Castro del Raso, Celtic archaeological site in Candeleda, Spain.
Castro del Raso is an archaeological site in Candeleda containing remains of approximately 300 stone dwellings from Celtic settlements. The complex includes preserved defensive walls that outline the layout and organization of this ancient community.
The settlement developed during the Iron Age and reached its peak in the Second Iron Age before being abandoned following Roman conquest in the first century BC. The transition from Celtic to Roman rule marked the end of this independent community.
The excavated areas reveal burial practices of the Vettones people, who performed cremation rituals and placed daily objects with the ashes. These remains offer insight into the everyday life and beliefs of this ancient community.
The site is best explored on foot, allowing close views of the stone structures and defensive walls. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the terrain is uneven and can become slippery in wet conditions.
Coins discovered at the site date from 134 to 47 BC and confirm trade between the Celtic inhabitants and Roman civilization. These findings show that economic ties existed long before military conflict occurred.
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