Gilded bronze fibulae with triangles on the bridge and covered spring

Abstract

This paper presents a new group of Hispanic fibulae; analyses its typological development from a contextual and historical approach; suggests the need for further studies of typology of large cultural scope; displays a critique against typologies based on cultural or chronological frames; and shows the relevance of such studies to recover and protect the archaeological heritage.The catalogue comprises only four pieces of a Latène-like form, uniform in shape and decoration. So is clear by their long springs covered, the frontal sheet-appendices or the decorative motifs and techniques used (printed and gilded). Although the conditions of the findings do not indicate clearly the chronology of most of the pieces, a date between the late fourth and early third century bc for their production is beyond doubt. Its distribution is concentrated between the Iberian and Celtiberian areas, even if most of the pieces from the Levant. However, the finding of these fibulae in the scene of the Battle of Baecula (Cerro de Las Albahacas) raises his persistence until 208 bc.

Keywords

• ornamento
• península ibérica
• edad del hierro
• cultura material
• tipología