Assembling the Dead, Gathering the Living: Radiocarbon Dating and Bayesian Modelling for Copper Age Valencina de la Concepción (Seville, Spain) - PubMed (original) (raw)

doi: 10.1007/s10963-018-9114-2. Epub 2018 May 19.

Juan Manuel Vargas Jiménez 2, Luis Miguel Cáceres Puro 3, Manuel Eleazar Costa Caramé 1, Marta Díaz-Guardamino Uribe 4, Marta Díaz-Zorita Bonilla 5, Álvaro Fernández Flores 6, Víctor Hurtado Pérez 1, Pedro M López Aldana 7, Elena Méndez Izquierdo 7, Ana Pajuelo Pando 7, Joaquín Rodríguez Vidal 3, David Wheatley 8, Christopher Bronk Ramsey 9, Antonio Delgado-Huertas 10, Elaine Dunbar 11, Adrián Mora González 10, Alex Bayliss 12 13, Nancy Beavan 4, Derek Hamilton 11, Alasdair Whittle 4

Affiliations

Assembling the Dead, Gathering the Living: Radiocarbon Dating and Bayesian Modelling for Copper Age Valencina de la Concepción (Seville, Spain)

Leonardo García Sanjuán et al. J World Prehist. 2018.

Abstract

The great site of Valencina de la Concepción, near Seville in the lower Guadalquivir valley of southwest Spain, is presented in the context of debate about the nature of Copper Age society in southern Iberia as a whole. Many aspects of the layout, use, character and development of Valencina remain unclear, just as there are major unresolved questions about the kind of society represented there and in southern Iberia, from the late fourth to the late third millennium cal BC. This paper discusses 178 radiocarbon dates, from 17 excavated sectors within the c. 450 ha site, making it the best dated in later Iberian prehistory as a whole. Dates are modelled in a Bayesian statistical framework. The resulting formal date estimates provide the basis for both a new epistemological approach to the site and a much more detailed narrative of its development than previously available. Beginning in the 32nd century cal BC, a long-lasting tradition of simple, mainly collective and often successive burial was established at the site. Mud-vaulted tholoi appear to belong to the 29th or 28th centuries cal BC; large stone-vaulted tholoi such as La Pastora appear to date later in the sequence. There is plenty of evidence for a wide range of other activity, but no clear sign of permanent, large-scale residence or public buildings or spaces. Results in general support a model of increasingly competitive but ultimately unstable social relations, through various phases of emergence, social competition, display and hierarchisation, and eventual decline, over a period of c. 900 years.

Keywords: Copper Age; Formal chronological modelling; Mortuary practice; Radiocarbon dating; Settlement; Social change; Southern Iberia.

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Figures

Fig. 1

Fig. 1

Location map of Valencina de la Concepción and selected other later prehistoric sites of the lower Guadalquivir Valley showing the approximate coastline of the third millennium cal BC. Height data are derived from the ASTER GDEM courtesy of the NASA EOSDIS Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Design: David Wheatley

Fig. 2

Fig. 2

The site of Valencina de la Concepción, showing the locations of the sectors discussed in the text. Aerial photography base map is derived from 1:10,000 aerial photography (1998–2001), Instituto de Estadística y Cartografía de Andalucía. Design: David Wheatley

Fig. 3

Fig. 3

La Huera burial chamber with human bone deposits UU.EE. 2229 and 2236, as well as roof collapse level U.E. 2218. Photo: Elena Méndez Izquierdo

Fig. 4

Fig. 4

Chronological model for burial activity at La Huera. Each distribution represents the relative probability that an event occurred at some particular time. For each of the radiocarbon measurements two distributions have been plotted, one in outline which is the result of simple radiocarbon calibration, and a solid one which is based on the chronological model use. The other distributions correspond to aspects of the model. For example, ‘La Huera_—_first: 2229 and 2236’ is the estimated date that the burial began in this sector. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 5

Fig. 5

Probability distributions for the number of years over which the majority of burial activity at La Huera took place (_span: La Huera pre_-collapse) and number of years (La Huera: span hiatus) between _OxA_-28234: 2207 at the top of the main use sequence and the insertion of _SUERC_-47677: 2201. The distributions are derived from the model defined in Fig. 4

