A group of Iberian sculptures from La Cervera (La Font de la Figuera, Valencia)

Abstract

In this paper we present a group of Iberian sculptures found in the site of La Cervera. It is formed by two freestanding sculptures, a bird and a quadruped, and an indeterminate fragment. They were all carved out from sandstone outcrops, probably of local origin. The bird body is the best preserved of the group, and is tentatively identified as a siren, although the head is missing. On the front base shows an engraved motif, probably a wolf. The quadruped is not well preserved and it has two small hollows of unknown use and significance. None of these objects were recovered from its original context, because they were found in abandonment layers and filled in deposits dated to the 4^th century BC and the 1^st century AD. However, we suggest that they might belong to funerary monuments of the 4^th century BC of the area. These findings are related to the historical context that in the area is characterized by urbanization processes throughout the constitution of landscape of integrated fortified settlements that controlled agrarian and metallurgical resources and communication routes.