Response.

Response. The authors kindly agreed to respond to these comments. Brandherm rejects any connection between the Tartessic (which hecalls Iberian) and Syro-Palestinian stelae on grounds of iconography,context, and chronology. He draws a somewhat radical dichotomy betweenanthropomorphic Having the characteristics of a human being. For example, an anthropomorphic robot has a head, arms and legs. (Tartessic) and non anthropomorphic (BethSaida) elementsand overemphasises their seemingly different contexts (cultic versusfunerary?). First of all, it is not clear what (god or human) exactlythese highly schematic figures represent, neither that the hornsrepresent a helmet, as Brandherm assumes; most likely these figures wereas charged with abstract religious symbolism as the Near Eastern ones(cf. new stela with enormous horns, not possibly a headgear headgear,n the apparatus encircling the head or neck and providing attachment for an intraoral appliance in use of extraoral anchorage.headgear, radiologic,n a device that is used to protect the head from injury by radiation. , HeviaLlavona 2005). We are not alone in thinking the horns symbolise specialattributes of heroes or gods (cf. Bendala 2000: 76-7; Tejera et al.forthcoming; on symbols of Baal in Tartessos see Escacena 2002).Brandherm also overemphasises the differences in their contexts and use,about which all theories are conjectural con��jec��tur��al?adj.1. Based on or involving conjecture. See Synonyms at supposed.2. Tending to conjecture.con��jec . Moreover, the function andmeaning of similar objects and symbols is flexible and often changesduring cultural 'translation'. Regarding the chronology of the elements of the Tartessic stelae,Brandherm is basing his refutation on an extremely early dating of thestelae to before the eleventh century BC. He mostly bases this onstudies of the 1960s and 70s, ignoring those of the last 30 years (e.g.Alarcao 2002; Barcelo 1989; Blazquez 1986; Chernokian 1988; FernandezMiranda & Olmos 1986; Galan 1993; Murillo et al. 2005, etc.), noneof which support his chronology. He ignores the publication of eightnewly found stelae (Murillo et al. 2005), one of them with a hornedfigure and securely dated to the eighth century. Garcia Sanjuan et al.(2006) have also published two new stelae of the same date. Brandhermgives the misleading impression that ours is a controversial chronology,when in fact it is the mainstream view among Spanish prehistorians. While nobody denies that elements from both the Atlantic and theMediterranean appear in these indigenous stelae, some of these elementsare not attested before the tenth century (mirrors in Balearic Islands,fibulae in Sicily and Syro-Cypriot contexts, probably the chariot). Theearlier appearance of others (e.g. shields) outside Spain does notclarify the absolute dating of the Tartessic stelae or their internaliconographic evolution. We have not based our comparison on an absolutechronology of particular objects, but on the introduction among thelater stelae of the horned figure alongside other Mediterranean elements(e.g. ox-hide shaped altars, iconography in metalworking and ivories,even sanctuaries such as Cancho Roano or Carambolo), coinciding with theLevantine colonisation. Apparently Brandherm disregards any Orientalinfluence after the eleventh century! Finally, Brandherm reproaches our use of the name Tartessos as partof 'modern mythmaking'. Anyone who reads our article can seethat we use the term loosely and in accordance with current convention,while 'Iberian' is used for the phase after the sixth century.We have no interest in the 'semi-mythical polity of Tartessos'(as Minoan archaeologists have none in Minos). Would Brandherm care topropose a new name? References ALARCAO, J. DE. 2001. Novas perspectivas sobre os Lusitanos (eoutros mundos). Revista Portuguesa de Arqueologia 4: 293-349. ALMAGRO BASCH, M. 1966. Las estelas decoradas del Suroestepeninsular (Bibliotheca bib��li��o��the��ca?n.1. A collection of books; a library.2. A catalog of books.[Latin biblioth Praehistorica Hispana 8). Madrid: ConsejoSuperior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Instituto Espanol dePrehistoria & Universidad de Madrid. ALMAGRO GORBEA, M. 1977. 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