Early Humans who lived in the Iberian Peninsula had some unique practices that were discovered for the first time. The ancient Iberian people thrived between 2900 BC and 2600 BC, a period known as the Copper Age. But their curious culture used one strange mineral with huge implications.
What is Cinnabar?
Cinnabar is a curious mineral made of mercury sulfide. When ground into a powder, it produces a vibrant red pigment, which ancient historians praised. The Iberians loved the vivid color and used it for painting and burial practices. This shows that even thousands of years ago, art was a big part of culture.
Cultural Significance of Cinnabar
Cinnabar was an important material to the Iberian people. They believed that the substance had great sacred qualities and was used in ceremonies. They may have tried connecting to the spirit world or sending off the deceased with the bright red colors.
Evidence of Mercury Poisoning
Because cinnabar is made up of mercury sulfide, there is evidence that the Iberian people had mercury poisoning from how often they came into contact with the substance. Their remains were analyzed across Spain and Portugal, showing very high mercury levels. Some remains had four hundred times the safe doses of mercury.
How Did They Use Cinnabar?
Since the mercury poisoning in skeletal remains is so high, it is now believed that they may have applied cinnabar directly to their skin and maybe ingested it during rituals. The poisoning would have likely altered their state of mind, which they might have thought was divine intervention. The toxicity of mercury comes with extreme health risks.
Rituals Involving Cinnabar
It is believed that ritualistic behavior was strongly tied to cinnabar. Women might have worn ceremonial attire while ingesting mercury sulfide, which could have induced trance-like states. These trances would have contributed to the people’s spiritual beliefs at the time.
Archaeological Findings
Many tombs across the Iberian Peninsula have been discovered, and nearly 400 individuals have been found. Most of these remains had the aforementioned mercury poisoning, indicating that it was commonplace in the Iberian people.
The Almadén Mine
The Iberian people wouldn’t have had much trouble finding cinnabar, as central Spain has one of the largest deposits of it historically. The Almadén mine most likely supplied the Iberians around 7,000 years ago, and it would have been a near-unlimited source for the substance.
Health Implications
When in prolonged contact with cinnabar, there are serious health implications. Exposure to mercury sulfide can lead to neurological damage, among other serious hazards. Some researchers believe that the Iberian people could have felt symptoms like tremors and hallucinations due to the longevity and frequency of the mercury in their systems.
Culture Vs. Health
The ancient Iberians’ use of red dust containing mind-altering mercury reveals a complex relationship between culture and health. While cinnabar played a vital role in their rituals and artistic expressions, it also posed significant risks that led to mercury poisoning. Understanding this aspect of their history provides valuable insights into the consequences of cultural practices involving toxic substances.
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