• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

3,000-year-old stela discovered in Las Capellanías, Spain

by Dario Radley
October 10, 2023

A team of researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Durham University, the University of Seville, and the University of Southampton, working on the Maritime Encounters project, have unearthed a unique and decorated stela in the 3,000-year-old funerary complex of Las Capellanías, located in Cañaveral de León, Spain.

3,000-year-old stela discovered in Las Capellanías, Spain
Credit: Durham University

Stelae are carefully crafted vertical stone slabs adorned with inscriptions or images, and this newly discovered stela, the third of its kind found at the site, features a figure wearing a headdress, a necklace, and two swords. The representation is rich in detail, depicting male genitalia. The intricate combination of attributes challenges established interpretations of gender roles in prehistoric Iberian societies.

Traditionally, two primary types of figures were associated with Iberian stelae: “warrior” figures, typically interpreted as male due to the presence of weapons, and “headdress” figures, often considered female because of their headdresses and necklaces.

This binary perspective on gender roles in the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age has been shaken by the discovery. The male genitalia on the newly found stela, which combines attributes of both headdress and warrior types, indicates that these social roles were not confined to specific genders but could vary. This evidence suggests that the interpretation of gender roles was more fluid than previously believed.

Apart from challenging gender norms, this discovery is vital for several other reasons. The stela is found in context, lying on top of a circular cremation structure, which confirms that these stelae were used as funerary markers or tombstones.

RelatedStories

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
New study reveals how the 3,600-year-old Nebra Sky Disk was crafted

Ancient manufacturing secrets of the Nebra Sky Disc reconstructed by researchers

June 7, 2025

Furthermore, the stelae served as territorial markers, demarcating significant natural pathways linking two primary river basins in the region. These pathways acted as vital communication routes during late prehistory, connecting the middle Guadiana and lower Guadalquivir basins, and the stelae possibly functioned as signposts for travelers passing through the area.

The discovery not only confirms the funerary use of stelae but also highlights the need to reevaluate earlier interpretations and theories regarding these monuments. The findings at Las Capellanías mark a significant milestone in understanding the cultural and historical context of these ancient stelae.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths
Anthropology

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)
Anthropology

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld
Anthropology

Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

June 14, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force
Anthropology

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle. Credit: DRASSM / National Navy
Archaeology

France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle

June 13, 2025
Mysterious pits on 2-million-year-old fossil teeth unlock clues to human evolution
Anthropology

Mysterious pits on 2-million-year-old fossil teeth unlock clues to human evolution

June 12, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
maya-collapse-was-transformation-

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

June 14, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle. Credit: DRASSM / National Navy

France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle

June 13, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.