The recent preliminary report on the interventions carried out between August and October 2024 at the Libisosa Archaeological Park in Lezuza (Albacete, Spain) has highlighted significant advances in the understanding of the Roman phase of this historical site. From the construction of the Republican wall by the army to the decline of the city in the Imperial era, the most recent findings have allowed for a better understanding of its evolution and transformation over the centuries.
Beyond the goal of improving access to the Archaeological Park, the excavation in Sector 17 falls within the scope of so-called “Conflict Archaeology,” focused on the impact of the Sertorian Wars (82-72 BCE) on the Iberian Oretan oppidum. This military confrontation led to the instantaneous destruction of the settlement located on the Cerro del Castillo de Lezuza, an event that has left a tangible mark in the form of human remains and an exceptionally well-preserved archaeological record.
As a result, sealed urban contexts have been identified, offering a privileged window into the past, allowing for a highly precise reconstruction of the economic, social, and cultural reality of the last Iberian phase and its initial contact with Rome.
One of the most relevant discoveries of the campaign has been the confirmation that after the destruction of the Iberian enclave, a Roman army—possibly the one responsible for the assault—proceeded with the hurried construction of a defensive wall three meters thick. This structure, built with a double facing of ordinary masonry and an infill of stones and earth, has been investigated at different points of the site. Until now, the North, Northwest, and South Gates of this wall were known, but recent work at the East Gate has provided crucial information about its layout and functionality.
Excavations in Sector 17 began in 2022 with the discovery of the southern tower of the East Gate, a finding complemented in the 2023 campaign with the identification of a second tower on the opposite side of the entrance. During 2024, the intervention has allowed for a more detailed documentation of the construction evolution of this monumental entrance, as well as the various levels of occupation and abandonment associated with its use in the Imperial era. Additionally, the expansion of the excavation has revealed the existence of an extramural building, which could provide new insights into the urban expansion of the Roman colony of Libisosa.
In Trench 3, located in the northern half of the sector, most of the efforts of this campaign have been concentrated. The excavation has extended the discovered section of the wall 14 meters northward, confirming its thickening to the usual three meters. Likewise, the exploration of extramural abandonment levels has revealed the presence of a garbage dump with a notable concentration of Terra Sigillata ceramics, a type of fine tableware from the Imperial era that provides valuable information about consumption and trade habits in the colony.
Furthermore, the exhumation of the strata located on the northern face of the north tower of the East Gate has been completed, allowing for a more precise documentation of the stratigraphic sequence. This stratigraphic analysis is essential for understanding the evolution and functionality of the fortification, as well as for establishing more precise chronologies regarding the use of the wall and its subsequent abandonment.
One of the most surprising discoveries of this campaign has been the identification of a Roman extramural building, located in front of the north tower of the East Gate. Although its exact delineation and function still require further study, the presence of an N-S oriented wall and abundant remains of Roman tiles suggest that it is a large structure. This discovery is highly significant, as no Roman buildings had been documented outside the walled perimeter until now, opening new lines of research on urban planning and the development of the colony.
In the southern half of the sector, the so-called Trench 2, various abandonment levels have been identified, providing an exceptionally varied material record. Among the most notable finds are fragments of Iberian amphorae, tiles, cooking ceramics, and rhomboidal bricks, characteristic of public buildings. Additionally, a complete Hispanic annular fibula, a spindle whorl, and a bronze button have been recovered, elements that help outline the transition between the Iberian and Roman phases in Libisosa.
The discoveries made during this campaign have not only refined knowledge about the construction and use of the Republican Roman wall but have also revealed unprecedented information about the processes of abandonment and transformation of the site during the Imperial era. The confirmation of the existence of an extramural building represents a highly interesting future line of research, whose excavation in upcoming campaigns will allow for a more detailed understanding of its function and chronology.
Looking ahead to future interventions, the excavation of the 9-meter gap between the two towers of the East Gate is planned, with the aim of determining whether there are remains of foundations or structures associated with the entrance. Additionally, efforts will be made to adapt the sector for accessibility and enhancement within the framework of the Archaeological Park.
The Libisosa Project has been funded in 2024 by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Castilla-La Mancha, the Albacete Provincial Council, the Albacete Studies Institute, and the Lezuza City Council. The excavation has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of the University of Murcia, which has provided archaeological technicians and student interns, along with personnel from the municipal employment plan.
The advances in Libisosa’s research reaffirm the importance of this site as a witness to the historical evolution of the Iberian Peninsula, from the Iberian period to the consolidation of Roman rule. Future excavations will continue to provide fundamental insights into the history of this fascinating ancient city.
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
There is life on planet K2-18b: Strongest signs yet of biological activity detected outside the Solar System
A team of astronomers led by the University of Cambridge has detected the chemical fingerprints of possible signs of life on a planet outside the solar system. Using data from…
Archaeologists Discover a Roman Castellum on the Banks of the Danube, the First Found in Austria
For the first time, an archaeological investigation has conclusively documented the existence of a brückenkopfkastell—a Roman auxiliary outpost castle erected at a strategic river crossing point—on Austrian soil. The discovery,…
Prehistoric Sun Protection: How Homo sapiens Survived the Planet’s Magnetic Reversal 41,000 Years Ago
A recent study led by the University of Michigan suggests that Homo sapiens who inhabited Europe around 41,000 years ago may have survived a period of intense solar radiation thanks…
Magenta, the Color Born from a Battle
The history of colors is intertwined with the evolution of humanity, reflecting scientific advances, cultural conquests, and historical moments that have left an indelible mark on our perception of the…
This Is How Humans Managed to Make Fire During the Ice Age Glaciation
For millennia, fire has been considered an essential element for human survival: it not only provided warmth in hostile climates but also enabled food cooking, tool-making, and even served as…
A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures
At the top of the archaeological site of Creuzier-le-Neuf, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has uncovered an extensive necropolis dated…
Ancient Inscriptions, Heraldic Shields, and Drawings Deciphered in the Cenacle of Jerusalem Built by the Crusaders
An international team of researchers has succeeded in identifying and analyzing dozens of medieval graffiti in one of Christianity’s holiest sites, the Cenacle of Jerusalem, the place where tradition says…
The Military Secrets of Urartu: How a Forgotten Kingdom Challenged the Mighty Assyrian Empire
In the mountains of eastern Anatolia, during the Iron Age between the 9th and 6th centuries BC, a kingdom arose that challenged one of the greatest powers of its time:…
Maximator, the intelligence alliance formed by five European countries that ended up being spied on by their own machines
Military alliances are interstate political agreements signed to achieve common defense. They have existed since Antiquity (remember, for instance, the leagues formed by the Greek city-states), and although their most…
Roman Sculpture Head Found at the Tombe di Via Latina, Reused in the Foundations of a Christian Basilica
A spectacular stone head, possibly representing a bearded male deity, has been discovered in the archaeological area of the Tombe di Via Latina in Rome, during excavations at the Basilica…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
