El oppidum de Badajoz. Ocupaciones prehistóricas en La Alcazaba

Abstract

The oppidum of Badajoz, excavated from 1977 till 1986, is placed under medieval and modern town fortifications. The importance of the place began at tite 3rd. milennium BC and it was renewed during the Atlantic Bronze and Iron Age as an important settlement of the Guadiana basin. The excavations finds show the importance of the oppidum of Badajoz as a center of local power during tite Orientalizing Period, related to Tartessos and the comunication ways with Mediterranean areas (Phoenicians and also Greeks). After the 5th century BC some elements appeared related to Celtic peoples documented by Classical sources in the Southwestern of Iberia. In conclusion, the excavation of the oppidum of Badajoz give one of the most complete stratified sequence, comparable witit Medellín and Alcácer do Sal, and specially important from the understanding of the cultural process of thte 1rst. milennium BC. untill the roman conquest.