The history of the Tartessians, the ancient inhabitants of the Seville region, is as fascinating as it is mysterious. In particular, one legend stands out among the narratives of this ancient people: the legend of the Treasure of El Carambolo. This story dates back to ancient times and has baffled historians and archaeologists for centuries. Today, we invite you to discover the exciting tale behind this lost treasure and its surprising resolution.
The Tartessians, also known as Turdetanians, were the first inhabitants of the Seville region. Although their exact origins are a subject of debate, some clues suggest they had roots in India, adding an exotic touch to their history. These ancient settlers were known for their skill in mining and trade, especially with the Phoenicians, who had established a thriving trading post in Seville.
The Tartessians were known for supplying the Phoenicians with valuable products such as hides from fierce animals, bull leather, and copper from the Tharsis mines in Huelva. They also produced the coveted purple dye, extracted from the murex snails that populated the Atlantic coast. This prosperous export ensured the economic wealth of the Andalusian region and allowed its inhabitants to improve their living conditions.
However, the relationship between the Tartessians and the Phoenicians was not always harmonious. As the Phoenicians gained confidence in their commercial position, they attempted to exploit the Tartessians by reducing demand for their products, leading to an economic crisis in the region. Arganthonios, the Tartessian king of the time, intervened to defend his people, threatening to break the trade treaties that granted the Phoenicians a monopoly unless fair prices were restored. When the Phoenicians refused, conflict erupted.
Arganthonios decided to simultaneously attack the two main Phoenician trading posts, Cadiz and Seville, dividing his army into two. He led one half himself, while the other half was under the command of his son, Terion. However, the Phoenicians, far from remaining passive, launched a bold surprise attack on Tartessos, the capital of the Tartessians, which had been left unprotected.
In a fierce night, the Phoenicians hurled burning torches onto Tartessos, turning the city into a hell of flames. The population, mostly elderly, women, and children, tried to escape but was met at the city gates by armed Phoenicians. The city was razed, and its inhabitants annihilated.
Arganthonios's army, upon learning of the tragedy, rushed back to Tartessos but arrived too late. The city lay in ruins, and only a distressed crowd remained, having lost their loved ones and their home.
A single survivor managed to escape and reach Seville to deliver the news to Terion, the son of Arganthonios. Terion, devastated by the news, decided to avenge his people. Leading the Tartessians, he marched toward Seville. However, he knew that facing the Phoenicians would require cunning and valor.
Before the battle, Terion faced a dilemma. As the king, he was supposed to carry the royal insignia, but he had no wife to safeguard them, as customs dictated. In an act of bravery, Terion buried the royal jewels in a secret location, covering them with stones, intending to retrieve them after the battle.
The battle began at dawn, as the Phoenicians, tired and unprepared, were surprised by the attack. The Tartessians defeated them, and the Phoenician fleet burned in the Guadalquivir River.
However, the victory was bittersweet. Terion could not recover the royal jewels or rebuild Tartessos, as an arrow ended his life during the assault on Seville. The secret of the treasure's location was lost with him.
After the defeat of the Phoenicians in Seville, the Tartessian army conquered Cadiz. The Tartessians lived in peace for three hundred years, thriving in areas such as agriculture, livestock farming, and mining. Their high level of culture even attracted Greeks who arrived in Spain.
The enigma of the Treasure of El Carambolo remained unsolved for over two thousand years until, in 1956, laborers excavating at the Carambolo hill, between Seville and Castilleja de la Cuesta, found a clay jar. Breaking it open, they revealed the brilliant gold pieces that composed the Tartessian royal treasure. These jewels, known as the "Treasure of El Carambolo," are now displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Seville, putting an end to centuries of mystery and speculation.
The Treasure of El Carambolo is not only an invaluable archaeological gem but also a silent witness to a lost era in Seville's history. The legend of the Treasure of El Carambolo, finally solved, reminds us that the history of this city is full of buried secrets and exciting discoveries waiting to be revealed.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario