A professor heading the  Department of Prehistory & Archaeology at Granada University was glowing in his appraisal of a 6th-Century necropolis in the province.

“There is nothing like it; it is a unique find,” referring to the archeaological remains found during the excavation work on a new solar-panel farm in Chimeneas (Alhama de Granada), said Professor Andrés María Adroher.

The necropolis is especially relevant because, according to the expert, it will shed light on a still largely unknown period of history: the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. It will a provide deeper knowledge of these late Bronze Age societies that lacked a specific name, making the discovery a national “milestone.”

The Italian, energy company Plenitude, owns the solar-plant where ground clearing was going ahead on the 264-hectare plot. In compliance with project-authorisation requirements, measures were being taken to protect the natural environment and conserve the soil; hence the discovery of the necropolis, which no doubt had the construction company and the project owners grinding their teeth in frustration. 

What was uncovered were funerary items: ceramics and fragments of Phoenician amphorae, which prove a previously unknown trade route between the coast (Almuñécar) and the inland Vega region.

So what are the next steps: the remains have been moved to the Museo Arqueológico de Granada for analysis by researchers from the University of Granada (UGR). 

Professor Andrés María Adroher has recommended that the site be protected and potentially opened to the public, which will please the multi-national, Italian company and the construction company even further…

(News: Chimeneas, Alhama de Granada, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Solar Farm, Iberian Remains, Bronze Age, Iron Age, 6th Century, Almuñécar, Trad Route, Pheonician Amphorae

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