Sulphur, fats and beeswax in the Iberian rites of the sanctuary of the oppidum of Puente Tablas (Jaén, Spain)

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of chemical analysis with regard to a major ceramic set retrieved from the sanctuary of Puerta del Sol. The site dates back to the 5th century BC and lies in the Iberian oppidum of Puente Tablas in Jaén, Spain. This is the first research paper on the Iberian culture to identify and describe accurately a sanctuary rite according to data based on chemical analysis. The chemical markers identified here confirm the occurrence of native sulphur, vegetable fat, ruminant animal fat and beeswax in the vessels under study. Methodologically, lipid analysis took place in two stages: GC–MS analysis of all the vessels, and HPLC–APCI-MS of the vessels with a lipidic profile capable of specifying the occurrence and the structure of triacylglycerols.