Technical characterization of the necklace of El Carambolo hoard (Camas, Seville, Spain)

摘要

Since its accidental discovery in 1958, El Carambolo hoard (Camas, Seville) has been considered the most emblematic of all the hoards belonging to the Orientalizing period of the Guadalquivir River valley in Spain. It is an example of the economic heyday and the interrelations between native and oriental population during the 7th-6th centuries BCE. This impressive group consists of 21 artifacts. The archaeological and scientific studies carried out so far divide the pieces of the hoard into three groups depending on style, composition of the alloy and manufacture technique. Some studies have already dealt with the analysis and interpretation of Group 1, consisting of two bracelets, a series of 8 rectangular plaques and a pendant while Group 2 involves another series of 8 plaques and a pendant. Group 3 consists solely of a necklace with pendants in the form of signatory seals. The stylistic characteristics, along with the symbology of the seals, cover this necklace with mystery about its provenance.