A significant archaeological discovery at the Copper Age megasite of Valencina in southwestern Spain is changing perceptions of prehistoric Iberian society and its maritime connections. Archaeologists have unearthed a sperm whale tooth, the first of its kind identified in Late Prehistoric Iberia. This find, which dates back 5,300 to 4,150 years, provides insight into the cultural and symbolic significance of marine objects for early farming communities.

The tooth, measuring 17 cm tall and weighing over half a kilogram, was discovered in a non-burial pit. It likely belonged to an adult sperm whale that died naturally. Signs of bioerosion and possible shark bite marks suggest it sank to the seabed before eventually washing ashore, where it was collected by Copper Age inhabitants.

The tooth showed evidence of human modification, such as drilled holes and cut marks, indicating it was valued for its unique form and material. Instead of being left on the shore, the tooth was transported to Valencina, located several kilometers inland. Researchers believe it was purposefully worked into symbolic items or ornaments before being reburied in a pit.

The analysis of its deposition involved advanced techniques that traced the tooth’s journey from the whale’s death to its human-modified state. The rarity of marine ivory presents a new understanding of the symbolic role of the sea in Copper Age Iberia. The tooth’s presence at an inland site indicates potential long-distance trade or ritualistic connections to the ocean.

This discovery encourages further investigation of how prehistoric communities interacted with marine environments, emphasizing their spiritual and social links to the sea, even from landlocked regions.