Archaeologists from the Insтιтute of Archaeology of Mérida (IAM) have unearthed a slate plaque at the Casas del Turuñuelo site in Guareña, Badajoz, Spain. Measuring approximately 20 centimeters wide, this plaque is intricately engraved on both sides with various motifs, including geometric patterns, repeated faces, and a combat scene featuring four warriors.

The slate slab from the 6th-5th centuries BCE found at Casas del Turuñuelo. Credit: E. Rodríguez / M. Luque / CSIC

This unique artifact is believed to have served as a model for artisans who reproduced these designs in gold, ivory, or wood during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.

The plaque was presented during a press conference by the excavation directors Esther Rodríguez González and Sebastián Celestino Pérez. “This discovery represents a unique example in Iberian archaeology and brings us closer to understanding the artisanal processes in Tartessos, which were previously invisible. At the same time, it allows us to enhance our knowledge about the clothing, weaponry, and headdresses of the depicted characters, as they are rich in details,” stated Rodríguez.

The plaque’s detailed engravings depict four warriors with decorated clothing and weapons, suggesting its use as a reference for creating intricate designs on various materials.

Three figures, virtually marked for better understanding. Credit: E. Rodríguez / M. Luque / CSIC

In addition to the slate plaque, the 2024 excavation campaign has revealed the location of the eastern gate of the palace complex. This gate provides access to the Stepped Room, first excavated in 2023, where the earliest figured reliefs of Tartessos were found. This gate connects to a large slate-paved courtyard, from which a cobblestone corridor leads to a set of rooms believed to be production or artisanal areas. These rooms have yielded significant material finds, including ceramics with incised decoration, iron tools, ivory items, and loom weights.

The Tartessians, known as one of the earliest Western European civilizations, thrived in southern Iberia, encompᴀssing modern-day Andalusia and Extremadura. Their culture, which emerged during the Late Bronze Age, is characterized by the now-extinct Tartessian language, a blend of local Phoenician and Paleo-Hispanic elements, and their expertise in metallurgy and metalworking.

The discovery of the slate plaque provides a more comprehensive picture of Tartessian society. The plaque, believed to be a jeweler’s slate, illustrates the artistic and cultural practices of the time.

Previous excavation campaigns at Casas del Turuñuelo have uncovered other significant findings, including the largest documented animal sacrifice in the Western Mediterranean. The remains of 52 horses, four cows, four pigs, and a dog were found in the central courtyard, raising questions about the reasons behind such a large-scale sacrifice. Theories suggest it could have been in honor of a deity or a response to a climate crisis or food shortage.

The IAM team, in collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Regional Government of Extremadura, plans to continue their work at Casas del Turuñuelo. Celestino said: “Our efforts will now focus on studying the recovered remains, both from the relief carvings and the ivories. Regarding the archaeological work at the site, our goal for the next campaign is to delimit those production areas that seem to extend, at least, along the entire eastern side of the site. At the same time, we will begin to excavate the rooms flanking the main space, which are exceptionally well-preserved and can help us define the functionality of the building,” explained Celestino.