The intervention was carried out in the Roman site of "El Vergel" and it corresponds to Phase IV of those in the field. The excavation will be directed again (for the 3rd year) by Ms. Rosalia Serrano Noriega, an archaeologist at the Archaeological Company FORAMEN SL.
The strategy designed for the Fourth Phase at the site "El Vergel II" was motivated by the fact that excavation phases previously executed had not managed to get a sufficiently clear vision of the structural development of the villa (to include the mosaic floor room which represents the myth of the Calydonian boar). Therefore, in the draft submitted to the Cultural Territory Service Castile and Leon (Castilla y Le贸n) in Avila, dated July 30, 2007, is intended expand the sector opened in the previous seasons.
Ultimately, we wanted to know the limits and the articulation of the rooms throughout the eastern half of the area established. We should remember that the 2006 campaign gave us, as a result, a partial knowledge of at least three rooms with a mosaic floor and another one with signinum pavement.
The Archaeological site: 鈥淓l Vergel鈥
The site "El Vergel II", located in the municipality of San Pedro del Arroyo (脕vila), is contained in Castilla y Le贸n鈥檚 Archaeological Inventory Sheets with the number 05-220-0002-05. The villa is located, according to the sheet, just in the north of the village on the left bank of the stream, Espinarejos. At first it was thought that its extension was 13 hectares (32 acres), with its furthest limit to the North being the 鈥渇eed mill鈥; to the South, the town of San Pedro del Arroyo; to the East, the stream called Espinarejos; and to the West, the current road to San Juan de la Encinilla. Regarding the cultural attribution of the site, it was believed that it belonged to late Roman, modern, and contemporary periods, and possibly to the height of the Roman Empire and Visigothic period (fifth 鈥 eighth century). The inventory sheet identifies the areas as a dwelling place (town / city), a rural settlement (villae), a funeral site (burial), and a place of worship (sanctuary, shrine). The start of archaeological work in these areas was motivated by the emergence of several mosaic pavements during the expansion of the municipal cemetery of San Pedro del Arroyo. Thus began archaeological excavations and land intensive prospecting areas. Through surveys we tried to define the different areas of the site to have a basis for further interventions. As a result of these activities it was determined that the character of the site is a villae, with its rustic and lordly areas, and framed chronologically between the second and fifth century. There were also some mosaic pavements documented in apparent good condition, although threatened by existing in a cereal cultivation area. Due to these facts, and the relevance of the findings that were documented, the decision was made to excavate this priceless find. This being the case, the company known as FORAMEN SL. won a contest and carried out the excavation.
The Archaeological site: 鈥淓l Vergel鈥
The site "El Vergel II", located in the municipality of San Pedro del Arroyo (脕vila), is contained in Castilla y Le贸n鈥檚 Archaeological Inventory Sheets with the number 05-220-0002-05. The villa is located, according to the sheet, just in the north of the village on the left bank of the stream, Espinarejos. At first it was thought that its extension was 13 hectares (32 acres), with its furthest limit to the North being the 鈥渇eed mill鈥; to the South, the town of San Pedro del Arroyo; to the East, the stream called Espinarejos; and to the West, the current road to San Juan de la Encinilla. Regarding the cultural attribution of the site, it was believed that it belonged to late Roman, modern, and contemporary periods, and possibly to the height of the Roman Empire and Visigothic period (fifth 鈥 eighth century). The inventory sheet identifies the areas as a dwelling place (town / city), a rural settlement (villae), a funeral site (burial), and a place of worship (sanctuary, shrine). The start of archaeological work in these areas was motivated by the emergence of several mosaic pavements during the expansion of the municipal cemetery of San Pedro del Arroyo. Thus began archaeological excavations and land intensive prospecting areas. Through surveys we tried to define the different areas of the site to have a basis for further interventions. As a result of these activities it was determined that the character of the site is a villae, with its rustic and lordly areas, and framed chronologically between the second and fifth century. There were also some mosaic pavements documented in apparent good condition, although threatened by existing in a cereal cultivation area. Due to these facts, and the relevance of the findings that were documented, the decision was made to excavate this priceless find. This being the case, the company known as FORAMEN SL. won a contest and carried out the excavation.
Translated by Lara M. Moreda.
Edited by Andrew B. Greeves
Edited by Andrew B. Greeves