THE IBERIANS AND THE CELTS

In pre-Roman times, two main groups of tribes inhabitated the peninsula:

-The Iberians lived in the east and south of Spain. They were warriors, herders, farmers, craftsmen, merchants and slaves.

- The Celts  entered Spain from the north, and generally settled in the north and centre of Spain. Their tribes were divided into family clans. They were herders and farmers. They were also expert metalworkers, who made jewellery, weapons and tools.

The Celts mixed with the Iberians to form the Celtiberians.

THE TARTESSIANS

 The kingdom of Tartessus was in southern Spain in the Guadalquivir valley, and was rich in metals such as gold, silver and copper.

The Tartessians were great travellers, expert metalworkers and salt producers. 

EARLY COLONISTS

The PHOENICIANS were traders from Asia. They settled on the south coast. In 1100 B.C. They fouded Gades (now Cadiz), the oldest city in Western Europe. They became important trading partners of the Tartessians.

The GREEKS settled on the Mediterranean coast.They came to trade ceramic objects for metals. They founded the cities of Denia and Ampurias.

The CARTHAGINIANS came from North Africa to trade metals and cloth. They also settled on the Mediterranean coast and founded the city of Cartagena.

These colonising civilisations lived and traded with the Celtiberians for centuries. They left cultural legacies, such as the alphabet and metal coins.  

THE PALAEOLITHIC PERIOD

About a million years ago, Spain was inhabitated by hominids, or early human beings. Modern people appeared in Spain about 35.000 years ago.

They were nomads, and moved from place to place.

They lived in caves or huts. They obtained their food by hunting, fishing and gathering wild plants.

People lived in family groups, called clans.They lived short lives, and many babies died at birth.

THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD

Later, the population of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands became sedentary.They built the first settlements.

People lived in tribes,which were larger than clans. Each tribe member had a specific job, such as cultivating the land, looking after the animals or making tools and weapons.

THE METAL AGES

About six thousand years ago, people learned to use metals. First, they used copper and, later, bronze and iron, which were more resistant.

Settlements became villages, which were surrounded by walls for protection.

Every village was run by a chieftain.

PREHISTORIC HERITAGE

Prehistoric people were the first to:

- Use fires to cook their food and protect themselves from the cold.

- Make clay pots.

- Use animal hair and looms to make cloth.

- Create art forms, such as cave paintings.