Recent archaeological investigations, led by experts from the Institute of Archaeology of Mérida (IAM), have brought to light the remains of an ancient Vacceo-Roman city, hidden underground for more than 15 centuries. This discovery was made possible through the application of advanced geophysical technology, specifically the use of ground-penetrating radar, which has revealed the urban structure of Saldania, a city whose history dates back to the Bronze Age.

The team of archaeologists, headed by Jesús García Sánchez, Carlos Cáceres, and Jaime Gutiérrez Pérez, has successfully mapped out this ancient city located at Alto de la Morterona, near modern Saldaña, Palencia (Spain). This site is of particular significance due to its proximity to the well-known Roman Villa of La Olmeda, offering an exceptional opportunity to study the interrelationship between urban centers and rural villas during Late Antiquity, around the 3rd century AD. In this initial phase of the project, the focus is on studying the characteristics of the urban core of Saldania from its pre-Roman origins to its development during the Roman period.

The settlement has its roots in the Bronze Age, but it was during the Second Iron Age that it began to consolidate as an important Celtiberian center. Later, under Roman rule, the city reached its peak between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, before experiencing a decline in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.

Detail of structures located in Saldania
Detail of structures located in Saldania. Credit: Jesús García Sánchez / CSIC

During this later phase, large rural villas like the aforementioned La Olmeda emerged. Despite the city’s decline, Saldania remained significant during the Visigothic period, as evidenced by the minting of coins with the legend “SALDANIA PIVS” under five Visigothic kings, including Leovigild and Chindasuinth. The importance of the site endured through the Middle Ages, although it was eventually destroyed by Almanzor in 995. While its urban center shifted towards the castle area, artisanal activity, especially pottery, continued until the 14th century.

In recent weeks, the prospecting work has covered approximately 10 hectares of the 53 that make up the site. These efforts have revealed details of the urban layout and various Roman-era buildings, notably including public baths.

The research, supported by the Provincial Government of Palencia, the City Council of Saldaña, and the Minimal Invasion Archaeology Laboratory of the IAM-CSIC, has relied on the use of advanced ground-penetrating radar with 32 antennas and a frequency of 600 megahertz, allowing penetration of subsurface layers and obtaining detailed images of the buried structures.

Archaeologists working at Saldania with georadar
Archaeologists working at Saldania with georadar. Credit: Jesús García Sánchez / CSIC

In addition to the use of ground-penetrating radar, the research team has employed multispectral drones to capture aerial photographs of the site, helping to confirm some of the findings. These technological advances are helping archaeologists to expand their understanding of the city’s layout and to formulate new hypotheses about its evolution and use during different historical periods. According to Adolfo Palacios Rodríguez, the mayor of Saldaña, cultural heritage is key to the municipality’s development, emphasizing the intention to continue investigations towards the slopes of the site.

Researcher Jesús García Sánchez highlights the importance of geophysical prospecting in modern archaeology, as it allows for the identification and assessment of the extent of archaeological sites without the need for invasive excavations. This technique not only facilitates the planning of future archaeological campaigns but also helps protect and preserve underground heritage.

However, along with these discoveries, acts of looting have also been detected in the area, leading to increased surveillance with the collaboration of agents from the Seprona unit of the Civil Guard. Jaime Gutiérrez, another archaeologist involved, stresses the importance of raising local awareness about the value of these findings to prevent the loss of a heritage that belongs to everyone.

SOURCES

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) – Instituto de Arqueología de Mérida

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