Date Published: 15/02/2024

Incredible new finds at 1,000-year-old Spanish cemetery buried under empty lot full of trash

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Researchers have made an amazing archaeological discovery at the Moorish cemetery in the town of Alhama, which had been abandoned for years

New archaeological discoveries have been made at the Moorish maqbara (cemetery) in the southern Spanish town of Alhama de Murcia, where previously there was just an empty lot that had been abandoned for years and which was covered in rubbish and dirt.

This formerly disused space, which is located at the town’s central Calle Vergara Pérez near the Archaeology Museum and its 11th-century castle, is now the site of an important archaeological dig in Alhama that is shedding light on the settlements and funerary practices of the past.

The Moorish occupation of Spain began in around the 8th century CE when Muslim invaders from northern Africa conquered mainland Spain. Over the next 700 years or so of rule, they left an important architectural and cultural mark on Spain that researchers are still just uncovering today.

Archaeologist Juan Antonio Ramírez, who is working on the Alhama dig site, explained that the excavation is revealing a series of burials corresponding to the Andalusí period, which show the coexistence of different communities in the area throughout history. Excavation work only began a couple of months ago, in December, but already it has revealed a series of finds spanning from the 11th to the 15th centuries. It is hoped that the completion of the excavation will reveal even more information about how the town of Alhama de Murcia was laid out in bygone times.

“This discovery is fundamental to understanding the urban evolution of Alhama de Murcia over the centuries,” said Juan Antonio. “We have identified the last traces of the Andalusí population, which confirms the importance of this area as an inhabited nucleus in past times.”

While visiting the works this week, town Mayor María Cánovas commented on this important discovery: “When we took over the municipal government, we identified this space as an opportunity to recover a place of historical value for our town. This discovery motivates us to continue working on the preservation and dissemination of our heritage.”

Indeed, this discovery is the result of a municipal investment by the town hall of 12,000 euros, which is being putting towards research that will enhance the historical heritage of Alhama de Murcia.

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Incredibly, the initial impetus for the find didn’t come entirely from an interest in preserving the town’s history. Town Councillor for Culture and Heritage, Ginés José Muñoz, had always wanted to clean up and learn more about the history of this previously abandoned space, and not just for its historical value, but because the rubbish piling up their “had become a nuisance” for the local people living nearby.

In addition to the historical value, Alhama de Murcia Town Council plans to add value to this recovered space by eventually turning it into a visitor centre for the castle and a starting point for tourist visits to the future archaeological site in the castle itself. Not just that, but they also plan to create a garden and rest areas so that local residents can enjoy the site too.

Although the excavation is not yet complete, this discovery represents an important step in the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Alhama de Murcia, and the Town Council is committed to funding projects that will enhance the value of these spaces and promote cultural tourism in the municipality.

For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Alhama Today

Images: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia

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Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.