Iron Age Wall Uncovered Beneath Roman Settlement on Ons Island, Spain

Ancient Foundations Beneath Roman Remains

According to НВ — Техно: Archaeologists exploring the island of Ons in Spain have uncovered an Iron Age wall beneath a Roman settlement, reshaping our understanding of how this area developed over time. Since 2021, excavations at Castelu-dus-Murush have revealed not only Roman-era structures but also much older constructions. This site, located in Pontevedra, Galicia, now offers new insights into the region’s prehistoric occupation.

Led by researchers from the University of Vigo, the ongoing digs have identified an Iron Age wall beneath a Roman building, suggesting the presence of early fortifications predating Roman arrival. In addition, five Iron Age dwellings were found on an intermediate terrace of Castelu-dus-Murush. These homes, initially discovered in 2025, featured central hearths and vertical stone slab elements, highlighting domestic life during that period.

Significant Archaeological Discoveries

Findings indicate that the early Castro culture was concentrated within fortified areas, emphasizing their strategic settlement patterns. Close to the Canexol beach, Roman fish-salting facilities have also been uncovered, confirming active Roman economic presence in the region.

Further north, in the province of León, archaeologists located a Roman military camp near La Peña del Castro in the municipality of La Ersina. Covering roughly 1.7 hectares and situated about 500 meters from an Iron Age hillfort, this camp is linked to the siege of the hillfort during the Cantabrian Wars.

Excavations at La Ersina provide concrete evidence of Roman military campaigns during the conquest of northern Spain, illustrating the complex interactions between Roman forces and indigenous cultures. These discoveries enhance our knowledge of settlement evolution and military tactics on the Iberian Peninsula.

These findings underscore the crucial role of archaeology in uncovering the layered history of cultural interactions in Spain. The unearthed Iron Age wall confirms that the area was inhabited and fortified well before Roman occupation, potentially revising established timelines of regional development. Meanwhile, the Roman military sites contribute valuable information about Rome’s expansion into northwestern Spain.

The recent findings on Ons Island not only shed light on ancient fortifications but also resonate with other significant archaeological discoveries across Spain. For instance, a Roman military camp connected to the Cantabrian Wars has been unearthed in León, highlighting the broader context of Roman interactions with local cultures during their expansion. Such discoveries enhance our understanding of settlement dynamics in the region.