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[[File:Iberia Bronze.gif|thumb|300px|The ''motillas'' during the Iberian Bronze Age]] |
[[File:Iberia Bronze.gif|thumb|300px|The ''motillas'' during the Iberian Bronze Age]] |
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The '''''motillas''''' were the early settlements of [[La Mancha]] ([[Spain]]) belonging to the Middle [[Bronze Age Spain|Bronze Age]], and connected to the [[Bronze Age Spain|Bronze of Levante]] culture. These were human-made hills atop of which are placed fortified settlements. Their height is usually between four and five meters and the ''motillas'' are separated from each other by a distance of four to five kilometers. Their construction started {{circa|2200}} [[BCE]] and they were used for about 1000 years. |
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{{Unreferenced|date=October 2008}} |
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The '''motillas''' were the first attested settlement of [[La Mancha]] ([[Spain]]), which took place in the Middle [[Bronze Age]] by people belonging to the culture of [[Bronze of Levante]]. |
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==History of research== |
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The ''motillas'' are human-made hills atop of which are placed fortified settlements. Most of the sites of this culture belong to this category. Only a few sites in the skirts of [[Sierra Morena]] make an exception, being these fortified towns of larger size. Their height is usually between four and five meters and the ''motillas'' are separated from each other by a distance of four or five kilometers. |
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Some similar sites in the foothills of [[Sierra Morena]] mountains are fortified towns of larger size. |
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The ''motillas'' were created as a consequence of the destruction of fortified enclaves that existed from c. 2200 BCE to c. 1500 BCE and were used as a control center of the resources the place offered; the ''motillas'' were thus erected c. 1500 BCE and abandoned c. 1300 BCE, coincident with the end of the [[El Argar|Argarian civilization]]. |
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==Construction and use== |
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[[File:Motilla del Azuer (29425303165).jpg|thumb|The "motillas" are fortified sites from the Bronze Age dating from the period between 2200 and 1500 B.C. They are specific to the area of La Mancha, where about twenty have been located. The ''Motilla del Azuer'' is the only one that can be visited. It is in Daimiel and is a complex construction with several walls, tortuous corridors and a large courtyard where a recently discovered and excavated well is located. Possibly it was a structure of refuge and defense, not prepared to be used as housing for long periods. The photo shows the well from the central tower.]] |
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The ''motillas'' were constructed in the period of {{circa|2200}} BCE–1200 BCE.<ref name=Mejías_etal_2014>{{cite journal |author1=Mejías Moreno, M. |author2=Benítez de Lugo Enrich, L. |author3=Pozo Tejado, J. |author4=del y Moraleda Sierra, J. |year=2014 |url=http://www.igme.es/boletin/2014/125_4/5_%20Articulo%203.pdf |title=''Los primeros aprovechamientos de aguas subterráneas en la Península Ibérica. Las motillas de Daimiel en la Edad del Bronce de La Mancha'' |journal=Boletín Geológico y Minero |volume=125 |issue=4 |pages=455–474 |issn=0366-0176}}</ref> Their use started at the time of the [[4.2 kiloyear event]]. They were needed as a consequence of severe [[aridification]] that affected this wide geographical area. They were also used as a control center of agricultural resources. They were no longer used after the end of the [[El Argar|Argaric civilization]]. |
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Recently, archaeologists have suggested that these structures are mainly connected with water management, and agricultural production |
Recently, archaeologists have suggested that these structures are mainly connected with water management, and agricultural production:<blockquote> |
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| ⚫ | "Motilla del Azuer contains the oldest well known from the Iberian Peninsula and the archaeologists suspect that the walled enclosures were therefore used to protect and manage the livelihood of the people living in the settlement: To secure the well’s water, to store and process cereals on a large scale, to occasionally keep the livestock, and to produce pottery and other domestic artefacts."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/whosaidthat/14747/motilla-del-azuer---a-bronze-age-wonder.aspx |title=Motilla del Azuer - A Bronze Age Wonder |year=2015 |website=eyeonspain.com}}</ref> |
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Analysis by Moreno et al. (2014) verified a relationship between the geological substrate and the spatial distribution of the “motillas”<ref name=Mejías_etal_2014/> who reported the first [[paleohydrogeology|paleohydrogeological]] interdisciplinary research in La Mancha. According to the authors:<blockquote> |
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"Recent studies show that the “motilla” sites from the Bronze Age in La Mancha may be the most ancient system of groundwater collection in the Iberian Peninsula. ... These were built during the [[4.2-kiloyear event|Climatic Event 4.2 ka cal BP]], in a time of environmental stress due to a period of severe, prolonged drought."<ref name=Mejías_etal_2014/> |
