Ancient People Who Burned Their Culture and Vanished

Tartessos, an enigmatic society that flourished from the 9th to the 5th centuries BCE, has captivated historians throughout the ages. Referenced in Greek and Roman literature, its true essence remained ambiguous for a considerable period—was it a city, a kingdom, or perhaps a river? Owing to contradictory accounts and a dearth of concrete archaeological proof, identifying the precise nature of Tartessos posed a challenge. Presently, it is widely accepted that Tartessos constituted a civilization forged by a fusion of native inhabitants and Greek and Phoenician settlers in the Iberian Peninsula. This distinctive amalgamation of cultures gave rise to a vibrant and intriguing society that suddenly vanished, leaving numerous unresolved inquiries.

Tartessos, an enigmatic and highly advanced civilization, once thrived and then abruptly vanished without any forewarning. Prior to their complete disappearance, they engaged in peculiar rituals, seemingly attempting to safeguard themselves from an unknown threat. To unravel the mystery surrounding these people, let us journey back in time to approximately 2,500 years ago in the southwest region of Spain. Here, we encounter a magnificent city, the bustling trade hub of Tartessos. Picture a temple situated in the heart of this deserted town, an awe-inspiring two-story structure that leaves one breathless. The air is heavy with the savory aroma of sizzling meat, and the smoke from the cooking rises high into the sky, obscuring the intricate patterns adorning the sanctuary. As the sun sets, signaling the commencement of the ritual, we enter the ancient monumental hall. Inside, hundreds of individuals gather around a long wooden table adorned with delicate ceramics and bronze bowls. They revel and indulge in food and drink, finding more joy than the animals outside the building. These animals, including horses, cows, pigs, donkeys, and even dogs, have been brought here to appease the deities. However, what unfolds after the ritual is even more bewildering. At the conclusion of the ceremony, people ignite torches and set fire to the entire edifice. The once majestic structure is reduced to ashes and embers. As the last remnants of the fire fade away, the people take shovels and diligently bury the site. It will take them several days to completely conceal the former sanctuary beneath layers of earth. Exhausted but resolute, the last known Tartessians depart from this place, vanishing from our world forever. The question remains: what transpired and why did they undertake such actions? To understand this, we must trace the origins of Tartessos, which were initially documented in ancient Greek and Roman texts thousands of years ago. However, for a considerable period, the true nature of Tartessos remained elusive, as the descriptions provided were contradictory and perplexing.

1. Various theories have been proposed by archaeologists regarding the nature of Tartessos, with some suggesting it was a seaport, others arguing it was a river or water reservoir, and even speculations connecting it to the mythical Atlantis. However, due to the lack of substantial evidence, these ideas were swiftly rejected by the scientific community.

2. Over time, our understanding of Tartessos has advanced, revealing it as an ancient civilization situated on the Iberian Peninsula, specifically on one of the southernmost islands of Europe. Flourishing from the 9th to the 5th centuries BC, Tartessos mysteriously disappeared around 2500 years ago.

3. The economic prosperity of Tartessos was attributed to its abundant metal reserves, including silver, copper, and lead, mined from the local Sierra Morena mountains. Trade was a vital aspect of the civilization, with most individuals engaged in commercial activities.

4. Despite its wealth and prominence, there are limited records and surviving monuments of Tartessian culture. In Spain, around 20 archaeological discoveries linked to Tartessos have been collected.

Archaeologists unearthed Cancho Roano in the year 1978, shedding light on another chapter of history. The site comprises the remains of three Tartessian temples constructed successively, each one built upon the ruins of its predecessor, all facing towards the direction of sunrise. A visitor center provides insights into the known history of the temples and the various artifacts discovered within.

The adobe walls of the most recent temple, which was erected around the close of the 6th Century BCE, delineate 11 rooms and cover an area of approximately 500 square meters. However, for reasons that remain a mystery to archaeologists, towards the end of the 5th Century BCE, the inhabitants of this site engaged in a ritual involving the consumption of animals, followed by the disposal of the remains in a central pit. Subsequently, the temple was set ablaze, sealed with clay, and ultimately abandoned, leaving behind a plethora of items to be consumed by the fire, including iron tools and gold jewelry.

Sebastián Celestino Pérez, who oversaw the excavation of Cancho Roano for 23 years and currently serves as a scientific researcher at the Institute of Archaeology in Merida, described the discovery as a groundbreaking moment in Iberian Peninsula archaeology. He highlighted the remarkable preservation of the site's walls, altar, moat, and artifacts, such as jewelry, glassware, and a warrior stele, despite the destructive fire. Many experts had doubted the existence of such a site beyond Andalucía, where all previous archaeological evidence had been uncovered.

