Two more routes of the Vía de la Plata in Mérida
Archaeology and nature enthusiasts now have a new tourist attraction in two sections of the Roman road of the Vía de la Plata. Specifically, at the Casa de Campo in Mérida and the Roman bridge over the Aljucén River in the municipality of Mirandilla. An archaeological intervention, on its northern route in the municipality of Mérida, is part of the Vía de la Plata II project in Extremadura (better known as Alba Plata II), which was visited yesterday by the General Director of Cultural Heritage of the Junta de Extremadura, Esperanza Díaz. In both cases, excavation, documentation of the remains, as well as their protection and musealisation, have been carried out.
In the first route, located in the well-known Casa de Campo of the Extremaduran capital, a section of Roman road has been recovered, which is "very well preserved," measuring 38 metres in length and 9.5 metres in width. In the same area, fragments of milestones were also found. "One of them was found in situ. What we did was consolidate and clean it as it had some moss and lichen growth causing damage," Díaz noted.
This archaeological remain, with a cubic granite base between 2 and 4 metres in height and 50 to 80 centimetres in diameter, was used by the Romans to measure distances. Distances are expressed in miles, with each milestone representing 1,000 Roman double steps, equivalent to 1,481 metres today. Specifically, this milestone bears the inscription number VI, indicating a distance of six miles from that point to the city of Mérida.
To preserve the site, the area has been fenced off, and a wooden bridge has been installed to prevent vehicles and visitors from stepping on the road.
Aljucén River
The second section under intervention is located at the Roman bridge over the Aljucén River. This work has revealed the entire construction technique of the bridge. It features ashlar masonry decorations and is made of large granite pieces assembled without mortar. The work has documented 28.76 metres of bridge length, though it is believed, based on the foundation and evidence of stone theft trenches uncovered during the excavation, that the bridge could originally be about 40 metres long.
A perimeter fence has also been installed in this area to protect the archaeological sites.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism allocated €211,935 for this intervention.
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