An Argaric halberd from the El Retamar motilla (Argamasilla de Alba, Ciudad Real): context, dating, provenance and interpretation.

In 2019, the only Argaric halberd from the Meseta was recovered from the El Retamar motilla; it is the first specialized weapon in the Motillas Culture.

The find was made in a non-funerary context—Cut A—associated with ceramic vessels, a kiln, and seeds (flour and durum wheat, dressed barley, spelt, and flax). The weapon, weighing 118 g and 15.7 cm, has two rivets and an asymmetrical blade. It can be classified as the San Antón type (Lull type 2), with similar formal parallels in the halberd from Tomb 999 at El Argar or in another in the Gómez-Moreno collection. The piece does not contain tin; it is made of arsenical copper (3.4% As), with significant percentages of lead and silver (2-3% Pb; 0.47% Ag).

Analysis of its lead isotopes reveals its probable origin in the mining area of ​​Linares (Jaén). The dating of the haft wood (Beta-591414, 3590±30, 2010-1895 cal BC) dates the halberd to the first century of the second millennium cal BC. This finding confirms that the Argaric and Bronze Age populations of La Mancha established intense exchange networks, through which objects of high social value circulated, such as ivory, the Argaric cup from La Encantada, and the halberd from the El Retamar motilla.

PUBLISHED ARTICLES:

Revistas Científicas Complutenses (Universidad computense de Madrid)
Frobenius-Institut