Los «verracos» del valle del Amblés (Ávila): del análisis espacial a la interpretación socio-económica

Abstract

Until recently, the zoomorphic sculpture of the West Meseta has been studied typologically, and therefore out of the cultural context in which it was produced. This paper is concerned with the zoomorphic sculpture in the Valle del Amblés (Ávila). We consider the sculptures as an index of economic value —cattle— and by studying their spatial distribution, we propose that they were used as landmarks or as delimiting critical resources —pasture— the explotation of which could have been organized by the elites of the Second Iron Age communities living in the valley.