Enterramientos de la Edad del Bronce en la Meseta Sur peninsular a partir del Sector 22, Yuncos (Toledo) Bronze Age burials in the southern Iberian Meseta from Sector 22, Yuncos (Toledo)

The results of the analyses of two tombs from the Sector 22 site in Toledo are presented in this article. The four buried individuals from this site display some of the most unique aspects found in Cogotas burials from the Meseta, like the young age of the deceased, infants and juveniles, the association of primary and secondary burials in the same tomb, the presence of ceramic gravegoods and a considerable animal offering. The designation of these burials to the Cogotas I culture has been confirmed by a C-14 dating. The burials are situated within the group of Cogotas burials in the Tagus basin, contrasting the data with the Northern Meseta. The main topics that are analyzed are the chronology, funerary manners, population, pathological signs and spatial positioning of the tombs. The number of burials that have been found in the Southern Meseta up until now is small and there are few absolute datings. Compared with the previous Chalcolithic there is a considerable decrease in the number of burials and the variety of structures, now reduced to pits. Among the many variables in the deposition of the deceased and the applied ritual, the use of this type of tombs is an essential common element. The presence of juvenile individuals stands out in the buried population, but in order to determine the selection of an age group a broader sample would be necessary. However, we can confirm that the age and sex of the individuals do not determine a specific type of burial. Finally, a habitat-tombs analysis is not possible in spite of their overlapping in the terrain as the settlements are only partially known. They lack a structural, archaeological or topographical delimitation. Beyond their grouping in certain areas no clear common criteria regarding the location of the burials are evident so far.