The sixth excavation campaign at the Las Paredejas site, located on the Cerro del Berrueco in the municipality of Medinilla, has provided deeper insights into the ritual practices of its early Iron Age inhabitants. On 31 October, the OKELON project team presented their findings at the Medinilla Town Hall to an audience of local residents, with financial backing from the Diputación de Ávila and the town council, under the scientific direction of Alfredo Mederos, a professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
One of the significant discoveries was made in trench 7, where archaeologists expanded the excavation of a ritual area associated with several vessels, including bowls used for liquid offerings. This site later saw the construction of a medieval tower, which altered some of the Iron Age structures.
Pilar Araoz, provincial deputy for the Piedrahíta-Barco-Gredos area, highlighted the importance of the findings: “At Las Paredejas, we can connect with the lives of those who inhabited these lands long before the province of Ávila existed. The remains of a dwelling tell us about their daily lives, and an offering bowl brings us closer to their beliefs. The Diputación's commitment to our culture and history begins with supporting research into these origins and enabling local residents to learn about discoveries in their own village.”
Throughout the settlement, which spans over 18 hectares, the team has identified large structures interpreted as huts, indicating a degree of planning within the settlement. In the highest area, fragments of pottery and a Roman amulet found in trench 16 suggest that the site was reoccupied during the late Roman period.
The presentation of the sixth excavation also showcased reproductions of the Astarté figures discovered on Cerro del Berrueco in 1896. The restorer Julia Magdalena Wójcik, who created the reproductions, participated in the event alongside Medinilla's mayor, Miguel Izquierdo, excavation co-director Victoria Martínez, Pilar Araoz, and Óscar López, president of GESMED. López noted, “The Astarté figures were found on Cerro del Berrueco 130 years ago. Being able to see their reproductions in Medinilla allows us to explain to locals and visitors what was discovered here and why we continue to study this hill. This is an essential part of the Archaeological Classroom's work. Each campaign brings new stories about the people who lived in this area.”
The Diputación's involvement in the Las Paredejas excavation began in 2021, directly with the Medinilla Town Council. In 2022, collaboration extended to the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and since 2023, the agreement has been formalised with GESMED. Since the outset, the provincial institution has contributed nearly €100,000 to the project.
