Hominization and Pre-Roman Peoples in the Iberian Peninsula
Section 2.1: Hominization in the Iberian Peninsula
Hominization is a long evolutionary process beginning with the earliest hominids and culminating with Homo sapiens. It began in Africa some 5 million years ago with Australopithecus (who walked upright), followed by Homo habilis (capable of building and using tools) and Homo erectus (the first hominid to use fire and migrate out of Africa).
The remains of the oldest hominid fossil found in Europe are located at the site of Atapuerca (Burgos) and belong to Homo antecessor (Lower Paleolithic). Abundant human fossils corresponding to Homo heidelbergensis, a species that may have been the link between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo antecessor, have also been found in Sima de los Huesos.
Middle Stone Age (100,000-35,000 BC)
Homo neanderthalensis appears, with traces in various sites: Cova Negra (Valencia), Pinar Cave (Granada), the jaw of Banyoles (Girona), the skull of Gibraltar, and the later remains of El Sidrón (Asturias). This period also saw the first burial practices, as evidenced by the remains found at Cueva Morín (Cantabria).
Upper Paleolithic (35,000-10,000 BC)
Homo sapiens appears. The most important deposits are located in the Cantabrian region: the caves of Altamira, Castillo, and Pasiega in Cantabria; and Pindal and Tito Bustillo in Asturias. The rock art of these caves represents a different way of interpreting the world through a new artistic sensibility. During the Paleolithic, humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers. Their tools were carved from stone, bone, and wood, and they typically used outdoor shelters. The cold caused by glaciations required groups to occupy caves and rock shelters.
Mesolithic (10,000-5,000 BC)
A new type of rock art develops in outdoor shelters. Notable deposits include Cogull (Lleida) and Valltorta (Castellón).
Neolithic (5,000-3,000 BC)
The Neolithic Revolution reaches the Iberian Peninsula. Humans cease to be nomadic predators and become sedentary producers (agriculture and herding). New tools lead to this period being called the Polished Stone Age.
Metal Age
Begins with the metallurgy of copper. Later, bronze becomes widespread, highlighting the cultures of El Argar (Almería) and the Talayotic culture of the Balearic Islands, noted for their original megalithic buildings. The Iron Age arrives with the Urnfield culture (800 BC). Around the same time, colonizing peoples arrive, leading to the development of pre-Roman peoples (Tartessos) and the start of Protohistory in the Iberian Peninsula.
Section 2.2: Pre-Roman Peoples and Colonizations: Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians
Tartessos
Located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Their economy was based on advanced agriculture, mining (copper, silver, and gold), and active trade, primarily of metals, with the Phoenicians. Their heyday was between the 9th and 7th centuries BC.
The Iberians
A group of peoples with common characteristics who occupied the Mediterranean coast, from Catalonia to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, and the Ebro Valley to Zaragoza. Grouped into distinct tribes, they spoke a similar language, and knew writing and currency. They had a highly stratified society, and their form of government was monarchy. Their economy was based on agriculture, livestock, mining, and trade with the colonizing peoples. Sculpture and ceramic painting were their main artistic expressions.
Celts and Celtiberians
Groups of people who entered the peninsula in successive waves across the Pyrenees. They inhabited the central and western parts of the plateau. They shared a common language, knew iron metallurgy, and practiced animal husbandry and grain farming. They lived in walled towns and organized themselves into clans ruled by a warrior aristocracy.
Peoples of the Cantabrian Coast
The Galaici, Astures, Cantabri, and Vascones, also of Celtic origin, had a more primitive economy than the previous groups due to their geographical isolation, focusing mainly on livestock and raiding their neighbors.
The Phoenicians
A highly developed commercial people who established trading enclaves across the southern Mediterranean. Their oldest colony in the Iberian Peninsula, Gadir (Cádiz), was founded in the 9th century BC. They had a significant socio-economic and cultural impact. The Phoenicians introduced iron metallurgy, the potter’s wheel, new agricultural techniques and crops (grapes and olives), urban planning, new religious beliefs, and the beginnings of writing.
The Greeks
Founded colonies on the Catalan and Mediterranean coasts. The influence of the Greek colonies on the Iberian populations of the Mediterranean coast was instrumental in transforming their lifestyles.
The Carthaginians
Founded Carthago Nova (Cartagena) and Ebussus (Ibiza) for military and political purposes rather than commercial ones. From the 3rd century BC, the rivalry between Carthage and Rome led to the two powers clashing in the three Punic Wars. The second of these wars began in the Iberian Peninsula. This was momentous for the peninsula, as the Carthaginian defeat opened the door to the Romans and marked the beginning of the Romanization of the territory.