CEVFW
Federico Wattenberg Center for Vaccean Studies (University of Valladolid)
PINTIA VACCEA

News about Pintia Project


New plowing over the necropolis of Las Ruedas


Th 02/8/2018

Detail of the plowed plot and its location in the archaeological site
Detail of the plowed plot and its location in the archaeological site
On January 29, the plot 59 of zone 502, one of the three that integrates the necropolis of Las Ruedas and one of the two that is still privately owned, was plowed again, after ten years of fallowing given the very low quality of the land for its agricultural use.
Apparently, the plow was made with discs, so the depth removed did not exceed thirty centimeters authorized by law, although in some points, no doubt involuntarily, they reached forty-five centimeters.

Although the archaeological deposits are located in this plot from half a meter depth, the removal of the most superficial layers affects the hidden archaeological substrate, since the composition of the terrain, with different sizes of gravel, forces the heavier materials to descend and in this way presses the fragile ceramic grave goods.

The private ownership of the plot means that at this moment it is unknown how this new intervention has affected the pre-Roman archaeological materials, although there are different ceramic remains on the surface as a direct consequence of the serious alterations suffered in recent years, as well as various fragments of steles mutilated by the plow.

View of the plowed plot from the recovered area of the necropolis


From the CEVFW, once again, we urge the Junta de Castilla y León, which has exclusive jurisdiction over the archaeological heritage in our community by delegation from the State, to initiate the expropriation records of these plots to prevent the destruction of the rich heritage they harbor. For more than thirty years it is known exactly the extent and limits of the vacceo necropolis, so it is not possible to talk of ignorance but of neglect and negligence. And for over thirty years the plundering of poachers and plows, legal and illegal, are reproduced on a regular basis before the passivity of our cultural authorities.

It is well worth remembering at this time the article 4 of the Statute of Autonomy of Castile and Leon: «The Castilian language and the historical, artistic and natural heritage are essential values for the Comunidad of Castilla y León identity and will be the object of special protection and support, for which the creation of entities that serve this purpose will be encouraged.»

Stele fragment on the plowed surface


Furthermore, every civilized human being is aware of the inconvenience of making shreds, with the use of the plow, the memory of the dead: vita enim mortuorum in memoria posita est vivorum (Cicero, Phillipicas, 9: 5). Cemeteries are places of remembrance and respect, not unproductive agricultural exploitation. If instead of being an empty vacceo cemetery, a nation that is barely remembered, we were talking about a medieval necropolis (Muslim or Christian), for example, the indignation of one and all would have already permeated public opinion.

Meanwhile from the CEVFW, the Pintia Cultural Association and the groups of volunteers we fight throughout the year to achieve the conservation, dissemination and investigation of the Vaccean city of Pintia, in addition to value its environment, the Junta de Castilla y León does not comply with its obligation to protect this deposit, unique in its content and degree of conservation. We are aware of the huge heritage that our community and the dwindled resources dedicated to the protection of that heritage, but we can not remain impassive inte face of the destruction of a part of it without, at least, show our outrage.

Views of the plowed plot with fragments of stelae on surface



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Tempos Vega Sicilia
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Asociación Cultural Pintia

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