The work carried out during the excavation campaign of the Illeta dels Banyets have the exhibition space has been extended and have exposed two exceptional findingsthe fragment of a sculpture and a plate with signs of Iberian script. The result of these latest actions consolidates the uniqueness and value of this enclave, unique on the Mediterranean coast and of great archaeological value.
The Culture and Architecture MEPs, César Augusto Asencio and Jaume Lloretrespectively, visited the site, together with the technical director of MARQ, Manuel Olcinaand the architect of the Diputación de Alicante, Rafael Pérezto get a first-hand look at the new stretch of the main street. This is the widest artery in the site, with a width of four metresExcavations have reaffirmed that the settlement was equipped with a complex urban planningwell developed and planned from the outset.
In addition, the work has brought to light two exceptionally important remains. Firstly, a fragment of stone sculpturepart of the mouth of a bull made of sandstone, which is confirmed as the first certain size from the Illeta dels Banyets, as the only one found so far was of more dubious origin. It is a bull similar to others discovered at the sites of Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Monforte del Cid or Petrer presented in a lying position with all four legs bent, with horns and false ears made of another material, perhaps bone or metal.
This piece has been found in the village, a place that is not its own, as it was found in the Iberian sculpture is part of funerary monumentsThe fragment would have been transported to the site, either by crowning the structures, or in extra-urban sanctuaries. Therefore, everything indicates that the fragment would have been transported to the enclave in Iberian periodfrom the necropolis area located next to the Renaissance tower.
The following finding is a lead sheet which is presented folded and which recognises signs of Iberian writingspecifically grecoiberica The Iberian region of Contestania, the Iberian region that occupied the present-day province of Alicante and part of Murcia. Several lead sheets in Greco-Iberian have been found in the village of Serreta (Penáguila-Cocentaina-Alcoi) and two more in other sites in Murcia.
That the Iberians adopt this alphabet to physically transmit their language is a cultural manifestation of the first orderas it shows a strong Greek influence in these lands. The discovery of this plate in the Illeta is very important, as it would indicate that, at the present time, the point of reception and transmission of this alphabet would occur in this coastal centre.
Although the excavation of the Southwest Quarter has not yet been completed, this archaeological intervention has been of the utmost importance given the quality and quantity of the objects foundThe knowledge about the urban development of the Illeta during the second phase and have provided insight into new structures and spaces which are not common in other sites from the Iberian period. At the museum level, it represents an extension of almost 400 square metres of space exhibition and encourages a change in visitors' itineraries that will allow them to walk through the space dedicated to protohistory The visitor can also see the various buildings from previously unknown points of view in a freer way, as well as contemplate the different buildings.
