The XVIII MARQ Excavations Campaign in the Medieval Town of Ifach has made it possible to complete the work of documentation and removal of the entire West Gate stone arcade of the site. The deputy for Culture, Juan de Dios NavarroThis morning he visited this important archaeological site, located in Calp, to see first-hand the results of this research work, which has also included the excavation of the last three tombs uncovered in the necropolis area.
"The archaeological heritage that exists on this site makes it a special and unique site with enormous possibilities, as its recovery allows us to bring an important part of the history of our ancestors closer to the citizens," said the deputy, who was accompanied by the mayoress of the town, Ana Salathe director of MARQ, Manuel OlcinaThe archaeologist in charge of the campaign and archaeologist at the Alicante museum, José Luis MenéndezThe Director General for the Natural and Animal Environment, Raúl Méridathe provincial deputy and councillor of Calp, Ximo Perlesand the national deputy, César Sánchez.
The documentation and removal of the entire stone arcade of the West Gate, which was partially unearthed last summer, will allow for a complete reconstruction of the arcade. rebuilding the entrance archThis is a fundamental space in the urban planning of the city, as this gateway was used to access the Ifach settlements.
The work in the consecrated funerary area, located next to the church of Beata Santa María, consisted of the following excavation of the last three tombs to be uncoveredwhose study is key to to get to know the identity and way of life of men and women who built and inhabited this medieval city.
In this sense, José Luis Menéndez explained that, so far and thanks to the interventions carried out in successive campaigns, "70 tombs have been located with a total of 108 buried bodies, giving rise to a valuable archive of data that will allow us to know in depth details of the life cycle, diet and circumstances of the daily life of the inhabitants of Ifach".
Since 2005, the Diputación has invested more than 400,000 euros in this project developed by MARQ with the collaboration of Calp Town Council and the Regional Ministry of Environment, Water, Infrastructures and Territory. "This is a unique work focused on studying our roots as a people and our cultural heritage implanted in medieval times," said the deputy, who has specified that in this eighteenth edition have participated, in addition to the technicians, twelve volunteers from the Universities of Valencia and Alicante.
In addition, and in parallel to the archaeological research tasks, the Alicante Provincial Council has continued with the work of preventive conservation on the site. Under the direction of the head of the Architecture Department, Rafael PérezIn the past, work has focused on the consolidation of Tower 7one of the bastions protecting the West Gate, and of the cimiteriumThis year a collector has been placed in the pavement to concentrate the rainwater and prevent it from damming and damaging the uncovered tombs and walls.
"The actions led by the MARQ over the last eighteen years have uncovered the fabric of a medieval city founded during the 13th-14th centuries and buried on the slopes of Penyal d'fac, a natural wonder of the Valencian Community. The remains preserved allow us to propose a project to enhance the value of the 220,000 visitors to the Natural Park to contemplate and get to know this site from the medieval period," concluded Navarro.
