A SMOOTH FLIGHT

Like in any walk, we enjoy the many views and, sometimes, we stop to have a closer look. The Argaric Route is just that, a trip to the past in these virtual times. We do not pretend here that you know everything about this Bronze Age society. For this, you can find the complete information in the papers, interview videos, documentaries, journalistic reports and news that you can download at www.la-bastida.com and www.elargar.com. Both are pages of the Bastida-Almoloya Project.

The Argaric society is one of the most emblematic archaeological manifestations of the Ancient Bronze Age in Europe. It developed in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula between 2200 and 1550 cal BCE. The particularities of this society marked a milestone in the development of sedentary life and urbanism, the rise of metallurgy and the formation of political and economic inequalities in Western Europe.

At the end of the 19th century, the brothers Henri and Louis Siret excavated the site of El Argar in Antas, Almeria. Since then, we have used the toponym of this place to speak of “El Argar society” or simply, “Argaric society”.

At the end of the 19th century, the brothers Henri and Louis Siret excavated the site of El Argar in Antas, Almeria. Since then, we have used the toponym of this place to speak of “El Argar society” or simply, “Argaric society”.

El Oficio (Almería). The best-known settlements are located on hills with good visibility and natural defence conditions.

El Oficio (Almería). The best-known settlements are located on hills with good visibility and natural defence conditions.

La Bastida. Its slopes were terraced to build a dense network of stone buildings within which various tasks were carried out.

La Bastida. Its slopes were terraced to build a dense network of stone buildings within which various tasks were carried out.

At the time of maximum expansion and after 500 years of development, the Argaric territory covered 33,000 km2. The Argaric domain was articulated in smaller political units linked to large central towns and with substantial differences between them concerning access and management of natural resources.

At the time of maximum expansion and after 500 years of development, the Argaric territory covered 33,000 km2. The Argaric domain was articulated in smaller political units linked to large central towns and with substantial differences between them concerning access and management of natural resources.

The differences were also social. Inside the settlements, we find mainly individual burials with grave goods in which there is evidence of social inequalities.

The differences were also social. Inside the settlements, we find mainly individual burials with grave goods in which there is evidence of social inequalities.

Burial in a pit. Gatas.

Burial in a pit. Gatas.

Burial in cist. Bastida

Burial in cist. Bastida

Burial in an urn. Bastida.

Burial in an urn. Bastida.

Burial in facing urns. Bastida.

Burial in facing urns. Bastida.

Burial in a pit. Bastida.

Burial in a pit. Bastida.

Argaric artifactual production is characterized by copper and bronze objects, handmade ceramics, stone, animal bones, ivory, shells and organic materials such as wood or vegetable fibres.

Argaric artifactual production is characterized by copper and bronze objects, handmade ceramics, stone, animal bones, ivory, shells and organic materials such as wood or vegetable fibres.

The Argaric communities practised agriculture and livestock, although their diet was based mainly on cereals, primarily barley, and to a lesser extent, wheat.

The Argaric communities practised agriculture and livestock, although their diet was based mainly on cereals, primarily barley, and to a lesser extent, wheat.

The end of the Argaric manifestations is located around 1550 cal BCE, giving way to the Late Bronze Age of the peninsula's southeast. The causes of the collapse of the Argaric society could be related to the depletion of natural resources, work instruments, and the labour force under conditions of institutionalized socio-economic exploitation.

The end of the Argaric manifestations is located around 1550 cal BCE, giving way to the Late Bronze Age of the peninsula’s southeast. The causes of the collapse of the Argaric society could be related to the depletion of natural resources, work instruments, and the labour force under conditions of institutionalized socio-economic exploitation.