Costa Blanca
Archaeologists uncover Iberian shrine and necropolis near La Vila Joiosa
By m.p.
Apr 24, 2006 - 10:51 PM

Archaeologists have found the remains of a 1st century BC Iberian shrine and necropolis on the outskirts of La Vila Joiosa.

The find is near the 19th century cliff-top Torreón Doctor José María Esquerdo, where a team of Spanish and French archaeologists are working together on the investigations. The dig is led by Pierre Ronillard, the director of the Maison René Gionouves Institute for Archaeological Investigation in France, and Jesús Moratalla, archaeology professor at Alicante University.

Archaeologists from the Casa de Velázquez and the Centre for Scientific Investigation in France are also involved, as is the Town Hall archaeologist, professor Antonio Espinosa, who said ‘the fact that there are at least two large cemeteries here means that this Iberian city must have been very important in its time.’

The dig is funded by the French Foreign Ministry and the local Town Hall.