Isotopic evidence for mobility at large-scale human aggregations in Copper Age Iberia: the mega-site of Marroquíes

Abstract

Settlements incorporating large-scale human aggregations are a well-documented but poorly understood phenomenon across late prehistoric Europe. The authors' research examines the origins and trajectory of such aggregations through isotope analysis of human skeletal remains from the mega-site of Marroquíes in Jaén, Spain. The results indicate that eight per cent of 115 sampled individuals are of non-local origin. These individuals received mortuary treatments indistinguishable from those of locals, suggesting their incorporation into pre-existing social networks in both life and death. This research contributes to our understanding of the extent and patterning of human mobility, which underlies the emergence of late prehistoric mega-sites in Europe.

La necrópolis calcolítica de Los Millares: dataciones radiocarbónicas y valoración de la dieta y del medio ambiente a partir del análisis de isótopos estables

“…Al tratarse de una mujer, se podría pensar en una procedencia de otro asentamiento, para evitar efectos endogámicos dentro de una dinámica patrilocal, aspecto que ya se ha referido en yacimientos de la Edad del Bronce de la Alta Andalucía como el Cerro del Alcázar (Baeza, Jaén) (Molina et al 2019). Hay que señalar, sin embargo, la necesidad de otros estudios que prueben de manera más fehaciente una movilidad sin duda existente también en el Calcolítico (Díaz-Zorita et al 2018).…”

The Deposition of Human Remains Inside Chalcolithic Ditched Enclosures: Ditch 5 at Marroquíes (Jaén, Spain)

“…Distribution of mortuary areas (blue dots) and layout of possible ditches. Excavated area of Ditch 5 is marked by a red dot (modified from Díaz-Zorita Bonilla et al, 2018). …”

“…Like other Iberian ditched enclosures, Marroquíes is noteworthy for the presence of human bones, predominantly within the enclosure system, although there is some evidence that these kinds of practices were also present outside the enclosed area (Figure 1). At Marroquíes, human bones have largely been found in three types of features: i) circular and oval pits of varying shape and size, typically associated with other kinds of material culture, especially faunal remains (Serrano Peña et al, 2011; Cámara Serrano et al, 2012; Beck, 2016, 2017; Díaz-Zorita Bonilla et al, 2018); ii) different sections of Ditches 4 and 5 (Sánchez Vizcaíno et al, 2005; Aranda Jiménez et al, 2016; Beck, 2017); and iii) hypogea located outside the enclosure area (Espantaleón & Jubes 1957, 1960; Serrano Peña et al, 2011; Beck, 2017; Díaz-Zorita Bonilla et al, 2018).…”

Don't throw the baby teeth out with the bathwater: Estimating subadult age using tooth wear in commingled archaeological assemblages

“…Here, we focus on Necrópolis 4 (N4), a series of anthropogenic subterranean mortuary caves containing a high volume of commingled and fragmentary human remains. Radiocarbon dates from human bone at N4 indicate a period of mortuary activity between 2720 and 2460 cal BCE (Beck, ; Díaz‐Zorita Bonilla, Beck, Bocherens, & Díaz‐del‐Río, ). N4 was most recently excavated in 2001, and all material from these excavations is curated by the Museum of Jaén (Manzano Castillo & Martínez Ocaña, ).…”

“…N4 was most recently excavated in 2001, and all material from these excavations is curated by the Museum of Jaén (Manzano Castillo & Martínez Ocaña, ). Detailed information about the mortuary context of N4 can be found in Beck (), Beck, Díaz‐Zorita Bonilla, Bocherens, and Díaz‐del‐Río (), and Díaz‐Zorita Bonilla et al ().…”