Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) came to these conclusions. They conducted a study on
“These exceptional archaeological finds provideideas about the rulers, subjects and symbolic objects of the first state societies that emerged in Europe during the Bronze Age,” says Vicente Lull, one of the coordinators of the study. It gave archaeologists insight into the political and economic power of the ruling class in El Argar.
In the burial, archaeologists found a largeceramic vessel. It depicts two people: a man between 35 and 40 years old and a woman between 25 and 30 years old. Near them were found 30 valuable and prestigious objects, many of which were made of silver or decorated with precious metals. The peculiarity of the find is that almost all the objects belonged to a woman. The most prominent of these was the silver diadem on the woman's head.
According to genetic analysis carried out inMax Planck Institute, the people buried in the grave were contemporaries and died almost at the same time. They were not related, but they had a daughter who was found buried next to them. The woman had several congenital anomalies, as well as markings on her ribs that could indicate a pulmonary infection at the time of death. Meanwhile, the man had bone wear indicating intense physical activity, possibly horse riding.
Part of the grave goods found in grave 38 in La Almolaia. Photo: Grup ASOME-UAB
According to researchers, the abundance of funeraryaccessories found in the tombs of women belonging to the elite of El Argar, in which tiaras have a special meaning, is an indicator of their prominent role in governing society.
In Argar society, women of the dominant classesburied with tiaras, and men - with a sword and dagger. “Since swords are more effective tools for enhancing political decisions, men in El Argar may have played more of an executive role, even if ideological legitimation, as well as possibly rule, was in the hands of women,” the scholars explain. It seems that the future state was ruled by women, and men followed orders. The findings of the archaeologists are published by the journal Antiquity.
El Argar society flourished from 2200 to 1550BC in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula (Murcia and Almeria) during the Early Bronze Age. It was distinguished by urban centers and monumental structures, a developed division of labor, and political boundaries.
Burial research at La Almoloyahighlighted the unique archaeological wealth of the site and the privileged strategic position that has helped this society flourish for over six centuries. The diadem found on the head of the princess at La Almoloya is the only one that has survived in Spain.
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