New clues to the ‘nailed head ritual' uncovered in Spain
Why did prehistoric people on the Iberian Peninsula sever the heads of some of their dead and put iron nails in their skulls? This question has been debated by archaeologists for years and we finally have some new clues. The nailed head ritual may have been as a way to intimidate their enemies and celebrate their ancestors. The findings published in the April 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports show that the practice differed in each settlement. It also offers direct evidence of how these Iron Age populations moved around the northeastern Iberian Peninsula–modern Spain and Portugal.
Severed heads like these were a unique funerary practice within the Iron Age Iberian world. For archaeologists and anthropologists, they offer a way to analyze these prehistoric communities. Most bodies were cremated at this time, so there is very little evidence of death rituals in the archaeological record.
After death, iron nails were placed into the skulls of certain individuals. The skulls were then put out on exhibition for all to see. Archaeologists have recovered some of these skulls with signs of nailing and in some cases with the nail still embedded into the skull. Over time, archaeologists have debated if these skulls were war trophies, relics of important members of the community, or something else.
'These hypotheses, however, based on oral and ethnographic sources, have not yet been verified, nor has there been in-depth studies on the relationship between these groups and the land they inhabited,' Rubén de la Fuente-Seoane, a study co-author and archaeologist at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain, said in a statement. 'Our premise in approaching the study was that if they were war trophies they would not come from the sites analysed, while if they were venerated individuals, these would most likely be local.'
In the study, the team looked at seven nailed skulls dating back to the last millennium BCE. The male skulls were uncovered in two archaeological sites that date back to this period of the Iron Age–Ullastret (about 84 miles north of Barcelona) and a settlement called Puig Castellar. The sites are roughly 60 miles apart and both hosted ancient cities that were abandoned when the Romans arrived towards the end of the third century BCE.
'Our results reveal that the individuals from Puig Castellar and Ullastret would not have been randomly selected,' said de la Fuente-Seoane. 'There would have been a homogeneous trend towards men in these rituals. However, the mobility and localisation patterns suggest a greater diversity, which could also imply social and cultural differences among the individuals of the two communities.'
[ Related: Medieval child 'vampire burial' exhumed near Polish cathedral. ]
To take a more in-depth look at the skulls, the team combined bioarchaeology techniques and isotope analysis. They looked at the strontium and oxygen isotopes in the dental enamel recovered from the skulls, which can reveal details about the individual's diet. The team also took detailed samples of the sediment and vegetation collected near the sites to reference it with the data uncovered from the tooth enamel. This can tell scientists whether the food they ate was grown locally or further away and offers an educated guess at where the individuals were from.
The analysis revealed that three of the four individuals found at Puig Castellar were likely not from the community. Ullastret had a mixture of non-local and local groups.
'This result suggests that the practice of severed heads was applied in a different way at each site, which seems to rule out a homogeneous symbolic expression. But more research is needed to be sure,' said de la Fuente-Seoane.
According to the team, the fact that the Puig Castellar skulls were exposed in an area like a wall leads them to believe that they were displayed as a demonstration of power and coercion. This could have been for both internal repression and towards some group of outsiders.
In Ullastret, the two local individuals were found in a street in the middle of the city. This suggests that they put on display on a wall or a doorway of the houses next to it. This supports the hypothesis that the skulls belonged to important community members. A third Ullastret skull–potentailly of foreign origin–was found in one of the external walls of the settlement. The team believes that this could represent a war trophy.
The study shows some direct evidence of how prehistoric humans moved around the northeastern Iberian Peninsula during the Iron Age. It also offers some new perspectives on the territoriality in the region.
Earlier studies suggested that there were major differences in how these societies used and exploited the resources surrounding them. The team from this study was able to use the Puig Castellar and Ullastret skulls to show different mobility patterns and values. The vegetation samples also show different resource management practices at each site.
