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This paper examines the use of galena, beginning in the Middle Paleolithic, before the onset of metallurgy in the Iberian Peninsula, and shows that it was a well-known raw material during the Neolithic, both in funeral and in household contexts. The identification of probable provenance suggests a non-long distance movement, with the Molar-Bellmunt-Falset mining district in Tarragona as the main source area for extracting this ore since the Palaeolithic. Although southern France and other European regions share a similar use of galena in Neolithic times, each took different approaches to the use of the raw material. In some areas (southern France, Sardinia) lead was used for metal production, while in others (Iberia, continental Italy) it was not. These differences can be explained by different social choices in each region, reinforcing the idea that innovation is not simply a question of technology.

Plant material culture can offer unique insights into the ways of life of prehistoric societies; however, its perishable nature has prevented a thorough understanding of its diverse and complex uses. Sites with exceptional preservation of organic materials provide a unique opportunity for further research. The burial site of Cueva de los Murciélagos in southern Iberia, uncovered during 19th-century mining activities, contained the best-preserved hunter-gatherer basketry in southern Europe, together with other unique organic artifacts associated with the first farming communities, such as sandals and a wooden hammer. We present 14 14C dates for the perishable artifacts (N = 76), situating the assemblage between the Early and Middle Holocene (c. 7500 to 4200 cal BCE). Our integrated analysis includes raw material determination and technological and chrono-cultural contextualization of this unique and important set of materials.

Contrary to copper ore resources, tin is scarce in southeastern Iberia. However, tin is essential to produce the copper/tin alloy called tin bronze. The fi rst use of this alloy in the so-called El Argar Culture is detected in its later phases (from 1900–1800 calBC), although it never constituted the predominant alloy. The absence of metallurgical debris related to bronze smelting limits our understanding on how the alloy was obtained and if cassiterite was co-smelted with copper ores in the Argaric territory or whether metallic tin bronzes were imported to El Argar from regions further away. Tin, as an external resource, would have been exchanged or traded, but there is also the possibility that finished bronze objects were imported as well. Some differential pattern in the presence/absence of arsenic in the composition of metal objects could reflect a double strategy, suggesting that local production of tin bronzes usually contains some arsenic, but tin bronzes without any arsenic could have come from other Iberian regions, or at least that different copper ores for the production of arsenical copper and tin bronze were used. This hypothesis is tested using the available lead isotopes analyses.

[EN] Tin bronze alloys were first used in the south-east of the iberian peninsula during the period of the El Argar Early Bronze Age culture. In this study, we compiled all the available published elemental analyses in order to understand the frequency and use of this alloy. The data show that some metal types such as halberds were never made of bronze, whereas a great number of personal ornaments (earrings, arm-rings or finger-rings) do contain tin. The chromatic effect by combining different metals and alloys (copper, bronze, silver) in the same object or in the same burial, or the higher or lower social value given to the different metals, could explain the choices in the alloys used instead of just functional or technological advantages during this Early Bronze Age. We also consider the option of metal imports from other Iberian or European regions to explain the presence of the first tin bronzes., [ES] La aleación de cobre con estaño aparece por primera vez en el sureste de la península ibérica en época argárica. En el presente estudio realizamos una recopilación de todos los análisis de composición publicados con el fin de valorar la frecuencia y el uso de esta aleación. Los datos muestran que algunos objetos como las alabardas nunca se fabricaron en bronce y que es en los adornos personales (brazaletes, anillo y pendientes) en los que con mayor frecuencia se detecta esta aleación. El efecto cromático de los metales y aleaciones (cobre, bronce, plata) y su combinación en los ajuares funerarios o el mayor o menor valor social dado a los diferentes metales parecen explicar mejor su elección y uso que los criterios de mejora tecnológica o funcional en esta fase de la Edad del Bronce. Se plantea que los primeros bronces pudieran ser objetos importados de otras regiones peninsulares o europeas.

