Unprecedented discovery at archaeological site in Jumilla

Excavation at the Cerro del Tío Pimenton finds largest collection of terracotta figures so far in Iberian Peninsula

An archaeological dig at the Cerro del Tío Pimenton hill in Jumilla has unearthed a collection of about 10 terracotta figures that date back to the Bronze Age, the town hall has announced.

Councillor for Culture, Asunción Navarro, and municipal archaeologist Estafanía Gandía visited the site last week.

The campaign, instigated by the Municipal Culture department with a budget of about €12,000, partially financed by the wine company Bodegas Juan Gil, started there on April 28 and concluded on Saturday.
It was carried out in collaboration with Alicante University and the ‘Jeronimo Molina’ archaeology museum.

They started by cleaning and marking out the walls, and excavating room number seven, which is the oldest and largest, measuring 22 metres by four and dating from around 2,000 B.C.E.

The structure was divided into two clearly differentiated spaces: one destined for storage, where ceramic containers were found; and the other for working with textiles, as evidenced by the loom weights found there - all of which suggests that it used to be a workhouse.

However, the most remarkable discovery was the terracotta figures, which are of various sizes.
According to archaeologists, this is of great value because there is no record of so many of these clay figures being found at any other site in the Iberian Peninsula.

They will now be submitted to a process of study and research in order to determine their real significance.

Asunción Navarro emphasised the importance of investing in research and showcasing local heritage: “This discovery confirms that Jumilla has enormous archaeological potential that we must preserve and publicise.

“We will keep working so that these sites continue to be a source of knowledge and pride for our municipality.”

Images: Ayuntamiento de Jumilla