Abstract:

Hearths are often considered a key element in defining domestic space, to the extent that, in several languages, hearth and home are referred to by the same word. The hearth is essential for daily activities such as cooking, but it is also used for lighting or heating rooms, among other functions. During the Iron Age, some variability can be distinguished in terms of the shape, dimensions, location, and construction techniques of hearths. This diversity is probably related to associated functions as well as to symbolic or cultural aspects. The hearth is located not only in spaces of domestic use but also in workshops, meeting rooms and areas of worship, although the rarity of temples and the absence of typical religious architecture make it difficult to identify the latter. In this paper, we present a synthesis of different types of hearths, their functions and possible meanings during the Early Iron Age and the Iberian period.