A rare and remarkable discovery at the sprawling Copper Age megasite of Valencina in southwestern Spain is reshaping our understanding of prehistoric Iberian society and its relationship with the sea. Archaeologists have confirmed that a sperm whale tooth-unearthed in 2018 in the Nueva Biblioteca sector-is the first of its kind ever documented from Late Prehistoric Iberia. The find, recently published in PLOS ONE, offers unique insight into the symbolic and cultural value of marine objects among early farming communities over 4,000 years ago.
A Sea Creature in a Landlocked Megasite
Dating to between 5,300 and 4,150 years ago, the sperm whale tooth-measuring 17 cm (6.7 inches) tall, 7 cm (2.76 inches) wide, and weighing over half a kilogram (1 lb) was recovered from a non-burial pit at the site. It likely belonged to an adult whale that died of natural causes and sank to the seabed. Evidence of bioerosion by barnacles and worms, as well as suspected shark bite marks, supports this scenario.
Researchers believe the tooth eventually washed ashore and was collected by Copper Age inhabitants, who were captivated by its form and material. According to the study, the tooth was subsequently modified with drilled holes and distinct cut marks, clear signs of human craftsmanship not attributable to marine activity.
"The discovery of this piece underlines the presence of the sea in the worldview of the communities that lived in or frequented Valencina in the 3rd millennium BCE," wrote the study authors.
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The Nueva Biblioteca sector in which the sperm whale tooth was found. (Samuel Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo et al. /PLoS ONE)
Worked, Revered, and Reburied
Rather than being left on the shoreline, the tooth was transported inland to Valencina, a prominent Copper Age settlement located several kilometers from the coast. Once in the settlement, the tooth appears to have been carefully worked, possibly to remove pieces to make symbolic items or personal ornaments. After serving its purpose, it was deliberately reburied in a pit, where soil and root growth caused additional wear and formed a hardened crust on its surface.
This post-depositional journey was reconstructed using advanced techniques including taphonomic analysis, geological sampling, and high-resolution 3D modeling, which allowed researchers to document the full lifecycle of the artifact-from the whale's death to human modification and final deposition.
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Story telling board representing the processes the tooth has undergone from the death of the sperm whale and its deposition on the seafloor (A), to its discovery in Pit US-123 of the Nueva Biblioteca in 2018 (H). (Samuel Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo et al. /PLoS ONE)
Marine Symbolism in Iberian Prehistory
Ivory, prized since the Old Stone Age for its strength and appearance, has long been a feature of archaeological finds in southern Spain-typically from terrestrial animals such as elephants and hippos. However, marine ivory, such as sperm whale teeth, remains a rarity in the archaeological record. This singular find thus opens a new chapter in understanding the symbolic role of the sea in Copper Age Iberia.
Its presence at an inland site underscores broader socio-cultural dynamics, possibly including long-distance travel, exchange networks, or ritual connections to the sea. Marine-themed materials have also been found at nearby archaeological sites-such as shell offerings at the famous Montelirio "Ivory Lady" burial and sea-inspired capstones at La Pastora and Matarrubilla-supporting the interpretation of an enduring symbolic relationship with marine environments.
"The tooth's intentional reuse and ritual reburial suggest it held significance beyond its material value," researchers noted in the study records Phys.org.
"It was a relic not just of the sea, but of spiritual and social meaning."
A Rare Glimpse into Oceanic Prehistory
The Valencina sperm whale tooth represents a rare fusion of biology, geology, and archaeology. It also invites a broader reassessment of how coastal and inland communities in prehistoric Iberia interacted-not just through trade or subsistence, but through ideas, beliefs, and ritual.
As scientists continue to examine the finds from Valencina, the whale tooth stands as a powerful symbol of prehistoric humanity's reverence for the sea and its creatures-offering a vivid reminder that even inland societies maintained deep and meaningful connections to the oceanic world.
Top image: The sperm whale tooth is the first of its kind found in Copper Age Iberia. Source: Samuel Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo et al. /PLoS ONE
By Gary Manners
References
Mondal, Sanjukta. June 2025. “Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Copper Age megasite sheds light on ancient human-sea connections”. Phys.org. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-rare-sperm-whale-tooth-copper.html
Radley, D, June 2025. “Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections”, Archaeology Magazine. Available at: https://archaeologymag.com/2025/06/rare-sperm-whale-tooth-unearthed-in-valencina/
Sankaran, Vishwam. “Rare whale tooth fossil reveals secrets of ancient Iberian people”, The Independent, 2025. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/whale-tooth-fossil-iberia-mystery-b2773648.html
Samuel Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo et al. 2025. “A sperm whale tooth from a Copper Age site in southwestern Iberia: Evidence for the symbolic use of marine ivory in Late Prehistoric Europe.” PLOS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323773
