Research into the past and archaeological projects are now in good condition worldwide. Every year, impressive findings or new research come to light that mark a before and after in what we knew. Even in very prominent cases in different parts of the planet, we will shamelessly state: the most important historical news of 2023 was the discovery of the faces of Tartessos.
One of the faces of Tartessian origin found in Turuñuelo. Gianni86/Wikimedia
A past to be discovered
Of course, the decision we have made is possible because the subject we are dealing with is not very objective or natural We could choose between several messages that would be just as valid as the one selected. How do you measure the significance of a discovery? On this occasion we have chosen to evaluate a discovery about a time and culture that remains largely a mystery, so each new source that contributes to the investigation has particular value. Without discrediting any discovery, we agree that finding another Roman theater is not as relevant as ceramic sculptures with human faces associated with Tartessos, a culture we have been discussing and attending for decades there are still more unknowns than certainties. The Tartessian discovery also has aesthetic beauty that is usually more striking to the public. And as if that were not enough, this represents a significant impetus for the desire to continue digging in the soil of Spain and for the hope of continuing to rescue in the near future wonders that the history of the Iberian Peninsula has given us over time bring closer the age of metals.
Tartessian ceramicsCSIC
The discovery
We refer to the remains of five figurative reliefs from the 5th century BC. BC, discovered during the 2023 excavation campaign at the Casas del Turuñuelo sitein the municipality of Guareña, city of Badajoz.
The research team is headed by Esther Rodríguez González and Sebastián Celestino Pérez, who have been working on site with the “Building Tarteso” project since 2015. They have since been found new insights that revolutionize the current discourse on the history of Tartessus in many ways. As the experts explained:
“Of the set recovered to date, two of the figurative reliefs are almost complete and correspond to female figures adorned with outstanding earrings or hoop earrings, representing typical pieces of Tartessian goldsmith's art.”
The site's excellent level of preservation is key to the advancement of Tarteso's knowledge. Furthermore, it makes sense that we end the year celebrating this discovery as we will celebrate it the publication of the book “Tartesus: The Mystery of the West’s Oldest Civilization” in early 2024. Published by Pinolia, It was written by Esther Rodríguez and Sebastián Celestino themselves.which will lead us to “learn the truth about Tartessian culture through the latest discoveries, putting limits on the fables by offering a complete vision based on Greek sources and the latest archaeological discoveries.”
Remains of a huge animal sacrifice in Casas del Turuñuelo.Junta de Extremadura.
A fascinating year
In addition to Turuñuelo ceramics, 2023 has brought us some impressive finds, whether due to their aesthetic quality, the unexpected nature of the discovery, the revolutionary nature of what we knew, or some other striking circumstance. They are all invaluable in further solving the mystery of human history.
Ruins were discovered in Rome this summer that researchers have linked to antiquity Nero's Theater, mentioned by Pliny the Elder, but whose material remains were unknown. Egypt is one of the places that offers the most archaeological surprises year after year. The culture of the pharaohs still holds many treasures buried beneath the desert sands, and archaeologists are determined to save them all. It was published in 2023 an approximately 2,000-year-old sphinx that researchers believe represents the Roman Emperor Claudius. Items related to everyday life tend to star in some of the star archeology news stories each year. In 2023 they found it a necklace made from a Magalodon tooth in the Titanic wreckand tools as old as have been unearthed in Türkiye a hacksaw from the 3rd century BC. BC And Largest hand ax discovered to date with an age of 200,000 years.
Giulia Edmond and Ömer Can Aksoy with the bare fistRoyal order for AlUla