Geometric architectural pattern and constructive energy analysis at Los Millares Copper Age Settlement (Santa Fé de Mondújar, Almería, Andalusia)

Abstract

Enclosure walls from late IV to II millennium are an important archeological feature in southeast Iberia and south Portugal. These enclosures were considered to be fortified settlements but have more recently been interpreted as the result of general processes of social complexity, symbolism, monumentality, interaction, and space demarcation, among others. Metric and geometric studies associated with architectural concepts are very important tools to analyze prehistoric communities and bring their own perspective to bear. The planning of monuments or even whole settlements includes a more general perception of space, determined by mythology, topography, taking of place, and social hierarchy, among others. This paper analyzes metric and geometric features of the construction of the Los Millares prehistoric settlement (Santa Fe de Mondújar, Almería, Andalusia), finding that it followed a pre-established geometric and metric design with high accuracy (maximum differences of 10 cm). In addition, Los Millares has a very sophisticated monumental barbican entrance that makes an eye-catching statement encapsulating a more general perception of power and space. The labor involved in its construction, the large volume of stones used, its geometric characteristics, metric parameters, and sophisticated design all indicate multiple functionality, including defense, power status, control of resources, and identity. Regular geometric regular shapes, such as circles and ellipses, and concepts of axis symmetry were applied to the design and building of defensive structures with great precision. Furthermore, these findings support the argument that geometry was independently discovered by a wide range of ancient cultures and constitutes one of the most important multicultural symbols in architecture.