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cancelled for 2023
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The site of Los Hitos (Milestones) pervived through several historical moments. It started as a hunting camp. A place in the Montes de Toledo, where kings and nobles from the neighboring capital of Toledo went to hunt. From this first moment, vestiges of a royal hunting warehouse, called papilio, are preserved. This building was later transformed into a hunting lodge, with the construction of a small two-story palace. This work took place in the middle of the 6th century, under the reign of Leovigildo and Gosvinta. Shortly after, with Recaredo and Baddo as kings, a royal villa with walls and a private church was built around the palace. This new town is a hunting and resting place for the Visigoth kings who live in the nearby Court (royal seat) of Toledo. When King Recaredo dies and his son is assassinated, the town becomes a estate, a ranch until it is abandoned with the arrival of the Arabs in 711. It will remain as a small village occupied by the Muslims.
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Los Hitos An aristocratic Visigothic complex
In this regard it is important to point out the change of the toponym of the monastery Deibense, which evolved to ‘Yébenes’. Julián de Toledo, in his biography of Ildefonso, states that this bishop founded in Deibensi uillula a monastery for virgins in a family-owned land. Ildefonso was a Goth of a noble lineage, related to uir inluster Fonsa (grandfather of the bishop?), subscriber of the 3rd Council of Toledo, and perhaps also related to the comes Toleti Froga, who could have been his father. The term ‘uillula’ refers to the centre of a big economic territory, serving as a matter of fact as a synonym of a lordly villa, the same way that happens in other known cases of that time, like Gérticos or Aquis. In these examples there could not have been small villae, but rather large territories linked to the surroundings of the Visigothic court. Here it is important to highlight that Los Hitos presents a series of characteristics that could be linked to the spheres of power of the kingdom: a possible palatium that later acquired a funerary function (Los Hitos) which would be part of a monastery or an aristocratic residential complex. There is no doubt that we can interpret the excavated complex at Los Hitos as an evident proof of the influence of Toledo’s elites over such an important part of a territory that held the road that communicated the regias sedes Toletana with Corduba.
In this regard it is important to point out the change of the toponym of the monastery Deibense, which evolved to ‘Yébenes’. Julián de Toledo, in his biography of Ildefonso, states that this bishop founded in Deibensi uillula a monastery for virgins in a family-owned land. Ildefonso was a Goth of a noble lineage, related to uir inluster Fonsa (grandfather of the bishop?), subscriber of the 3rd Council of Toledo, and perhaps also related to the comes Toleti Froga, who could have been his father. The term ‘uillula’ refers to the centre of a big economic territory, serving as a matter of fact as a synonym of a lordly villa, the same way that happens in other known cases of that time, like Gérticos or Aquis. In these examples there could not have been small villae, but rather large territories linked to the surroundings of the Visigothic court. Here it is important to highlight that Los Hitos presents a series of characteristics that could be linked to the spheres of power of the kingdom: a possible palatium that later acquired a funerary function (Los Hitos) which would be part of a monastery or an aristocratic residential complex. There is no doubt that we can interpret the excavated complex at Los Hitos as an evident proof of the influence of Toledo’s elites over such an important part of a territory that held the road that communicated the regias sedes Toletana with Corduba.
The Palace From residential pavilion to funerary pantheon
Thanks to several excavation seasons carried out between the years 1975 and 1982 and lead by Luis Balsameda, the remains of a building were discovered. This structure was built using masonry and bricks with buttresses. The building was divided into three areas, the biggest one being the central sector. Beneath a floor made of opus signinum there was a grave made of alabaster, surrounded by other graves with stone slabs. Thanks to the excavations of 2016, it is now known that the palace was the first structure to be built, most likely as a space of representation. It could have been a prestigious pavilion of some member of Toledo’s high nobility that, just like in Naranco or what could have probably been found in Lena as well, may have had a religious centre, either a monastery or its own church. This would explain the presence of metrical inscriptions and the addition of a pagan altar kept in the parish of Arisgotas as a Font for holy water; the presence of loculus suggests its reuse as a side statue of a Christian altar.
The addition of buttresses to increase the parietal height of the building in order to construct a a vault and an upper floor is significant, partly because of the parallels found in the architecture of palaces in Oviedo between the 6th and 9th centuries A.D. Finally, in the case of Los Hitos it has been possible to confirm the transformation of the primitive noble pavilion to a distinct and priviledged pantheon, like the interior graves show. We can therefore establish a link between this unique building with the one in Melque, which is also a funerary structure with a distinct grave.
