A reappraisal of Iberian Copper Age goldwork: craftmanship, symbolism and art in a non-funerary golden-sheet from Valencina de la Concepción

Departing from the in-depth analysis and description of an exceptional discovery, consisting of a large hammered golden sheet decorated with embossed motifs from the well-known Chalcolithic settlement of Valencina de la Concepción (Seville, Spain), this article presents a general appraisal of the social and ideological role of gold in Copper Age Iberia. The information available for this find, including both its context and its inherent characteristics, opens up new perspectives for research into the technology, use, sociology and symbolism of gold during this time period. Firstly, we describe and analyse this unique item in detail, including the characterisation of the raw material used and the manufacturing process (via SEM-BSE and LA-ICP-MS), as well as an extensive reconstruction of the graphic motifs that are represented by using digital imaging processing techniques (RTI). Secondly, we compare this find with the data currently available for the (approximately) 100 Chalcolithic golden artefacts (or fragments of artefacts) found in Iberia to date. Finally, we present an appraisal of the social and ideological framework in which gold was used in Copper Age Iberia, discussing its relevance in aspects such as the dynamics of social complexity, prehistoric worldviews or artistic creation