The intervention seeks to validate the hypothesis that it is a Roman military camp.
The research group romanarmy.eu is carrying out archaeological research in an “unpublished fortified enclosure” located between Galicia and northern Portugal, specifically in the area known as Alto da Raia.
According to the group, this research seeks to validate the hypothesis that the rectangular enclosure discovered by romanarmy.eu could be a Roman military camp. “If so, this archaeological site would be of great historical value for understanding the processes of conquest and assimilation of this territory by Rome”. In this sense, the Alto da Raia site was identified through the processing and analysis of LiDAR data provided by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) through the National Aerial Orthophotography Plan, which is multiplying the detection of archaeological sites. The data revealed a fortified enclosure almost three hectares in size overlooking the Salas river valley. An earthen embankment can be seen to be preserved on three sides of the defensive enclosure. In addition, there may be an outer hole that would complement this defence on the outside. The morphology of the slope, the size and the layout of the enclosure “support the hypothesis that it is a Roman military camp”.
The project is funded by the European Commission through the Finisterrae project, led by João Fonte, an archaeologist from the University of Exeter, and has the support of the Municipality of Montalegre, the Tourém parish council, the Ecomuseu de Barroso and the Calvos de Randín Town Council.
