Los Toscanos facts for kids
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 Location in Spain
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| Location | Vélez, Spain |
|---|---|
| Region | Andalusia |
| Coordinates | 36°44′27″N 4°6′59″W / 36.74083°N 4.11639°W |
| Part of | Phoenician colonies |
| History | |
| Founded | 8th century BC |
| Satellite of | Phoenicia, Carthage |
Toscanos is the name of an ancient Phoenician settlement in southern Spain. Today, it is known as Cortijo de Los Toscanos in Spanish. A cortijo is a type of traditional country estate or farm.
The original Phoenician name for this settlement is not known. The name Toscanos comes from Italian people who moved to the area in the 1700s. This was during the time of King Charles III.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Toscanos
Toscanos is located on a flat hill. This hill looks out over the mouth of the Velez River and the Mediterranean Sea. It sits on the right side of the river.
Around 700 BC, when Toscanos was thriving, the area was much wetter than it is now. Large forests covered the nearby mountains, called the Penibetic Mountains.
A Glimpse into Toscanos's Past
Why the Phoenicians Settled Here
The Phoenicians built Toscanos as one of many settlements in southern Spain. They started these towns around the 8th century BC. Their main goal was to control trade with the local Iberian communities.
What Toscanos Traded and Produced
Toscanos was not a major center for trading metals. However, the people there were skilled in other areas. They processed murex shells to make a valuable purple dye. This dye was known as Tyrian purple.
Fishing was also very important. They caught tuna, sturgeon, and eels. They preserved fish by salting it. They also made special sauces like garum, a fermented fish sauce.
The people of Toscanos mainly traded farm goods. They raised cattle, sheep, and goats. They also produced olive oil and wine. For food and resources, they hunted deer, boar, and wild cats.
How the Town Grew Over Time
Toscanos started with a well-planned street layout. It covered about 2.5 hectares (6 acres) and had strong walls around it. By the mid-8th century BC, large and fancy houses were built. Some of these homes were as wide as 15 meters (50 ft).
In the 7th century BC, all Phoenician settlements in Spain grew. Toscanos built a big central "storehouse." The different types of houses show that many kinds of families lived there. These included wealthy traders, skilled workers, laborers, and enslaved people.
Around 635 BC, the town added a new fortified area. Its population grew to between 1000 and 1500 people. Toscanos covered about 12 hectares (30 acres). This was 50% larger than the settlement at Agadir (Cadiz). Toscanos also traded with Greece and Cyprus.
The Decline and Abandonment of Toscanos
Like other Phoenician settlements, Toscanos faced problems in the 6th century BC. Its trade with the inland areas of Spain collapsed. The large storehouse and grand houses were no longer used early in that century.
The main part of the settlement was abandoned around 550 BC. The remaining parts were finally left for Cerro del Mar. This new location was on the other side of the Velez. As the Carthaginians gained control, power shifted. The nearby city of Malakat (Málaga) became the main center for trade and politics in the region.
Toscanos's Lasting Impact
An asteroid, 96086 Toscanos, was named after this important archaeological site. Astronomers discovered it in 1973 during a special survey.
See also
In Spanish: Los Toscanos para niños
