Archaeological excavation campaign at the Alcudia site in Elche Ladies and heroes. After Ilici of IberiaThe incident, which ended in September, came to light a construction system in the wall intended to withstand seismic movements of your field.
This was stated by Alberto Lorrio, professor of Prehistory at UA and Hector UrozFor a month, the professor at the University of Murcia led a team of UA researchers who intervened in so-called Sector 11, where the Lady of Elche was found in 1897, to provide information about the earliest Iberian phases. .
Throughout this year, work has focused on repairing the wall. 28 linear meters have already been excavatedAnd in documentation of interiors A total of eight rooms are attached to it, which could correspond to four or five houses, according to Lorrio.
Examination of the wall revealed Its structure using sturdy drawers, A technique of eastern origin that offers the uniqueness of using different materials in each of the sections defined in La Alcudia. “We think the use of different caissons to build the wall is intended to give the wall greater flexibility so that it can withstand seismic movements in the area.or this is especially evident in the use of masonry and different techniques, called earthenware architecture.“Just like adobe or clay,” says the researcher, noting that building in this way provides greater durability, which means very good protection.
Likewise, studies conducted in the field last month revealed at least this: two flood events, sign up for some fire levels.
The archaeological context of the Lady
The study, conducted between 2017 and 2023, initially José Uroz, UA professor of Ancient HistoryUncovers material remains of Iberian phases The oldest, in La Alcudia, dates from the 5th century BC. C.. The discovery of the wall and its associated urban ruins constitutes, for the first time, an innovation of great importance. knowing the archaeological context Lady of Elche.
“In the next campaign, 2024, The second phase of the museumization of the excavated sector. Specifically, we want to highlight the wall and additional urban planning, but also the contemporary irrigation canal running through the sector, even its dividers have been preserved, showing the most recent history of La Alcudia for the visitor to understand. detected remains,” says the professor.
The multidisciplinary team that took part in the excavations this year consisted of the following people: Approximately twenty doctoral candidates and students and collaborating experts from the University of Alicante and Murcia, As professor of Earth Sciences and Environment at UA Juan Carlos Canaveras and curator of the Prehistoric Museum of Valencia Carlos Ferrer, among others. We should also mention the work carried out by three workers recruited from La Alcudia, thanks to the cooperation agreement with the Elche City Council.
domus
The Domus-La Alcudia project team will take over the excavations at La Alcudia at the end of October. consisting of researchers INAPH University of Alicante, University of Murcia and CSIC (Higher Scientific Research Centre), purpose of Domus-La Alcudia (University Research Institute of Archeology and Historical Heritage) documenting the history of the settlement, from birth until today.
In order to know how the city transformed in different periods, the team led by UA Archeology professor Sonia Gutiérrez and professors Julia Sarabia, Victoria Amorós and Jesús Moratalla, all from the field of Archeology at the University of Alicante, set three goals for this campaign: ancient document A native Iberian settlement on which an important structure was built during the Punic Wars; excavate to expand final stages dThe area corresponding to the Roman, Visigothic and Islamic periods; And report what was discovered Thus, the settlement dates back to B.C. Its historical development, starting from the 4th century, can be followed and visited in all its diachronicity. C. to IX d. C.