The prestige-goods model applied to the Iberian Southeast during the Early Iron Age: the Phoenician scarab from Castellar de Librilla.

Abstract

The establishment of Phoenician colonies in the Iberian Southeast from the 8th century BC led to a significant increase in productive and commercial activities with the autochthonous communities. However, prestige goods of high value destined for reduced consumption groups also circulated within these networks. The presence of a scarab found during an archaeological survey in the settlement of Castellar de Librilla (Librilla, Región de Murcia) reveals the inclusion of certain autochthonous elites in these circuits. This paper discusses the context, typological classification and comparative analysis of the scarab to better determine its origin and chronological framework. The incorporation of new archaeometric data through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused on the gold bezel setting in which the scarab is set, has been essential to improving our understanding of this piece of personal adornment. The results of the iconographic and microanalytic study point to the exceptional value of this artefact, which make it possible to recognise the participation and agency of the autochthonous elites of Castellar de Librilla in the commercial systems of Mediterranean prestige goods.