Celtiberian hillforts / Castros celtiberos.

Cerro de San Miguel, La Rioja


 
 
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Castles and archeological places in Castilla y León. Usually, the cristian or muslim castles, even towns and cities, was founded over an Iron age /Bronze Age settlement. In this turistic panphlet you can see, celtiberían and other celtic tribes hillforts. Special mention deserve the Vettonian hillforts, big and wide populated oppida. The Ulaca's altar is impressive. I hope to post later a thread about Vetton Hillforts and culture.

https://destinocastillayleon.es/index/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/GuiaWebHISTORIA2013.pdf
 
Ziober said:
Thanks Salento, but that's Off topic. You can open a thread with the italian Hillforts, this is for celtiberian.
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I didn’t get title of the thread right,

I didn't know that Castro means fortification in Spanish, i thought it was the name of a place.

Live and Learn!
 
Salento said:
I didn’t get title of the thread right,

I didn't know that Castro means fortification in Spanish, i thought it was the name of a place.

Live and Learn!
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Castro is also an Andalusian singer with a Galician father and andalusian mother. It is usually a Galician surname. Hitler said that she was the most beautiful Spanish he had ever seen
Apparently the Nazis hired Andalusian folk women for their private parties.

Estrellita Castro. Estrella Castro Navarrete

MV5BNGM0YjQ4MjItMmY0Mi00ZGQ4LTg2OTItNWVlNWZjYzRmMDNkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzI5NDcxNzI@._V1_.jpg


I feel the off Topic but knowing can
 
Salento said:
I didn’t get title of the thread right,

I didn't know that Castro means fortification in Spanish, i thought it was the name of a place.

Live and Learn!
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It Doesn't matter Salento. Fortification is fortificacion in spanish. The diference is that "castro" is referred to that fortifications (Forts - Fuerte in Spanish) on the top of hills or hillforts.
 
Carlos said:
Castro is also an Andalusian singer with a Galician father and andalusian mother. It is usually a Galician surname. Hitler said that she was the most beautiful Spanish he had ever seen
Apparently the Nazis hired Andalusian folk women for their private parties.

Estrellita Castro. Estrella Castro Navarrete

MV5BNGM0YjQ4MjItMmY0Mi00ZGQ4LTg2OTItNWVlNWZjYzRmMDNkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzI5NDcxNzI@._V1_.jpg


I feel the off Topic but knowing can
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Oh My God Carlos, You will never left the chance to show your folkloric-stereotyped tastes. Even in an archaelogical thread!!.... It is disgusting.
 
Ziober said:
Oh My God Carlos, You will never left the chance to show your folkloric-stereotyped tastes. Even in an archaelogical thread!!.... It is disgusting.
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Logo-El-Beso-02.jpg
 
Up! I find this topic interesting to discuss. :p
 
I wonder if the naming 'Celtibèrian' qualifies a people born by the mixing of Celts and Iberians or rather Celts living in what became Iberia? Have we sufficient auDNA of the so called Celtiberians? I have not.
 
ChatGPT:

The Celtiberians were an ancient people who lived in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain) before and during Roman rule. They were not a single tribe but rather a cultural and ethnic fusion of the native Iberians and the Celtic peoples who migrated into the region from central Europe.

⸻

🌍 Geographic Region

The Celtiberians inhabited an area known historically as Celtiberia, covering parts of what are now the Spanish provinces of:
• Soria
• Zaragoza
• Guadalajara
• Teruel
• Cuenca

⸻

🧬 Cultural Identity
• Mixed heritage: The Celtiberians combined Celtic and Iberian customs, beliefs, and languages.
• Tribal society: Organized into tribes such as the Arevaci, Belli, Titti, and Lusones.
• Warrior culture: They were known for being fierce fighters and resistant to foreign domination, especially Roman.

⸻

🗣 Language
• They spoke Celtiberian, a Celtic language written using an adaptation of the Iberian script.
• It’s one of the oldest known Celtic languages with surviving inscriptions, mostly on metal and pottery.

