Castro de Santa Trega, nestling on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Galicia, Spain. It is a prime example of a Celtic settlement dating back to the Iron Age. The site, with its intricate architecture and rich history, offers a unique window into the lives of the ancient people who inhabited the region.

| History | Discovery | Layout | Ritual |

In this article, we will delve into the history, layout, and significance of Castro de Santa Trega, exploring the fascinating story of this Celtic stronghold in Spain.

Historical Context

The Celtic culture is often associated with the British Isles, but it was widespread throughout much of Europe during the Iron Age. In Spain, the Celts were particularly prominent in the northwestern region known as Galicia. The Castro culture, which emerged around the 6th century BCE, is characterized by its fortified hilltop settlements, known as “castros”, and its distinctive pottery and metalwork.

Castro de Santa Trega, one of the most famous and well-preserved examples of these settlements, was inhabited from the 6th century BCE to the 1st century CE. The site was eventually abandoned, possibly due to the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Discovery and Excavation

Castro de Santa Trega was first discovered in the late 19th century, but it wasn’t until the early 20th century that systematic excavations began. The initial excavations, led by archaeologist Ignacio Calvo Rodríguez, took place between 1913 and 1923. These early investigations revealed the impressive scale and complexity of the site, with its stone houses, defensive walls, and paved streets.

Further excavations took place throughout the 20th century, led by various archaeologists, including José María Luengo, Antonio de la Peña Santos, and María Dolores Dopico Caínzos. These investigations continued to unearth more information about the layout, function, and chronology of the site. Today, the excavated area of Castro de Santa Trega covers around 20 hectares, but it is believed that the site was originally much larger.

Layout and Architecture

Castro de Santa Trega was strategically positioned on a hilltop overlooking the Miño River and the Atlantic Ocean, providing the inhabitants with a commanding view of the surrounding area. The settlement was enclosed by a series of defensive walls, some reaching up to 3 meters in height, which served to protect the inhabitants from potential attacks.

The interior of the settlement is characterized by a complex network of stone-paved streets and circular or oval-shaped stone houses. The houses, built using a dry stone construction technique, typically featured a single entrance and a central hearth. Some of the larger structures may have been used for communal or ceremonial purposes, while smaller structures could have served as workshops or storage areas.

Daily Life in Castro de Santa Trega

The inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega lived a predominantly agrarian lifestyle, cultivating crops and raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. They supplemented their diet with wild plants, fish, and shellfish from the nearby river and ocean. The Castro culture was also known for its skilled metalworking, producing a range of iron, bronze, and gold objects, including weapons, tools, and jewelry.

Pottery played an important role in daily life, and the inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega produced a distinctive type of pottery known as “Castro ware”. This pottery, decorated with geometric patterns, was used for cooking, storage, and possibly for ritual purposes.

Religion and Ritual

The religious beliefs and practices of the inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega remain largely unknown. However, some clues can be gleaned from the archaeological remains found at the site. A number of artifacts, such as stone and bronze idols, suggest that the inhabitants practiced a polytheistic religion, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses.

It is also believed that the natural landscape played a significant role in the religious beliefs of the Castro culture. The presence of rock formations and bodies of water near the site may have been considered sacred or imbued with supernatural powers. Ritual offerings, such as pottery and metal objects, have been found in these areas, indicating that the inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega participated in rituals to honor their gods and maintain a connection with the natural world.

Castro de Santa Trega and the Roman Conquest

The Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, which began in the 3rd century BCE, brought significant changes to the region. As the Romans expanded their empire, they encountered the Celtic tribes of northwestern Spain, including the inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega.

It is likely that the Romans and the Castro culture coexisted for a time, with the inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega adopting some Roman customs and technologies. The eventual abandonment of the site in the 1st century CE, however, suggests that the Roman influence may have ultimately led to the decline of the traditional Castro way of life. The precise reasons for the abandonment of Castro de Santa Trega remain a subject of debate among scholars, with theories ranging from forced relocation to gradual assimilation into Roman society.

Castro de Santa Trega Today

Today, Castro de Santa Trega is a popular tourist attraction and an important archaeological site. The well-preserved remains of the settlement, combined with the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, offer visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the world of the ancient Celts.

In 2012, the site was designated as a Cultural Interest Property by the Galician government, which has helped to ensure its ongoing preservation and study. The nearby Monte Santa Trega Museum, opened in 1984, houses a collection of artifacts from the site, including pottery, metalwork, and stone idols, providing further insight into the lives of the ancient inhabitants of Castro de Santa Trega.

Conclusion

Castro de Santa Trega is a captivating window into the ancient Celtic past of northwestern Spain. As one of the most well-preserved and extensive examples of a Castro culture settlement, it offers a wealth of information about the daily life, religion, and culture of the Iron Age inhabitants of the region. By exploring the archaeological remains of this fascinating site, we can deepen our understanding of the Celtic roots of Spain and the rich tapestry of history that has shaped the country we know today.

References

• Calvo, I. (1926). Excavaciones en el Castro de Santa Tecla. La Guardia, Pontevedra. Santiago de Compostela: Tipografía y Encuadernación Galicia.
• De la Peña Santos, A. (1993). El castro de Santa Trega (A Guarda, Pontevedra). Campañas de 1979 a 1992. Zephyrus, 46, 25-59.
• Dopico Caínzos, M. D., & Rey García, A. (2004). El castro de Santa Trega (A Guarda, Pontevedra): arqueología, patrimonio y turismo. Cuadernos de Estudios Gallegos, 51(117), 75-99.
• González-Ruibal, A. (2007). Making things public: Archaeologies of the Spanish Civil War. Public Archaeology, 6(4), 203-226.