Mud brick building in the Iberian Peninsula during the Chalcolithic: the evidence from Valencina de la Concepción (Seville)

Abstract

This article presents an assemblage of earth construction remains, identified as adobes, from the prehistoric site of Valencina de la Concepción (Cerro de la Cabeza-Valencina Nord and Nueva Biblioteca sectors). These remains were used in the erection of the stone foundations (Nueva Biblioteca) and huts (Valencina Nord). Their study suggests that they were manufactured by hand, with variable dimensions and morphologies. Some of them had a planoconvex profile, although square-rectangular and rounded pieces were also produced. A selection was analysed using stereoscopic, colorimetric and FTIR-ATR analyses, which revealed a homogeneous composition based on local materials and the absence of deliberate firing, in accordance with the building technique identified. Overall, this study provides new data on the presence of this specific construction technique on the Iberian Peninsula during the Chalcolithic period.