Archaeologists Discover 5,000-Year-Old Fortress in Spain with Intriguing History

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A significant archaeological discovery in Almendralejo, Spain, has unveiled a 5,000-year-old fortress from the Copper Age, showcasing advanced defensive architecture. The site, comprising three concentric walls reaching up to five meters high, 25 bastions, and multiple deep ditches, was identified by Tera S.L. during surveys for a solar park project. This robust structure, spanning 13,000 square meters, was designed to resist attacks, boasting a narrow entrance and a sophisticated defensive system, as stated by excavation director César M. Pérez.

Despite its formidable defenses, the fortress was destroyed and abandoned approximately 4,500 years ago, with evidence suggesting an intentional fire linked to an assault. In addition to the fortress, archaeologists unearthed various artifacts, including pottery and weapons, indicating the settlement’s life and activities. A recent find includes a burial believed to belong to a possible Roman legionary, further attesting to the site's historical significance. Carbon-14 dating reveals that human activity in the area halted for nearly 2,700 years after the fortress's abandonment.

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