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This funerary complex did not exist in splendid isolation: rather, it forms one component of a vast Copper Age settlement at Valencina. This extends over 400ha, making it the largest site of this period known in Iberia. Valencina is also home to various other large megalithic monuments, including the tomb at La Pastora, as well as tens of thousands of more modest features, such as pits and ditches. Over the last decade, the considerably tightened that chronology, indicating that the tomb was only used for a brief spell between the late 29th and late 28th centuries BC. The bodies and artefacts deposited during that short period paint a vivid picture of the carefully choreographed religious rituals that played out at the site.

Figure 1 This funerary complex did not exist in splendid isolation: rather, it forms one component of a vast Copper Age settlement at Valencina. This extends over 400ha, making it the largest site of this period known in Iberia. Valencina is also home to various other large megalithic monuments, including the tomb at La Pastora, as well as tens of thousands of more modest features, such as pits and ditches. Over the last decade, the considerably tightened that chronology, indicating that the tomb was only used for a brief spell between the late 29th and late 28th centuries BC. The bodies and artefacts deposited during that short period paint a vivid picture of the carefully choreographed religious rituals that played out at the site.

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over its completed superstructure. Despite the builders’ willingness to accept a helping hand from nature, the design of this great monument leaves no doubt about their creative genius and careful technical planning. It also emphasises that Copper Age Valencina was a different world in environmental as well as human terms. settlement has been at the heart of debate about the rise of social complexity in Iberia during the 3rd millennium BC.
over its completed superstructure. Despite the builders’ willingness to accept a helping hand from nature, the design of this great monument leaves no doubt about their creative genius and careful technical planning. It also emphasises that Copper Age Valencina was a different world in environmental as well as human terms. settlement has been at the heart of debate about the rise of social complexity in Iberia during the 3rd millennium BC.
A short corridor leads off from the Large Chamber to the Small Chamber. This was originally lined with slabs similar to those in the Large Chamber, > In the 3rd millennium BC, the Guadalquivir River met the Atlantic Ocean much further inland than today, setting Valencina within a marine environment. The influence of the sea makes itself felt in the physical fabric of the tomb, as the subterranean corridor is roofed by sandstone slabs that had been extracted from a coastal quarry 15km distant. Such capstones were used in a similar fashion in the nearby La Pastora tomb, and it is possible that they were prized because of their marine association and the presence of seashells. That decoration was considered important is demonstrated by slate slabs adorned with red pigment that were placed at intervals along the corridor. Once this passage was completed, it did not only grant
A short corridor leads off from the Large Chamber to the Small Chamber. This was originally lined with slabs similar to those in the Large Chamber, > In the 3rd millennium BC, the Guadalquivir River met the Atlantic Ocean much further inland than today, setting Valencina within a marine environment. The influence of the sea makes itself felt in the physical fabric of the tomb, as the subterranean corridor is roofed by sandstone slabs that had been extracted from a coastal quarry 15km distant. Such capstones were used in a similar fashion in the nearby La Pastora tomb, and it is possible that they were prized because of their marine association and the presence of seashells. That decoration was considered important is demonstrated by slate slabs adorned with red pigment that were placed at intervals along the corridor. Once this passage was completed, it did not only grant
access to people: as it faced east, it allowed light from the rising sun to flood in.
access to people: as it faced east, it allowed light from the rising sun to flood in.
but these were probably removed between the 1st century BC and the Ist century AD, when this part of the monument was disturbed and a massive mud-brick wall was built across the south-western portion of the Large Chamber. the oldest corpses had fully decayed. Of the 20 individuals present, 15 are confirmed or likely to be female, with the remaining five being of undetermined gender. To put it another way, there is no conclusive evidence of any males within this chamber. The average age of death for this group is 31.1 years and only one woman had lived past 40. Even allowing
but these were probably removed between the 1st century BC and the Ist century AD, when this part of the monument was disturbed and a massive mud-brick wall was built across the south-western portion of the Large Chamber. the oldest corpses had fully decayed. Of the 20 individuals present, 15 are confirmed or likely to be female, with the remaining five being of undetermined gender. To put it another way, there is no conclusive evidence of any males within this chamber. The average age of death for this group is 31.1 years and only one woman had lived past 40. Even allowing
LEFT Looking east along the passage leading into the tomb. It was lined with slate slabs, some of which were painted a vivid red (ABOVE). for the lower life expectancy during this period, the people within the Large Chamber were still comparatively young when they died.
LEFT Looking east along the passage leading into the tomb. It was lined with slate slabs, some of which were painted a vivid red (ABOVE). for the lower life expectancy during this period, the people within the Large Chamber were still comparatively young when they died.
Despite their youth, these women do not seem to have enjoyed particularly good health. A relatively high number were afflicted by conditions such as arthritis in their spines and limbs, while three of the women displayed acute markers of stress usually associated with intensive leg exercise and squatting. Most tellingly, however, was chemica
Despite their youth, these women do not seem to have enjoyed particularly good health. A relatively high number were afflicted by conditions such as arthritis in their spines and limbs, while three of the women displayed acute markers of stress usually associated with intensive leg exercise and squatting. Most tellingly, however, was chemica
analysis of the bones, which revealed that six individuals - 85% of those sampled - contained high or very high levels of mercury. In all probability, this mercury accumulated in their bodies following prolonged use of the cinnabar pigment as body paint or possibly even after direct consumption. Medical literature on mercury poisoning describes severe symptoms, including seizures, convulsions, and sensory disturbance. One of these women also had a highly unusual physical trait: six toes on both feet. This is the first case of such a congenital malformation to have been described in the literature of Iberian prehistory. other European and Mediterranean societies during this period.
analysis of the bones, which revealed that six individuals - 85% of those sampled - contained high or very high levels of mercury. In all probability, this mercury accumulated in their bodies following prolonged use of the cinnabar pigment as body paint or possibly even after direct consumption. Medical literature on mercury poisoning describes severe symptoms, including seizures, convulsions, and sensory disturbance. One of these women also had a highly unusual physical trait: six toes on both feet. This is the first case of such a congenital malformation to have been described in the literature of Iberian prehistory. other European and Mediterranean societies during this period.
Altogether, Montelirio represents one of the most exciting and ground-breaking discoveries for the study of Western Europe in the 3rd millennium BC. The data from this tomb shed light on the patterns of long- distance interaction in the Copper Age, the range of manufacturing techniques, and the economy of high-status products, >
Altogether, Montelirio represents one of the most exciting and ground-breaking discoveries for the study of Western Europe in the 3rd millennium BC. The data from this tomb shed light on the patterns of long- distance interaction in the Copper Age, the range of manufacturing techniques, and the economy of high-status products, >
Related topics:
ReligionArchaeologyPrehistoric ArchaeologyArt HistoryArchitectureHistory of ReligionMediterranean prehistoryHistory and MemoryFunerary ArchaeologyAncient Religion
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