[EN] This paper presents trace element compositions and lead isotope analyses by MC-ICP-MS of 34 copper ore samples from the Internal Zone of the Betic Range, Southeast Spain. Samples were collected during a fieldwork campaign in the mines of Cerro Minado, Pinar de Bédar, Sierra Cabrera and Sierra Almagrera/Herrerías. Most samples are copper oxide minerals from the near surface alteration of the sulfide ore deposits. The aim of the study is to supplement the existing reference data bank on lead isotopic compositions of ancient copper mines from the Iberian Peninsula, complementing this data with trace element compositions. The latter can be useful for discriminating when isotopic overlaps occur. This characterisation will be of great usefulness for provenancing further archaeological materials. Lead isotope ratios range from 18.603 to 20.327 (Pb/Pb); from 15.685 to 15.779 (Pb/Pb) and from 38.728 to 39.702 (Pb/Pb). Data from the literature analysed by TIMS have been also considered for comparison although the larger analytical error is highlighted, especially for isotope Pb. The lead isotopic signature of the analysed samples shows three separate isotopic fields. These fields are also consistent with differences in compositions evidenced by principal component analyses., [ES] En este artículo se presentan análisis de composición de elementos traza y de isótopos de plomo por MC-ICP-MS de 34 muestras minerales de cobre de la Zona Interna de la Cordillera Bética, sureste de España. Las muestras se recogieron durante una campaña de prospección geológico-minera en las minas de Cerro Minado, Pinar de Bédar, Sierra Cabrera y Sierra Almagrera/Herrerías. La mayoría de las muestras minerales son óxidos de cobre de las alteraciones superficiales de los depósitos de sulfuros. El objetivo del estudio es complementar los datos de referencia existentes de isotópos de plomo de las mineralizaciones de cobre de la Península Ibérica, completando estos datos con análisis de composición de elementos traza. Esto último puede ser útil para la discriminación en caso de darse solapamientos isotópicos. Esta caracterización será de gran utilidad para la determinación de procedencia de materiales arqueológicos. Los rangos de isótopos de plomo van de 18.603 a 20.327 (206Pb / 204Pb); de 15.685 a 15.779 (207Pb / 204Pb) y de 38.728 a 39.702 (208Pb / 204Pb). Los análisis antiguos realizados por TIMS y recogidos de la literatura también se han considerado para su comparación, aunque se destaca el mayor error analítico, especialmente para el isótopo 204Pb. La signatura isotópica de las muestras analizadas permite la identificación de tres campos isotópicos separados. Estos campos también son consistentes con las diferencias en los patrones de elementos traza que muestra el análisis de componentes principales.

[EN] A new hoard with 7 flat axes found in Yunclillos(Toledo) offers a new perspective about a specific type ofaxe characterized by its long size and thin section. A reflectionabout flat axes hoarding in the Iberian Peninsula, most ofthem without archaeological context, let us propose an EarlyBronze Age Chronology based on typological criteria and elemental composition, [ES] La aparición en escena de un nuevo depósito compuesto por siete hachas planas en Yunclillos (Toledo) permite ampliar la escasa muestra de un tipo peculiar de utensilio, caracterizado por su gran tamaño y por su reducido perfil. Se analiza el fenómeno de los depósitos de hachas planas en la península ibérica y pese a la ausencia de un contexto arqueológico de referencia, la tipología y la composición elemental parecen indicar que los depósitos pueden corresponder a un momento inicial de la Edad del Bronce

