Types of Burials 2 Tumuli and Graves with a Stela

In the mountains of Cuenca, two fields of funerary tumuli from between the eighth and fifth centuries BC were excavated. They are circular tumuli marked by a tall vertical wall. In the centre, a cist of stone slabs contained the mortal remains – usually cremated, although there are cases of inhumation – together with the grave goods, consisting of pottery materials and personal ornaments in bronze, silver and gold as well as vitreous paste and amber.
The site reflects a Late Bronze Age local culture with connections to the Urnfield and Mediterranean worlds.
Photos: Füsun Kavrakoğlu, National Archaeological Museum, Madrid, 2026.

This tumulus was protected by a wall built at a later date. The grave goods are among the richest at this necropolis. There are elements associated wit a warrior as well as with a patriarch, and the deceased is therefore thought to have been the founder of a clan (4th century BC.).

This pit tomb surrounded by stone slabs and marked by a stela was discovered in a row of similar graves. It contained prestige objects such as an iron sword with silver damascening, a razor and a pair of tweezers, which suggest that the deceased was an infantry warrior chieftain. There were also other characteristic elements such as the urn with bone remains, a spindle whorl and a clay ball.
Celtiberain Culture, 3rd century BC, Zaragoza.