Las “cabezas cortadas” del poblado ibérico del Puig Castellar (Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona). Datos para una reinterpretación

Abstract

The severed heads first discovered in 1904 in the Iberian oppidum of El Puig Castellar, in Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Barcelona), were assumed to be trophies of war, but until now only a few of them received brief publication.This paper presents the results of an anthropological study based on their description, determination of age and sex, signs of pathology, and cut marks.These results serve to raise the number of individuals from the initial count of five to twelve. The find consists of two nailed skulls, three with signs of skinning, and several skull and jaw fragments with signs of stab wounds.Finally, an appraisal is made of how the skulls were prepared for display. Significant new results are presented that help define the physical characteristic of the hitherto little known Iberian population.Objections are made to the theory , based on episodes in the Celtic domain described in Greek and Latin written sources (e.g., Posidonius of Apamea), that the severed heads belonged exclusively to warriors defeated in battle.