El Castellet de Banyoles (Tivissa): Una ciudad ibérica en el curso inferior del río Ebro

Abstract

While recurrently cited in the specialized bibliography, until recent years Castellet de Banyoles was only really known by the findings of monetary hoards and some luxury ritual vases, in addition to the Hellenistic-type pentagonal towers flanking the site entrance. Excavation work since 1998 has enabled precise dating of the first settlement between the last third of the 3rd century BC and early 2nd century BC, and has revealed the existence at that time of a Punic-type compartments wall, as well as an extensive dwelling area, which probably corresponds to a specific gens. Houses of different types and sizes are attested, as well as a possible sanctuary. With an area of 4.5 ha, Castellet de Banyoles is a small city that brought together the entire population of the Mora basin, following a mononuclear model unprecedented in the northern Iberian world. This is likely explained by strategic reasons in a turbulent historical context due to the Barcid expansion in the Iberian Peninsula and the Second Punic War.