Metallurgical Control And Social Power. The Bronze Age Communities Of High Guadalquivir (Spain)

Abstract

This research project is centered on lbe archaeometallurgic process lbat was developed by Bronze Age communities in tbe High Guadalquivir (Spain). Copper, bronze and silver mining and metallurgic transformations constitute one of tbe bases of tbe historie develapment of tbese communities.· Such activity implies tbe use of more complex technologies and lbe control of tbe distribution of tbese new products by tbe aristoeratic groups. The fieldwork carried out in lbe site of Peilalosa (Bailos de la Encina, provinee of Jaen, Spain) has produced a great deal of archaeologieal n';mains showing tbe complexity of tbe metallurgical process in Recent Prehistory. Excavations at Peilalosa have allowed us to carry out archaeometaJlurgical research in relation to: 1. The sequence ofmelallurgical aetivity. 2. The ascription ofthis activity and its different phases to different vilJage areas. 3. Use of different stone raw materials to creale lbe necessary tools for lbe metallurgical process and differenl minerals (malachile, azurile, galena, etc.) to be fused. 4. General aecess to metallurgieal pracesses (found in al! tbe dwellings) and tbeir praduels (presenl in a great number of tombs, especially in relation to daggers and swords). 5. Differenees in tbe size of tbe weapons located in tbe differenl lombs. 6. Restricted access to non-copper minerals and, overall, lo items made witb preciaus metals.