Spanish archaeologists from the Valencia Institute discovered that the Casas del Turunuelo building, dating from the late 5th century BC in the southwest of the country, was used in ancient times as a place for mass sacrifices of various animals. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine PLOS One.
Scientists determined their dates by examining 6,770 bones belonging to 52 animals buried in three successive stages. Most of the victims were adult horses, but some cattle, pigs and a dog were also found among the ritual offerings.
In the first two stages, animal skeletons were mostly intact, but the bones in the third group showed signs of processing for later consumption. This indicated that the ritual was accompanied by a meal.
Researchers noted that only adult individuals were chosen as victims. Fire also played an important role in the procedure, as evidenced by burnt plant and animal remains. Another interesting feature of Casas del Turunuelo was the sacrifice of many horses.
According to archaeologists, this find will allow us to better understand the role of mass animal sacrifices in the culture of the inhabitants of Iron Age Europe.
Earlier archaeologists discovered In Spain, an ancient stele depicting a male warrior wearing women’s jewelry surprised researchers.