Thanks to the classical sources, we know the names of the various Iberian peoples of Catalonia, although it is difficult to be certain of the area each of them lived in. In the southern part of the country, the Ilercavones inhabited the lower Ebro area, while the Cessetani occupied the Camp of Tarragona and probably also the Conca de Barberà and the Penedès.

Archaeological research has turned up many Iberian sites in this area, particularly around the River Ebro. A fine example is the settlement of Castellet de Banyoles (Tivissa), located on a large plateau that overlooks and controls the passage of the river.

Between 1912 and 1927, chance finds were made of the so-called "Tivissa treasure" (gold and silver work, silver plates and cups and pre-Roman coins). Since then several excavations have partially revealed the layout of the settlement and its exceptional defensive system. It appears to have been at the height of its importance between the 4th and the 3rd centuries BC.

The Camp of Tarragona also has a large number of Iberian settlements. They include Fontscaldes, El Vilar (Valls), Els Garràfols (Vallmoll), El Degotall (Alcover), El Puig de Santa Anna (Castellvell del Camp), Les Timbes (Riudoms), etc. However, more archaeological research is needed to complete our knowledge of the pre-Roman inhabitants of the area. This is shown by the relatively recent find of Mas d'en Bosc (Constantí) and others that remain to be studied.

In Tarragona, various excavations carried out recently in the area between Caputxins and Pere Martell streets have allowed us to document in situ the remains of dwelling structures. Materials from the Iberian period dating from the 5th century BC have also been found. This confirms the existence of an indigenous oppidum in the lower part of the city, on the edge of a natural rise in the land, very close to the hollow of the port and the mouth of the River Francolí. In the year 218 BC, during the Second Punic War, the disembarkation of the Roman army converted the settlement into a strategic base and brought about the conditions for its subsequent development as a grand Roman urbs.