Ancient Spain: From Atapuerca to the Visigothic Kingdom
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Atapuerca:
Atapuerca is a significant deposit located in the province of Burgos, where the oldest human fossils in Europe have been discovered. These fossils date back approximately one million years. The fossils belong to relatives of the African Homo habilis and a new species called Homo antecessor. Alongside the fossils, instruments and tools have been found, providing insights into how these early humans lived. This highlights the value of these deposits.
Altamira:
The Cave of Altamira, located in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, was inhabited approximately between 30,000 and 8,000 BC by Cro-Magnon people. This highly developed species was capable of using fire and subsisted through hunting and fishing. The cave is renowned for its Upper Paleolithic cave paintings, which are polychrome and naturalistic, depicting animals (primarily bison) in isolation. These paintings were likely created for magical-religious purposes. A replica of the drawings has been created to preserve the originals.
Neolithic:
Around 5,000 BC, the Neolithic Revolution reached the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. This period saw the emergence of new techniques such as animal domestication, agriculture, and the manufacture of ceramics and textiles. Notable developments included the division of labor, the beginnings of social organization, and the emergence of private property. These advancements gradually spread to other areas.
Megaliths:
The practice of constructing megaliths emerged during the Metal Ages. Megaliths are architectural expressions built from large stone blocks, typically serving religious-funerary purposes. Dolmens were commonly used to create burial chambers for the deceased, which were then covered with earth for concealment.
Pre-Roman Peoples:
These were the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula during the first millennium BC. These peoples differed significantly, particularly in relation to the colonizers. The Mediterranean and Andalusian peoples were more urban and engaged in trade due to the influences of Phoenicians and Greeks. The central and western peoples were a mix of Celtic and Iberian cultures, while the northern peoples were primarily involved in livestock and maintained more archaic customs.
Vascones:
The Vascones were a pre-Roman people who lived in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, roughly corresponding to the present-day territory of Navarre and surrounding areas. Their economy was based on livestock. Despite being Romanized, they maintained their language (Euskara), whose origin remains unknown. They were the pre-Roman town least influenced by the Romans, possibly due to the lower wealth of the territory.
Romanization:
Romanization refers to the process of assimilation of Roman customs and contributions, such as Roman Law, Latin, and numerous roadways throughout the mainland. This process extended from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Rome also contributed to the development of agriculture and livestock, as well as the spread of religion (initially polytheistic and later Christian). Romanization was easier among the Mediterranean peoples, who were more open to trade with other cultures. Over time, the entire peninsula became Romanized.
Roman Province:
A Roman Province was a large area, whose territory included a city as an essential part of the administrative management of the territory, extending from there to the rest of the Empire. The number of provinces grew as Roman control of Spain increased. There were eventually five provinces after Diocletian’s division, when it became a diocese.
Andelo:
Andelo was a settlement on the edge of the Arga River, Navarre, believed to have been formed in the Iron Age. This town was Romanized in the 1st century AD and reached its peak in the 2nd century AD. It is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Navarre. It is also characterized by its hydraulic supply system, which provided running water to homes through a reservoir. Additionally, it had a well-advanced heating system for its time.
Visigothic Monarchy:
The Visigothic Monarchy was established after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Visigoths were a Germanic people who spoke Latin and had their center in Toledo. Their reign lasted from the 6th to the 8th century AD. Leovigild unified the peninsula, his son Reccared I achieved religious unification, and shortly after, legal unification followed. However, being an elective monarchy led to many internal struggles and weakened relations with foreign powers in Hispania. The Councils of Toledo were genuine magna assemblies of the kingdom.