[EN] Tierras de Antequera is located between the two main research foci of the Iberian Late Prehistory: the Southwest and the Southeast. This peripheral nature, coupled with a shortage of metallurgical evidence in the area, contributed to generalize the idea that Malaga was systematically importing metals from other regions. However, the Project Investigación Arqueometalúrgica de la Provincia de Málaga showed the existence of both copper outcrops potentially exploitable by prehistoric societies, as well as significant archaeometallurgical by-products in several sites from the 3rd and 2nd millennium bc. Moreover, recent archaeological excavations have documented prehistoric metallurgical by-products in the core of Tierras de Antequera. This fact has forced us to reassess the topic and rethink our hypothesis on the models of copper production by these communities. In this paper we review prehistoric archaeometallurgical evidence, present new elemental composition information as well as lead isotope analyses and, in light of recent findings, we approach the socio-economic role that copper production played in its broader Andalusian context and especially in relation to the two main metallurgical foci., [ES] La zona de Tierras de Antequera se sitúa entre los dos principales focos de investigación de la Prehistoria Reciente de la Península Ibérica: el so y el se. Este carácter limítrofe o periférico, unido a una tradicional escasez de evidencias metalúrgicas en la zona, contribuyó a generalizar la idea de que el metal malagueño era sistemáticamente importado de otras regiones. No obstante, a principios de los años 90 el Proyecto de Investigación Arqueometalúrgica de la Provincia de Málaga demostró la existencia de recursos minerales de cobre potencialmente explotables en la provincia, y de los principales elementos de la cadena de producción metalúrgica en varios yacimientos del iii y ii milenios ac. Asimismo, intervenciones arqueológicas recientes han vuelto a poner de actualidad la cuestión al documentar hallazgos de producción metalúrgica prehistórica en el corazón de las Tierras de Antequera, forzándonos a replantearnos nuestras teorías sobre el modelo de apropiación de recursos cupríferos de estas comunidades. En este trabajo revisamos las evidencias arqueometalúrgicas prehistóricas, presentamos nuevos datos de composición e isótopos de plomo, y a la luz de los últimos hallazgos realizamos una aproximación al papel socioeconómico que esta desempeñó, en su contexto andaluz y especialmente en relación a los principales focos metalúrgicos.

[EN] This paper addresses the debate on the single or multiple origin of metallurgy, and the role of metals in social development in European Prehistory, especially regarding the Iberian Peninsula. Although the majority of researchers accept that in its early stages metallurgy had no significant impact on economic and social changes in most European societies, there are conflicting opinions with respect to the Iberian Peninsula. These divergences derive from varying interpretations of data provided by archeometallurgical analyses., [ES] El artículo recoge el debate sobre la invención única o múltiple de la metalurgia y el papel del metal en el desarrollo social de la Prehistoria europea, con especial mención del caso de la Península ibérica. Aunque las posiciones mayoritarias aceptan que para la mayor parte de las sociedades europeas el metal en sus primeras fases no tuvo una repercusión sustancial que produjera cambios económicos y sociales, la investigación en la Península ibérica mantiene posturas enfrentadas y opuestas sobre esta cuestión. Estas diferencias se sustentan en una interpretación distinta de los datos proporcionados por los análisis arqueometalúrgicos

he extraction of silver has traditionally been considered as one of the main incentives for the Phoenician expansion throughout the Mediterranean and their settlement in Iberia. In this paper, we approach the organization of silver production in Iberia during the Early Iron Age through the study of the evidence of production currently available and the development of Lead Isotope Analysis (LIA). Previous results (Hunt 2003; Stos Gale 2001; Kassianidou 1992) are considered in the light of new data., The extraction of silver from complex minerals noticeably intensifies in south‐west Iberia. Imports of exogenous lead, needed for the extraction of silver from these complex minerals, are evident. Supplies of lead come in from other regions of Iberia, such as Gádor, Cartagena/Mazarrón, Linares or even the mining district of Molar‐Belmunt‐Falset (MBF) in Catalonia. This picture reveals that the organization of silver production was much more complex than initially thought, with the articulation of an exchange network of raw materials at a macro‐territorial scale embracing almost all Iberia. The socioeconomic implications that control of these networks of lead distribution could have had are also discussed.

[EN] The origins of metallurgy is probably one of the most significant technological innovations and one of the most debated questions of Prehistory in Eurasia. Broadly speaking there are two elements which have brought about the interest of this topic. On the one hand the debate on multiple origins against diffusionist perspectives that posit a unique place of invention, and on the other hand the role played by metallurgy as a technological innovation in social development and more specifically in the process of social stratification leading to the formation of early states., [ES] El origen de la metalurgia es probablemente una de las innovaciones tecnológicas más significativas y más debatidas de la Prehistoria en Eurasia. A grandes rasgos son dos los elementos que han determinado el interés de este tema. Por un lado el debate sobre la posibilidad de un origen múltiple frente a perspectivas difusionistas que postulan un único lugar de invención, y por otro el papel jugado por la metalurgia como innovación tecnológica en el desarrollo social y más concretamente en el proceso de la estratificación social que desemboca en la formación de los primeros estados.

