Ancient History of the Iberian Peninsula: Hominids and Pre-Roman Peoples

Hominization Findings in the Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula is an area where we see the evolution from prehistoric hominids to modern humans. The excavations in the **Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos)** have discovered a set of human remains from the age of **1,200,000** years. It was a new species named *Homo Antecessor*, and it is considered an ancestor of *Homo sapiens*. These are the oldest remains found in Western Europe. Also in **Atapuerca (Sima de los Huesos)**, bones of *Homo heidelbergensis* (**350,000 years old**) were found. These two species belong to the **Lower Paleolithic**. Many remains of *Homo Neanderthalensis* are preserved from the **Middle Paleolithic**. The arrival in Europe of modern *Homo sapiens* (**Upper Paleolithic**) meant the extinction of the last Neanderthals.

Pre-Roman Peoples of the Iberian Peninsula

From the first half of the first millennium BC, there are texts written by Greek and Roman historians who speak of the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula. From these texts, we know that at that time, **Indo-European immigrants** and **Mediterranean merchants** entered the Peninsula. In the southern regions of the peninsula, there was a kingdom called **Tartessos**, located between the provinces of Seville and Huelva, whose wealth was based on the exploitation of gold, silver, and copper mines. From the 5th century BC, as a result of external influences received in previous centuries, the Iberian Peninsula was divided into two cultural areas:

• **The Iberian Peoples** (Turdetani, Edetani, etc.) had common characteristics but lacked ethnic or linguistic unity. They engaged in agriculture (cereals, vines, olives, textile plants), metalworking (weapons and jewelry), and trade. They coined their own currency and some knew writing. They developed a very interesting art, including ceramics and sculpture.
• **The Celtic Peoples** (Vaccaei, Lusitani, etc.) had cultural elements of indigenous, Indo-European, and Iberian origin. Those who inhabited the plains of the Meseta developed poor farming based on the cultivation of cereals, while the inhabitants of the Central System and Iberian System were farmers. The northern peoples were more primitive. The Celts had a tribal social organization, spoke an Indo-European language, and did not know writing.