---
title: Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7507/verrco-sculpture-from-ancient-iberia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7507.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7507.jpg)

## Image Caption

This verraco of a pig is made of granite and dates from the 3rd-1st century BCE. It was created by members of the Vettonian [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) of ancient [Iberia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/iberia/) and was found in the Spanish province of Ávila. Verracos were sculptures of male beasts — usually standing pigs or bulls — which first appeared in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula in the 4th century BCE. They are typically made from granite. There are several theories regarding their function, but nowadays they are widely believed to indicated grazing areas and cattle routes controlled by the "[oppida](https://www.worldhistory.org/oppidum/)" (large regional settlements). Positioned at the entrance or in a prominent location, their presence served to indicate and protect pastures. Verracos also had a funerary purpose in the latter days of this period when they were used and engraved with names in Latin. (Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Madrid)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, October 31). Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7507/verrco-sculpture-from-ancient-iberia/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 31, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7507/verrco-sculpture-from-ancient-iberia/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Verrco Sculpture from Ancient Iberia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Oct 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7507/verrco-sculpture-from-ancient-iberia/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 31 October 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.