Presence of environmental mercury in a former Tartessian sanctuary: La Bienvenida (Almodóvar del Campo, Spain).

This study is based on samples recovered from an archaeological context dating back to the 6th century BC, belonging to a Tartessian sanctuary identified at the La Bienvenida site (Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain). The aim of the research is to determine whether there was anthropic use of Almadén cinnabar at this time at a site that, centuries later, would become the location of the city of Sisapo. This city was mentioned by Pliny the Elder (Nat. Hist. 33, 118) as the main supplier of cinnabar to Rome.

The analyses were performed using Zeeman effect atomic absorption spectrometry, following pyrolysis of the samples. We analysed the archaeological pieces, as well as the patina of detrital materials on their surfaces. The results show that Hg is present in these detrital materials, reaching concentrations of up to 350 mg kg^-1. This material is undoubtedly a clear indication of the widespread distribution of the element in the environment of the area, as it corresponds to the adhesion of local soil to the pieces due to the collapse of the building and its burial. In conclusion, we can deduce that, during the corresponding historical period, Hg extracted from the Almadén mine was processed in this locality.