SpanishIndigenous

SpanishIndigenous is not a standard scholarly term, but it can be used to refer to the Indigenous or autochthonous populations historically inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula that is now Spain, as well as to contemporary communities within Spain that retain Indigenous cultural identities, practices, or languages. The concept overlaps with the study of ancient Iberian, Celtiberian, Tartessian, Basque, Lusitanian, and other pre-Roman groups, and with modern regional movements that emphasize distinct cultural heritage.

Historically, the peninsula hosted several groups before and during Roman contact. The Iberians lived along the eastern and southern coasts, while Celtiberians occupied parts of central Iberia. In the southwest, Tartessians are recognized for early metalworking and trade networks. The Basques, or Vascones, in the western Pyrenees are noted for a long-standing cultural continuity and for speaking Euskara, a language isolate. Lusitanians occupied western Iberia, and the Aquitani inhabited areas in what is now southwestern France and adjacent border regions. These populations left archaeological and linguistic legacies that shaped regional identities in later periods.

In contemporary Spain, discussions of Indigenous identity intersect with questions of regional autonomy and minority languages. Basque, Galician, and Catalan have official status in their respective autonomous communities, reflecting regional self-government and cultural preservation. Scholarly and policy debates often distinguish between ancient Indigenous heritage and modern expressions of Indigenous rights, emphasizing language, archaeology, and cultural continuity.

See also: Iberian Peninsula history, Basque language, minority languages in Spain.