Abstract:

This paper aims at analysing the social structure of the territory known as the Ilercavonia during the Iron Age, through the data provided by both settlements and necropolises. During the Early Iron Age, the first signs of differentiation can be distinguished in the settlements as well as in the necropolises, within a general situation of apparent social equality. The Early Iberian is a period defined by changes; the data about the settlements are scarce, whilst the necropolises show the importance of weapons as prestige items. During the Middle Iberian period, settlements are of small size and simple urban planning, but possess powerful fortifications. Some of them seem to coexist with the necropolises of the previous phase, which are still used. There is no evidence of settlements of urban category, hierarchical organisation of the territory or significant differences inside the settlements. At the end of the Late Iberian period, cities appear in this region, with towns such as Castellet de Banyoles or Hibera (neither prior to the 3rd cent. BC), coexisting with the settlement pattern of small fortified sites, and likely related to the Punic and / or Roman presence. During the 2nd – 1st centuries BC, these small fortified settlements are abandoned, and the plain areas are occupied by settlements of different categories, including possible urban sites such as Torre la Sal.