A woman buried in Spain in the Copper Age era

MON033
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:
MON033
Date:
3300 BCE - 2300 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
U5b1
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Coordinates:
37.4109, -6.0590
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Chalcolithic period, also known as the Copper Age, in Southwest Iberia (modern-day Portugal and parts of Spain) represents a significant transitional phase between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, roughly dating from 3000 to 2200 BCE. This era is characterized by the introduction and use of copper tools alongside stone implements, marking a critical advancement in technology and society. Here is an extensive and detailed description of this fascinating era and culture.

Geography and Environment

Southwest Iberia during the Chalcolithic was a region with diverse landscapes that included river valleys, rolling plains, and mountainous areas. The climate was relatively temperate, supporting a variety of flora and fauna. This environment allowed for mixed agriculture, pastoralism, and exploitation of maritime resources, which were central to the region's subsistence strategies.

Settlements and Architecture

The Chalcolithic period saw the development of increasingly complex settlements. Villages were often strategically located on elevated ground, near water sources, or along trade routes. Settlements varied in size and complexity, from small hamlets to larger fortified communities.

A notable architectural feature of this era is the construction of megalithic structures. These include dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles, which were used for ceremonial and funerary purposes. The sophistication in construction techniques suggests a well-organized labor force and a society capable of undertaking large-scale projects.

Economy and Subsistence

The economy during this period was characterized by a mixed subsistence strategy, combining agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting, and gathering. Main agricultural products included cereals like wheat and barley, and legumes such as peas and lentils. Livestock, particularly cattle, sheep, and goats, played a significant role in the economy, providing meat, milk, wool, and hides.

The introduction of copper metallurgy was transformative. Southwest Iberia was rich in copper ore, and communities engaged in mining and metallurgy. This led to the development of specialized skills and trade networks, as copper tools and ornaments were exchanged over long distances, indicating a growing complexity in social and economic interactions.

Social Organization and Culture

The society in Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia was likely organized into tribes or chiefdoms, with emerging social stratification. The presence of elaborate burial sites and grave goods suggests distinctions in status and wealth. The megalithic tombs often contained multiple burials, with grave goods like pottery, tools, and ornaments, pointing to beliefs in an afterlife and the significance of ancestral veneration.

Cultural practices also included artistic expression, evident in the pottery styles, with decorations ranging from simple geometric designs to more intricate motifs. The artwork on ceramic vessels and the carving of idols and figurines reflect a complex symbolic and ritualistic life.

Religion and Belief Systems

Religion and spirituality played a significant role in Chalcolithic societies. The construction of megalithic monuments is often interpreted as a reflection of religious beliefs, possibly related to solar and lunar cycles, fertility, and ancestor worship. These structures served as focal points for community gatherings, religious ceremonies, and burial rites.

Trade and External Connections

Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia was not isolated; it was part of broader interaction networks that extended across the Iberian Peninsula and into the wider Mediterranean world. The exchange of goods, such as copper, pottery, and crafted items, facilitated cultural and technological exchanges, contributing to the complexity and dynamism of the region.

Legacy and Transition

The Chalcolithic period laid the foundations for subsequent developments in the Bronze Age. The advancements in metallurgy, social organization, and trade networks continued to evolve, leading to even more complex societies. Understanding this era provides crucial insights into the cultural and technological transformations that shaped prehistoric Europe.

In summary, the Chalcolithic Southwest Iberia was a period of technological innovation, social complexity, and cultural richness, marked by the beginning of metallurgical practices and the construction of monumental megalithic architecture, which continue to fascinate archaeologists and historians today.

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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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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
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
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (MON033) 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 63%
European Hunter-Gatherers 20%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 17%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (MON033) 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 100%
Iberian 56.3%
Sardinian 27.5%
Italian 16.2%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample MON033 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

MON033,0.12059052,0.16006188,0.03367966,-0.02706382,0.05725768,-0.01444104,-0.00175508,0.00628776,0.03646644,0.06188054,-0.0059405,0.0143708,-0.02545536,-0.012361,-0.00350804,0.00354824,0.00290018,-0.00089134,-0.00099214,-0.00304458,0.00232354,0.00542182,-0.01188324,-0.0175491,0.00413271
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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