Archaeologists have resumed excavations at the necropolis of Medellín (Medellín) in the province of Badajoz (Badajoz) after nearly fifty years. In the first weeks of work, they discovered fragments of black-glazed Greek pottery dating back to the late 5th century BC. This find not only confirms the existence of trade links between the region’s ancient inhabitants and Mediterranean civilizations but also highlights the importance of the necropolis for studying the history of the Iberian Peninsula.
Similar items were previously found during earlier expeditions, but at the time they were discovered without a clear stratigraphic context. Now, for the first time, the artifacts have been recovered from a well-documented archaeological layer. This allows specialists to analyze their origins more accurately and compare them with other ancient sites.
The renewed project is set to continue for several years, with work scheduled through 2028. The plan includes expanding the excavation area, conducting geophysical research, restoring the discovered artifacts, and organizing a special exhibition dedicated to the results of the expedition. Particular attention is being paid to updating and digitizing old records to make them accessible to researchers and the general public.
An important part of the program will be involving local residents and visitors to the region: open days are planned, offering the public the opportunity to watch archaeologists at work in real time. The research team is led by the experienced archaeologist Martín Almagro, who took part in excavations here back in the 1980s. His expertise is considered crucial in understanding the new findings.
The project is supported by regional authorities and the municipality of Medellín, which is assisting with organization and infrastructure. Officials emphasize that this is not a one-off event, but part of a long-term strategy to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Extremadura. The new discoveries are expected not only to broaden knowledge of ancient peoples but also to give an impetus to tourism and economic development in the Vegas Altas del Guadiana region.
Meanwhile, an ambitious project is underway at the neighboring site of Turuñuelo de Guareña to protect its archaeological structures: a unique dome is being constructed there, designed to fully cover the mound without internal supports. This engineering solution is intended to ensure the site’s preservation for future generations.
The Medellín necropolis, designated a cultural heritage site in 2014, was first studied in the 1960s. In subsequent decades, it has provided researchers with a wealth of information about the lives and rituals of the ancient inhabitants of the Guadiana valley. Recent finds, including Greek ceramics, once again confirm the site’s key role in understanding contacts between the peoples of Iberia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
