Beaker ritual, collective ritual: the Necropolis of artificial caves of the Higueras Valley, Huecas, Toledo

Abstract

Data and reflections are provided for the discussion of the importance of the Beaker in the funeral practices of the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, in the context of aresearch project which showed population continuity during Late Prehistory, on the Southern Meseta.
At the moment, the most widespread proposals, that tend to understand the famous decorated pottery as the visualization of individuality as opposed to megalithic collectivism, show serious problems of generalization when a necropolis as important as Ciempozuelos can be understood like groups of artificial caves.
Indeed these structures, in addition to chambers with a false vault, are those that define the necropolis of the Higueras Valley, reiterating characteristic associations of the West Chalcolithic necropolis. The C14 dates show a chronology between 3400 and 1900 cal. BC, therefore at absolutely contemporary moments to the classic examples of the Iberian Peninsula.
From half way through the third millennium cal. BC incised Beaker pottery is present in these grave goods, thereby placing it in a very close chronological relationship with the rest of the styles.