The Ebro lands, from Prehistory to Middle Age

A walk through the history of this land.

By Museu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Museu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Cova del Vidre at the Els Ports massif by Francesc RiartMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Prehistory: From the cave to the village

Major changes of climatic, environment and, also, anthropic nature, took place during this long period. Domestication procedures were introduced, with the population growing specific crops and breeding specific animals. The new economic structure favored a sedentary lifestyle among peoples and the development of funerary practices. As a result, the manufacture of tools was diversified and new industries as pottery were created.

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Neolithic beaker by UnknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

The Ebro lands accommodated a regional group with specific cultural characteristics, which have left us red bottle-like pottery .

Neolithic necklace by UnknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Other characteristic elements are body adornments like necklaces and bangles, created with shells and conches.

Shellsmade rigid bangle by UnknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Shell ruler bracelet.

microlith by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Chert microclites that were part of an arrow.

Axe by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Stone used to cut.

Settlement of Moleta del Remei surrounded by hills by Francesc RiartMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Protohistory: Fortified settlements on hills

This period saw the widespread introduction of fortified settlements on hills, the urbanization of the habitat, the advent of the lathe, the use of metal and the emergence of the alphabet and writing. Commercial exchanges in the Mediterranean triggered economic distinctions between individuals and groups. Society was complex and tribal, with an extremely hierarchical organization, which lived on until the Roman conquest.

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Mold by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

In the 7th century BC there is an evidence of workshops that disseminated work techniques, but also typologies.

Chain belt by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Typical belt-chain with pigeon pendants and ram from the necropolis of Ebro.

Torques with pendants by UnknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Reinforced bronze torques or necklace with pendants.

Belt Buckle by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Belt buckle with incised decoration.

Fíbula (Brooch) by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Bronze fibula, an item that was used to attach or hold garments.

Amphora by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Commercial activities bloomed in the mouth of river Ebro between the indigenous populations and the Phoenicians.

Aryballo by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Mediterranean trade is based on exchanging raw materials ―particularly, metal― for manufactured objects.

Calathus by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Major development and dissemination of standardized lathe pottery pieces. The most typical adornments included red paint and plant, anthropomorphic or geometric motifs.

Villa of Casa Blanca near River Ebro by Francesc RiartMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Roman era: The colonization of the countryside

Throughout Antiquity, river Ebro was the backbone of all communications and structured the whole of the territory. It was also the main thoroughfare for trade communications. The valley was populated by a dense network of disperse rural settlements, which was organized from the city of Dertosa. Roman villas had a double function, residence of the owner's family and headquarters of the estate. The villas produced surplus which was subsequently traded and, also, performed supplementary craft activities, such as metal forging or the manufacture of transport amphorae.

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Dish by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Sigilata ceramic dish from the Pisa workshops.

Vessel by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Traditional african pottery pot of imperial age.

Vessel with a graffiti by UnknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

"I am from Aper, return to the site" says the inscription at the base.

Lamp by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Lighting element for living and dead.

Amphora by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

The amphorae contained oil, wine or garum, basic elements of Mediterranean trade.

Miravet Castle dominating the Ebro River by Francesc RiartMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Medieval period: The lords of the land

The area of the river Ebro and its tributaries became a border between the Islamic regions and the Christian territories, and was also noted for its intense agricultural activity. The small communities were disseminated over the territory, existing in a clan structure and based mainly on agriculture. They depended on an administrative centre that, in the case of the Ebro lands, was located in the city of Turtūša, and was equipped with several watch points, such as the fortresses in Ulldecona, Miravet and Amposta.

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Treasure by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Silver money currency treasury is due to concealment in times of conflict.

Bucket by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Al-Andalus bucket of the eleventh century.

Clay pitcher by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Al-Andalus pitcher. Shape that has survived over time.

Ataifor by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Al-Andalus ataifor with inner glaze.

Miravet Castle dominating the Ebro River by Francesc RiartMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

After the Christian conquest

The feudal model was implemented in these lands. The territorial division favoured the survival of the autochthonous population, from then on subjugated by nobility, the Church and the military orders of the Temple and the Hospital. Noble income was based on the surplus of specific crops (cereal, olive and vine) and on the monopoly held over transformation processes (mills, furnaces, oil mills...). The fabric of the settlement, based on a concentrated rural habitat that operated under the authority of the city, fuelled a thriving bourgeoisie which held all municipal power.

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Serving dish by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Dish in green and mangaqneso produced in the workshops of Barcelona.

Bowl by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Nun's bowl imported from the workshops of Paterna.

Serving dish by unknownMuseu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Medieval luxury dinnerware piece from the workshops of Paterna.

Credits: Story

Consorci del Museu de les Terres de l'Ebre
Texts: M.Villalbí
Drawings F. Riart

Museu de les Terres de l'Ebre

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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