the Argaric culture are among the most informative aspects of their society. Tombs often contained a wealth of objects such as weapons, jewelry, pottery, and tools, which reflect the social status and wealth of the individuals. Gold and silver were used in the creation of precious items, indicating their value in both economic and symbolic terms.

The prevalence of grave goods suggests a belief in an afterlife where such items would be beneficial. Although specific religious practices of the Argaric people remain largely speculative, the care taken in burials implies the presence of rituals and perhaps a complex belief system surrounding death and the afterlife.

Decline and Legacy

The decline of the Argaric culture around 1500 BCE is not entirely understood, but it may have resulted from a combination of factors, including resource depletion, climate changes, internal social strife, and external pressures from neighboring cultures. Despite its decline, the Argaric culture left a lasting legacy on subsequent Iberian societies through its technological innovations, cultural practices, and regional influence.

Overall, the Argaric culture of ancient Iberia stands as a key phase in the prehistoric development of the Iberian Peninsula, marking a period of significant cultural, technological, and social advancements in Europe’s Bronze Age.

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CDP002 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
CDP006 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
CDP008 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
CDP011 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
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CLL003 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL004 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL005 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL006 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
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MON015 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE Sevilla. Valencina de la Concepción. PP4-Montelirio, Spain View
MON016 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE Sevilla. Valencina de la Concepción. PP4-Montelirio, Spain View
MON017 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE Sevilla. Valencina de la Concepción. PP4-Montelirio, Spain View
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MON014 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 1750 BCE , Spain View
MON019 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
MON020 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
MON021 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
MON033 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
MON036 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 2893 BCE , Spain View
ZAP002 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2200 BCE Murcia. Lorca. Zapatería, Spain View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
BAS003 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2023 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS022 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS023 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2130 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS024 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2192 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS025 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2134 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS027 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (BAS023) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Neolithic Farmers 50%
European Hunter-Gatherers 25%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 19%
Ancient Asians 5%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (BAS023) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.

These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.

Europe 99%
Southern European 91%
Iberian 61.4%
Sardinian 20.5%
Italian 9.5%
Northwestern European 8%
Northwestern European 4.4%
English 3.7%
Africa 0%
African Hunter-Gatherer 0%
Oceania 0%
Melanesian 0%
Asia 0%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample BAS023 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

BAS023,0.1209646,0.15898492,0.04049274,-0.0146269,0.05638848,-0.00890608,-0.0013378,0.00685568,0.03411604,0.05466658,-0.00718662,0.0140132,-0.02449968,-0.010545,0.00228036,0.00252856,-0.00490986,-0.00158522,-0.00149282,-0.00226302,0.00436678,0.0062813,-0.0116994,-0.01590802,0.00381987
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Genomic transformation and social organization during the Copper Age-Bronze Age transition in southern Iberia
Authors:
Villalba-Mouco V, Oliart C, Rihuete-Herrada C
Abstract:

The emerging Bronze Age (BA) of southeastern Iberia saw marked social changes. Late Copper Age (CA) settlements were abandoned in favor of hilltop sites, and collective graves were largely replaced by single or double burials with often distinctive grave goods indirectly reflecting a hierarchical social organization, as exemplified by the BA El Argar group. We explored this transition from a genomic viewpoint by tripling the amount of data available for this period. Concomitant with the rise of El Argar starting ~2200 cal BCE, we observe a complete turnover of Y-chromosome lineages along with the arrival of steppe-related ancestry. This pattern is consistent with a founder effect in male lineages, supported by our finding that males shared more relatives at sites than females. However, simple two-source models do not find support in some El Argar groups, suggesting additional genetic contributions from the Mediterranean that could predate the BA.

Link:
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