Water workers in the south Spain discovered an “unprecedented well-preserved necropolis of underground limestone domes where the Phoenicians living on the Iberian Peninsula 2,500 years ago are estimated to have buried their dead.
According to the Guardian, archaeologists exploring the site – which lies between Roman ruins in the city of Osuna, 55 miles (90 km) east of Seville – say the Phoenician-Carthaginian cemetery dates back to the fourth or fifth century BC. . and is extremely unusual as such sites are usually in coastal areas rather than inland.
A well preserved 5th century BC #Phoenician necropolis has been discovered in the town of Osuna, Spain.
This type of tomb is usually found on the coast. It is surprising that it was found inland.
Its age and degree of conservation, are unprecedented in the interior of Andalusia pic.twitter.com/vwueSMu8b9
– Hommage to Phoenicia 🏛 (@CanaanPhoenicia) April 27, 2022
Although its ruins Roman city Urso is well known, the discovery of the Phoenician necropolis has surprised archaeologists and locals.
The only similar finds have been found off the coast of Cadiz, founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. and is one of the oldest and most continuously inhabited cities in Europe.
Preliminary excavations have so far found eight burial domes as well as stairs and sites believed to have served as atriums.
The Andalusian regional government’s culture and heritage department, which oversees the excavations, said archaeologists had discovered “a series of remains of undeniable historical value” that is “unprecedented in the Andalusian hinterland”.
Discovery in Osuna, southern Spain, of a well-preserved necropolis of subterranean limestone vaults with eight well tombs, atriums and staircase access where the Phoenicians who lived on the Iberian peninsula 2,500 years ago laid their deadhttps: //t.co/1hgHbgYSIV pic.twitter.com/lwMCx2Lu7h
– Alfons López Tena 🦇 (@alfonslopeztena) April 26, 2022
Lead archaeologist Mario Delgado described the discovery as very important and very unexpected. “To find a necropolis from the Phoenician and Carthaginian eras with these characteristics – with eight tombs, atriums and access to stairs – you have to look at Sardinia or even Carthage itself,” he said.
GUARDIAN
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
