A woman buried in Spain in the Bronze Age era

MIV001
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:
MIV001
Date:
2200 BCE - 2000 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
J1c3g
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Neolithic to Bronze Age Transition in Iberia
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Barcelona. Terrasa. Miquel Vives
Coordinates:
41.5696, 2.0160
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Neolithic to Bronze Age transition in Iberia, covering roughly from 3000 BCE to 1500 BCE, marks a significant period in the region’s prehistoric cultural development. This era is characterized by profound transformations in social structures, technology, and economic practices, influencing the trajectory of societies on the Iberian Peninsula.

Neolithic Period Overview

Social and Settlement Patterns

During the Neolithic period, communities in Iberia were primarily agrarian, with societies organized around small, kin-based settlements. The Neolithic saw the emergence of permanent villages, characterized by simple, rectangular houses made from stone, wood, and clay. Larger community structures such as megalithic tombs began to appear, indicating social stratification and communal religious or ritual practices.

Economy and Technology

The Neolithic economy in Iberia was based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with the cultivation of cereals such as wheat and barley, alongside legumes and fruits. Livestock including cattle, sheep, and goats were integral to the Neolithic lifestyle, providing food, clothing, and labor. Neolithic tools were primarily made from stone, with advancements in the sophistication and specialization of implements for farming and crafting.

Cultural and Artistic Expressions

Cultural practices during the Neolithic were deeply influenced by animistic and possibly shamanistic beliefs, reflected in the region’s rock art, pottery, and ceremonial structures. Pottery from the period is notable for its decorative patterns, which were often geometrical and executed using a range of techniques, including incision and painting.

Transition to the Bronze Age

Metallurgical Advancements

The introduction of metallurgy marks the beginning of the Bronze Age in Iberia, with copper initially being worked in the early Chalcolithic (Copper Age) and later replaced or supplemented by bronze. This transition reflects substantial technological innovation, with the production of metal tools and weapons offering significant advantages over stone counterparts.

Economic and Social Changes

Metallurgy stimulated changes in social and economic structures. There was a shift towards more complex societies with hierarchical organization, likely influenced by the social dynamics surrounding the control and distribution of metal resources. Trade routes expanded as communities sought copper, tin, and other materials, fostering increased interaction and cultural exchange both within Iberia and with neighboring regions.

Emergence of Complex Societies

With the development of enhanced agricultural techniques and surplus production, populations grew, leading to the establishment of more complex, stratified societies. Settlement patterns shifted from isolated hamlets to more centralized and fortified sites, often located strategically for trade or defense.

Cultural Developments

Architecture and Settlement Structures

The Bronze Age saw more sophisticated architectural developments, including the construction of fortified hilltop settlements known as \castros." These structures provided defense and symbolized the increasing social differentiation and competition among groups.

Ritual and Ideology

The ideological landscape evolved with the construction of elaborate burial sites and monuments, such as tholoi (beehive-shaped tombs) and large stone stelae featuring anthropomorphic and symbolic engravings. These structures indicate a continuation and enhancement of ritual significance from the Neolithic period, suggesting a continuity of beliefs but with evolving expressions.

Art and Craftsmanship

Bronze Age art in Iberia demonstrates increased sophistication, seen in finely crafted metalwork, including weapons, jewelry, and ceremonial objects. Pottery continued to evolve, with styles reflecting broader European influences yet retaining distinctly Iberian characteristics.

Regional Variations

Throughout Iberia, regional differences emerged in the pace and nature of the Neolithic to Bronze Age transition. In the southwest, particularly around modern-day Portugal, the process was more rapid, possibly due to earlier exposure to metallurgical practices. In contrast, northern and northeastern regions exhibited a slower transition, maintaining Neolithic practices longer due to geographical isolation or resistance to change.

Conclusion

The Neolithic to Bronze Age transition in Iberia represents a pivotal era that laid the foundations for the region's later historical developments. This period of technological innovation, social restructuring, and cultural diversification reflects the dynamic interactions of local traditions with wider European influences, setting the stage for the subsequent Iron Age societies and the eventual emergence of recognizable historical cultures in Iberia, such as the Tartessians, Iberians, and Celtiberians."

