this work summarizes the results yielded after five excavation campaigns where undertaken at the Cerro Borreguero (Borreguero Hill) Archaeological Site (Zalamea de la Serena, Badajoz). Said excavation campaigns have allowed us to... more
this work summarizes the results yielded after five excavation campaigns where undertaken at the Cerro Borreguero (Borreguero Hill) Archaeological Site (Zalamea de la Serena, Badajoz). Said excavation campaigns have allowed us to document the existence of three moments of occupation between the ninth century BCE and the first century BCE, with a noticeable hiatus between the Protohistoric Period and Roman Period. The appearance of an oval hut along with a rectangular construction indicates that this is the first transition archaeological site in the Middle Valley of the Guadiana River which dates between the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I.
A detailed pollen analysis has been carried out on two sediment cores taken from a marsh area located in the Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain. The studied sedimentary sequences contain a similar late Holocene record of vegetation... more
A detailed pollen analysis has been carried out on two sediment cores taken from a marsh area located in the Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain.
The studied sedimentary sequences contain a similar late Holocene record of vegetation and climate and show a progressive aridification trend since at
least 5000 cal. yr BP, through a decrease in forest cover in this area. Long-term vegetation changes shown here (semi-desert expansion and Mediterranean
forest decline) paralleled declining summer insolation. Decreasing summer insolation most likely impacted negatively on tree growing season as well as on
winter precipitation in the area. Superimposed on the long-term aridification trend were multi-centennial scale periods characterized by forest reductions
or increases in arid and halophytic plants that can be interpreted as produced by enhanced droughts and/or by local geodynamic processes. These are
centered at ca. 4000, 3000–2500, and 1000 cal. yr BP, coinciding in timing and duration with well-known dry events in the western Mediterranean and
other areas but could have also been generated by local sedimentary or geodynamic processes such as a marine transgression in a subsidence context
and extreme wave events (EWEs). The alternation of persistent North Atlantic Oscillation modes probably played an important role in controlling these
relatively humid–arid cycles.
The studied sedimentary sequences contain a similar late Holocene record of vegetation and climate and show a progressive aridification trend since at
least 5000 cal. yr BP, through a decrease in forest cover in this area. Long-term vegetation changes shown here (semi-desert expansion and Mediterranean
forest decline) paralleled declining summer insolation. Decreasing summer insolation most likely impacted negatively on tree growing season as well as on
winter precipitation in the area. Superimposed on the long-term aridification trend were multi-centennial scale periods characterized by forest reductions
or increases in arid and halophytic plants that can be interpreted as produced by enhanced droughts and/or by local geodynamic processes. These are
centered at ca. 4000, 3000–2500, and 1000 cal. yr BP, coinciding in timing and duration with well-known dry events in the western Mediterranean and
other areas but could have also been generated by local sedimentary or geodynamic processes such as a marine transgression in a subsidence context
and extreme wave events (EWEs). The alternation of persistent North Atlantic Oscillation modes probably played an important role in controlling these
relatively humid–arid cycles.
Amultidisciplinary study froma number of drilled cores in theGuadalquivir estuary hasmade possible to identify as many as three extreme wave events and their facies in the 4th millennium BP (A: ~4000 cal yr BP, B: ~3550 cal yr BP, and... more
Amultidisciplinary study froma number of drilled cores in theGuadalquivir estuary hasmade possible to identify as
many as three extreme wave events and their facies in the 4th millennium BP (A: ~4000 cal yr BP, B: ~3550 cal yr
BP, and C: ~3150 cal yr BP). These events,which caused strong erosion in the Guadalquivir sandy barrier and in the
neighboring aeolian systems of El Abalario, brought about significant paleogeographical changes that may have
affected human settlements established in the area during the Neolithic and Copper Age periods and during the
Middle Bronze Age. The three events can be spatially correlated and their facies differentiated frommore proximal
to more distal from the coastline. The most proximal facies is characterized by a massive accumulation of shells, a
sandy or sandy–muddy matrix, an erosive base, a highly diverse mixture of species (marine and estuarine), and
lithoclasts. The most distal facies presents a muddy–sandy matrix, dominance of estuarine fauna, shell accumulation,
presence of terrestrial species, mudpebbles, pebbles in a clayey matrix, and bioturbation. The evidence
presented will further advance scientific knowledge about the impact of extreme wave events on coastal areas
in SW Iberia and NWAfrica.
many as three extreme wave events and their facies in the 4th millennium BP (A: ~4000 cal yr BP, B: ~3550 cal yr
BP, and C: ~3150 cal yr BP). These events,which caused strong erosion in the Guadalquivir sandy barrier and in the
neighboring aeolian systems of El Abalario, brought about significant paleogeographical changes that may have
affected human settlements established in the area during the Neolithic and Copper Age periods and during the
Middle Bronze Age. The three events can be spatially correlated and their facies differentiated frommore proximal
to more distal from the coastline. The most proximal facies is characterized by a massive accumulation of shells, a
sandy or sandy–muddy matrix, an erosive base, a highly diverse mixture of species (marine and estuarine), and
lithoclasts. The most distal facies presents a muddy–sandy matrix, dominance of estuarine fauna, shell accumulation,
presence of terrestrial species, mudpebbles, pebbles in a clayey matrix, and bioturbation. The evidence
presented will further advance scientific knowledge about the impact of extreme wave events on coastal areas
in SW Iberia and NWAfrica.
