Bronze Age palace discovered in southern Spain

Past Horizons ^ | October 10, 2014 | Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

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During August 2014, researchers from the Department of Prehistory, at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, made some spectacular discoveries at the Spanish site of La Almoloya, located in Pliego, Murcia. The site represents the cradle of the Bronze Age "El Argar" civilisation, who dominated the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

La Almoloya, discovered in 1944 by Emeterio Cuadrado and Juan de la Cierva, is located on a steep sided plateau and dominated an extensive region for over six centuries (from 2,200 to 1,550 BC)...

The stone walls of the buildings were covered with layers of mortar, and some areas reveal stucco decoration which contain both geometric and naturalistic motifs, representing the new discovery of an Argaric artistic style...

One of the most outstanding pieces is a silver diadem worn on the women's head. Only four other diadems are known to have existed, and they were all discovered 130 years ago at the site of El Algar in Almeria, but none of them remain today in Spain, so this discovery is of great scientific importance. Four ear plugs, which are unusual objects for the Bronze Age, were also discovered; two are made of solid gold and two of silver.

Apart from the silver diadem, nine other objects made of silver, including rings, earrings and bracelets were found. The archaeologists also discovered that the nails used to hold the handle of an elaborate bronze dagger were made of silver. One of the most interesting items is a small ceramic cup with the rim and outer part covered in fine layers of silver and constitutes a pioneering example of silverwork on vessels. Also a metal punch with a bronze tip and a handle forged in silver is considered unique and has been made by an expert craftsperson.

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General view of the main buildings discovered at La Almoloya (Pliego, Murcia). Image: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

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Archaeologists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) have discovered a palatial construction with an audience hall which makes up the first specifically political precincts built in continental Europe. A prince's tomb in the subsoil contains the largest amount of grave goods from the Bronze Age existing in the Iberian Peninsula. Some of the most outstanding items include a silver diadem of great scientific and patrimonial value, the only one conserved from that era in Spain, as well as four golden and silver ear dilators. Credit: Image courtesy of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

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Silver diadem discovered within an important tomb. Image: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

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I've been reading this thing, and while I don't think he's made a compelling case, he still has managed to compile a nice collection of other people's finds. While the current topic came about because of a related link on Past Horizons and a search had turned up nothing (I'm still not sure about that), not long after posting it I had a hot soak and the very next chapter discussed the site. :')

I'm now past page 200. It reads quickly.

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The Lost Empire of Atlantis: History's Greatest Mystery Revealed by Gavin Menzies website

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This place is inland, not far from Cartagena. Cartagena has one of the finest ports in the Western Med and was a major city in Roman times. It has an important Spanish naval base.

Good or bad, depending on one's point of view, it is now a major cruise ship destination.

So, it was a good site, sufficiently inland for protection but well suited to govern a region.

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Makes sense as a place for a maritime people to plant a colony.