ABSTRACT
It is the intention of this chapter to analyse the socio-cultural bases which gave rise to an aristocracy in the upper Guadalquivir valley (Figure 10.1), while at the same time undertaking some general considerations on the causes behind the transition between two opposing social and cultural models. I shall distinguish between two aristocratic systems. The first, which appeared in the early stages, is defined as orientalizing and in it kinship relations carried great weight, while the second may be described as heroic and was client-based. Both were chiefdoms, but, I would argue, they cannot be equated, precisely because of the qualitative difference in their social relations outlined above. In the analysis which follows, the high quality of the available spatial archaeological evidence gives us an insight into the different territorial scales at which both operated in order to understand their respective systems of social relations. Maps showing the geography of the Guadalquivir valley (upper) and the location of sites mentioned in the text (lower). https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315812618/236f5dd7-038d-4683-befd-a58e2c9e1a96/content/fig10_1_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
Upper: A. Campiña of Jaén, B. Despeñaperros, C. La Mancha, D. River Guadalbullón, E. River Guadalimar, F. River Guadalquivir, G. River Vinalopó, H. Ronda, I. Upper Guadalquivir Basin, J. Middle Guadalquivir Basin. Lower: 1. Peña Negra (Crevillente), 2. Tútugi/Galera, 3. Baza, 4. Castellones de Ceal, 5. Toya/Tugia, 6. Turrunuelos, 7. El Salto, 8. Giribaile, 9. Olvera, 10. Los Altos del Sotillo (Castellar), 11. Collado de los Jardines, 12. Cástulo, 13. Puente del Obispo, 14. La Plaza de Armas (Puente Tablas), 15. Atalayuelas (Fuerte del Rey), 16. Marmolejo, 17. Los Alcores/Cerrillo Blanco (Porcuna), 18. Torreparedones, 19. Ategua (Córdoba), 20. Cerro de los Infantes (Pinos Puente), 21. Toscanos, 22. La Silla del Moro, 23. Acinipo (Ronda), 24. Guadalhorce, 25. Tejada la Vieja, 26. Cancho Roano, 27. La Joya (Huelva), 28. Setefilla, 29. Oretum, 30. Juan Abad.
