The ‘castellum’ of Tossal de la Cala de Benidorm has hidden among its remains elements such as a founding amphora or numerous materials that make it easy for archaeologists to determine what life was like in the castle. But they are not the only ones as he continues to make discoveries in successive phases of the response. The most relevant to date is the discovery of an exceptional element: inscultura, an engraving he carved into rock more than 2,000 years ago One of the inhabitants of the Roman walls.
It’s a “relief of outstanding historical significance,” as described in a report by University of Alicante professor Jesús Moratalla, technical director of the excavations. The composition consists of tthree recognizable elements: a human face, a cornucopia, and a phallus. All this in an area of 57×42 centimeters. But Moratalla and his team believe it. This scene will be “probably incomplete” because the “upper right quadrant” is missing.
Ana Pellicer, Member of the Historical and Cultural Heritage Council, said: It happened by chance at the end of January 2020, on the hill where the ‘castellum’ sits, after a heavy rain event.”. As the mayor explained, “from the very first moment the team of archaeologists informed us that it is a very relevant find because of its uniqueness. There are no parallel references to engravings and reliefs of similar composition in areas once dominated by Rome. During the Republic period, when the Tossal castle was registered”.
The exceptional feature of the find and The need to ensure its preservation has led the City Council and the technical team of Tossal de la Cala to “manage this discovery with the utmost discretion”.only to the authorized institutions such as the General Directorate of Heritage of the Ministry of National Education, Culture and Sports”.
Since then, on the road to the pandemic, “the greatest concern of all parties has been to ensure the protection of inscultura”. remained hidden all this time from there “Find solutions that allow it to be exhibited with maximum guarantees without separating it from Tossal”. So, in Museumization project within the scope of Tourism Sustainability Plan ‘Benidorm DTI + Seguro’“Special attention was paid to the preservation of the engraving and how it would be displayed in safe and accessible conditions”, which is in its final stages; something that will come true in the coming months.
It should not be forgotten that a new intervention is being made to the “castellum”. Budget of just over 400.000 Euro and European funds through the Benidorm DTI + Seguro Plan, which opened up three new areas and others. complementary actions so that more elements of the site can be seen without risking ruins.
Specifically, the action currently being executed, fourth stage of the project museumization This old wall With the aim of “finalizing the 2020 intervention, integrating new findings, and obtaining a complete interpretation of the castellum,” Roman said. Location “a scientific and academic reference Roman times, especially “Sertorian Wars”.