Adventures in Archaeology

Zorita Castle

Zorita castle Archaeology and Osteology Field School. Ready for 2019!

These cannonballs are made of limestone and have a caliper of 7cm and 18cm, respectively. One of them was found when digging inside the cistern of the Medieval castle of Zorita (central Spain) in 2017 and the other attached to one of to the castle walls in 2014. Both were in contexts of the first half of the XVth century and were very likely shot by a bombarda and a bombardeta. Firearms were begun to be used in the Iberian Peninsula only a bit more than a century before. Gunpowder came to Spain through the Arabs, who took it from the Chinese. First written notice of its use in Spain dates from 1262, at the siege of the city of Niebla. A text of 1491 mentions that some firearms were kept in the castle of Zorita, like “thunder”, “bombardas”, “espingardones”, “espingardas” and “fusleras”.

We have been for a short trip to Italica and Sevilla. The beauty and magic of this incredible place always takes me by surprise. We came from winter in central Spain and arrive to a bright and colorful spring. Orange trees, streets full of life, carriages, music, gardens, art, history... and everything under the warm and bright light of the spring sun of Andalucia... last day in January! Walking the streets of Hadrian's and Trajan's hometown I needed but to close my eyes, under this warm and fragrant breeze, to imagine the same hustle and bustle... two thousand years ago. Can't wait to be back in May!!! http://www.archaeospain.com/itaicahadrianprogram.html

We have been for a short trip to Italica and Sevilla. The beauty and magic of this incredible place always takes me by surprise. We came from winter in central Spain and arrive to a bright and colorful spring. Orange trees, streets full of life, carriages, music, gardens, art, history... and everything under the warm and bright light of the spring sun of Andalucia... last day in January! Walking the streets of Hadrian's and Trajan's hometown I needed but to close my eyes, under this warm and fragrant breeze, to imagine the same hustle and bustle... two thousand years ago. Can't wait to be back in May!!! http://www.archaeospain.com/itaicahadrianprogram.html

Seville is awaiting for you in June! Start your summer digging at Hadrian's hometown:Italica  http://www.archaeospain.com/itaicahadrianprogram.html

http://www.archaeospain.com/zorcasarchostrprogram.html

Help us dig deeper into Zorita Castle secrets. Join our Archaeological and Osteological program and help us investigate a Calatrava knights graveyard in central Spain. http://www.archaeospain.com/zorcasarchostrprogram.html

Roman Fortres Pulpon

Archaeospain program at Roman Fortress Pulpon: A castle for lapis specularis at time of Augustus. Cuenca. Spain http://www.archaeospain.com