ἀνθρώποισι πᾶσι μέτεστι γινώσκειν ἑωυτοὺς καὶ σωφρονεῖν.
Neanderthals survived at least 3,000 years longer than we thought in Southern Iberia — what is now Spain — long after they had died out everywhere else, research suggests. Continue reading “The last (?) Neanderthals in Iberia; implications of the finds”
The genomes of individuals who lived on the Iberian Peninsula in the Bronze Age had minor genetic input from Steppe invaders, suggesting that these migrations played a smaller role in the genetic makeup and culture of Iberian people, compared to other parts of Europe. Daniel Bradley and Rui Martiniano of Trinity College Dublin, in Ireland, and Ana Maria Silva of University of Coimbra, Portugal, report these findings July 27, 2017 in PLOS Genetics. Continue reading “An analysis of ancient DNA recreates the genetic history of Portugal and Spain”
In the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, between the third and second millennium BC, a widespread funeral practice consisted in burying humans with animals. Scientists have discovered that both foxes and dogs were domesticated, as their diet was similar to that of their owners. Continue reading “Foxes were domesticated by humans in the Bronze Age”
Amber and other unusual materials such as jade, obsidian and rock crystal have attracted interest as raw materials for the manufacture of decorative items since Late Prehistory and, indeed, amber retains a high value in present-day jewellery. Continue reading “Sicilian amber found in Iberia indicates 4th millenium BC Mediterranean Trade”
‘Coinciding with the Pit Grave culture (4200-3600 years before our era), coming from Southern Europe, the Neolithic communities of the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula started a ceremonial activity related to the sacrifice and burial of dogs. The high amount of cases that are recorded in Catalonia suggests it was a general practice and it proves the tight relationship between humans and these animals, which, apart from being buried next to them, were fed a similar diet to humans’. Continue reading “Dog burial as common ritual in Neolithic populations of north-eastern Iberian Peninsula”
The glorification of the ancient saints of the Iberian Peninsula was celebrated by Orthodox hierarchs in Spain. Continue reading “Feast of 200 Ancient Saints of Spain and Portugal Celebrated for the First Time”
Novo Scriptorium 