⸻

🏺 Way of Life
• Fortified hilltop settlements called castros.
• Agriculture and livestock (especially sheep and horses).
• Metalworking was highly advanced, particularly in weapons and jewelry.
• Polytheistic religion, influenced by both Celtic nature worship and Iberian deities.

⸻

⚔️ Conflict with Rome
• The Celtiberians fiercely resisted Roman expansion.
• They played a major role in the Celtiberian Wars (2nd century BCE).
• The Siege of Numantia (133 BCE) became legendary for its prolonged resistance and eventual destruction by Rome under Scipio Aemilianus.
• After their defeat, the region was romanized, but many Celtiberian traditions persisted.

⸻

🧭 Legacy
• Their name reflects the blending of Celtic and Iberian cultures.
• The Numantine resistance is a national symbol in Spain, often compared to other legendary last stands in history.
• Archaeological sites like Numantia provide valuable insight into pre-Roman Iberian cultures.

⸻

Here are some notable Celtiberian archaeological sites and artifacts that offer a glimpse into their rich history:

⸻

🏛️ Archaeological Sites

1. Numantia (Numancia)

Located near Soria, Spain, Numantia is one of the most significant Celtiberian archaeological sites. It gained historical prominence due to its fierce resistance against Roman conquest during the Celtiberian Wars, particularly the siege in 133 BCE. Excavations have revealed well-preserved remains of dwellings, streets, and fortifications, providing valuable insights into Celtiberian urban planning and daily life.

2. Tiermes (Termantia)

Situated in Montejo de Tiermes, Soria, Tiermes was a Celtiberian settlement that later became Romanized. The site is renowned for its unique rock-cut architecture, including houses, streets, and public buildings carved directly into the red sandstone. These structures illustrate the adaptation of the Celtiberians to their environment and the blending of cultural influences over time.

⸻

🗿 Artifacts

1. Bronze Fibulae

Celtiberian artisans were skilled in metalwork, producing intricate bronze fibulae (brooches) often shaped like animals, such as horses. These items served both functional and decorative purposes, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities and symbolic motifs prevalent in Celtiberian culture.

2. Ceramics and Pottery

The Celtiberians crafted distinctive ceramics characterized by geometric patterns and stylized figures. These pottery pieces not only fulfilled everyday utilitarian needs but also held cultural significance, often used in rituals and as grave offerings.

3. Weapons

Among the notable weapons is the falcata, a curved sword favored by Celtiberian warriors. Its design combined functionality with artistry, often featuring elaborate decorations. The falcata symbolizes the martial prowess and craftsmanship of the Celtiberians.

⸻

🖼️ Visual Resources

• Numantia Archaeological Site: Explore images and information about Numantia on Spain’s official tourism website: Numancia
• Tiermes Rock-Cut Structures: View photographs of Tiermes’ unique architecture on Alamy: Tiermes Archaeological Site.
• Celtiberian Artifacts: Discover a collection of Celtiberian artifacts, including bronze fibulae, on Getty Images: Celtiberian Art.
 
MOESAN said:
I wonder if the naming 'Celtibèrian' qualifies a people born by the mixing of Celts and Iberians or rather Celts living in what became Iberia? Have we sufficient auDNA of the so called Celtiberians? I have not.
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Hi Moesan, thanks for your question. Celtiberian have two meanings, The iron Age admixture success in the North Meseta (in the current provinces of La Rioja, Soria, Zaragoza, Guadalajara, Teruel, ever a bit so far into Madrid) Between Celts and the [iberos] Iberians form the east cost of the peninsula.

And as a new term about the present admixed population of the Iberian Peninsula. That is the reason for which I wrote in the ethnicity field of my profile "Celtiberian" because I haven´t found my genome, not tested.

I have not knowledge enough about genetics, to answer your second Question.

