A village of 2,000 years in Astigarraga

2004/08/11 Andonegi Beristain, Garazi - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Giza zientziak

Santiagomendi is known above all for the chapel, for its connection with the Camino de Santiago. But, according to the archaeological research of Aranzadi, the place is also important to know the prehistory of Gipuzkoa. The archaeological remains found have shown that in Santiagomendi lived people a. C. they left their place in the last millennium and probably with the entrance of the Roman Empire, a. C. C. At the end of the 1st century or beginning of the new era.

The discoveries are especially important, especially because they account for a continuous occupation of the environment. These traces are spread over a radius of 2 kilometers and their study allows to know the life and funeral habits of people. This is very special in the prehistory of Gipuzkoa, since in Santiagomendi have been found for the first time remains of the habitat and funerals of the same time in the same space. These remains belong to the Iron Age, a. C. C. VIII. and until the first century.

The works carried out since 2001 have revealed the remains of a house of the Iron Age, a. C. C. II. and of the first century, without excluding the house also in the first century.

This research is part of a program that covers the entire Gipuzkoan coast, from Mutriku to Oiartzun, in which researchers from the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Deusto and the Historical Archaeology of Aranzadi participate. VII. Santiagomendi the campaign will continue until August 13.