Evolució del poblament i el paisatge a la Cessetània occidental durant el 1r mil·leni aC

Identifier:  TDX:1977

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1977

Authors:  Canela Gràcia, Joan

Abstract:
The research carried out in this thesis focuses on settlement organisation and environment evolution in western Cessetania. The study area coincides with current territories of Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Conca de Barberà and Tarragonès (present province of Tarragona). The first period analyzed in this study is the Late Bronze Age (1150-650 BC). Settlements, mainly in open air, are made up of small groups of huts inhabited by family groups, although several caves continued to be frequented. During the Early Iron Age (650-550 BC) a major change occurs, when the first protourban sites with complex structures (ramparts) and orthogonal planning appear, indicating the emergence of local communities. This settlement evolution is clear for the littoral area, but inland it may have occurred later. During the Late Iron Age (particularly between 450-200 BC) protohistorical settlement pattern is definitely hierarchic, organized in four orders or levels (one of the features defining a protostate). The most important sites (1st and 2nd order) have an urban character, play the role of capitals of their hinterland and have administrative functions. Protohistorical settlement of Tarragona is one of them, the capital of the Cessetania territory. At a lower level exists a number of smaller sites, the 3rd order settlements, ,and finally (4th order), the rural sites. At the end of the Late Iron Age (200-50 BC) protohistorical settlement organisation will be progressively dismantled until its definitely disappearance c. 100 BC, when a big orthogonal city (Tarraco) will be built based on Italic tradition.