MUCHO MÁS QUE UNA MURALLA. RITOS FUNDACIONALES Y COERCIÓN SIMBÓLICA EN LA FACTORÍA FENICIA DEL CABEZO PEQUEÑO DEL ESTAÑO (GUARDAMAR, ALICANTE, ESPAÑA)

Abstract

fernando prados martínez* – helena jiménez vialás**
antonio garcía menárguez

This article presents the latest archaeological discoveries made at the Phoenician site of Cabezo Pequeño del

Estaño. On the one hand, several evidences detected in the excavation lead to propose the existence of a foundational
rite based on the sacralisation of the space chosen to build the colony. On the other hand, the discovery
of a double V-shaped ditch dug into the rock, next to the casemate wall, implies a disproportionate defensive
deployment that could be evidence of ideological or symbolic coercion in a colonial context.

Key words: Iberian Peninsula, Phoenicians, Segura River, religion, violence, defensive ditches.