The Roman quarries of the town and territory of Los Bañales (Uncastillo, Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

The importance of the archaeological site of Los Bañales (Uncastillo, Zaragoza, Spain), as the imposing archaeological remains preserved (aqueduct, funerary monuments, thermae, forum, etc.) and the remarkable epigraphic repertoire of its territory suggest, is reinforced by its role as centre of a dispersed habitat, in form of villae, at a region of great agricultural potential. Located nearby the Roman route that linked Caesar Augusta (modern Zaragoza) with Pompelo (modern Pamplona), it flourished during Roman times between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. However, a pre-Roman settlement probably existed already and 4th century AD pottery has been discovered there as well. In this context, the abundant use of local stone as raw material, not only for construction purposes but also as epigraphic support, stands out. It is a Miocenic, brown sandstone that crops out profusely in the zone. It appears in horizontal layers alternated with clay and silt deposits, which facilitates its extraction. As a first approach to the exploitation of stone resources in this territory, a survey has been conducted. So far, up to four points showing evidence of extraction have been identified. They are Punta Sampe, el corral de la Pesquera, Las Viñas and the way up to Los Bañales. Besides, a group of abandoned, roughly-hewn blocks near Punta Sampe extraction point has been identified, which might indicate the existence of a quarry workshop. The location of these quarries, in the environs either of the urban centre of Los Bañales or next to some of the villae scattered throughout the territory, as well as the absence of large quarries that might have supplied the constructive programs of the city seem to point towards a dispersed pattern of exploitation of stone resources rather than a centralized one.