This is the schematic map of the pre Roman groups settled in the Iberian P.:
Iberia_300BC-es.svg.png

From Wikipedia : https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protohistoria_de_la_península_ibérica


Thanks for your contribution Duarte, I only want to remark, that the destruction of Numantia (Numancia) occurred through the own numantines, and allies sieged in Numantia, cose the celtiberians prefered comit suicide, rather than being enslaved by the Romans.
For further info about Numantia I had created a post with pics taken by myself years ago in the Museo Numantino (Soria, Soria) This is the very interestinc link to that threat:
Ziober

Thread 'Numantine Museum. Celtiberian pottery, metallurgy & Ornaments in Numantia (Spain)'

These are some pics taken by me in the Numantine Museum of Soria (Spain). These items represents the fusion between Celtic and Iberian art, Especially in pottery, and some pure celtic weapons and metallurgy. Founded in Garray (Numantia) and surroundings

IMGP7065.jpg
Baby's bottle? VII-V bc

IMGP7066.jpgIMGP7067.jpg
Helmet

On which you can see the swastika symbol bringed from Central Europe by the Celts, in many pottery.
 
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The Celtiberians were direct descendants of the Iberian Bell Beaker people; the oldest known DF27 sample we have comes from that region.

The Iberians spoke a language related to Aquitanian, which, due to its ergative structure, is likely of Caucasian origin, while the Celtiberians spoke a type of Q-Celtic language.

It was long assumed that they arrived with Celtic invasions (from the La Tène and Hallstatt cultures), but DNA evidence suggests the flow was quite the opposite — they’ve been genetically continuous since around 2500 BC.

Today, that region is composed of roughly 65% M269, 60% P312, 10% L21, 15% U152, 35% DF27, 15% ZZ12, and 20% Z195 (18% L176.2, the birthplace of that subclade).

Broadly speaking, what distinguishes the Celto-Hispanic and Tartessian zones from Eastern Iberia is that the Iberians had a higher percentage of Z195 and almost no ZZ12, whereas the south, west, and north had more balanced levels of ZZ12 and Z195.

That’s the origin of why Catalans want to be French and are such a pain about independence 😁 — but Z195* was born in Asturias.

The Celtiberians were top-tier in making tempered carbon steel; analyses have equated the quality of their swords to early medieval swords. They could break Roman shields, arms, and swords like butter — that’s why the Romans copied their technique and standardized it across the Empire.

The earliest evidence of tempered carbon steel is found near Lisbon, in a chisel dated to 900 BC — 100 years before the Phoenicians arrived — meaning steel was being exported west to east, contrary to what was long believed (and still is).

Here’s a short article from my friend Olalde:

 
—BoNe— said:
The Celtiberians were direct descendants of the Iberian Bell Beaker people; the oldest known DF27 sample we have comes from that region.

The Iberians spoke a language related to Aquitanian, which, due to its ergative structure, is likely of Caucasian origin, while the Celtiberians spoke a type of Q-Celtic language.

It was long assumed that they arrived with Celtic invasions (from the La Tène and Hallstatt cultures), but DNA evidence suggests the flow was quite the opposite — they’ve been genetically continuous since around 2500 BC.

Today, that region is composed of roughly 65% M269, 60% P312, 10% L21, 15% U152, 35% DF27, 15% ZZ12, and 20% Z195 (18% L176.2, the birthplace of that subclade).

Broadly speaking, what distinguishes the Celto-Hispanic and Tartessian zones from Eastern Iberia is that the Iberians had a higher percentage of Z195 and almost no ZZ12, whereas the south, west, and north had more balanced levels of ZZ12 and Z195.

That’s the origin of why Catalans want to be French and are such a pain about independence 😁 — but Z195* was born in Asturias.

The Celtiberians were top-tier in making tempered carbon steel; analyses have equated the quality of their swords to early medieval swords. They could break Roman shields, arms, and swords like butter — that’s why the Romans copied their technique and standardized it across the Empire.

The earliest evidence of tempered carbon steel is found near Lisbon, in a chisel dated to 900 BC — 100 years before the Phoenicians arrived — meaning steel was being exported west to east, contrary to what was long believed (and still is).

