Enigmatic barrows without offerings: Monte Deva (Gijón) and Berducedo (Allande), in Asturias

Abstract

The structural simplicity of two large barrows and their lack of grave goods make enigmatic tomb types, that although part of the megalithic tradition, could be located in the Early Bronze Age (Monte Deva V). Their easy classification as “poor tombs” (large poor tombs?) ought to raise the possibility of other interpretations. The barrows, built by poorly nucleated societies in a context of very low population density, and with limited possibilities of exchange, are likely to be more due to a concrete funerary form, whose variations are considered, than to exclusively economic reasons.