Podcast Summary: "Los últimos días de Tarteso"
Podcast: SER Historia
Host: SER Podcast
Date: July 6, 2023
Guest: Esther Rodríguez (Coordinadora científica de la exposición “Los últimos días de Tarteso”)
Main theme: A journey through the history and current understanding of Tarteso, one of Iberia’s greatest but least understood ancient cultures, as explored through a landmark archaeological exhibition.
Overview of the Episode
This episode delves into the enigmatic world of Tarteso (also known as Tartessos), its historical significance, latest archaeological findings, and the curated exhibition "Los últimos días de Tarteso." The host converses with Esther Rodríguez, the scientific coordinator of the exhibition, about the evolution of Tarteso in academic research and popular consciousness, the importance of unifying terminology, and the new revelations that have brought Tarteso back into the spotlight.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Figure of Schulten and Historiographical Controversy
- Manuel Bendala (00:13): Opens with a critical review of Adolf Schulten, a German archaeologist whose pursuit of Tartesso has shaped, and sometimes distorted, its historiography.
- Quote:
"Schulten es justamente uno de los elementos controvertidos de la historia o la historiografía de Tartessos..."
(Manuel Bendala, 00:13)
- Quote:
- Schulten’s vision was partly inspired by trying to replicate Schliemann’s discovery of Troy, searching for a legendary western counterpart.
2. Terminology: Tartessos vs. Tarteso
- The host and Esther Rodríguez discuss the official switch, after the 2011 International Tarteso Congress, to use "Tarteso" to standardize the term in Spanish scholarly work.
- Quote:
"En el manifiesto... se llegó a la conclusión de que lo ideal sería castellanizar el término y de ahí el hecho de que ahora todos utilicemos el término Tarteso."
(Esther Rodríguez, 03:07)
- Quote:
3. The Exhibition “Los últimos días de Tarteso”
- The exhibit is pitched as the most comprehensive ever dedicated to Tarteso, bringing together artifacts from disparate sites in southwestern Iberia—many on public display for the first time.
- Key Point (04:52): Tarteso is now experiencing a “golden age” due to the recent archaeological boom.
- Unique because it unites a broad spectrum of Tartesic finds, including significant contributions from the middle Guadiana valley sites.
4. Defining Tarteso: Chronology, Geography, and Culture
- Esther Rodríguez (05:55):
- Tarteso emerges from the fusion of indigenous Iberians and Phoenician settlers.
- Chronology: 8th–5th centuries BCE.
- Geographic core: Guadalquivir valley (modern Huelva, Cádiz, Sevilla), expanding later to the Guadiana valley after the 6th-century crisis.
- Quote:
"Tartesso es el resultado de la unión entre fenicios e indígenas... Cronológicamente se extiende entre el siglo VIII y el siglo V antes de Cristo..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 05:55)
5. Casas del Turuñuelo and New Iconography
- Recent finds at Casas del Turuñuelo (excavated by Esther Rodríguez and Sebastián Celestino) have produced remarkable preserved pieces, especially unique for offering possible human representations (reliefs/masks) nearly life-sized—a first for Tarteso.
- Quote:
"Por primera vez en escultura... tenemos unas representaciones figuradas que ahora habrá que intentar determinar exactamente a quién están representando..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 08:49)
- Quote:
6. Overcoming Modern Borders: The Wider Expansion of Tarteso
- The exhibition integrates material from both Spain and Portugal, reflecting the pre-modern character of ancient territories.
- Portuguese goldwork helps explain pre-Phoenician technological advances and connections across the peninsular southwest.
- Quote:
"...material de Portugal... una colección de tesoros áureos que sirven muy bien para explicar cómo se transforma tecnológicamente la sociedad..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 10:23)
7. Paradigm Shifts: From Schulten to Modern Archaeology
- The discovery of the Carambolo treasure triggered a new archaeological framework, shifting perceptions from legendary city to documented culture with local and eastern elements.
- The idea of a singular mythical city is questioned; sources and archaeology suggest Tarteso may be more cultural collective than a single urban settlement.
- Quote:
"...el hallazgo del tesoro del Carambolo supuso un cambio radical en el paradigma de Tartessos, porque... comenzó a materializarse arqueológicamente..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 12:05)
8. The Phantom City: Where Was Tarteso?
- Esther Rodríguez (13:28): Skepticism about the existence/location of a unique, central "city of Tarteso”; more likely a complex web of sites.
- Quote:
"...no sabría decirte un sitio, ni siquiera a día de hoy tengo claro que exista tal ciudad... Tartesso es una cultura muy diversa..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 13:28)
- Quote:
9. The Experience of the Exhibition
- Visitors encounter 230 high-profile items (bronzes, jewelry, ceramics, funerary objects) from across the Tartesic world, including major finds like the tomb 17 of La Joya, the Pisos of Carmona, and a reconstructed sacrificial courtyard from Turuñuelo.
- The exhibition offers extensive visual and educational resources, making tangible the diversity, technological prowess, and artistry of Tarteso.
- Key highlight: The first public display of the Casa del Carpio tomb.
- Quote:
"...la visita termina con un paseo por una reconstrucción a tamaño natural del patio con esa hecatombe de animales que excavamos en el año 2017..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 15:00)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Schulten’s legacy and his myth-making:
"...quería ser un imitador de Schliemann y descubrir una Troya de Occidente, que para él era un mundo vinculado además a su paradigma del mundo griego perfecto..."
(Manuel Bendala, 00:13) -
On the unification of terminology:
"...se llegó a la conclusión de que lo ideal sería castellanizar el término y de ahí el hecho de que ahora todos utilicemos el término Tarteso."
(Esther Rodríguez, 03:07) -
On the exhibition’s unique contribution:
"...por primera vez...acerca a la sociedad algunos de los conocimientos que tenemos en torno a esta cultura..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 04:52) -
On the fusion nature of Tarteso:
"Tartesso es el resultado de la unión entre fenicios e indígenas..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 05:55) -
On the discovery of human representations:
"...por primera vez en escultura...tenemos unas representaciones figuradas..."
(Esther Rodríguez, 08:49)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:13: Manuel Bendala introduces Schulten and the Tartesso debate.
- 03:07: Esther Rodríguez explains the standardization of the name "Tarteso."
- 04:52: Discussion on Tarteso’s "golden age" and the exhibition’s purpose.
- 05:55: Definition of Tarteso: origin, fusion of cultures, chronology and territory.
- 07:05: Focus on Casas del Turuñuelo and its significance.
- 08:49: The importance of new figurative finds.
- 10:23: Integration of Portuguese artifacts, crossing modern borders.
- 12:05: How the Carambolo treasure changed Tarteso studies.
- 13:28: The search for, and skepticism about, the city of Tarteso.
- 15:00: Description of what visitors will experience at the exhibition.
Episode Conclusion
Esther Rodríguez underscores the exhibition's power to reconnect modern audiences with their ancient Iberian roots and the dynamic evolution of Tarteso studies. The host reiterates the significance of rediscovering Tarteso for Spanish and wider Iberian identity and thanks Esther for shedding light on one of antiquity’s greatest cultural enigmas.
Final Quote:
"Muchísimas gracias a vosotros. Siempre es un placer."
(Esther Rodríguez, 17:16)
Recommended for:
Listeners interested in archaeology, ancient civilizations, Spanish/Iberian history, and anyone curious about the myths, realities, and recent breakthroughs regarding Tarteso.