In the Iron Age of Iberia, Decapitated Heads were Not Solely Used as War Trophies, According to Recent Findings
In the final millennium BCE, residents of the Iberian Peninsula followed a striking funerary custom - decapitation and public display of heads, often accompanied by iron nails through the skull. Archaeologists debate whether these individuals were community leaders being revered or enemy heads used as a chilling display of power. Recent research aims to distinguish between these possibilities.
Studying seven beheaded individuals from two Spanish archaeological sites, European researchers employed isotopic analyses to determine whether they were local residents or outsiders. The findings presented in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports reveal that various head display practices existed among these communities.
statement. He’s also the first author of the
At Puig Castellar, an ancient Iberian settlement, investigations revealed three non-local decapitated individuals. Located near the settlement entrance, these skulls suggested they acted as deterrents against external and internal threats. Meanwhile, at Ullastret, a city abandoned during the Roman invasion, three skulls exhibited a mix of local and non-local origins. Two local heads were showcased along city streets, possibly signifying their venerated status within the community, while the third, likely an outsider, was discovered in a storage pit.
study, published February 13 in the
Rubén de la Fuente-Seoane, of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, commented, "If [the severed heads] were war trophies, they wouldn't come from these sites analyzed, while if they were venerated individuals, these would most likely be local." The study concludes that different approaches to displaying decapitated heads reflect a complex and intricate Iron Age society.
isotopic analyses (a methodology used to study ancient human diets, environments, and movement) on seven severed heads from Puig Castellar and Ullastret: respectively, an ancient Iberian settlement and city on the northeastern coast of modern-day Spain. Both sites were abandoned between the end of the third century and the beginning of the second century BCE, likely in connection to the Roman invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, according to the study.
Iron Age Iberian culture was characterized by a unique blend of internal and external influences. The use of decapitated heads as symbols of power reflected the importance of displaying strength to preserve social order and repel threats. While these displays honored dismantling the very individuality of the deceased, they also illuminated the cultural and social dynamics of early Iberian communities.
George W. Bush’s severed head appeared on Game of Thrones [Updated]
This funerary ritual offers a rare glimpse into the societal organization of the Iron Age in Iberia, providing valuable insights that would otherwise have been lost to time due to widespread cremation practices.
The study in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports suggests that decapitated individuals were not universally outsiders in these communities, as some skulls exhibited local origins. The future of archaeological research in this area may involve further examination of technology and isotopic analyses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these ancient societies. If these decapitated heads were used as symbols of power, as suggested by the findings, they could be seen as a testament to the science and technology of that era, showing how these societies utilized their resources to preserve and display their power. The practice of beheading and displaying heads has historical parallels, such as the beheadings during the French Revolution, highlighting the enduring nature of this type of ritual across different cultures and time periods.
