Cata 11 is located in the northwest area of the castle grounds, next to the so-called tower IX. It is the space where the planned access to the spa of the Parador and the machine room of the swimming pool are to be located. According to the report of the director of the archaeological operation, Marco A. Esquembre, the idea was to carry out a “small intervention” of the Parador but, given the importance of the findings, they extended the work to remove a layer “that concealed the wall and prevented a clear view of the structures.
After a first phase in which the superficial strata were removed, “it was clear that we were facing a structure of considerable dimensions that corresponded to a possible section of the northern wall of the Castle, not identified until now”.
In light of the evidence, it was decided to excavate the entire enclosure and the findings are ongoing: ceramics from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, a fragment of a turquoise basin of Almohad or Mudejar origin from the thirteenth century and remains of charcoal and pottery from the late Roman period. As the excavation progresses, the material that comes to the surface is of greater antiquity, locating Punic amphorae from the third and second centuries BC.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.