To give or to keep? The challenging interpretation of singular objects of peninsular Protohistory from the anthropological framework on gifts

  • Miguel Esteban Payno Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Grupo Occidens
  • Eduardo Sánchez Moreno Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Grupo Occidens
Keywords: relic, heirloom, exchange, archaeological artifact, Anthropology, Iberian Peninsula, Late Iron Age
Agencies: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Gobierno de España (MCIN / AEI / 10.13039 / 501100011033 / FEDER, UE), Proyectos de investigación PGC2018-096415-B-C21/22 y PID2022-141458NB-I00, Programa "NextGenerationEU"/PRT (Ayuda FJC2021-047269-I)

Abstract

The archaeological identification of gifts is an evasive matter. The interpretation of the function and social context of singular objects (weapons and ornaments) is usually an issue of discussion among specialists. This paper addresses some case studies of Protohistory (ca. 5th to 1st century BC) from different places in the Iberian Peninsula. This study attends them from an anthropological framework in order to discuss the different questions on the preservation and circulation of outstanding goods. The defended hypothesis is that the objects of such cases took part in aristocratic gift-exchange networks and were not mostly inherited.

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Published
2024-07-04
How to Cite
Esteban Payno, M., & Sánchez Moreno, E. (2024). To give or to keep? The challenging interpretation of singular objects of peninsular Protohistory from the anthropological framework on gifts. Complutum, 35(1), 167-190. https://doi.org/10.5209/cmpl.95929
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Articles