'This differentiation reflects a dynamic and complex society with important local and external interactions,' said de la Fuente-Seoane. 'Our study is a first approach to this archaeological problem using a method that is revolutionising the way we study mobility in the past. At the same time, it suggests that the selection of individuals for the severed heads ritual was more complex than initially thought.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ancient cone-shaped skull shows signs of fatal trauma
Archeologists have spent over a decade excavating an ancient graveyard in western Iran known as Chegla Sofla. The Copper Age site contains a trove of skeletal remains, offering insight about regional life approximately 6,200 years ago, and even contains the oldest-known tomb constructed from brick. However, one of the most recent finds isn't a feat of engineering, but of body modification: the skull of a young girl with distinct evidence of cranial modification. And according to the team's conclusions recently detailed in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, she died from head trauma—but it's unclear what or who caused it. The practice of artificial head elongation has been documented across cultures around the world dating back millennia, including societies in Eurasia, Africa, South America, and the Americas. The desired results were typically accomplished by tightly binding a child's head with cloth bandages for years in order to mold their pliable cranial bones into the desired conical shape. Some of the earliest examples date to 9th millennium BCE proto-Neolithic groups living in present-day Iraq. But based on discoveries at Chegla Sofla, similar traditions extended well into the 5th millennium. Archeologists including experts at Iran's Tarbiat Modares University analyzed the remains to better understand their subject after excavating the skull of a young woman estimated to be under 20 years old. To do this, the team used computing tomography (CT) scanning to assess both her cranial bones and diploe—the spongy part of bones that function as shock absorbers. They determined her skull was thinner than usual—a feature indicative of cranial binding. CT scans also revealed a fracture extending from the front of the skull all the way to the rear with no signs of healing. The injury's severity is particularly prominent in the form of a triangular fracture along the left parietal bone's sagittal border. Further examination made it clear the injury was inflicted by a blunt object that did not penetrate the cranial vault. But beyond these findings, it's hard to know the circumstances surrounding her death. 'We know this woman experienced the fracture in the final moments of her life, but we don't have any direct evidence to say that someone intentionally struck her,' study lead author Mahdi Alirezazadeh told Live Science. While cranial elongation resulted in thinner bones more prone to fracturing, it seems clear that even a naturally developed skull wouldn't have fared well against the injury. 'It should be noted that the blow was so severe that it would have fractured a normal, unmodified skull as well,' explained Alirezazadeh. Unfortunately, there's little else currently available that might clarify the woman's final moments. Although her skull has been recovered, the same can't be said for the rest of her skeleton. Her remains were found in a mass grave at Chegla Sofla, so it may be a while before experts match the skull to other bones.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Every Morning Rooster Does One Thing Guaranteed To Send Dog Into 'A Frenzy'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A rooster in Florida has found the perfect way to troll his owner's dog each and every morning without fail. Footage of Bob the rooster's surefire technique for ensuring Kristin's dog, Scrappy Doo, more than lives up to his name was captured on a Ring camera device, with the video later shared with Newsweek. Kristin, who only gave her first name, lives with Scrappy Doo, Bob and the rest of his chicken flock in Callahan, told Ring: "Every morning, our rooster Bob struts up to the Ring camera to trigger an Alexa alert that sends our dog Scrappy Doo into a frenzy, only to find Bob and his chicken crew menacingly staring through the glass, laughing." Dogs rank among the most naturally friendly animal species, but that wasn't always the case. A rooster has found a unique way to troll his owner's dog. A rooster has found a unique way to troll his owner's dog. Ring In 2017, a study in the journal Science Advances concluded this friendliness may have been a result of genetic changes over an extended period of time. Researchers reached that conclusion following a study comparing the behavior of domestic dogs and grey wolves, which canines evolved from tens of thousands of years ago. The tests centered on problem-solving and sociability, throwing up some interesting results. While the wolves were better at problem solving and an experiment involving the retrieval of sausage pieces from a lunchbox, canines were much friendlier to humans, compared to wolves who were seen as more aloof. DNA tests conducted as part of the study also identified a potential link between genetic changes and improvements in social behavior. But while dogs might be friendly enough, Bob, who is a 2-and-a-half-year-old who is a mix of Polish and Aseel chickens, appears to relish his role as chief antagonizer