The Almuñécar Councilor for Culture & Heritage, Alberto García Gilabert, announced an important archaeological discovery in the Parque del Majuelo.

Councillor García explained that after archaeological research centred upon the old town walls where restoration was taking place (Muralla de La Alfarería) they had come across a hidden entrance through the walls.

In the northern end of the park there is an imposing Roman-period building that was thought to have been a temple dedicated to the goddess, Minerva A large, staggered ramp was attached to it that led to a door, through which large quantities of water passed, fed from the Roman Aqueduct.

But the most interesting thing about the discovery was how in the Medieval Period people used Roman building material for the town’s defensive walls.

“In the Taifa era [independent Islamic kingdoms], the Muslim army used Roman-period building to set the wall line, reusing construction material to build a defensive tower to keep watch over the river and coast,” explained the municipal archaeologist, Elena Navas.

Knowledge on medieval, defensive structures has been scarce and most finds have been put down to the Nasrid time period. However, it is now thought that this doorway or passage belongs to the 11th Century.

The hidden entrance is partially preserved and there are probably more remains incorportated in nearby housing inside the walls. The door is believed to part of a barbican; i.e., a tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Town Walls, Barbican, Roman Aqueduct, Roman Temple, Minerva, Medieval Period, Muslim, Taifa, Majuelo Park, Fish-Salting Factory