Rosa Barroso Bermejo

The maternal genetic make-up of the Iberian Peninsula between the Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age

Agriculture first reached the Iberian Peninsula around 5700 BCE. However, little is known about the genetic structure and changes of prehistoric populations in different geographic areas of Iberia. In our study, we focus on the maternal genetic makeup of the Neolithic (~ 5500–3000 BCE), Chalcolithic (~ 3000–2200 BCE) and Early Bronze Age (~ 2200–1500 BCE). We report ancient mitochondrial DNA results of 213 individuals (151 HVS-I sequences) from the northeast, central, southeast and southwest regions and thus on the largest archaeogenetic dataset from the Peninsula to date. Similar to other parts of Europe, we observe a discontinuity between hunter-gatherers and the first farmers of the Neolithic. During the subsequent periods, we detect regional continuity of Early Neolithic lineages across Iberia, however the genetic contribution of hunter-gatherers is generally higher than in other parts of Europe and varies regionally. In contrast to ancient DNA findings from Central Europe, we do not observe a major turnover in the mtDNA record of the Iberian Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, suggesting that the population history of the Iberian Peninsula is distinct in character.

Natural and artificial colours: the megalithic monuments of Brittany

Abstract Megalithic art is a well-known feature of the Neolithic chambered tombs of Atlantic Europe. The surviving evidence consists largely of carved motifs, and, until recently, painted megalithic art was thought to be restricted to western Iberia. Recent discoveries have expanded that distribution, assisted by new methods of detection, recording and analysis. The discovery of painted motifs at Barnenez in Brittany, reported here, marks a breakthrough and raises the possibility that many megalithic tombs in north-west Europe were once coloured as well as carved. Similarities in motifs and techniques also point to the likelihood of direct connections with Iberia.

Entre vasijas y cerveza. El mundo funerario del interior peninsular en el III milenio CAL. B.C/ Between Cups And Beer. The Funerary Customs In Inner Iberian Peninsula During The 3rd Millennium CAL. BC

Las tradicionales interpretaciones que hacian del campaniforme el unico conjunto revelador de grupos metalurgicos y de costumbres funerarias en la zona que nos ocupa, han pasado a ser desplazadas por lecturas mas complejas. Estas se desprenden del cumulo de datos arqueologicos que equipos con objetivos mas amplios que la mera caracterizacion tipologica han conseguido aportar en los ultimos 20 anos. El papel de la Profesora Blasco en el conocimiento del campaniforme madrileno es el punto de partida de un trabajo que pretende senalar la multiplicidad de lineas de investigacion abiertas en este ambito. La relacion con el panorama del megalitismo que es una de las novedades mas fructiferas de estos anos, situa las famosas ceramicas decoradas en el marco del desarrollo conocido para otros conjuntos de la Prehistoria Reciente europea. Palabras clave: Calcolitico, Megalitismo, Campaniforme, Bronce, C14. Abstract The traditional interpretations that made Bell Beaker the only set of metallurgical groups and funeral customs in the area of study have been replaced by more complex readings. These are a result of the heap of archaeological data that teams with wider goals than the typological characterization have produced in the last 20 years. Professor Concha Blascos role in studying Bell Beakers record from Madrid is the starting point of this work. We aim to point out the large number of research lines opened in this field. The link with the megalithic panorama, one of the most fruitful and latest innovations, places these famous decorated ceramics within the development frame of other known late-Prehistoric contexts in Europe. Keywords: Copper Age, Megalithism, Bell Beaker, Bronze Age, Radiocarbon.