The recent archaeological findings in the city of Huelva have supposed an important turn in the investigation on the first contacts of the Phoenicians in the Iberian Peninsula, now dated in the last years from century X a.n.e. This... more
The recent archaeological findings in the city of Huelva have
supposed an important turn in the investigation on the first contacts of the
Phoenicians in the Iberian Peninsula, now dated in the last years from century
X a.n.e. This circumstance allows us to consider a fluid commercial relation
between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, through Straits of Gibraltar,
before which until now it was possible to be defended. Nevertheless, in some
areas of the interior of the peninsular southwest objects and cultural manifestations
of clear Eastern origin are detected previous to the Phoenician presence
in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, which takes to us to propose a
route of continental penetration previous to the Phoenician colonization from
the south-east French, where some products of clear Cypriot origin would be
introduced, case of the found ones in some deposits of the Portuguese Beira
or the represented ones in the stelae of warrior. After the Phoenician colonization
of the peninsular southwestern coast a territory of more or less homogenous
culture will be formed that the Greeks denominated Tartessos, and
that must be understood as the amalgam arisen between the powerful original
culture of the Eastern Mediterranean introduced by the Phoenicians and the
native, of Atlantic origin.
supposed an important turn in the investigation on the first contacts of the
Phoenicians in the Iberian Peninsula, now dated in the last years from century
X a.n.e. This circumstance allows us to consider a fluid commercial relation
between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, through Straits of Gibraltar,
before which until now it was possible to be defended. Nevertheless, in some
areas of the interior of the peninsular southwest objects and cultural manifestations
of clear Eastern origin are detected previous to the Phoenician presence
in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, which takes to us to propose a
route of continental penetration previous to the Phoenician colonization from
the south-east French, where some products of clear Cypriot origin would be
introduced, case of the found ones in some deposits of the Portuguese Beira
or the represented ones in the stelae of warrior. After the Phoenician colonization
of the peninsular southwestern coast a territory of more or less homogenous
culture will be formed that the Greeks denominated Tartessos, and
that must be understood as the amalgam arisen between the powerful original
culture of the Eastern Mediterranean introduced by the Phoenicians and the
native, of Atlantic origin.
Research Interests:
The findings of the first southwestern warrior stelae and other treasures like the one from Aliseda, the bronze jugs or the orientalazing jewellery, have emphasize the importance of the Phoenician presence inside the Iberian Peninsula.... more
The findings of the first southwestern warrior stelae and other treasures like the one from Aliseda,
the bronze jugs or the orientalazing jewellery, have emphasize the importance of the Phoenician
presence inside the Iberian Peninsula. The appearance of cemeteries with elements of the Phoenician
world, such as Medellín, as well as the proliferation of singular buildings of eastern plant, has increased
this idea. However, a greater interest offers the change of economic strategy that is appraised in
this ample territory in the Orientalizing Period, where is evident the development of agriculture and
the detriment of the cattle economical base of the Final Bronze Age. These circumstances have allowed
elaborating some hypotheses that assert land colonization by Phoenician agents. Nevertheless,
it has been impossible to ratify this fact in any case, that rather seems to respond to a Tartesic colonization
of the inland territories that would contribute with manpower bringing the inherited cultural
features of the Phoenician colonization within the Tartesic nucleus. Therefore, it will be through the
Tartesic culture when objects or techniques of Eastern origin are introduced in inland Iberia, attached
to a change in the social, religious or economic organization that would alter the system implanted
since the beginnings of the Bronze Age, that at the end would determine a change in the commercial
relations around the Guadiana river.
the bronze jugs or the orientalazing jewellery, have emphasize the importance of the Phoenician
presence inside the Iberian Peninsula. The appearance of cemeteries with elements of the Phoenician
world, such as Medellín, as well as the proliferation of singular buildings of eastern plant, has increased
this idea. However, a greater interest offers the change of economic strategy that is appraised in
this ample territory in the Orientalizing Period, where is evident the development of agriculture and
the detriment of the cattle economical base of the Final Bronze Age. These circumstances have allowed
elaborating some hypotheses that assert land colonization by Phoenician agents. Nevertheless,
it has been impossible to ratify this fact in any case, that rather seems to respond to a Tartesic colonization
of the inland territories that would contribute with manpower bringing the inherited cultural
features of the Phoenician colonization within the Tartesic nucleus. Therefore, it will be through the
Tartesic culture when objects or techniques of Eastern origin are introduced in inland Iberia, attached
to a change in the social, religious or economic organization that would alter the system implanted
since the beginnings of the Bronze Age, that at the end would determine a change in the commercial
relations around the Guadiana river.