Thanks to several excavation seasons carried out between the years 1975 and 1982 and lead by Luis Balsameda, the remains of a building were discovered. This structure was built using masonry and bricks with buttresses. The building was divided into three areas, the biggest one being the central sector. Beneath a floor made of opus signinum there was a grave made of alabaster, surrounded by other graves with stone slabs. Thanks to the excavations of 2016, it is now known that the palace was the first structure to be built, most likely as a space of representation. It could have been a prestigious pavilion of some member of Toledo’s high nobility that, just like in Naranco or what could have probably been found in Lena as well, may have had a religious centre, either a monastery or its own church. This would explain the presence of metrical inscriptions and the addition of a pagan altar kept in the parish of Arisgotas as a Font for holy water; the presence of loculus suggests its reuse as a side statue of a Christian altar.
The addition of buttresses to increase the parietal height of the building in order to construct a a vault and an upper floor is significant, partly because of the parallels found in the architecture of palaces in Oviedo between the 6th and 9th centuries A.D. Finally, in the case of Los Hitos it has been possible to confirm the transformation of the primitive noble pavilion to a distinct and priviledged pantheon, like the interior graves show. We can therefore establish a link between this unique building with the one in Melque, which is also a funerary structure with a distinct grave.
The Church Monastic temple or a church on its own?
The 2016 excavations have unearthed a one-nave temple with a straight, frontal sector. This building is attached and connected to the original structure. The church would have most likely been vaulted with
a barrel vault. It would have also had two porticos, one which has already been excavated, at the north, and a second one at the south, still to be uncovered, making it a latin cross plan.
The altar would be at the frontal sector and attached to the inner wall of the front, but it has been plundered as it is made of marble. The triumphal arch was decorated with marble cymatia with trefoils, and some curtains would have probably separated the priest from the rest of the clergy, located in the choir area. This sector was isolated from the nave with marble rood screens. The bars from the stair rail have remained. There are several privileged graves in sarcophagi made of alabaster and granite.
It is difficult to state the type of church until the excavation work is finalised and the entire site is
uncovered. It could be a monastic church because it does not have an entrance at the back, and the
proximity of San Pedro de la Mata, which served as a parish, supports this hypothesis. However, the
transformation of a palace into a funerary pantheon leads us to believe that this is strictly speaking a
church, of the aristocratic family that built the complex.
The 2016 excavations have unearthed a one-nave temple with a straight, frontal sector. This building is attached and connected to the original structure. The church would have most likely been vaulted with
a barrel vault. It would have also had two porticos, one which has already been excavated, at the north, and a second one at the south, still to be uncovered, making it a latin cross plan.
The altar would be at the frontal sector and attached to the inner wall of the front, but it has been plundered as it is made of marble. The triumphal arch was decorated with marble cymatia with trefoils, and some curtains would have probably separated the priest from the rest of the clergy, located in the choir area. This sector was isolated from the nave with marble rood screens. The bars from the stair rail have remained. There are several privileged graves in sarcophagi made of alabaster and granite.
It is difficult to state the type of church until the excavation work is finalised and the entire site is
uncovered. It could be a monastic church because it does not have an entrance at the back, and the
proximity of San Pedro de la Mata, which served as a parish, supports this hypothesis. However, the
transformation of a palace into a funerary pantheon leads us to believe that this is strictly speaking a
church, of the aristocratic family that built the complex.
The discovery and the archaeological excavations.
The very own name of Los Hitos (“the Milestones”) appeared due to the constant findings of statues and bricks made by the farmers with their ploughs since the 16th century, which attracted scholars such as Luis J. Balmaseda Muncharaz to carry out a series of excavation campaigns between 1975 and 1982. Thanks to Balsameda’s work, the floor plan of a building was excavated, which shed light on the existence of several construction phases. Accoding to the excavator, this building was a church with a transept that was used as a funerary space, with an alabaster grave in the centre, around which other several graves had been placed. His work uncovered three phases of occupation. Two of them were consecutive during the Visigothic period and the last one, the Andalusian occupation, which was resumed after a moment of abandonment of the complex. |
Some of the remains piled up throughout the years in the Northern area of the land, and others were used for the construction of the parish. The findings of statues piqued the neighbours’ interest, as well as the interest of others who were intrigued by “antiquities” and who excavated everywhere in search of treasures. “Uncle Simón” is one of these people. In the 1930s he found a grave made of alabaster. Moreover, he used the two most significant scallop shells to decorate his burial place at the municipal graveyard. The neighbours transported archaeological pieces to the village to decorate the houses; these pieces can still be seen there nowadays. The creation of a small local museum which collected a great number of these remains was possible due to the work of the city hall.
