Los Millares

Los Millares is an archaeological site in Almería, Spain, representing a significant settlement of the Millaran Culture during the Copper Age (around 3200–2300 BCE). This fortified hilltop settlement, covering approximately 5 hectares (12 acres), was protected by massive stone walls, bastions, and towers.12

The site features rows of stone houses, alleys, and a central communal area within its walls. Outside the settlement lies a cemetery with over 100 megalithic tombs used for collective burials. Los Millares was a center for early copper use, with evidence of specialized production, including the melting and casting of copper mixed with arsenic to create a harder alloy. The settlement's defenses and the presence of numerous collective tombs suggest a stratified society with social prestige marked by the use of copper and potential social instability.21