Object type
urn
Culture/period
Protohistory and Iberian world
Materials
limestone
Technique
carving
Mint
Production date
-400 / -350
Current location
Reserva provisional
Archaeological site
Dalías
Township
Dalias (Europa, Espanya, Andalusia, Almeria)
Dimensions
240 x 270 mm
Description
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Funerary urn made of the box with its lid and base. The feet are carved from the same block. Outwardly, simple decoration consists of two vertical lines that define symmetrical axes from the legs on each of the faces. The cover has a rectangular body that quickly changes to double sides. It has an internal recess to fit the box, which fits perfectly with it. The four feet are square and a double decorative moulding runs along both visible sides.
The pieces are well cut, marking the work of the craftsman. Well-preserved, it presents some alterations with loss of material on the lid and to a lesser extent, on one side of the box.
These urns contained the ashes of one or more deceased, as it could be used by several individuals of the same family. It comes from the necropolis of Dalías (Almeria) and these are characteristic pieces in the Iberian area named Bastetania with copies of urns elaborated in both stone and ceramics. Among the former, some are decorated with bas-relief, known as the 'Caja de los Guerreros' from the necropolis of Piki (Arjona, Jaén) and painted with allegorical scenes. Ceramic urns are also painted. Remarkable examples of urns from Bastetania have been found in the necropolis of Castulo (Jaen), Baza (Granada) and Tutugi (Galera, Granada).
SANMARTÍ-GREGO, E. 1982, Caja funeraria y soporte pétreos de época ibérica, procedente de Dalías (Almeria), conservados en el Museo Arqueológico de Barcelona, Ampurias 44, 105-120.
© Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Barcelona
Omeka ID
2515