The Argar culture on the Illeta
The Argar culture developed in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula between 2200 and 1550 BC.
Territory where the Argar culture developed.
The Illeta dels Banyets is the southernmost settlement of this culture.
There are no known remains of habitation structures. Only about 20 tombs have survived to the present day. In this culture, the burial sites were located inside the dwellings, under the floor of the living area or very close to it. The type of burial was in a cist, with stone slabs covering the walls and floor of the grave and also used to cover it.
Two images of the excavation process in Tomb III
Burials could be double or single. The corpses were placed in the lateral foetal position.
Detail of tomb IV during the excavation process.
It has been possible to deduce some details of the burial ritual. The corpses were buried clothed, as evidenced by the V-shaped piercing buttons that have been found in almost all the graves.
.JPG)
V-punch button set
Beliefs in life after death are confirmed by the presence of grave goods. These are usually ceramic vessels possibly containing foodstuffs and personal items or prestige objects, such as bronze daggers denoting the high social status of the deceased.
Bronze daggers and other bronze pieces found in the Argaric graves at Illeta dels Banyets.
A bone appliqué has also been found that possibly formed part of the decoration on the handle of one of these daggers.
Bone wall lamp
