A man buried in Spain in the Late Bronze Age era

EFA008
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:
EFA008
Date:
1200 BCE - 1000 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
H10b
Y-DNA:
R1b1a1b
Cultural Period:
Late Bronze Age Spain
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges
Coordinates:
40.0049, 3.8620
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Late Bronze Age in Spain, part of the broader era spanning approximately 1200 to 800 BCE, marked a period of significant cultural, technological, and social developments in the Western Mediterranean region. This era in Spain was characterized by the emergence and evolution of complex societies and a noticeable increase in trade and cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean basin.

Geographic and Environmental Context

Spain's diverse geography, including its coastal areas, interior plateaus, and mountainous regions, significantly influenced its Late Bronze Age cultures. The western Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, affected agricultural practices and settlement patterns. Coastal areas, particularly in the southeast and along the Mediterranean, became hubs of interaction and trade, while interior regions remained more isolated.

Cultural and Societal Characteristics

  1. Social Structure:

    • Societies were organized around hierarchical structures, with emerging elite classes that wielded power, often visibly demonstrated through control of resources and trade.
    • Smaller communities and extended family units formed the backbone of social organization, characterized by complex kinship and patronage systems.

  2. Settlement Patterns:

    • Settlements ranged from small hamlets and villages to larger fortified sites and proto-urban centers.
    • Fortifications, often located on strategic elevations, suggest a need for defense and the existence of inter-group conflicts or competition.

  3. Economy and Subsistence:

    • Subsistence strategies were diverse, including agriculture (cultivation of cereals, legumes, and grapes), animal husbandry (cattle, sheep, goats), and exploitation of maritime resources.
    • Artisanship flourished with the production of pottery, textiles, and metalwork, indicating an advanced level of skill and specialization.

  4. Trade and Interaction:

    • The Late Bronze Age in Spain saw intensified trade, especially with cultures across the Mediterranean, fostering the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.
    • Key trade items included metals (copper, tin, gold), pottery, and luxury goods such as ivory and amber.

  5. Metallurgy:

    • Spain was rich in mineral resources, facilitating the development of metallurgical skills. Bronze alloys became more sophisticated during this period, with local production and craftsmanship widespread.
    • The availability and control of metal resources significantly impacted social stratification and power dynamics.

  6. Religion and Ritual:

    • Evidence of religious practices includes the presence of sanctuaries, ritual deposits, and decorative artifacts often associated with deities or protective symbols.
    • Burial practices varied, with inhumations and cremations found alongside grave goods that suggest beliefs in an afterlife.

Cultural Influences and Innovations

The Late Bronze Age cultures in Spain were not isolated but heavily influenced by interactions with other Mediterranean civilizations such as the Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, and cultures from the Italian Peninsula. This contact facilitated:

  • Technological Transfers: Innovations in shipbuilding, metallurgy, and agrarian techniques.
  • Cultural Exchanges: The diffusion of artistic styles, motifs in pottery, and religious beliefs and mythologies.
  • Political Developments: The formation of more complex political entities possibly leading up to proto-state organizations.

Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological sites from this period reveal significant insight into the Late Bronze Age in Spain:

  • Settlements: La Bastida, a well-documented site, provides evidence of advanced construction techniques and societal organization.
  • Artifacts: Pottery styles, metal tools, and weapons are commonly recovered, showcasing the craftsmanship and interactions with other cultures.
  • Burial Sites: The varied types of burials and grave goods offer information about social hierarchy, cultural practices, and external influences.

In conclusion, the Late Bronze Age in Spain represents a dynamic and transformative era marked by significant advances in social complexity, economic activity, and cultural interactions. This period set the stage for subsequent developments in the Iron Age, firmly embedding the Iberian Peninsula within the broader tapestry of Mediterranean history.

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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
EFA006 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
EFA008 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
EFA009 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
EFA010 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
EFA011 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
EFA007 Late Bronze Age Spain 1200 BCE Balearic Islands. Menorca. Ciutadella. Es Forat de ses Aritges, Spain View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (EFA008) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Western Steppe Pastoralists 38%
Neolithic Farmers 36%
European Hunter-Gatherers 22%
Ancient Asians 4%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (EFA008) 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 51%
Iberian 37.6%
Sardinian 13.7%
Northwestern European 48%
Scandinavian 23.3%
English 13.8%
Finnish 10.5%
Asia 1%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 1%
Indonesian Khmer Thai Myanma 1.1%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample EFA008 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

EFA008,0.12450008,0.13177376,0.05214902,0.02040542,0.0436678,0.00606788,-0.00046024,0.0038646,0.01561128,0.01936118,-0.00417042,0.00652872,-0.01527056,-0.01047248,0.00982172,-0.00338112,-0.0103175,0.00135922,-0.00113754,-0.00471474,0.00267418,0.00329366,-0.0079412,0.00417302,0.00124303
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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