Vacceo-Roman burials discovered in Spain's Pintia archaeological site

The Pintia site in Padilla de Duero (Valladolid) continues to offer new discoveries that shed light on the era of the Vaccea, Roman and Visigothic occupation at the 125 hectare archaeological site. In June, a series of excavations began, which are scheduled to continue until the end of August, and which have led to the discovery of four tombs dating from the 2nd century BC in the Roman Vacceo necropolis of Las Ruedas.

Excavation of a second century burial  site at the Pintia site
[Credit: Valladolid City Council]

In two sectors, about 32 square metres in area, some twenty limestone funerary stelae have been found which indicated the original location of the burials, two of which are notable for the abundance and richness of the grave goods they contain.

Excavation of a second century burial site at the Pintia site
[Credit: Valladolid City Council]

In the 310th grave, thirteen ceramic vases have been found, while in the 308th, 43 objects have been found, part a warrior's funerary trousseau, including ceramic vases, a dagger, a belt, a javelin tip, a grazier, fire tongs and a bronze piece with figures of a horse may be a 'ruler's staff'.

Excavation of a second century burial site at the Pintia site
[Credit: Valladolid City Council]

"These finds make this one of the ten best assemblages recovered so far in a site which will celebrate 40 years of continuous work in 2019," said Carlos Sanz Mínguez, director of the Federico Wattenberg Center for Vaccine Studies.

Archaeologist Carlos Sanz Mínguez, on the left, cleans and documents, together with the team of researchers,
the pieces from the 2nd century BC found in the grave 308 [Credit: Agapito Ojosnegros]

In the six hectares which the cemetery of Las Ruedas covers, it is estimated that there are some 100,000 burials from different periods of historical occupation, between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC as well as the Common Era.

A Kernos, a ritual vessel from the 2nd century BC found in one of the tombs of Pintia
[Credit: Agapito Ojosnegros]

Over the 39 years of excavations, 311 graves have been unearthed, from which hundreds of artefacts have been recovered, studied and preserved at the Federico Wattenberg Study Centre, part of the University of Valladolid, which promotes the conservation, research and dissemination of the archaeological area of Pintia.

For the remainder of the campaign, the research team of a dozen archaeologists, students and volunteers will intervene in an area of more than 16 square meters where new findings are expected.

Source: El Norte de Castilla [July 13, 2018]

TANN

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