Research Interests:
In recent fieldworks carried out at the archaeological site of Cancho Roano, a boundary pit full-up with a big amount of animal bones and pottery have been discovered surrounding the building. The analysis of these remains allow us to... more
In recent fieldworks carried out at the archaeological site of Cancho Roano, a boundary pit
full-up with a big amount of animal bones and pottery have been discovered surrounding
the building. The analysis of these remains allow us to infer the celebration of a communal
banquet during the last moments of occupation of the complex, similar to those well-know
in other sites of the Iberian Peninsula and Central Europe. In opposition, the presence of
banquet tools with a more restricted use such as spits or tools related to the manoeuvring of
wine inside the building, implies another kind of commensality practices with a exclusively
private character.
full-up with a big amount of animal bones and pottery have been discovered surrounding
the building. The analysis of these remains allow us to infer the celebration of a communal
banquet during the last moments of occupation of the complex, similar to those well-know
in other sites of the Iberian Peninsula and Central Europe. In opposition, the presence of
banquet tools with a more restricted use such as spits or tools related to the manoeuvring of
wine inside the building, implies another kind of commensality practices with a exclusively
private character.
Research Interests:
In this paper we analyze the peculiar colonization strategy developed by Rome in a peripheral territory such as La Serena region (Extremadura, Spain). This is a large territory that after showing a considerable importance in the... more
In this paper we analyze the peculiar colonization strategy developed by Rome in a peripheral territory such as La Serena region (Extremadura, Spain). This is a large territory that after showing a considerable importance in the Orientalizing period, only recovers its vitality gradually and parallel to the advance of the roman presence in the area. The settlement strategy in La Serena is strongly characterized by the multiplication of the so-called "fortified -or cyclopean- enclosures". The roman strategy proved to be effective and valid under different periods and so these sites emerged in the republican times and lasted during the early Roman Empire. Their functionality also appears to be diverse depending on its timing and location, related either to the control of the territory or to the economic exploitation of the resources of this area, both mining and agricultural. These sites and their constructive characteristics have some coincidences with what we know in other regions of the Iberian Peninsula, such as the portuguese Alentejo or the High Guadalquivir (Andalusia, Spain). The singularity in the formation of La Serena territory, mainly rural, is enhanced by the presence of a rock sanctuary such as the “Cueva del Valle”, which must have worked as a gathering place for the surrounding villages, thus contributing to the consolidation of the Roman occupation.
Research Interests:
The aim of this paper is to show the survey methods developed in the framework of a research project carried out in the Serena region (Badajoz Province, Spain). We start from a critical use of the notion of archaeological site and an... more
The aim of this paper is to show the survey methods
developed in the framework of a research project carried
out in the Serena region (Badajoz Province, Spain). We
start from a critical use of the notion of archaeological
site and an assessment of the meaning of intensive surface
collection in the context of the study of the structure
of preindustrial agrarian landscapes. We offer a detailed
exposition of the survey planning, data capture and spatial
analysis. In a first stage we make a global estimate of
density of surface finds, locating possible areas of interest.
In a second phase detected dispersions are qualified
by systematic sampling. Its main purpose is to dismiss selective
procedures leading to remarkable biases in surface
record. We emphasize the balance achieved between
data resolution and effort invested. This method has
shown its effectiveness to characterize archaeological
entities often not considered in Peninsular regional projects.
Other factors affecting the recognition of sherd
scatters are discussed, like the so-called “background
noise”.
developed in the framework of a research project carried
out in the Serena region (Badajoz Province, Spain). We
start from a critical use of the notion of archaeological
site and an assessment of the meaning of intensive surface
collection in the context of the study of the structure
of preindustrial agrarian landscapes. We offer a detailed
exposition of the survey planning, data capture and spatial
analysis. In a first stage we make a global estimate of
density of surface finds, locating possible areas of interest.
In a second phase detected dispersions are qualified
by systematic sampling. Its main purpose is to dismiss selective
procedures leading to remarkable biases in surface
record. We emphasize the balance achieved between
data resolution and effort invested. This method has
shown its effectiveness to characterize archaeological
entities often not considered in Peninsular regional projects.
Other factors affecting the recognition of sherd
scatters are discussed, like the so-called “background
noise”.
Research Interests:
The famous stelae from the Tartessos region of southern Iberia are compared with new discoveries from the Levant. Similarities of theme and iconography endorse the Phoenician connection, but show it to be more a cultural dialogue... more
The famous stelae from the Tartessos region of southern Iberia are compared with new discoveries
from the Levant. Similarities of theme and iconography endorse the Phoenician connection, but
show it to be more a cultural dialogue between east and west than an imposition by colonists.
from the Levant. Similarities of theme and iconography endorse the Phoenician connection, but
show it to be more a cultural dialogue between east and west than an imposition by colonists.
