Exploring handmade pottery traditions and Early Iron Age Iberian networks through the site of La Fonteta (Alicante, Spain)

The Phoenician colony of La Fonteta in southeastern Iberia holds significant importance for understanding Phoenician settlement patterns in the region. While previous research has primarily focused on wheel-thrown ceramics indicative of the new technological advancements and trade networks implemented after the Phoenician arrival, handmade ceramics have been somewhat overlooked despite their prevalence in the Early Iron Age (EIA) contexts. Our study, based on the analysis of 36 individuals from recent excavations at La Fonteta, sheds light on the technological aspects (temper choice and estimated firing temperature) and mobility patterns associated with handmade ceramics in this context. Contrary to previous assumptions, our findings indicate that handmade ceramics played a crucial role in regional and broader exchange systems, possibly with limited ties to wheel-thrown ceramics. Moreover, regional mobility seems to have been prominent, likely stemming from local networks and technological frameworks established during the preceding Late Bronze Age (LBA) period.