The lions of El Macalón (Nerpio, Albacete). Monument, ideology and territorial control in the formation of the Iberian culture

Abstract

In this paper we propose that the sculptures of El Macalón correspond to lions and not to sphinxes, taking into account their morphological features. The number of 5/6 identical sculptures allows us to propose the existence of a single monument linked to a necropolis, located at the entrance to the settlement of El Macalón. Chronological references point to the second half of s. VII and VI B.C. The iconography of the lion has a strong religious and political implication, and it is related to an appropriation of the territory and communication channels by communities that show important links with products of oriental origin. In the S. VI a.C. the site shows signs of violence coinciding with the crisis that affects the Phoenician world in the entire southeast area.