In August 2022, a multidisciplinary team coordinated by the Aranzadi Science Society, in collaboration with various universities, discovered a Roman-era votive altar in Larunbe, Navarra. This altar, dated to the 1st century A.D., contains a Latin dedication by a woman named Valeria Vitella to the Vascon deity Larra. The discovery was made inside a well during the archaeological excavations of the medieval monastery of Doneztebe, located on Mount Arriaundi.
Mount Arriaundi is a significant archaeological site, showcasing the evolution of a cultural enclave through different eras, from the Roman period to the Modern Age. Its strategic location, a defensible promontory with a privileged view of one of the main access routes to the Pamplona basin, made it an attractive and religiously significant place across various periods.
In the 11th century, under the policies of the Kingdom of Pamplona, a monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen (Doneztebe) was built at this site. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of Larunbe residents and the archaeological coordination of Aranzadi, the remains of this monastery, which retains its original layout with three semicircular apses, were discovered and consolidated. This monastery defines the central area of the site and has become a reference point for studying medieval religious architecture in the region.

The votive altar found is an exceptional piece, not only for its age but also for the information it provides. Roman altars are typically made of stone, with Latin inscriptions indicating the deity they are dedicated to and the name of the dedicant. In this case, the Larunbe altar bears the inscription of Valeria Vitella, who dedicated the altar to the Vascon deity Larra: VAL(eria)·V(i)-TEL·LA M(erito?)·LA·R-A·HE·VO(tum) L(ibens)·S(olvit).
According to researchers, “It is evidently a Vascon deity, as it has a final part written -HE which we can probably interpret as the Vascon dative form, indicating to whom it is dedicated: to the deity Larra. The Vascon name, with its connection to modern Basque, suggests interpreting it as a deity related to the field or farmland.”
The altar was not found in its original location but at the bottom of a medieval well, with the inscription facing downwards. It is unknown whether it was thrown or intentionally placed there. Although Roman-era archaeological materials such as ceramic fragments and coins had previously been documented at the Arriaundi site, the discovery of the votive altar is a significant advancement in understanding the beliefs and religious practices of the Vascones.

The deity’s name has only been attested on three other altars from the Vascon territory, located in the Arga basin and its tributary the Salado River: Muruzabal de Andión, Irujo, and Riezu. The Larunbe altar is exceptional for being the northernmost and at the highest altitude, as well as the only one recovered in an archaeological intervention context. This find expands the known area of influence of this deity and provides more information about its worship and relevance in the region.
The Larunbe altar is a crucial testimony for the study of the Vascon language and its links to modern Basque. The Latin inscription with the name Larrahe provides additional evidence on the use and evolution of the Vascon language, as well as the territorial extent of the deity’s cult. This discovery helps to better delineate the heritage territory of the Vascones and their religious practices at the end of the 1st century A.D.
The votive altar was officially presented in the church of San Vicente de Larunbe, with the participation of prominent political and academic figures. The event featured two monographs on the altar and the Arriaundi site, a documentary report on the discovery, and a mural dedicated to Larrahe, created by muralist Iker Uribe.
SOURCES
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.