Abstract:

The excavation of the cremation burial sites of Santa Madrona (Riba-roja d’Ebre) and Sebes (Flix) is contributing new data to the study of the funerary practices in this area. Both sites appear to have been in use during the Early Iron Age (7th – 6th centuries BC), a period characterised by the predominance of tumulus-like structures, alongside which other variations are documented (funerary urns with no tumulus, interments of bones with no urn, funerary offerings, stone structures with no urn, etc.). Anthropological studies of these two burial sites indicate that all age groups were represented. The pottery and grave goods are similar in all the graves, suggesting a certain equality in the treatment of the deceased. In both cases the fact that there are two differentiated areas could indicate a separation in terms of family groups.