Tartessos was the first Iberian culture known to have traded across the Mediterranean and had a significant presence in Mediterranean trade routes, extending its reach to regions such as present-day Israel, Greece, and Egypt. The prosperity of Tartessos was renowned throughout the surrounding areas. Some scholars, like archaeologist Richard Freund from Christopher Newport University, have proposed that the port city of Tartessos, which served as the heart of this civilization, might have been the inspiration behind the legendary Atlantis. This theory is based on Aristotle's connection between a river in southern Spain and both Atlantis and Tartessos. According to Herodotus, Tartessos existed beyond the Pillars of Hercules, a term commonly associated with the rock of Gibraltar and the Moroccan mountains across the strait. Ephorus, another Greek historian, described Tartessos as a prosperous civilization that traded in tin, gold, and copper, transported by river. The wealth, advanced technology, and extensive reach of Tartessos are also mentioned in various writings from that era. Freund remarks, "Their level of sophistication was truly remarkable."

The disappearance of Tartessos is still shrouded in mystery. Celestino believes that one or multiple powerful earthquakes, followed by tsunamis, could have wiped out a large portion of its coastal communities and left the survivors in despair. Tartessos was a maritime civilization, and as Freund points out, "The fact that these sites are located in Extremadura, hundreds of miles away from the coast, is significant."

The inland locations, as Freund points out, indicate that the individuals who constructed them were "fleeing from something. They believed their deities had turned against them. Consequently, they constructed these feasting halls and performed these rituals to appease them. Evidently, their efforts were in vain."

The offerings consisted of some of their most valuable possessions: horses. "There are still many uncertainties, [but] we do know that the sacrifices are directly linked to an offering to the gods, possibly because they sought their protection in these newly settled lands," Rodríguez explains. She further notes, "It is also intriguing that the only mode of transportation one possesses is sacrificed."

The presence of horse sacrifices at Casas del Turuñuelo indicates a long-term settlement plan by the inhabitants. This is not just a temporary dwelling, but a location with grand, remarkable architecture—the immense staircase and vaulted ceiling are standout features, as per the research team. Rodríguez mentioned, “The excellent condition of the structure is enabling us to study construction methods and materials that have not been seen before in the prehistoric era of the Western Mediterranean.” In an interview with El Pais in 2018, Celestino remarked: “[Structures of this kind] were present in ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, but we have never encountered anything similar from this time period or region before.”

The intention of the people at Casas del Turuñuelo to stay at the location remains uncertain, however, archaeological evidence indicates otherwise. After the feast and sacrifices were completed, they buried the site and left, disappearing into the Iberian countryside. Now, the site sits abandoned once more, just as quiet as it was for over two thousand years. Unfortunately, due to a dispute between the landowners and the regional government of Extremadura, the archaeology team currently lacks access to the site, halting further excavation and study. Rodríguez expresses her concern for the site, comparing it to a child she worries about at night, fearing potential water damage and other threats to the partially excavated buildings and piles of bones. She emphasizes that the site is a treasure trove for archaeologists, holding a plethora of information and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

1. The local population appeared to be fleeing from an unknown threat, leading them to construct banquet halls and conduct large-scale rituals in an attempt to appease their deities. However, these efforts proved futile, resulting in their abandonment of temples and eventual disappearance. The reason behind their disappearance remains a mystery, raising questions about whether they were aware of their impending fate or if it was an unforeseen event such as a sudden catastrophe they were trying to escape. Scientists have proposed various theories to explain this phenomenon, including natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, economic issues stemming from a mining crisis, or conflicts with neighboring nations due to trading problems.

2. One prevailing theory suggests that a massive tsunami struck the port around the 6th Century BC, causing significant damage to the economy of the region and straining relations between Tartessos and neighboring civilizations. While these theories are speculative, the archaeological site holds immense value for researchers, offering a treasure trove of information and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. The Tartessians unknowingly preserved their artifacts by burying them, providing a valuable gift to future scientists who continue to study and uncover the secrets of this ancient civilization. History enthusiasts can explore Tartessian tools, horse figurines, and intricately decorated ivory at the archaeological Museum of Badajoz, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Tartessians.

Let's hope that in the future scientists will learn more interesting things about this civilization and we'll finally find out what happened to them.