Restoration of the Archaeological site "Cova de les Bruixes"

© Benitatxell Town Council

Location of the Archaeological site "Cova de les Bruixes"

This site encompasses all the cultures that have passed through this municipality, from the Iberians to the first Christian settlers, with the Andalusian presence being particularly notable.

This site is a small rock shelter that was used as a rubbish tip from at least the 2nd century BC. At present, it is not known whether it was previously used as a dwelling or living space, although we do know that it was used as a pen, as evidenced by the walls found here.

The Roman occupation of this site was also significant. To date, this occupation is also known through the pottery found there, with a considerable number of ‘sigillata’ pottery remains. The material found includes remains spanning a period from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.

The Council allocates 41.000€ to the consolidation and enhancement of this archaeological site, which is expected to be visitable.

With the firm intention of recovering its historical identity and bringing it closer to the public, the Council of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell has launched an ambitious plan to revitalize its archaeological patrimony. The Patrimony area has begun works on the consolidation and enhancement of the archaeological site of Cova de les Bruixes. A multidisciplinary project whose central axis is the recovery and comprehensive restoration of the enclave, improving accessibility to guarantee its enhancement and provide the complex with an order and coherence that allows it to be transformed into a space that can be visited by all audiences, always ensuring the protection of the archaeological remains and their long-term conservation.

The consolidation works of the structures will last approximately a month and a half, being the previous step for the final adaptation of the space. The final objective of the intervention is to create an interpretive itinerary that allows visitors to understand the historical importance of the enclave through a delimited route and a protected route that guarantees the conservation of the visible remains.

The project integrates information panels as a didactic resource, in addition to the adaptation of leisure spaces that will have the installation of picnic tables and a children’s recreational area type «sandbox», specifically designed so that the little ones can play at being archaeologists and discover treasures at the site.

This action, which has a budget of 41.179,95€, has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the Patrimony Office and the areas of Urban Planning and Culture. Likewise, the consistory has the technical and scientific support of the professor of Archaeology of the UA, Feliciana Sala. The project is expected to be fully completed in June.

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