A recent scientific investigation has discovered the existence of forgers in the Bronze Age in the Iberian Peninsula. More than 2000 beads simulating amber were documented in 15 sites, suggesting that forgery was more common than previously thought.
Carlos Odriozola, a professor at the University of Seville, notes that the earliest imitations found date back to Andalusia and Barcelona, separated by 1000 years, which evidences a cultural pattern spread across the region. Infrared analysis and computed microtomography techniques revealed the complexity of these reproductions, an outstanding technological feat for that time.
On the other hand, José Ángel Garrido, another researcher involved in the study, highlights that these forgeries reflect a transition towards social hierarchies, where leaders used amber to showcase power and status. The researchers asserted that the forgery of amber was carried out to generate social status.
The imitations discovered in the Bronze Age included beads, decorative ornaments, utilitarian objects, ceramic adornments, figures, and amulets that emulated the appearance of authentic amber. These archaeological findings demonstrate the sophistication of the forgery practices of that time and provide new insights into the social and economic dynamics of that period.
The scientific research, led by archaeologists from the University of Seville and published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, revealed that Bronze Age artisans created an innovative material using shell or stone combined with pine resin, beeswax, and linseed oil, achieving a characteristic orange finish. This archaeological discovery demonstrates the inventiveness of those attempting to replicate amber, a scarce and highly valued resource at that time.