around the house. "This taunting and harassment has been occurring for over 2 years now," Kristin said. "Bob also encourages our chickens, Karen, Flo, Eunice, and Matilda to participate." Kristin does her best to try and put a stop to the harassment. "I still tell Bob to stop being naughty through the Two-Way Talk feature," she said. Kristin also makes a point of speaking to Bob directly through the camera saying: "Good morning, and to leave Scrappy alone and stop being naughty" Unfortunately for both Scrappy Doo, and Kristin, Bob's behavior shows no signs of abating, which is a shame, given the number of sweet relationships between dogs and feathered friends that have previously been caught on camera. There was the golden retriever filmed enjoying a little playtime with his owner's chickens in what has become a regular occurrence. Then there was the dog who went viral after somehow convincing a rooster and a flock of chickens to come home with him from an outdoor adventure. On a similar note, in July last year a farm dog struck up the most unusual of friendships with a fawn, sparking delight in the process. Given these examples and many more besides. Kristin may not have given up hope of Bob and Scrappy Doo bonding quite yet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Art-eating fungus attacks Rome's ancient underground frescoes
A devastating infestation of microbugs is damaging the treasured underground frescoes that decorate the labyrinths of ancient catacombs beneath Rome. A vast network of tunnels, dug into the soft, porous tufa rock that underlies much of the city, was created in the early Christian era for the burial of the dead. They were also used as clandestine meeting places at a time when Christians were persecuted by Rome's emperors. But the colourful frescoes that adorn the ceilings and walls of the catacombs are being eaten away by microorganisms, a phenomenon that experts say is being accelerated by climate change. Rising temperatures have increased humidity levels inside the underground burial sites, encouraging the growth of bacteria, moss and fungus. The alarm about the rampant art-eating fungus has been raised by a Vatican department, the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology. 'The survival of frescoes which were created 2,000 years ago is at risk,' said Monsignor Pasquale Iacobone, the head of the department. 'There is an increase in the proliferation of vegetation and the damage is unprecedented. It's the effect of climate change and the increase in outside temperatures.' Ancient Romans, who cremated their dead, banned Christians from burying corpses within the walls of the capital. So the Christians instead dug underground passageways for the interment of their dead, eventually excavating around 300kms of tunnels beneath Rome. They wrapped the dead in shrouds and laid them to rest in rectangular niches that were carved out of the tunnel walls. Among the treasures under threat are striking frescoes in the San Callisto Catacomb, which mark some of the earliest surviving examples of Christian art. San Callisto, the biggest and most famous of Rome's catacombs, was established in the second century AD and contained the remains of about half a million people, as well as seven popes who were martyred in the third century AD. 'Along with the six catacombs that are open to the public, the problem is affecting all 400 of the decorated chambers that exist in Rome's 60 catacombs. We are seeing an unexpected increase in biological infestations,' Barbara Mazzei, an archaeologist and an expert on the catacombs, told Corriere della Sera newspaper. While the problem underground is high humidity, the issue above ground is a lack of moisture – high temperatures and drought conditions mean that trees are sinking their roots deeper, breaking through the ceilings of the catacombs and penetrating the frescoes. The confined, subterranean nature of catacombs and the lack of ventilation mean that it is hard for experts to use chemicals such as biocides to combat the growth of bacteria and mould. Instead, they are experimenting with natural products that are not harmful to humans, including essential oils made from lavender, thyme and cinnamon. The threats faced by the catacombs were revealed at a seminar in Rome organised by the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Many of the catacombs lie beneath the Appian Way, the 'regina viarum' or 'queen of roads' that once ran from Rome to the distant port of Brindisi on the Adriatic coast. In 2010, the earliest known icons of four of Christ's apostles were discovered on the ceiling of an elaborately decorated chamber in a catacomb beneath the streets of Rome. Scientists used advanced laser technology to remove a hardened crust of dirt and calcium deposits in order to bring to light the brightly coloured fourth century paintings of Saints John, Paul, Andrew and Peter. The images adorn the ceiling of a vault, carved out of volcanic rock, which provided the last resting place of a rich Roman noblewoman who converted to Christianity. Archaeologists also found an early image of Christ, a painting of a naked Daniel with lions at his feet and a sketch of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The catacombs of Santa Tecla, a labyrinth of tunnels, galleries and burial chambers, lie hidden beneath a five-storey office in Ostiense, a residential area of Rome. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