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excavation
The excavations from2016 at Los Hitos have uncovered three dwelling phases: place of the 6th centuryA.D. The oldest phase is an isolated, vaulted building with two floors and two porticos, one in the north and another one in the east. It has been dated to the end of the sixth century. It is a new type of structure, with a representation space located high up. This type of constructions continue until the Early Middle Ages, like Santa María del Naranco en Oviedo.
The space of the palace is transformed into a monastic complex in the 7th century. A fence is added, as well as a one-nave church with a straight, vaulted frontal sector. The lower floor of the palace is turned into a funerary crypt with a distinctive burial place located in the central space. The laterals which served as chapels, had two altars. Altogether there are more fifty graves. This is the religious area of a Visigothic monastery which is linked to the court of the Sedes Regia.
Farmhouse of th 9th century A.D. The last dwelling phase belongs to the Muslim period, around the 9th century A.D. The space is changed and it is divided and oriented to the West. To do so, the old monastic areas are closed. The alley between the church and the palace is turned into several houses. The upper floor of the palace is used as a living space, and the lower one as a stable.
The space of the palace is transformed into a monastic complex in the 7th century. A fence is added, as well as a one-nave church with a straight, vaulted frontal sector. The lower floor of the palace is turned into a funerary crypt with a distinctive burial place located in the central space. The laterals which served as chapels, had two altars. Altogether there are more fifty graves. This is the religious area of a Visigothic monastery which is linked to the court of the Sedes Regia.
Farmhouse of th 9th century A.D. The last dwelling phase belongs to the Muslim period, around the 9th century A.D. The space is changed and it is divided and oriented to the West. To do so, the old monastic areas are closed. The alley between the church and the palace is turned into several houses. The upper floor of the palace is used as a living space, and the lower one as a stable.
Goals for 2023
The latest research indicates that Los Hitos could have served as a palace or prestige pavilion of a member of the high nobility of Toledo within a larger complex that also had an important religious center.
The objectives of the 2023 campaign consist of the excavation of the tombs found in the church/monastery in order to have more data on the characteristics of the population occupying the site of Los Hitos, while the graves may provide other chronological and functional evidence to help determine whether we are dealing with a monastic church or a private church built by an aristocratic family, as the transformation of the palace into a burial pantheon seems to suggest.
The latest research indicates that Los Hitos could have served as a palace or prestige pavilion of a member of the high nobility of Toledo within a larger complex that also had an important religious center.
The objectives of the 2023 campaign consist of the excavation of the tombs found in the church/monastery in order to have more data on the characteristics of the population occupying the site of Los Hitos, while the graves may provide other chronological and functional evidence to help determine whether we are dealing with a monastic church or a private church built by an aristocratic family, as the transformation of the palace into a burial pantheon seems to suggest.
Lectures/Workshops:
Archeology/History
Visgothic Kingdom of Spain
Archaeology in Los Hitos
Stratigraphy and archaeological record
Osteology
Introduction to osteology: the human skeleton
Anthropometry. Systematic measurements of standard parameters
Determination of size and sex.
Determination of age of death
Health of the population: degenerative diseases, deficiency diseases, infectious diseases, traumatic pathologies.
Archeology/History
Visgothic Kingdom of Spain
Archaeology in Los Hitos
Stratigraphy and archaeological record
Osteology
Introduction to osteology: the human skeleton
Anthropometry. Systematic measurements of standard parameters
Determination of size and sex.
