Many are now speculating that this copper-skinned race had a far greater influence on the evolution of races than previously thought. Many races have come and gone, and so many thought the Iberians probably just became the barbarians of the Iberian race. However, many modern scholars are entertaining the possibility that the Iberians could have become some of the races we assume were only influenced by them. Admittedly, migration routes are not enough to go by, but some of the races can pass for each other and might have some features alike. This opinion might have been aroused concerning a shared ancestry to be found in comparing myths and religious symbols. Legends have long been used to show a past association between different peoples. The one that is most noticeable is the male hero archetype of Arthur/Osiris. Once again, we have to admit this is not evidence in itself, especially considering this type of mythical figure is common all over the world. It is of course possible that tribes interconnected with each other in the matter of some cultural aspects: the importance of the male hero archetype in both cultures (as well as the similarities) seems to point to a much greater interaction than just trade or chance meeting with the Iberians. Both the legendary Celtic King Arthur and the Egyptian god Osiris were very important deities to their respective people. They depicted the shining power of the Divine, but in the sense close to human interrelations, similar to battles for delight future or darkness final hours. Even the names of our heroes are very similar: Arthur, and Ousir (Osiris, as he is usually known, is actually the Greek rendering of Ousir). Of course, this could be coincidental, considering Arthur is Greek in origin. Then again, it could be that early Celts changed the name of their hero after encountering the Romans. Most scholars suggest that the name change happened a few hundred years after the Romans, during the time known as the Dark Ages. The name Arthur is now widely thought to come from one of the Princes of Strathclyde which is Welsh or Brythonic kingdom situated between Lothian in Scotland and modern Wales. Since British tradition associates Arthur with the area, it is probably safe to assume that he was a mixture of a real heroic figure and an ancient god. So the Celts and Egyptians could well have had a common ancestor in the Iberian Race, though there would be little doubt that they mixed with local tribes. History as shown that when something new and better comes along, old ways are often discarded. Tribes who had mixed with the Iberians therefore could have found it necessary (or, indeed, inevitable) to take on the culture of the new-comers, or at least blend it into their own. That would account for major differences between the Celts and Egyptians, though time itself could be the main factor.
It is also suggested that Iberians set up various colonies throughout North Africa, mixing with indigenous peoples. There are certain sources which state that Iberians were great sea-farers which helped them in expanding their territory. These newborn tribes made their way towards Peninsula as the Spanish tundra of the Ice Age gave friendlier environment with special accent to sea-faring. There would be little doubt that the Iberians mixed with hardy peoples who had survived tundra life there for thousands of years (Spanish Aurignacians had moved there at least 30000 years ago); whether such unions gave birth to tribes like the Celts is a subject for debate. Scientists still cannot fully describe that mysterious race but it is quite obvious that it was the Iberians who made huge contribution into development of future races. Some of the early sea-faring races, like the Phoenicians, are considered to be next generation after the Iberaian civilization. One thing is for sure though - archaeologists and historians will keep looking till we have a clearer picture.
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