Archaeological work at the San Esteban site in Murcia has uncovered structural evidence of a first-century Roman settlement that was previously unknown. This discovery expands the historical sequence of the location, which also features confirmed medieval occupation. The Roman remains were identified during two of the 58 archaeological sondages conducted since March. These excavations reached the water table, located approximately two meters below the rest of the inspected area.
Clemente López Sánchez, the director of the project, stated on Monday that the abundance of ceramics found allows researchers to place a Roman settlement in this region of southern Spain with 99.9% probability. The findings include underfloor heating systems, oil lamps, imported ceramics, domestic objects, a Roman coin, and a small idol bearing neo-Cufic inscriptions.
The excavations also provided new data regarding the medieval period at the site. Researchers were able to anticipate the start of the occupation of the medieval suburb to the 10th century, revising previous estimates that placed it between the 12th and 13th centuries. Furthermore, evidence suggests this occupation extended until the 14th century. Once the sondages are concluded, the recovery and musealization project plans to construct a plaza over the discovered remains.
Sources: Observador.