The Basque Country in prehistorical times History of the Basques

1 basque country in prehistorical times

1.1 paleolithic
1.2 epipaleolithic , neolithic
1.3 copper , bronze ages
1.4 iron age

the basque country in prehistorical times

paleolithic

map of franco-cantabrian region, showing main caves mural art



horse paintings on walls of cave ekain (ekainberri), near azpeitia

about 35,000 years ago, lands basque country, neighbouring areas such aquitaine , pyrenees, settled cro-magnon, gradually displaced region s earlier neanderthal population. settlers brought aurignacian culture them.

at stage, basque country formed part of archaeological franco-cantabrian province extended way asturias provence. throughout region, underwent similar cultural developments local variation, aurignacian culture successively replaced gravettian, solutrean, , magdalenian cultures. except aurignacian, these seem have originated in franco-cantabrian region, suggests no further waves of immigration area during paleolithic period.

within present-day basque country, settlement limited exclusively atlantic area, climatic reasons. important basque sites include following:

santimamiñe (biscay): gravettian, solutrean , magdalenian remains, mural art
bolinkoba (biscay): gravettian , solutrean
ermitia (gipuzkoa): solutrean , magdalenian
amalda (gipuzkoa): gravettian , solutrean
koskobilo (gipuzkoa): aurignacian , solutrean
aitzbitarte (gipuzkoa): aurignacian, gravettian, solutrean , magdalenian
isturitz (lower navarre): gravettian, solutrean , magdalenian, mural art
gatzarria (soule): aurignacian , gravettian

epipaleolithic , neolithic

at end of ice age, magdalenian culture gave way azilian culture. hunters turned large animals smaller prey, , fishing , seafood gathering became important economic activities. southern part of basque country first settled in period.

gradually, neolithic technology started filter through mediterranean coasts, first in form of isolated pottery items (zatoia, marizulo) , later introduction of sheepherding. in of atlantic europe, transition progressed slowly.

in ebro valley, more neolithic sites found. anthropometric classification of remains suggests possibility of mediterranean colonisation here. comparable situation found in aquitaine, settlers may have arrived via garonne.

in second half of 4th millennium bc, megalithic culture appeared throughout area. burials become collective (possibly implying families or clans) , dolmen predominates, while caves employed in places. unlike dolmens of mediterranean basin show preference corridors, in atlantic area invariably simple chambers.

copper , bronze ages

cromlech of okabe (lower navarre)



typical round shack , settlement of la hoya on ebro banks (Álava)

use of copper , gold, , other metals, did not begin in basque country until c. 2500. arrival of metal working, first urban settlements made appearance. 1 of notable towns on account of size , continuity la hoya in southern Álava, may have served link, , possibly trading centre, between portugal (vila nova de são pedro culture) , languedoc (treilles group). concurrently, caves , natural shelters remained in use, particularly in atlantic region.

undecorated pottery continued neolithic period until arrival of bell beaker culture characteristic pottery style, found around ebro valley. building of megalithic structures continued until late bronze age.

in aquitaine, there notable presence of artenacian culture, culture of bowmen spread rapidly through western france , belgium homeland near garonne c. 2400.

in late bronze age, parts of southern basque country came under influence of pastoralist cogotas culture of iberian plateau.

iron age

in iron age, bearers of late urnfield culture followed ebro upstream far southern fringes of basque country, leading incorporation of hallstatt culture; corresponds beginning of indo-european, notably celtic influence in region.

in basque country, settlements appear @ points of difficult access, defensive reasons, , had elaborate defense systems. during phase, agriculture seemingly became more important animal husbandry.

it may during period new megalithic structures, (stone circle) or cromlech , megalith or menhir, made appearance.