Angus J Huck

15-1-2003

abere/abel-

Dear John,
 
It seems that the village now known as ABALOS, which is situated in Rioja just north of the Ebro, was first recorded by Sebastian of Salamanca in 740 AD as ABELICA.
 
This would be composed thus: ABEL-IKA "place of livestock".
 
In my opinion, virtually all -ika place-names are pre-Roman (certainly, those recorded in Roman sources tend to have obviously Iberian first elements).
 
It looks as though Trask has to search for an alternative explanation for this one!
 
Oh, and 740 AD is before the alleged recolonisation of Rioja by Basques!
 
With best wishes,
 
 
 
 
Angus J Huck