The Archaeological Museum of Alicante exhibits in Calp part of the valuable collection of pieces which, over the years, has been found in the excavations at the site of the Illeta del Banyets. Numerous objects of prehistoric times, Iberian and Roman make up this exhibition which, after its visit to El Campello, will remain in the 'Ajuntament Vell' exhibition hall in this town in the Marina Alta region. until 31 March next.
The Member of Parliament for Culture Juan Bautista Roselló and the mayor of the municipality César Sánchez Pérez inaugurated this collection, which, under the title "La Illeta dels Banyets. A bridge from the past to the future", aims to disseminate and bring the history, characteristics and recovery process of this valuable enclave closer to the public. The event was also attended by the councillor of Culture Miguel Ángel Martínezthe technical director of MARQ Manuel Olcinathe director of Museums of Calp Amparo González and the curators of the exhibition Rafael Pérez and Adoración Martínez.
With a design agile and visualthe exhibition addresses the geophysical evolution of the terrain to give the visitor an understanding of the natural environment in which the life of the cultures that settled there developed. On the other hand, from a historical perspective, it takes a look at the characteristics of each of the peoples who inhabited the land of the Illeta. Finally, from the point of view of recovery, the exhibition is about explaining and conveying the efforts that have been made in the area to consolidate and restore its architectural structuresThe project is based on fundamental principles, highlighting the main techniques used and the projects to be tackled in the future.
In order to broaden its specific content, the exhibition also includes detailed information about the Roman fish farms of Los Baños de la Reina in CalpThis allows the visitor to compare the characteristics of this enclave with those of El Campello and to discover surprising aspects of these facilities.
Roselló explained that after its exhibition in El Campello, the collection now begins its tour of the province. This action is part of the MARQ's programme of assistance to municipalities in the recovery, conservation and enhancement of Alicante's archaeological heritage. The idea is that the exhibition will later visit Xàbia because this municipality is also known for its Roman fish farms..
The exhibition also pays tribute to scholars such as The Blessed Dean, the Count of Lumiares, Ceán Bermúdez, Francisco Figueras Pacheco and Enrique LlobregatThe project was also of interest to the archaeological park, which also includes a series of projects to enhance the site and its surroundings.
The exhibition, the result of joint work between the MARQ, the Architecture Department of the Diputación de Alicante and the Calp Town Council, is also complemented with various explanatory panels and with the edition of an audiovisual which describes the history, the origin of the objects found and the importance of the archaeological site.
Illeta dels Banyets
The Illeta dels Banyets, located in the Alicante municipality of El Campello, was inhabited since the Late Neolithic period with discontinuous occupation.. Representatives of the Argar culture settled in its territory during the Middle Bronze Age, a commercial emporion was built in the Iberian period and a villa with fish farms was erected in the Roman period.
In 1999 it became a public space after its acquisition by the Diputación de Alicante which, since then, has been developing an important effort to recover and enhance the value of this enclave.. Likewise, the provincial institution focuses its efforts on offering the public a cultural space where it can understand the history of this site while enjoying an unparalleled scenic setting.
