When they began the project in 2023, the scientists hoped to find at least one settlement in the Sierra de Cádiz region, but were shocked to discover 57 sites of “unprecedented nature” from the era of the Roman Empire.
The team believes that the newly discovered settlements were linked by trade and communication routes in the region.
Scientists from the University of Cádiz in Spain focused on settlements in the areas around Arcos de la Frontera, Bornos, Villamartin and Puerto Serrano, which are linked together by the Guadalete River, leading the team to believe they were part of a hidden empire.
In the search, scientists used geospatial radar, a device that sends radar pulses beneath the land to detect any hidden objects.
Last May, Macarena Lara and her team began excavating the Roman villa “El Canuelo” in Bornos, hoping to uncover the archaeological heritage of the area.
The team was also able to investigate other sites for the first time since their discovery in the 1980s and 1990s, using multispectral cameras that capture images and colours not normally visible to the naked eye.
The findings could help scientists develop a better understanding of the Roman Empire’s presence in the Guadalete River Valley more than 2,000 years ago, the scientists said.
“The data we have has allowed us to create an important base of archaeological information and documentation to continue research in the coming years in this environment. Our main goal is to continue excavations and surveys with unconventional techniques and tools that will be complemented by the study of existing contexts,” Lara said.
The Romans settled the Guadalete River after their invasion of Spain in 264 BC, but scientists have not yet confirmed when the newly discovered structures were built.
Source: Daily Mail
#Discovery #Hidden #Empire #Spain
2024-08-16 12:59:01
