A woman buried in Spain in the Bronze Age era

LHO003
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:
LHO003
Date:
1669 BCE - 1504 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
U5b1b1g
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Bronze Age Southeast Iberia
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Alicante. Aspe. La Horna
Coordinates:
38.3440, -0.7700
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Bronze Age in Southeast Iberia, particularly in the Valencian region, represents a fascinating era of cultural development and societal transformation that unfolded roughly between 2200 and 800 BCE. This period witnessed the emergence of complex societies with distinctive technological, architectural, and social practices, heavily influenced by both indigenous traditions and external connections through trade and cultural exchange.

Geographical Context:

Southeast Iberia, including the present-day Valencian Community, boasts a varied landscape of coastal plains, mountainous regions, and river valleys. This geographical diversity allowed for different types of settlements and subsistence strategies, enabling communities to thrive through agriculture, pastoralism, and exploitation of maritime resources.

Social Structure:

The social organization during this era was likely stratified, though perhaps not as rigidly hierarchical as in other Bronze Age societies in Europe and the Near East. Settlements varied in size from small hamlets to larger, more complex communities, suggesting differing levels of social complexity and political organization. Leadership roles may have been based on kinship ties or achieved status through prowess in warfare or control of trade and resources.

Economic Practices:

Agriculture was a cornerstone of the economy, with the cultivation of cereals, legumes, and vines. The introduction and development of metallurgy, particularly copper and later bronze, played a crucial role in economic growth and social differentiation. Metallurgical sites have revealed sophisticated techniques, including casting and alloying, indicating skilled craftsmanship and specialization.

Trade networks extended beyond the Iberian Peninsula, connecting Southeast Iberia with the Mediterranean world. Through these networks, the regions exchanged raw materials, such as metals and ivory, as well as finished goods, ideas, and technologies. This external interaction facilitated cultural exchange and adaptation, evidenced by the presence of foreign artifacts and influences in local craftsmanship.

Technological and Cultural Innovations:

The Bronze Age saw technological advancements, especially in metallurgy, ceramics, and construction. The use of bronze tools and weapons significantly enhanced efficiency in agriculture, warfare, and crafts. Pottery from this period is characterized by its variety and complexity, with decorative styles reflecting both local traditions and external influences.

Architecturally, the era is noted for its fortified settlements and sophisticated building techniques. Structures like the tholos (beehive-shaped tombs) and megalithic monuments demonstrate both an engineering acumen and a ritual significance. These structures served not only as defensive measures but also as centers of social and religious life.

Religious and Cultural Life:

Although direct evidence of religious beliefs is limited, the archaeological record suggests a ritualistic society with complex spiritual practices. Burial customs involved megalithic tombs and communal burials, indicating an emphasis on ancestry and the afterlife. These practices might reflect a belief in an afterlife and the importance of the community and kinship.

The presence of symbolic artifacts, such as idols and engraved steles, points to a spiritual or religious dimension that likely played a central role in everyday life. These items possibly represented deities, ancestors, or protective spirits and could have been used in ceremonial contexts.

Legacy:

The Bronze Age Southeast Iberia notably set the stage for the later developments in the region, including the eventual rise of the Iberian culture. Elements of Bronze Age society, including technological practices, settlement patterns, and artistic expressions, laid foundational aspects still visible in subsequent historical periods in Iberia. The interactions facilitated by trade and metallurgy continued to influence the cultural and social dynamics of the region well into the Iron Age.

In summary, Bronze Age Southeast Iberia represents a dynamic and transformative period characterized by technological innovation, complex social structures, and cultural exchanges. It laid important groundwork for the evolution of later Iberian societies and contributed to the rich tapestry of Mediterranean prehistory.

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CDP006 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
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CDP011 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
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MON019 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
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MON033 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE , Spain View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
LHO003 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 1669 BCE Alicante. Aspe. La Horna, Spain View
PLZ001 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Peñón de la Zorra, Spain View
PUC001 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 1879 BCE Alicante. Villena. Puntal de los Carniceros, Spain View
PUC002 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 1741 BCE Alicante. Villena. Puntal de los Carniceros, Spain View
PUC003 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 1882 BCE Alicante. Villena. Puntal de los Carniceros, Spain View
PUC004 Bronze Age Southeast Iberia 1748 BCE Alicante. Villena. Puntal de los Carniceros, Spain View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (LHO003) 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 45%
European Hunter-Gatherers 30%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 25%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (LHO003) 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 100%
Southern European 76%
Iberian 45.2%
Sardinian 22.3%
Italian 7.8%
Balkan 1.0%
Northwestern European 21%
English 9.1%
Northwestern European 5.2%
Scandinavian 5.1%
Finnish 1.1%
Eastern European 3%
Eastern European 3.1%
Oceania 0%
Melanesian 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample LHO003 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

LHO003,0.1225879,0.15230644,0.03748932,-0.01394878,0.05342104,-0.00848632,-0.00156962,0.00575202,0.03001246,0.04950168,-0.00472622,0.01123518,-0.0222319,-0.01152394,-0.00031562,0.00282474,0.00146612,0.00057452,-0.0002188,-0.0032636,0.00103156,0.00457302,-0.0095868,-0.00981104,0.00375239
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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