Oriente : Asturias (Spain)

Asturias has been occupied by humans since the Lower Paleolithic era, and during the Upper Paleolithic was characterized by cave paintings in the eastern part of the area. In the Mesolithic period, a native culture developed, that of the Asturiense, and later, with the introduction of the Bronze Age, megaliths and tumuli were constructed. In the Iron Age, the territory came under the cultural influence of the Celts; the local Celtic peoples, known as the Astures, were composed of tribes such as the Luggones, the Pesicos, and others, who populated the entire area with castros (fortified hill-towns).

In light blue

• Sample :

Full scale

• Brief anthropological analysis :

- Type 1 : Intermediate complexion (dark hair, ... but light eyes are frequent), leptomorphic, long face (particularly on males), straight or convex nose, rather close-set eyes, pointy chin, large jaw
~ (Dinaricized) Atlanto-Mediterranean





A pan-Iberian type, these individuals nevertheless show affinities with NW Iberia (Galicia, North Portugal, ...) when it comes to secondary features such as the eye region (rather "slanted" eyes on some individuals, big eyebrows, ...) or the general aspect of the face (strong "horsy" features commonly found in Portugal for instance).



- Type 2 : Intermediate complexion (from dark to chestnut hair, from black to green/blue eyes, ...), more or less brachymorphic, reduced and "puffy" features, in some cases high-headed, rather little nose (on males at least), strong jaw, close-set eyes
~ Alpino-Mediterranean




Such types have been abundantly described by classical anthropological literature : they dominate the whole Atlantic coast from Galicia to Western Cantabria (about Santander, phenotypes get more "Vascoid"). Let's notice a common secondary feature : eyes seem to be somehow "circled" in Asturias. More elongated variants can be found, yet still exihibiting those peculiar "puffy" features associated with the NW corner of Iberia.

• Final morphotypes :