Determination of age of death
Health of the population: degenerative diseases, deficiency diseases, infectious diseases, traumatic pathologies.
accommodation
The Lodge It is located in Casalgordo. between the towns of Sonseca (4 km away) and Arisgotas (3 km away). From the reign of Teudis (531-548), the Visigoths settled over the Hispano-Roman settlements, two of which stand out at the time: Guadamur to the north and Arisgotas and Casalgordo to the south. Coming from Ciudad Real, it passes through the Camino de Santiago manchego. Highlights include the parish church, in which we find traces of Visigothic art, the Tolanca Tower and the ruins of San Pedro de la Mata.
dates & fees
Program Dates 2023:
July 17 - 5 August
Fees: US$ 2.450
Program Fees Include:
Full room and board
Fieldwork training
Excursions and other activities
Transportation to and from airport on first and last days of program
Daily transport to the site
Medical Insurance
Application fee
Administrative costs
Certificate of 120h
Part of your fee will go towards the research project.
Fees DO NOT include airfare.
July 17 - 5 August
Fees: US$ 2.450
Program Fees Include:
Full room and board
Fieldwork training
Excursions and other activities
Transportation to and from airport on first and last days of program
Daily transport to the site
Medical Insurance
Application fee
Administrative costs
Certificate of 120h
Part of your fee will go towards the research project.
Fees DO NOT include airfare.
PAYMENT PROCESS:
To reserve a space, you must pay a $300 application fee. (Included in the price of the program).
The remainder of the program cost will be due by: New dates coming soon.
Application fees will be refunded if the applicant is not selected.
Application Deadline:
Rolling application. We accept applications until all spaces are filled.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
-Before February 1st: All payments, except for $50 from the application fee, are refundable.
-Between New dates coming soon.: Application fee non-refundable. The remaining balance is refundable.
-After New dates coming soon.: All payments are non-refundable unless your application is rejected by the program director.
Travel Arrangements:
You should begin making travel arrangements as soon as your place in the group is reserved, and you should complete them upon being notified of your selection. We strongly recommend that participants purchase travel insurance to cover all needs including medical, accident, baggage loss, delays and personal liability. ArchaeoSpain is not a travel provider nor is a registered travel agent. Your travel arrangements to and from Italy are subject to the terms and conditions of your travel agency. In the rare event that the program is cancelled, ArchaeoSpain will refund program fees, but is not responsible for non-refundable airline or other tickets or payments or any similar penalties that may be incurred. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against airline and travel agency cancellation fees.
To reserve a space, you must pay a $300 application fee. (Included in the price of the program).
The remainder of the program cost will be due by: New dates coming soon.
Application fees will be refunded if the applicant is not selected.
Application Deadline:
Rolling application. We accept applications until all spaces are filled.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
-Before February 1st: All payments, except for $50 from the application fee, are refundable.
-Between New dates coming soon.: Application fee non-refundable. The remaining balance is refundable.
-After New dates coming soon.: All payments are non-refundable unless your application is rejected by the program director.
Travel Arrangements:
You should begin making travel arrangements as soon as your place in the group is reserved, and you should complete them upon being notified of your selection. We strongly recommend that participants purchase travel insurance to cover all needs including medical, accident, baggage loss, delays and personal liability. ArchaeoSpain is not a travel provider nor is a registered travel agent. Your travel arrangements to and from Italy are subject to the terms and conditions of your travel agency. In the rare event that the program is cancelled, ArchaeoSpain will refund program fees, but is not responsible for non-refundable airline or other tickets or payments or any similar penalties that may be incurred. It is your responsibility to protect yourself against airline and travel agency cancellation fees.
Medical Insurance:
All ArchaeoSpain participants are covered with an insurance packet that provides medical and surgical treatment and prescription drugs in case of accident or sudden illness. This insurance also provides some compensation for baggage loss or theft. With your program packet we will send you more details regarding this coverage, but you may contact our staff for more information.
European students should bring an EHIC card with them.
