Mediterranean Southwest Europe (2061–1918 BCE): Metalworking Innovations…
2061 BCE to 1918 BCE
Mediterranean Southwest Europe (2061–1918 BCE):
Metalworking Innovations and Cultural Transitions
From 2061 to 1918 BCE, Mediterranean Southwest Europe—including Andorra, Italy, the Western Mediterranean Islands (except Corsica), and southwestern Spain—enters a period characterized by significant cultural transitions, technological advancements, and evolving burial practices.
Southern Italy and Sicily: Introduction of Metalworking
New groups migrating from eastern Mediterranean regions introduce advanced metalworking techniques to southern Italy and Sicily by the early second millennium BCE. These metal technologies, particularly bronze working, significantly impact local economies, warfare, and craftsmanship, reshaping societal structures and regional interactions.
Malta: Shift to Tarxien Cemetery Culture
Around 2000 BCE, Malta experiences a pronounced transition from the Tarxien temple-building civilization to the Tarxien Cemetery culture (2500–1500 BCE). Named after the extensive burial grounds established around the earlier temple sites, this new phase reflects the arrival of new Bronze Age populations, whose cultural traits differ markedly from earlier inhabitants.
This culture is characterized by metal implements, the construction of dolmens, and eventually sophisticated rock-cut tombs. Tarxien Cemetery Ware pottery, noted for its distinctive angular shapes, pebble-burnished surfaces, and incised decoration, emerges prominently. Archaeologist John Evans identifies strong parallels between Malta's Tarxien Cemetery culture and the contemporary Castelluccio culture of southeastern Sicily.
Burial Practices and Material Culture
During this period, burial customs primarily involve cremation, with ashes deposited in specially crafted urns accompanied by elaborate grave goods, including flat axes, bronze daggers, and stylized clay figures. These practices illustrate shifting attitudes toward death, social hierarchy, and ritual expression, reflecting broader changes in regional cultural identities.
Cultural and Artistic Continuity
Despite major shifts in burial traditions and societal organization, artistic traditions, particularly pottery and figurine production, continue to flourish. Cultural exchange between Malta, Sicily, and southern Italy sustains a rich artistic tradition, blending indigenous practices with external influences and maintaining regional cultural cohesion.
Legacy of the Era
The period 2061–1918 BCE marks a transformative stage in Mediterranean Southwest Europe, defined by technological innovations, shifts in burial customs, and cultural blending. The introduction of metalworking and the emergence of the Tarxien Cemetery culture lay significant foundations for future developments, bridging earlier megalithic traditions and the evolving Bronze Age civilizations.