Mysterious Iron Age bone pit reveals evidence of ancient ritual sacrifice in Spain

In an archaeological revelation, researchers in Spain have unearthed a pit of bones at Casas del Turuñuelo, a site in southwestern Spain that dates back to the 5th century BC

The pit contained a staggering 6,770 ancient bones from 52 different animals, leaving archaeologists baffled and intrigued, according to the new study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The predominant theory? A ritualized animal sacrifice

The bone pit, believed to be a cemetery, contained the remains of 41 horses, six cows, four pigs and a lone dog. What distinguishes this discovery is the meticulous organization of the burials, which occurred in three distinct phases.

While the animals from the first two phases were buried intact, those from the final phase showed signs of slaughter, suggesting a transition from ritual to banquet.

The researchers propose a compelling narrative: a ritual sacrifice that evolves into a community feast. The deliberate burial of healthy adult animals, including horses buried in organized pairs, supports the hypothesis of a structured ceremony.

The pairs of equids, which show characteristics indicative of cart animals, suggest a simultaneous sacrifice, reinforced by the presence of metal parts and dental wear, suggesting that these animals were actively used for work.

Burned plant matter

Adding another layer to the mystery, burned plant matter found at the site aligns with the remains of burnt offerings, providing further evidence of ritual significance.

The finds at Casas del Turuñuelo are particularly notable as they offer tangible evidence of mass animal sacrifice during the Iron Age in the Mediterranean, a rarity in archaeological records.

While ancient literature, such as Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad, allude to great sacrifices, concrete archaeological evidence has been scarce. The bone pit in Spain is now an exceptional find that sheds light on practices that until now were largely speculative.

Zooarchaeological finds from other Early Iron Age settlements in the south-west and south of the Iberian Peninsula suggest that domestic species such as cattle and goats played a more important role than pigs, horses, donkeys and dogs.

The research highlights two models of goat and bovine management. The first is that initially more attention was paid to goat grazing, while in the second there was a change in trend towards cattle.

These patterns are recorded both among local settlements and among coastal colonies. Despite this duality of exploitation of one type of herd or another, zooarchaeological data suggest that cattle were the most common source of meat during the First Iron Age.

However, the transition to the Late Iron Age marked a breakdown of this duality, where archaeozoological data suggest an increase in goats and pigs.

This discovery challenges our understanding of ancient rituals and offers insight into the spiritual and cultural practices of Iron Age communities.

As researchers continue to analyze bones and artifacts, the Casas del Turuñuelo site promises to unravel more secrets, providing valuable information about southwestern Spain’s enigmatic past.

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