Chalcolithic Enclosures in the Lower Guadalquivir Basin: La Loma Del Real Tesoro (Carmona, Seville, Spain) and Its Resources

Abstract

As part of a research project looking at the use of resources in Chalcolithic settlements in the region surrounding the site of Valencina de la Concepción, in the lower Guadalquivir Basin (Seville province, SW Spain) a new site named La Loma del Real Tesoro (henceforth LRT) is being investigated. It consists of two different sectors with LRT-I measuring 6ha and LRT-II 8ha. In 2015 and 2016 LRT-II was investigated by means of surface survey, geophysical survey, geo-morphological core drilling and targeted archaeological excavation. This study has led to the discovery of a major complex including six ditched enclosures, four of which are arranged in concentric fashion. This paper presents the preliminary results of this ieldwork, providing a basic description of the site within the context of other known ditched enclosures and ditched sites along the Guadalquivir River Valley. The study of material culture and organic remains, still under way, shows an abundant presence of ceramics, lithics, green stones, faunal remains and some isolated human remains, suggesting a complex pattern of use for this settlement.