Spain's La Almoloya excavation campaign underway

Until 15 September, the research team and UAB students will complete the exploration of the most recent and “palatial” part of the urban tissue of La Almoloya, (1750-1600 BCE) and conduct stratigraphic surveys in some areas with the aim of discovering the social and economic development of the site since it was founded, in approximately 2200 BCE.

General view of the main buildings discovered in La Almoloya in Pliego 
[Credit: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]

The campaign will be directed by members of the research group ASOME of the Department of Prehistory: Vicente Lull, Cristina Rihuete, Rafael Micó and Roberto Risch, with the participation of a group of some fifteen undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students carrying out their work placements.

The research tasks conducted until now have permitted scientists to discover the unique archaeological wealth found at La Almoloya. The site, located at the Murcian locality of Pliego, was the cradle of the El Argar society, which inhabited the southeastern part of the Iberian peninsula during the Bronze Age.

In 2013, researchers announced the discovery of a rich historic and archaeological heritage at the site, and highlighted the existence of a palatial compound and a royal tomb with objects of great value such as a silver diadem, considered to be the only one from that period currently conserved in Spain.

See also: Bronze Age palace and grave goods discovered Spain

Source: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona [June 25, 2016]