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

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 Marr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAntiquity Vol. 92; no. 364; pp. 991 - 1007
Main Authors Díaz-Zorita Bonilla, Marta, Beck, Jess, Bocherens, Hervé, Díaz-del-Río, Pedro
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2018
Subjects
Age
Analysis
Archaeology
Cartography
Copper Age
Excavation
Grave goods
Historic artifacts
Human skeleton
Investigations
Methods
Mobility
Population
Prehistoric era
Radioactive dating
Radiometric dating
Social networks
Spain
Europe
Marroquíes
Iberia
Copper Age
mobility
isotope analysis
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0003-598X
1745-1744
DOI:10.15184/aqy.2018.33