Here’s a short article from my friend Olalde:

Click to expand...
You way of reading astonish me sometimes. I cite here under the paper you cited yourself:
[... Junto con los 66 individuos de cronologías más antiguas secuenciados hasta la fecha en la Celtiberia, es posible llevar a cabo una primera aproximación a la ascendencia de los celtíberos. Los datos genéticos apuntan a dos cambios demográficos en esta área: el
primero durante la transición Calcolítico-Edad de Bronce y el segundo al final de la Edad de Bronce, ambos involucrando un aumento de ascendencia centroeuropea. Este segundo evento, posiblemente relacionado con la llegada de hablantes de lengua celta al territorio, dio lugar a la composición genética de las poblaciones de la Edad del Hierro analizadas en este estudio, poblaciones que por otro lado mantienen claras conexiones ancestrales con las poblaciones del Bronce peninsular. /...]
concerning the new apports we could link to Celtic languages or close languages, I see the opposite of what you say; for me: origin in Central Europe or a bit more western (ATW same DNA making as Central West Europe). You're right when you think first Celts didn't wait Hallstatt-LaTène, but I'm not sure first BB's (early to middle Chaclolithic for Iberia) gave birth to Celtic, which I see rather born between Bronze and Iron.
 
MOESAN said:
You way of reading astonish me sometimes. I cite here under the paper you cited yourself:
[... Junto con los 66 individuos de cronologías más antiguas secuenciados hasta la fecha en la Celtiberia, es posible llevar a cabo una primera aproximación a la ascendencia de los celtíberos. Los datos genéticos apuntan a dos cambios demográficos en esta área: el
primero durante la transición Calcolítico-Edad de Bronce y el segundo al final de la Edad de Bronce, ambos involucrando un aumento de ascendencia centroeuropea. Este segundo evento, posiblemente relacionado con la llegada de hablantes de lengua celta al territorio, dio lugar a la composición genética de las poblaciones de la Edad del Hierro analizadas en este estudio, poblaciones que por otro lado mantienen claras conexiones ancestrales con las poblaciones del Bronce peninsular. /...]
concerning the new apports we could link to Celtic languages or close languages, I see the opposite of what you say; for me: origin in Central Europe or a bit more western (ATW same DNA making as Central West Europe). You're right when you think first Celts didn't wait Hallstatt-LaTène, but I'm not sure first BB's (early to middle Chaclolithic for Iberia) gave birth to Celtic, which I see rather born between Bronze and Iron.
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The only consistently valuable part of archaeogenetic studies is the raw data — it would be preferable if they didn’t write anything else. I call Olalde a “friend” because he’s basically illiterate in archaeology.

Since he’s illiterate in archaeology, he interprets the genetic data far too literally. (For this reason, I never take archaeogeneticists seriously when it comes to their hypotheses.)

The Hispanic Celts couldn’t have come from anywhere else because their average Most Recent Common Ancestor is consistently 200 years older than that of Central Europeans. Therefore, all DF27 lineages descend from Iberian DF27. As for L21 and U152, we won’t know until they carry out proper studies of present-day populations.

The Celtiberians were one half of the successors to the Bronze Age Cogotas I and II culture. During the Iron Age, they split into two groups: the Vettones in the west and the Celtiberians in the east. These two spoke distinct varieties of Celtic languages.

On the other hand, we have the Gallaeci, who spoke a third Celtic language, and the Lusitanians, who spoke the oldest documented form of Indo-European — predating Celtic entirely.

In the Iberian Peninsula, there were at least four different Indo-European languages spoken, while Tartessian, Iberian, and Basque were “isolated” languages (I personally relate them to Caucasian or Anatolian families).

The Lusitanians are the most direct descendants of the Bell Beaker populations in all of Europe. Z195* and ZZ12* date back to 2650 BCE, and the current frequency levels can only be explained if they have been native since the beginning of the Bell Beaker phenomenon around 2900 BCE.

All descendants of R1b-L151 were different types of Celts — in terms of behavior. They all knew how to breed horses and cattle, they were blacksmiths, and they mastered navigation and hydraulic engineering. That’s why they were the first to settle the interior of the peninsula — they knew how to modify river courses at will or locate aquifers.

As for the ancient DNA of R1b-L151> individuals from Central Europe, the south, and the central Mediterranean…

It depends on the admixture bias used to measure them. All the P312 samples I’ve seen in PCA plots usually show higher levels of Iberian DNA than any other.
 
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