Living TRAVEL - SPAIN - 2019

THE IBERIAN CITADELLA de CALAFELL

Experimental Archaeology 
Map of the Citadella de Calafell, Spain
From the 5th century BC, what had been a small Iberian settlement at the top of a hill in front of the pools of the beach of Calafell, became one of the most notable villages of the Cessetani tribe. At this time, a strong wall was built and a large urban area mapped out. Part of the uniqueness of this site, however, is in the Museum. A large part of the Citadel of Calafell has been rebuilt using experimental archaeological criteria. The result is a scientific and educational experience which shows how the Iberians really lived.

Of the 3 hectares that the town occupied, almost all the whole area inside the wall has been excavated. It has been identified that some of the houses belonged to a warrior elite and that the home of the chief was at the highest point. Enclosures for domestic worship, a water well, ovens to bake bread, and towers that were used for storage have also been located.

The archaeological data extracted from the excavations allowed the village to be rebuilt in 1992, following museum models of the Nordic countries. It was decided that the site should represent the last phase of occupation, in the 3rd century BC, just before the Romanisation of the Iberian Peninsula. Thus, you can walk down the streets and go into the houses, which are even furnished with replicas of the objects found at the site. This work on the museum has meant that, since 2007, the Citadel of Calafell has been a member of the EXARC(European Exchange on Archaeological Research and Communication) network.  [http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/collection/iberian-citadel-calafell]

Calafell is 35 km NE of Tarragona
  
 
The fortified side of the site, where the warrior's house can just be seen over the wall
 
 
The fortified side of the site, where the warrior's house can just be seen over the wall
 
 
Entrance to the site
 
 
View looking south, from the northern corner (see map above)
 

View of the Warrior's house, looking SE from the northern corner
 

Several areas have been built showing the stone part fo a room
  
 
Room with well and protective glass
 
 
Small ove or kiln
 
 
 
 
Oven
 
 
Oven
 		  
 
Looking south towards the Artisan's House.

Below: just outside and inside the Artisan's House
 
 
   
   

  Dugout room
Kitchen 
 

Weaving room
 

Storage area 
 
 
Living room
 
 
Storage area with amphorae
 

Storage area 
 
 
Warrior's equipment
 
 
Kitchen
 
 
Kitchen
    		 
Hearth with iron grill for cooking
 
 
Storage area
 
 
Wine rack 
 
 
Decorated terracotta vessel