Fig. 6

Fig. 6

Structure 5 at Calle Dinamarca Nos 3–5. General view of the upper layers of the central chamber. Photograph: Ana Pajuelo Pando

Fig. 7

Fig. 7

Human bone deposits of Structure 5 at Calle Dinamarca Nos 3–5. North in this photo is towards the bottom left-hand corner. Photo: Ana Pajuelo Pando

Fig. 8

Fig. 8

Structure 28 at Calle Dinamarca Nos 3–5. Photo: Ana Pajuelo Pando

Fig. 9

Fig. 9

Chronological model for the burial activity at Calle Dinamarca Nos 3–5. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 10

Fig. 10

Probability distributions for the number of years over which burial activity took place at structures 5 and 28 of Calle Dinamarca Nos 3–5. The distributions are derived from the model defined in Fig. 9

Fig. 11

Fig. 11

Excavation area of IES with Structure 402 in the foreground. Photo: Juan Manuel Vargas Jiménez

Fig. 12

Fig. 12

Chronological model for the burial activity associated with Structure 64 and for ivory working in Structure 402/403 in the IES sector, with the calibrated radiocarbon date from the infill of Structure 34. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 13

Fig. 13

Probability distribution for the number of years over which burial activity associated with Structure 64 at IES took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 12

Fig. 14

Fig. 14

Main sectors and features in the southeastern quadrant of Valencina: 1 La Pastora; 2 La Pastora-El Cuervo area surveyed by magnetometry; 3 Parcela Municipal; 4 Ontiveros; 5 El Roquetito; 6 Structure 3 of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes; 7 Structure 2 of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes; 8 Montelirio tholos; 9 PP4-Montelirio; 10 Montelirio-La Pastora area surveyed by magnetometry; 11 Mataherrera-La Pastora sector. Design: Juan Manuel Vargas Jiménez

Fig. 15

Fig. 15

Overview of PP4-Montelirio Structure 10.042-10.049. Photo: José Peinado Cucarella

Fig. 16

Fig. 16

Lower level of PP4-Montelirio Structure 10.049 with individual inhumation of an adult male. Photo: José Peinado Cucarella

Fig. 17

Fig. 17

Lower level (Phase I) of PP4-Montelirio Structure 10.071 with three individual inhumations. Photo: José Peinado Cucarella

Fig. 18

Fig. 18

Human remains in PP4-Montelirio Structure 10.031. Photo: José Peinado Cucarella

Fig. 19

Fig. 19

Chronological model for the burial activity associated with the three structures in the PP4-Montelirio sector. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 20

Fig. 20

Plan of the Montelirio tholos. Above: linear drawing showing the corridor capstones; Below: ortho-photomosaic combined with laser scan after the excavation of the corridor and chambers. Design: Álvaro Fernández Flores

Fig. 21

Fig. 21

Chronological model for the burial activity associated with the Montelirio tholos (Model 1). The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 22

Fig. 22

Probability distribution for the number of years over which burial activity inside the Montelirio tholos took place. The distributions are derived from the model defined in Fig. 21 (Model 1)

Fig. 23

Fig. 23

Alternative chronological model for the burial activity associated with the Montelirio tholos (Model 2). The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 24

Fig. 24

Human remains in the top of Structure 30 at Calle Mariana de Pineda s/n. Photo: Ana Pajuelo Pando

Fig. 25

Fig. 25

Chronological model for the activity associated with the ditch (Structure 1) and Structure 30 at Calle Mariana de Pineda s/n. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 26

Fig. 26

Probability distributions for the number of years over which burial activity associated with Structure 30 at Calle Mariana de Pineda s/n took place and for how long the ditch (Structure 1) may have been open. The distributions are derived from the model defined in Fig. 25

Fig. 27

Fig. 27

Excavation of Structure 136 at Calle Trabajadores Nos 14–18. Photo: Pedro López Aldana

Fig. 28

Fig. 28

Chronological model for the activity associated with the four dated structures in the Calle Trabajadores Nos 14–18. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 29

Fig. 29

Probability distribution for the number of years over which burial activity associated with the four structures at Calle Trabajadores Nos 14–18 took place. The distributions are derived from the model defined in Fig. 28

Fig. 30

Fig. 30

Overview of excavation at Calle Ruiseñor No 20. Photo: Miguel Ángel de Dios Pérez