[EN] New information on elemental analysis of the three silver vessels from the Villena’s Treasure (Alicante) is published. The presence of gold in silver items is an unusual feature in all the Prehistoric silver production, not only in the Iberian Peninsula but in the entire Mediterranean world, except for Egypt. However, this Ag-Au alloy could be explained as an accidental mixture during the melting process in workshops where gold and silver are worked at the same time., [ES] Se presentan nuevos datos sobre la composición de las 3 botellas de plata del Tesoro de Villena (Alicante). La presencia de oro en la composición es un rasgo inusual en la plata prehistórica, no solo de la península Ibérica, sino de todo el ámbito del Mediterráneo con la excepción de Egipto. Sin embargo, esta aleación Ag- Au podría responder en la mayoría de los casos a una mezcla involuntaria durante la manufactura de piezas en el taller donde se trabaja simultáneamente con oro y plata.

The objective of this study is to provide insight into the origin of the lead present in the 10th-century. AD Islamic city of Madinat al-Zahra, both as unalloyed metal and as a component of the copper-based alloys, as well as a first approach to technological details related to the production of these materials. Recycling lead is argued to be a common practice but, nonetheless, the lead isotope analysis suggests a single origin for all the lead at the site. Two main options are discussed as lead sources: mines in the Linares district (100 km east) or in Villanueva del Duque (75 km north). Other interesting features are the use of lead-tin solder and fire gilding on a copper–zinc alloy.

The use of silver in south-eastern Iberia during the Bronze Age (c. 225o–145o cal BC) is conspicuous in the so-called El Argar Culture. Trace elements detected in the compositional analyses of the objects coupled with the absence of cupellation residue reveal that native silver or silver chlorides (mainly cerargyrite) were used as resources. In this paper we present all the known Iberian deposits of native silver or silver chlorides and discuss their accessibility in prehistoric times as well as their compositional characterisation by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analyses and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). A first approach towards the definition of their isotopic fields by lead isotope analyses (LIA) is also presented. LIA were conducted using an inductively coupled plasma multi-collector mass spectrometer (ICP-MC-MS).

Se presentan nuevos análisis sobre la composición de metales de distintas cronologías pre-islámicas de yacimientos de Marruecos. La técnica empleada es la espectrometría por fluorescencia de rayos X (ED-XRF). Destaca el elevado número de objetos manufacturados en cobre sin alear, incluso en periodos más recientes, aunque también se detectan bronces y latones., We present a new set of elemental analysis from several pre-Islamic archaeological sites in Morocco, using non-destructive ED-XRF techniques. The main feature is the high number of objects made of unalloyed copper, even in recent periods when bronze alloy is usual. Some copper-tin and brass alloys have been detected.

Se presenta un avance en la identificación y caracterización mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y microanálisis por energía dispersiva de Rayos X (EDX) de las técnicas de dorado sobre metal de cuatro objetos procedentes del centro de la Península Ibérica, cuya cronología se sitúa entre los siglos V y I a.C., aportando nueva información sobre un espacio geográfico y cronológico habitualmente poco estudiado desde la arqueometría de metales.

(EN) Late Bronze Age copper plano-convex ingots from the Iberian Peninsula present some morphometrical characteristics (size and weight) that make them standing out among the contemporary patterns from the Western Mediterranean. On the basis of the study of the characteristics and elemental composition of these ingots, this article offers a possible explanation for this singularity, relating them with the local metallurgical technology and production, exchange patterns and the role of the Phoenician influence., (ES) Los lingotes de cobre de tipología plano-convexa del Bronce Final en la Península Ibérica presentan unas características morfométricas (pesos y medidas) que los distinguen de los patrones contemporáneos existentes en el Mediterráneo Oriental. Basándose en sus características y en los datos composicionales, se busca una explicación a esta singularidad, relacionándola con la tecnología y la producción metalúrgica peninsular, con los modelos de intercambio y el papel de la influencia fenicia.