Publication: La Cultura de las Motillas de La Mancha: testigos del Evento Climático 4.2 ka cal BP
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2020
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Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (Madrid)
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Abstract
Estudios llevados a cabo en los últimos años indican que la Cultura de las Motillas -asentamientos de la Edad del Bronce de La Mancha- pudieron constituir la primera ordenación del territorio con fines de abastecimiento hídrico, dando lugar a la que se podría denominar la primera cultura hidráulica de Europa. El análisis de los datos permite establecer una estrecha relación entre las características geológicas y la ubicación de las motillas. Fueron construidas durante el Evento Climático 4.2 ka cal BP, en un momento de estrés ambiental. La construcción de pozos para llegar al nivel freático regional, y aprovechar el agua subterránea, constituyó una exitosa solución que pervivió casi un milenio y formó parte principal de los procesos de cambio hacia una sociedad más compleja y jerarquizada. El Holoceno constituye un periodo geológico muy dinámico en lo referente a las fluctuaciones climatológicas. Una de las más importantes, con repercusión a nivel mundial, es el mencionado evento climático 4.2 ka cal BP, relacionado con el colapso de diversas civilizaciones. Este evento, en nuestro territorio, ocurrió en la transición entre la Edad del Cobre y la del Bronce en La Mancha, y se caracterizó por una marcada aridez, con una fase más intensa, entre 2.000 y 1.800 cal BC, en que disminuyeron de manera notable las precipitaciones y se incrementó la temperatura. La Cultura de las Motillas de la Edad del Bronce de La Mancha constituye una singular forma de adaptación de los pobladores del territorio a esta situación climatológica.
Recent investigations indicate that the culture of the “motillas” – the Bronze Age settlements of La Mancha – may be the oldest evidence for large-scale water management in Europe. The archaeological and paleo-environmental data suggest a close relationship between the location of the “motillas” and the geological landscape. “Motillas” were built during the 4.2 ka cal BP climate event, at a time of environmental stress. The construction of wells that reached the local water table to access groundwater was a successful solution that lasted almost a millennium and was an important technological development that shaped the emergence of more complex and hierarchical societies in the region. The Holocene is a dynamic geological period in terms of climatic fluctuations. One of the most important of these dynamics, with global impact, is the aforementioned 4.2 ka cal BP climate event, which has been related to the collapse of diverse civilizations around the world. This event, in the Iberian Peninsula, occurred at the transition between the Copper Age and Bronze Age in La Mancha (as well as in other regions of the Peninsula). It was characterized by marked aridity, with a more intense phase, between 2,000 and 1,800 cal BC, during which there was a decrease in rainfall and an increase in temperature. The Bronze Age culture of the “motillas” of La Mancha constitutes a unique adaptation of the inhabitants of the territory to this climatic situation.
Recent investigations indicate that the culture of the “motillas” – the Bronze Age settlements of La Mancha – may be the oldest evidence for large-scale water management in Europe. The archaeological and paleo-environmental data suggest a close relationship between the location of the “motillas” and the geological landscape. “Motillas” were built during the 4.2 ka cal BP climate event, at a time of environmental stress. The construction of wells that reached the local water table to access groundwater was a successful solution that lasted almost a millennium and was an important technological development that shaped the emergence of more complex and hierarchical societies in the region. The Holocene is a dynamic geological period in terms of climatic fluctuations. One of the most important of these dynamics, with global impact, is the aforementioned 4.2 ka cal BP climate event, which has been related to the collapse of diverse civilizations around the world. This event, in the Iberian Peninsula, occurred at the transition between the Copper Age and Bronze Age in La Mancha (as well as in other regions of the Peninsula). It was characterized by marked aridity, with a more intense phase, between 2,000 and 1,800 cal BC, during which there was a decrease in rainfall and an increase in temperature. The Bronze Age culture of the “motillas” of La Mancha constitutes a unique adaptation of the inhabitants of the territory to this climatic situation.