Silver-forging Fortress of Tira del Lienzo: A Bronze Age Spanish Enclave

Tira del Lienzo, an archaeological site in Spain, is a part of the Culture of El Argar dating back to the Bronze Age. Unlike settlements like La Bastida de Totana or Gatas, Tira del Lienzo is a fortification on a small hill. Its proximity to other sites suggests the close relationship between the two populations. Enclosed within a nearly rectangular wall, the main building, known as ‘H1’, is situated in the center.

This building is connected by a narrow passage to smaller structures. Initially built around 2000 BCE upon the site’s founding, ‘H1’ continued to be used throughout the three phases of habitation. Tira del Lienzo was primarily engaged in textile production and metalworking, particularly cereal processing and storage. Despite structural modifications, the main building was consistently employed. The settlement was eventually abandoned after being destroyed around 1600-1550 BCE.

Preliminary findings from Tira del Lienzo show the presence of four iron tools, used in the forging of copper and silver sheets, as well as three stone tools for hammering and chiseling metal. Large lamproite stones were found, which were used for grain grinding. Various carefully worked weights or scales for textile production, and two fragments of bowls (ceramic type 7), were uncovered. The diadems discovered are noteworthy for being made of silver, a rarity in Bronze Age sites.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons