Fíbulas y género: de animales y hombres en la cultura ibérica

Abstract

Since ancient times, domestic and wild animals have been an integral part of human life as food for survival, as transportation and as icons on the construction of the cultural imagery. Iberian culture during the Iron Age depicted such animals in ceramics, stone and terracotta sculpture, metals objects, and coins. These “imaginary” remains and the “real” faunal assemblages of settlements, necropoleis, and cultic places both reflect the ongoing relationships between human societies and other living things in the same environment –in this case the southeast area of the Iberian Peninsula. In this paper we analyze animal depictions in Iberian fibulae (brooches) as a means from which to approach gender as a cultural construct. These fibulae were made in precious metals and decorated with hunting scenes or individual animals. They should be considered objects of special significance in specific social groups and elites wielding power among the Iberians. Studying contexts and comparing similar images that appear in other media with documented faunal assemblages provides us insights into Iberian social status, the gender of the wearer, and the meaning of certain animals.