Uztaro

Egun hiri hitza arrunki biztanle-dentsitate handiko gune eraiki gisa definitzen bada ere, termino horrek bizileku molde desberdinak adieraz ditzake, hiri-aglomeraziotik baserri-eremu bakartietaraino. Lan honetan lehiatzen gara azpimarratzera beste garai batean babesleku eta gotorleku adiera zukeela. Horretarako, Euskal Herriko geografian hiri hitzaz osatutako leku andana bat korrituz, aise da ikusten aztertu diren guztiak Brontze Arotik ?gutxienez XII.-XIV. mendeetaraino? gotorlekuak izan zirela.

GAKO-HITZAK: Gotorleku · Hiri · Gaztelu · Toponimia · Etimologia.

The link between (h)iri (and related words) and fortified places

If the word hiri is currently defined as a built place with a high density of population,this term also may name different living zones, from urban agglomerations to isolatedcountryside areas. In this contribution, we propose the idea that a long time ago it couldalso refer to a place for protection or a fortified place.The numerous visits we have done in the Basque Country to places whose nameincludes hiri, easily show that all these places have been fortified places, from the bronzeages to at least the 12th – 14th centuries.

KEY WORDS: Fortified places · Hiri · Stronghold · Toponymy · Etymology.