Relaciones prehistóricas mediterráneas

Abstract

Since 3,000 -if not even before- commercial relations in the Western Mediterranean and of this with the Aegean and Anatolia became active. Malta, Sicily and the Lipari Islands were the intersection points of both areas and its influence introduced new features in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in the Almerian and through it in the Cave Culture of Andalusia and in the megalitic civilization of Portugal, (types of Aegean idols, red surface pottery ("a la almagra"), simple painted decorations and the sepulcral type of the artifical cave). The use of metal was introduced and soon native copper of Almeria obtained and sold to foreigners. The climax of the cultures of the Iberian Peninsula was attained during the 3rd millenium B.C. and its second half not only the megalithic graves of Portugal were diffused to the Los Millares culture of Almeria but they became more monumental and built in refined technique (corbelled tholoi and orthostats). Also the bell beaker pottery introduced already in Portugal (I classical style of Ciempozuelos) was adopted in the Millares culture (II style) and through it diffused to Sardinia, Sicily and Italy. From Almizaraque (Millares culture) crucibles with copper and even silver scoria are known. Malta already in the first half of the millenium developed its monumental civilization of the "temples" and monumental artificial caves (Hal Saflieni). A semi-urban life is proved by the fortified places of Los Millares (Almeria) and Vilanova de San Pedro (Portugal). It is generally spoken of a proper foreign "colonisation" in Spain and Portugal. Although eastern influences were strong and many foreign items introduced, the author does not believe in colonisation. The bulk of the culture remained indigenous and very different from the Maltese or Aegean. Foreign cultures can be explained through contacts with traders. The introduction of the bell beaker does not mean that Spanish colonies were stablished in Sardinia, Sicily and Italy. Malta was still an active centre of relations in the 2nd millenium and contributed probably to the rise of the muraghi and talaiots cultures but then the influences did not reach spain. Only at the end of the millenium a relation with Sicily started again but not with Malta.