Right of Refusal:
ArchaeoSpain reserves the right to refuse an applicant’s selection. This is a rare occurrence and is most likely due to a person’s inability to meet health requirements or in the interest of group compatibility. Once in the field, the program director and ArchaeoSpain reserve the right to send a participant away from the program should that person’s behavior compromise the safety, research objectives and general performance of the group, or violate Italian laws, regulations or customs.
the staff
SITE DIRECTOR
PhD Jorge Morín de Pablos Estudied Prehistory and Archaeology at the UAM. Doctoral thesis on the Visigothic period in the Occident of the Northern Plateau obtained the qualification of National Extraordinary Prize. He is currently Director of the Department of Archaeology at Audema. From this position he has directed more than a hundred excavations from ancient prehistory to the present day. He is director of the sites of Los Hitos -Arisgotas, Orgaz- and Pla de Nadal -Ribarroja del Turia. PROGRAM LEADER
Víctor Barrera Alarcón Graduate in History and Archaeology from the Complutense University of Madrid and Master in Physical Anthropology: Human Evolution and Biodiversity by the Complutense University of Madrid, the University of Alcalá de Henares and the Autonomous University of Madrid. Specialist in Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology by the Institute of Professional Training in Forensic Sciences of Madrid. |
excursions
Hole day excursion to Toledo.
Declared World Heritage City, Toledo is a very unique place. It is known as the city of the three cultures: Muslim, Christian and Jewish. You will have the opportunity to visit some examples like the mosque of the Cristo de la Luz, the synagogue of The Tránsito or the Cathedral of Toledo. We’ll get lost in its narrow streets, have tapas at its terraces and we will also have time for some shopping.
Declared World Heritage City, Toledo is a very unique place. It is known as the city of the three cultures: Muslim, Christian and Jewish. You will have the opportunity to visit some examples like the mosque of the Cristo de la Luz, the synagogue of The Tránsito or the Cathedral of Toledo. We’ll get lost in its narrow streets, have tapas at its terraces and we will also have time for some shopping.
Hole day excursion to Melque and Castle.
The Church of Santa María de Melque is the last example of the Roman world in Spain, with elements of oriental buildings from Syria and Jordan. Walking through its floor plan, chapels and rooms, crossing its horseshoe arches and contemplating the remains of the decoration and the sarcophagus of the founder is a real journey through time.
The Church of Santa María de Melque is the last example of the Roman world in Spain, with elements of oriental buildings from Syria and Jordan. Walking through its floor plan, chapels and rooms, crossing its horseshoe arches and contemplating the remains of the decoration and the sarcophagus of the founder is a real journey through time.
Castillo de Montalban
On a site cut by the gorge of the Torcón River, the fortress was originally built as a Muslim citadel and was later transformed into a Templar castle. It has defenses on its south side, the only one that can be attacked: moat, semicircular crenellated tower with arrow slits, outer barbican, and loopholes. The towers albarranas, of pentagonal plant, present pointed arches and lapidary inscriptions and marks of stonemasonry in their ashlars.
On a site cut by the gorge of the Torcón River, the fortress was originally built as a Muslim citadel and was later transformed into a Templar castle. It has defenses on its south side, the only one that can be attacked: moat, semicircular crenellated tower with arrow slits, outer barbican, and loopholes. The towers albarranas, of pentagonal plant, present pointed arches and lapidary inscriptions and marks of stonemasonry in their ashlars.
Half day excursion to Consuegra.
Consuegra arises in the La Mancha plain to offer us all the hill Calderico surrounded by windmills; there we can perfectly imagine the battle of Don Quixote against the giants. In the same hill stand the Castle that presides over the landscape, belonged of San Juan military order, with three defensive enclosures.
In the Plaza de España are the town hall of 1670, attached by an arch, the clock tower; the Palace of San Gumersindo, the building of 'Los Corredores', with a beautiful wooden balcony typically Manchegan, which was silo, alhóndiga and town hall, and now houses the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
Consuegra arises in the La Mancha plain to offer us all the hill Calderico surrounded by windmills; there we can perfectly imagine the battle of Don Quixote against the giants. In the same hill stand the Castle that presides over the landscape, belonged of San Juan military order, with three defensive enclosures.
In the Plaza de España are the town hall of 1670, attached by an arch, the clock tower; the Palace of San Gumersindo, the building of 'Los Corredores', with a beautiful wooden balcony typically Manchegan, which was silo, alhóndiga and town hall, and now houses the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
Afternoon excursions:
The church of San Pedro de la Mata is located next to Casalgordo and is one of the key monuments in the history and archaeology of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a Visigothic temple built in the second half of the 7th century, specifically in the second half of the 7th century, during the reign of King Wamba (672-681). |
The museum of Arisgotas has fragments of friezes, capitals and other Visigothic reliefs dating from the 7th century. Most of the pieces on display are originals from the nearby archaeological sites of Los Hitos and San Pedro de la Mata.
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