Related Samples
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
ALM035 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM047 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM053 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM056 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM062 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM069 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM070 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM071 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM075 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM079 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM084 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM088 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM073 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1889 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM060 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1878 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM001 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1960 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM002 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1943 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM004 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM006 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1919 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM007 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM008 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM014 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM015 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1898 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM016 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1945 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM017 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1882 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM018 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM019 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2127 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM020 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM021 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM024 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM025 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM026 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM027 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM028 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM040 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2012 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM041 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1944 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM042 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM043 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1882 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM044 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1896 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM046 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1883 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM048 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM049 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM050 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM034 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1954 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM003 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM029 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM032 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM036 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM039 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1739 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM051 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM055 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM057 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1874 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM063 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM064 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM067 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM068 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM076 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM078 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM081 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM086 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1932 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM087 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
I1304 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1741 BCE Murcia. La Almoloya. El Argar, Spain View
ALM080 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM031 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1750 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM030 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM058 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM077 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
ALM052 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1884 BCE Murcia. Pliego. La Almoloya, Spain View
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
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
BAS002 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1620 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS018 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1865 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS026 The Argaric Culture of Spain 2000 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
BAS017 The Argaric Culture of Spain 1871 BCE Murcia. Totana. La Bastida, Spain View
LHO002 Bronze Age La Horna, Spain 1620 BCE Alicante. Aspe. La Horna, Spain View
LHO001 Bronze Age La Horna, Spain 1611 BCE Alicante. Aspe. La Horna, Spain View
MDP002 Early El Argar Culture Molinos de Papel, Spain 2200 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Molinos del Papel, Spain View
MDP003 Early El Argar Culture Molinos de Papel, Spain 2197 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Molinos del Papel, Spain View
MDP001 Early El Argar Culture Molinos de Papel, Spain 2297 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Molinos del Papel, Spain View
MIV001 Neolithic to Bronze Age Transition in Iberia 2200 BCE Barcelona. Terrasa. Miquel Vives, Spain View
CBR004 Bronze Age Cabezo Redondo, Southeast Spain 1538 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cabezo Redondo, Spain View
CMO001 The Argaric Culture of Southeast Iberia 1881 BCE Murcia. Moratalla. Cerro del Morrón, Spain View
CMO002 The Argaric Culture of Southeast Iberia 1888 BCE Murcia. Moratalla. Cerro del Morrón, Spain View
CMO003 The Argaric Culture of Southeast Iberia 1750 BCE Murcia. Moratalla. Cerro del Morrón, Spain View
LOT001 The Argaric Culture of Southeast Iberia 2021 BCE Murcia. Lorca. Los Tintes, Spain View
MMI004 The Argaric Culture of Southeast Iberia 2000 BCE Murcia. Lorca. Madre Mercedarias Iglesias, Spain View
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
CDM001 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 2559 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Camino del Molino, Spain View
CDM002 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 2579 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Camino del Molino, Spain View
CDM003 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Camino del Molino, Spain View
CDM004 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Camino del Molino, Spain View
CDM005 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Murcia. Caravaca. Camino del Molino, Spain View
CDP001 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
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
CLL001 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL002 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
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
CLL008 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL009 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL010 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CLL011 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Villena. Cueva de las Lechuzas, Spain View
CDP003 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
CDP009 Chalcolithic Southeast Iberia 3300 BCE Alicante. Planes. Cova d' En Pardo, Spain View
MON013 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE Sevilla. Valencina de la Concepción. PP4-Montelirio, Spain View
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
MON029 Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia 3300 BCE Sevilla. Valencina de la Concepción. PP4-Montelirio, Spain View
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
MIV001 Neolithic to Bronze Age Transition in Iberia 2200 BCE Barcelona. Terrasa. Miquel Vives, Spain View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (MIV001) 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 43%
European Hunter-Gatherers 30%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 28%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (MIV001) 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 98%
Southern European 75%
Iberian 44.9%
Italian 19.4%
Sardinian 10.6%
Northwestern European 23%
English 14.6%
Northwestern European 8.6%
Asia 1%
Japanese & Korean 1%
Japanese 1.1%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 0%
Oceania 0%
Melanesian 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample MIV001 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

MIV001,0.11759526,0.15070358,0.04198208,-0.00669138,0.05062234,-0.00410308,-0.00132222,0.00392636,0.02970872,0.0423579,-0.00690162,0.01247814,-0.02031754,-0.01068072,0.00690258,-0.00213782,-0.00779106,-0.00080852,-0.00153578,-0.00506648,0.00308164,0.0026789,-0.00770408,-0.01008966,0.00013827
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:
View Publication
Save 85% coupon: CYBERWEEK85

Valid until April 29 2025