During this season of excavation at the site of El Vergel, plus the aforementioned burials, we have been able to confirm the existence of at least one room that also has a mosaic floor. This room, located north of the East-West corridor, appears rectangular but it isn’t fully defined so far. The mosaic decorative pattern is geometric, polychromatic, with square and octagonal coffered and bordered with swastikas. Although having some alterations, in general it can be said that its condition is good. As in previous campaigns, the procedure for cleaning is the removal of lime concretion covering it with scalpels and spatulas. Once this work is complete, we will proceed to consolidate it in an attempt to prevent fracture zones from expanding or degrading.

Meanwhile, the areas occupied by burials are being cleared. The work has been done in an area related to an ancient hermitage up until recently. In this space, paved with clay tiles arranged in spikes, we have been able to document the existence of modern day burials placed in simple pits; buried in the supine position, their conservation is generally good. Note that the upper extremities are bent and hands resting on the abdomen or pelvic area.

Translated by Lara M. Moreda
Edited by Andrew B. Greeves

We continue documenting the existence of burials with large slabs of stone structure as a cover. Some pieces related to cremation memorials were reused as elements of one of the walls. We found the ash deposit and libations channel.

Translated by Lara M. Moreda
Edited by Andrew B. Greeves

Once again, the archaeological excavation at the Roman Villa of El Vergel has begun in the last days of August. As in previous campaigns, the company FORAMEN, responsible for carrying out the excavation, has a team advised by specialists in different fields of Archaeology (epigraphy, numismatics, ceramics, glass, etc.) to include Dr. Jose-Antonio Abásolo Alvarez, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Valladolid. The intervention will be carried out on about 300m2 (3,229ft2), in an area which, as noted before, may have been residential courtyard. The excavations have revealed, so far, the existence of an area occupied primarily by burials, some of them are simple pit and others, the majority, are reinforced structures with a stone cover. These burial sections were dug through the levels of abandonment of the villa and the signinum opus.

Translated by Lara M. Moreda
Edited by Andrew B. Greeves