Ancient site ready for excavation
PREPARATORY work for archaeological excavations has been carried out by the council in Orihuela at a site known as Los Saladares, which was occupied from the 11th to the 4th centuries BC.
Located in a protected natural area known as Los Cabecicos Verdes, between the rural districts of Arneva and Los Desamparados, it was the site of an important settlement which originated in the late Bronze Age, continued through the Iron Age and then became Iberian.
It was one of the first areas where the process of Iberianisation could be studied and evaluated, whereby Greek and Phoenician influences were assimilated by the indigenous peoples and ended up forging Iberian culture
Councillor for heritage Rafael Almagro said on Friday that the archaeological and research work will begin within two weeks. So far, the council has cleared overgrowth, reabling paired the perimeter fence and signposted the 10,000 square metre area, he explained.
Surveys using ground-penetrating radar have been completed to a great depth, enthe archaeological remains to be located precisely without requiring deep excavations, and a precision drone was used to carry out the cartographical work.
He noted that they were waiting for authorisation to remove dangerous asbestos from derelict structures that were built for previous excavations in the 1970s.
Archaeologists who are finishing their doctorates and other specialists will be coming to work at the site, under the supervision of Alicante university professor of prehistory, Alberto Lorrio.
The town hall and the university have signed an agreement to study and excavate Los Saladares over the next four years, with the eventual aim of turning it into a museum.