El poblamiento durante el periodo celtibérico antiguo en la zona nordeste de la provincia de Segovia: el proceso de jerarquización y concentración de la población

This study looks at settlement in the NE of the province of Segovia during the Celtiberian period, from the Ancient Celtiberian period onwards. Its distinctive features are possibly due to the fact that it shares a border with the El Soto world. The variables of a pattern of settlement that partly continued that of the Protoceltiberian period are also determined. It is characterized by a number of settlements on high flat land, without remains of fortifications, together with two large settlements, one of which is heavily walled and has a cremation necropolis dating to its earliest period. We also emphasize the increasing hierarchical character of the settlements, together with the concentration of the population from a very early date, probably as the only way the elites, who controlled the largest settlements, could subjugate the inhabitants. Hence the gradual disappearance of smaller settlements can be seen to benefit those that subsequently became large hillforts, some of which would later disappear when the oppida of the Full Celtiberian period took shape.