The use of the Sala del Lago as a ritual space
In the Iberian period, the cave consolidated its function as a sacred place, something that we know essentially from an extensive collection of ceramics deposited in the Sala del Lago, which most probably inform us of the practice of cults linked to the subterranean world and the ritual use of the hypogene waters. The symbolic value of water as the original source of all forms of life, symbol of rebirth and regeneration, fertilizing and therapeutic element, allow us to relate very probably the offerings of the Lake room with the celebration of certain rituals of passage.
This space, also known by Salvador Vilaseca as Room P, is located in the interior part of the cave through which the subway river still flows today. This room was excavated from February to June 1959, and was found to be partially flooded. Due to this accumulation of water, we waited for the river flow to diminish, which happened in the summer and fall of 1964, making it possible to continue the archaeological work.
In this room the archaeological sedimentation is practically intact, unlike the spaces near the entrance of the cave. This quality in the stratigraphic context resulted in the discovery of a large sequence, consisting mainly of fragments of ceramic vessels, whose characteristics refer to a long period of use. The current review of the materials and information collected by Salvador Vilaseca shows the existence of materials from a long period, from the Early Bronze Age to the Iberian-Roman period. However, in the period in which the most significant presence of materials is observed is in the chronological phase of the First Iron Age (650-550 BC) and probably also in the initial moments of the Iberian period (550- 450 BC), stages in which a high number of handmade ceramic vessels of bitronconical format and S-shaped profile stand out. The presence of all these vessels seems to indicate essentially the use of the Sala del Lago as a ritual space in which votive offerings were made and libations were made with liquid and/or semi-liquid substances (among them, the manipulation of groundwater itself could have played an important role).
As for the Iberian-Roman period (2nd century BC), there are several biconical-shaped calziform vessels that were also used for the ingestion and/or manipulation of liquids, as well as several miniaturizations of certain pieces related mainly to the transport and consumption of wine (amphorae and kylix).
In any case, it should be noted that traditionally, it has been proposed that the sanctuary-caves could act as symbolic indicators of border areas, with the aim of reaffirming beliefs and ritual practices of ethnic or regional character, and we must not forget that the upper course of the Francolí perfectly fulfills this boundary role between the area traditionally ascribed to the Iberian Cosetanos (Tarragona field) and the Iberian Ilergets (Lleida plain).