The first metallurgy in the Pityusic Islands (Balearic archipelago, Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

The islands of Ibiza and Formentera (the Pityusic Islands in the Balearic archipelago, Spain) were one of the last insular contexts to be colonised in the Mediterranean. The first settlement occurred during the second millennium cal BCE, probably by continental Bronze Age communities. During the first centuries of occupation (ca. 2100-1400 cal BCE), local material culture is defined in terms of the Bell-Beaker/Dolmenic and First Naviform periods. The Pityusic Islands have no mineral resources for producing copper or bronze objects locally, so the presence of metal objects dated to these periods necessarily indicates exogenous contact. Seven metal objects have been found in five archaeological sites located in both islands. Archaeometallurgical research conducted on these objects reveals the economic behaviour of these first settlers in acquiring these resources. In this respect, aspects of this behaviour, such as technological patterns and trade dynamics, are analysed.

Caprine dental microwear reveals livestock management and exploitation of landscape during the Middle and Late Bronze Age of the Balearic Islands (ca. 1500–850 cal. BC)

“…Coll and Ramis 2014) -shows clear similarities with that of the probable source regions, especially the Eastern Pyrenees and Languedoc. A similar interpretation derives from early metallurgy studies, with a metal composition of objects from Ibiza and Formentera being compatible with a Pyrenees or Languedoc origin (Sureda 2019), and tin alloys being present in Mallorca in the late 3rd millennium BC, before its spread into Iberia (Ramis 2014). Moreover, an aDNA analysis of a Mallorcan human remain dated to the 3rd millennium cal.…”

Interwoven traditions in Bell Beaker metallurgy: Approaching the social value of copper at Bauma del Serrat del Pont (Northeast Iberia)

“…1662–1490 cal. BCE) in Formentera island [ 82 ], what would evidence exploitation of this mine over an extended period of time. Further analyses in this mining district would be beneficial for future research.…”

Maritime connections in the Western Mediterranean and access to copper resources in the Balearic Islands during the Late Bronze Age: Isotopic characterization of the bronze deposit at Es Mitjà Gran, Mallorca

“…In this context, it is not strange to find artefacts in Mallorca that were made with Menorcan ores, especially given that there are documented prehistoric mines in Menorca and none has been found Mallorca (Hunt et al, 2014;Llull et al, 2021). In fact, artefacts are being discovered in the Pityusic Islands that may also have been crafted with Menorcan ores (Sureda, 2019(Sureda, , 2020, as are other objects in Mallorca that can be dated back even further (Llull et al, 2021).…”