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| ⚫ | "Motilla del Azuer contains the oldest well known from the Iberian Peninsula and the archaeologists suspect that the walled enclosures were therefore used to protect and manage the livelihood of the people living in the settlement: |
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</blockquote> |
</blockquote> |
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==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
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File:La Motilla del Azuer - 41409747482.jpg|Motilla del Azuer |
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File:2021-08-13, Visita del yacimiento arqueológico de Motilla del Azuer en Daimiel - 51375491288.jpg|Motilla del Azuer |
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File:2021-08-13, Visita del yacimiento arqueológico de Motilla del Azuer en Daimiel - 51376267495.jpg|Motilla del Azuer |
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</gallery> |
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==See also== |
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*[[El Argar]] |
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*[[Las Cogotas]] |
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*[[Nuraghe]] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/whosaidthat/14747/motilla-del-azuer---a-bronze-age-wonder.aspx Motilla del Azuer - A Bronze Age Wonder] 2015 eyeonspain.com |
*[http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/whosaidthat/14747/motilla-del-azuer---a-bronze-age-wonder.aspx Motilla del Azuer - A Bronze Age Wonder] 2015 eyeonspain.com |
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== References == |
== References == |
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*Fundación Dalpa, "Patrimonio de Castilla la Mancha, La Motilla del Azuer: la Edad de Bronce en la Mancha", Memoria Historia, XVII, 2009, pgs. 93-96 |
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{{Europe-archaeology-stub}} |
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[[Category:Castilla–La Mancha]] |
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Revision as of 18:03, 7 February 2023
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2018) |
The motillas were the early settlements of La Mancha (Spain) belonging to the Middle Bronze Age, and connected to the Bronze of Levante culture. These were human-made hills atop of which are placed fortified settlements. Their height is usually between four and five meters and the motillas are separated from each other by a distance of four to five kilometers. Their construction started c. 2200 BCE and they were used for about 1000 years.
History of research
The motillas were first believed to be antique burial mounds. However, this hypothesis was ruled out when an excavation at the Motilla del Azuer that took place in the seventies proved their defensive and management faculties. This way, a wide area could be controlled easily.
Some similar sites in the foothills of Sierra Morena mountains are fortified towns of larger size.
Construction and use
.jpg?lang=en)
The motillas were constructed in the period of c. 2200 BCE–1200 BCE.[1] Their use started at the time of the 4.2 kiloyear event. They were needed as a consequence of severe aridification that affected this wide geographical area. They were also used as a control center of agricultural resources. They were no longer used after the end of the Argaric civilization.
Recently, archaeologists have suggested that these structures are mainly connected with water management, and agricultural production:
"Motilla del Azuer contains the oldest well known from the Iberian Peninsula and the archaeologists suspect that the walled enclosures were therefore used to protect and manage the livelihood of the people living in the settlement: To secure the well’s water, to store and process cereals on a large scale, to occasionally keep the livestock, and to produce pottery and other domestic artefacts."[2]
Analysis by Moreno et al. (2014) verified a relationship between the geological substrate and the spatial distribution of the “motillas”[1] who reported the first paleohydrogeological interdisciplinary research in La Mancha. According to the authors:
"Recent studies show that the “motilla” sites from the Bronze Age in La Mancha may be the most ancient system of groundwater collection in the Iberian Peninsula. ... These were built during the Climatic Event 4.2 ka cal BP, in a time of environmental stress due to a period of severe, prolonged drought."[1]
Gallery
-
Motilla del Azuer -
Motilla del Azuer -
Motilla del Azuer
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c Mejías Moreno, M.; Benítez de Lugo Enrich, L.; Pozo Tejado, J.; del y Moraleda Sierra, J. (2014). "Los primeros aprovechamientos de aguas subterráneas en la Península Ibérica. Las motillas de Daimiel en la Edad del Bronce de La Mancha" (PDF). Boletín Geológico y Minero. 125 (4): 455–474. ISSN 0366-0176.
- ^ "Motilla del Azuer - A Bronze Age Wonder". eyeonspain.com. 2015.
External links
- Motilla del Azuer - A Bronze Age Wonder 2015 eyeonspain.com
- F. Molina et al., Recent fieldwork at the Bronze Age fortified site of Motilla del Azuer (Daimiel, Spain). Antiquity Journal, 2006.
References
- Fundación Dalpa, "Patrimonio de Castilla la Mancha, La Motilla del Azuer: la Edad de Bronce en la Mancha", Memoria Historia, XVII, 2009, pgs. 93-96