In the paper we undertook the study of the Iron Age societies of Emilia-Romagna. Traditionally considered as multiethnic based on written sources, these societies often defy clear archaeological definition due to the culturally hetergeneous character of their material vestiges. in order to overcome these blocks, we undertook (based on burial evidence) a complex social network analysis of the entire material culture as well as on rituality distinguishing on all levels the features associated with the invading La Tène culture and with the local populations documented in loco before the Celtic invasion of the 390s BC.