The Archaeological Museum of Alicante continues with the summer excavation campaign at the site of the Medieval town of Ifachwhere the following have already been located eleven new graves which bring the number of documented burials up to the number of 53 burials. A total of forty students from seventeen Spanish and European universities are taking part in this project, which will be extended until 31 August next.
Among the discoveries that have been made this summer in the area of the necropolis is the identification of a second double tomb in primary position, several child burialsas well as some graves that were emptied with the aim of creating new spaces. It was precisely this overcrowding that forced the level of burials to be filled and new tombs to be placed, taking the precaution of leaving the old ones marked to prevent one being placed on top of the other.
This interesting case of funerary space management is fundamental in the necropolis of Ifach, a sacred area established around the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles.explained the deputy for Culture Juan Bautista RosellóHe added that The anthropological study of these finds will provide key information to understand the life and difficulties faced by the settlers who inhabited this medieval settlement, built at the end of the 13th century and abandoned at the beginning of the 15th century..
Through this excavation programme, now in its tenth year, which is supported by the collaboration of the Calp Town Hall and the Conselleria de Infrestructures, Territory and EnvironmentThe MARQ aims to highlight, research and raise awareness of the rich archaeological heritage of the municipality.
The work carried out has also made it possible to determine some of the social levels of the timeThe excavations have located individuals such as a prominent man or an ecclesiastical official who carried in his hands a grail made of pewter in the style of numerous burials found in the Catalan area, more than likely the origin of the settlers who occupied Ifach.
Next to the new tombs have been located,in addition,various objects that could have belonged to these settlers as a bronze pendant shell-shaped, various beads or coinssome of them belonging to the reign of Pedro IV of Aragon (1336-1387).
