F. CRIADO BOADO (1) AND R. FÁBREGAS VALCARCE (2) with the collaboration of J. VAQUERO LASTRES (1) REGIONAL PATTERNING AMONG THE MEGALITHS OF GALICIA (NW SPAIN)

Within the extensive plateau crossed by the upper Miño there are a vast number of tumuli. Their distribution is fairly homogeneous and they reach densities of up to 6 mounds per km 2. The grave goods recovered from some of these monuments bear little relation to those in the coastal areas, especially so by the later par! of the 3rd millenium BC. Recent surveys have found that some of the biggest concentrations of tombs are located near to natural passes or ridges that connect the inland plateau with the eastern districts of La Coruña and Pontevedra provinces. We suggest that proximity to crossing points between different areas was an important factor in the local setting of the mounds. On a larger scale the same principie might explain the occurrence of considerable clusters of monuments Glose to natural passes between regions that were especially important during this period.