Unpublished phoenician-punic incense-burners from La Caleta (Cádiz, Spain): analysis of the items and historiographic remark

Abstract

The paper focus on seven unpublished ceramic incense-burners found off the coastal area of La Caleta, close to the northwestern part of the present-day city of Cadiz. The items were granted to the Museo Histórico Municipal of San Fernando more than two decades ago. Their study makes possible to update the discussion about the chronology and function of these censers, recovered in significant quantity from the underwater sites close to La Caleta beach. Additionally, some reflections on the previous historiography are provided, focusing on the fact that most of the ceramic perfume-burners lack of a defined archaeological context due to its clandestine discovery over the second half of the 20th century before the first scientific campaigns started in the area.