Fig. 31

Fig. 31

Chronological model for the activity at the Calle Ruiseñor No 20. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 32

Fig. 32

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at Calle Ruiseñor No 20 took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 31

Fig. 33

Fig. 33

El Algarrobillo: human skulls in Structure 1. Photo: Isabel Santana Falcón

Fig. 34

Fig. 34

Chronological model for activity in the El Algarrobillo sector. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 35

Fig. 35

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity in El Algarrobillo took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 34

Fig. 36

Fig. 36

Alternative chronological model for activity in the El Algarrobillo sector, assuming two distinct phases of activity. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 37

Fig. 37

Probability distributions for the number of years over which activity for the two potential phases at El Algarrobillo took place and for the gap between them. The distributions are derived from the alternative model defined in Fig. 36

Fig. 38

Fig. 38

Chronological model for activity in the La Alcazaba sector. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 39

Fig. 39

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at La Alcazaba took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 38

Fig. 40

Fig. 40

Chronological model for activity in the PP-Matarrubilla sector. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 41

Fig. 41

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at PP-Matarrubilla took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 40

Fig. 42

Fig. 42

Probability distributions for the simple calibrated dates from La Cima, La Gallega and Avenida de Andalucía No 9

Fig. 43

Fig. 43

Probability distributions for the simple calibrated dates that are not modelled from Cerro de la Cabeza

Fig. 44

Fig. 44

Chronological model for activity in the Cerro de la Cabeza sector. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 45

Fig. 45

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at Cerro de la Cabeza took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 44

Fig. 46

Fig. 46

La Pastora corridor. Photo: Miguel Ángel Blanco de la Rubia by courtesy of the Cultural Board of the Andalusian Regional Government

Fig. 47

Fig. 47

Chronological model for activity at La Pastora. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 48

Fig. 48

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at La Pastora took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 47

Fig. 49

Fig. 49

Overview of the 2011 excavation at Parcela Municipal, from the west, showing various circular pits in the foreground and the two parallel ditches in the background. Photo: Juan Manuel Vargas Jiménez

Fig. 50

Fig. 50

Detail of Parcela Municipal Structure 435. Photo: Juan Manuel Vargas Jiménez

Fig. 51

Fig. 51

Chronological model for the activity at Parcela Municipal. The format is as described in Fig. 4. The large square ‘brackets’ down the left-hand side along with the OxCal keywords define the overall model exactly

Fig. 52

Fig. 52

Probability distribution for the number of years over which activity at Parcela Municipal took place. The distribution is derived from the model defined in Fig. 51

Fig. 53

Fig. 53

Key parameters from the chronological models from the Valencina complex which include dates on human bone, calculated using fully terrestrial calibration (IntCal13) (in black) and mixed-source calibration to allow for potential dietary reservoir effects (in blue; see text and Tables 4 and 5), derived from the models defined in Figs. 4, 9, 12, 19, 21, 25, 28, 34, 38, 44, 47 and 51 (Color figure online)

Fig. 53

Fig. 53

Key parameters from the chronological models from the Valencina complex which include dates on human bone, calculated using fully terrestrial calibration (IntCal13) (in black) and mixed-source calibration to allow for potential dietary reservoir effects (in blue; see text and Tables 4 and 5), derived from the models defined in Figs. 4, 9, 12, 19, 21, 25, 28, 34, 38, 44, 47 and 51 (Color figure online)

Fig. 54

Fig. 54

Schematic diagram showing the periods of use of the different sectors and structures at Valencina de la Concepción

Fig. 55

Fig. 55

Schematic diagram showing the periods of use of different funerary practices at Valencina de la Concepción

Fig. 56

Fig. 56

Number of dated funerary structures and non-funerary site occupied per 25-year period at Valencina de la Concepción, calculated from the normalised probability distributions for the use of each sector illustrated in Fig. 55

Fig. 57

Fig. 57

Probability distributions of dates from ditches at Valencina de la Concepción, derived from the models defined in Figs. 25, 31, 40 and 51 (Sac-2214, which is included from the model shown in Fig. 25, and UBAR-1024/CNA-001 have simply been calibrated)

Fig. 58

Fig. 58

La Huera. Individual UE 2201 inserted into the top of the old deposits. Photo: Elena Méndez Izquierdo

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