A woman buried in Portugal in the Bronze Age era

The Late Bronze Age in Portugal, part of the broader Atlantic Bronze Age culture, is a fascinating period characterized by significant technological, economic, and social developments. Spanning approximately from 1200 to 800 BCE, this era sees the emergence of complex societies along the western Iberian Peninsula, influenced by broader trans-regional interactions across Europe.

Geography and Environment

The Late Bronze Age landscape of what is now modern-day Portugal was predominantly rural and coastal, featuring a mix of fertile plains, river valleys, and rugged inland terrain. The Atlantic Ocean played a crucial role in the lives of these communities, with extensive coastlines providing access to maritime resources and trade routes.

Settlements and Society

Settlements during this period varied from small, scattered hamlets to larger, fortified hilltop villages (castros). These settlements were often strategically located to control trade routes or resources, such as metal deposits or fertile land for agriculture. Social organization appears to have been hierarchical, with indications of emerging chieftains or elite classes who controlled trade, resources, and religious practices.

Economy and Trade

The economy of Late Bronze Age Portugal was diverse, integrating agriculture, metallurgy, and trade. People cultivated cereals, legumes, and fruits while raising livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs. The introduction and development of bronze metallurgy were key to this era, with local production complemented by traded goods.

Trade networks extended across the Atlantic façade, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas. Artifacts such as bronze tools, weapons, and ornaments have been found that share similar designs with those from Britain, Ireland, and other regions, reflecting the cultural interconnectedness of these societies.

Metallurgy

Bronze metallurgy marked a significant advancement in this era, with artisans producing a variety of tools, weapons (such as swords and spearheads), and decorative items. The knowledge and skill required for alloying copper with tin to produce bronze indicate developed technical expertise and established trade routes for raw materials, as tin had to be sourced from distant areas.

Cultural and Religious Practices

The Late Bronze Age communities engaged in various cultural and religious practices, evidenced by the archaeological record, including burial sites, megalithic structures, and ritual deposits. Funerary practices often involved burial mounds or cists, sometimes with accompanying grave goods that suggest beliefs in an afterlife or the importance of status in death as in life.

Megalithic monuments, such as stone circles and menhirs, continued to be used, possibly serving as religious or social gathering sites. These structures indicate a continuation or adaptation of earlier Neolithic practices, emphasizing the connection between the people and their landscape.

Art and Iconography

Artistic expressions in this period often involved personal adornments such as intricate jewelry made from gold or bronze, featuring geometric patterns or motifs inspired by nature. Rock art, though less prevalent than in earlier periods, includes engravings that sometimes depict human figures, animals, or abstract motifs.

Influences and Interactions

Late Bronze Age Portugal was not isolated; rather, it was part of a broader Atlantic cultural zone that included regions of present-day Spain, France, and the British Isles. The interaction between these areas facilitated cultural exchanges and technological advancements. Influences from the Eastern Mediterranean, including Mycenaean Greece, can also be detected through trade and the diffusion of metalworking techniques.

Legacy

The Late Bronze Age set the stage for the subsequent Iron Age cultures in Portugal, leaving a legacy of technological and social advancements. The development of more hierarchical societies, improvements in metallurgy, and expansive trade networks laid the groundwork for future cultural transformations that would eventually lead into the historical periods documented by classical civilizations.

In conclusion, Late Bronze Age Portugal represents a vibrant part of the Atlantic Bronze Age complex, showcasing a society that was technically adept, socially dynamic, and deeply connected with the broader European Bronze Age world.