This report summarizes the results of the archaeological fieldwork undertaken from April 16th to June 20th 2018 at La Bastida (Totana, Spain). The site was one of the main urban centers of El Argar, an Early Bronze Age culture of south-east Iberia (ca. 2200-1500 BCE). The most significant result of the campaign is the discovery of a complex hydraulic system connected to the La Bastida fortification. This includes a group of sloped pools likely used for harvesting runoff rainwater, known from a previous campaign, and a newly-found rock-cut canal. The canal was cut deeply into the geological substratum of the mountain and possibly collected water from the nearby watercourse (Barranco Salado). In a preliminary fashion, we propose to date this complex to the earliest phase of La Bastida (ca. 2200-2025 BCE), alongside the original construction of the fortification. To the best of our knowledge, this is so far the oldest large rock-cut water conduit of the world, especially in combination with military architecture.
Archaeological Excavation at La Bastida 2018 (April-June): Fieldwork Report
Miguel Valério;
2018
Abstract
This report summarizes the results of the archaeological fieldwork undertaken from April 16th to June 20th 2018 at La Bastida (Totana, Spain). The site was one of the main urban centers of El Argar, an Early Bronze Age culture of south-east Iberia (ca. 2200-1500 BCE). The most significant result of the campaign is the discovery of a complex hydraulic system connected to the La Bastida fortification. This includes a group of sloped pools likely used for harvesting runoff rainwater, known from a previous campaign, and a newly-found rock-cut canal. The canal was cut deeply into the geological substratum of the mountain and possibly collected water from the nearby watercourse (Barranco Salado). In a preliminary fashion, we propose to date this complex to the earliest phase of La Bastida (ca. 2200-2025 BCE), alongside the original construction of the fortification. To the best of our knowledge, this is so far the oldest large rock-cut water conduit of the world, especially in combination with military architecture.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
