The San Esteban archaeological site has reached a significant milestone with the completion of 59 excavations, revealing crucial insights into the evolution of medieval Murcia. Mayor Rebeca Pérez and Juan Antonio Lorca, the secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, visited the site to mark the occasion.
The latest excavations have documented six rings of an ancient well, three overlapping water conduits, and various construction phases within a single wall. These findings enhance the understanding of the site's historical development, including the discovery of Roman materials dating back to the 1st century.
With 85% of the site now protected, the archaeological intervention is entering its final stages before the next phase of the project. The completion of these excavations represents a significant advance in scientific knowledge of the area and sets the stage for the recovery, protection, and enhancement of this important heritage site.
The detailed excavations, which reached depths of up to 2.5 metres below the current site level, have revealed evidence of occupation dating back to the late 10th century, predating the better-known phases of the Arrixaca Vieja neighbourhood. The continuity of residential activity persisted until the 14th century, particularly around the maqbara, or cemetery.
In addition to extending the known chronology of the site, the intervention has deepened understanding of urban evolution and daily life in the neighbourhood. The work has documented renovations and repurposing of homes over more than two centuries, alongside the development of hydraulic infrastructure, sanitation systems, and heating.
Among the most significant recent findings are the six superimposed rings of an ancient well and the documentation of three drainage conduits built at different historical moments, which have provided insights into the functioning and transformation of the neighbourhood's hydraulic network. Various construction phases within the same wall reflect the continuous adaptation of urban spaces over time.
The excavations have also yielded valuable information about the lifestyles of the inhabitants, including domestic solutions for storing and concealing goods, the presence of fauna related to both domestic life and food consumption, and improvements in housing, such as the introduction of underfloor heating in some rooms during the 13th century.
Additionally, the excavation has uncovered remnants of homes, pavements, brick and earth walls, sanitation systems, ceramic materials, metal pieces, and human remains. The study of this important archaeological ensemble will continue to deepen knowledge of Andalusian Murcia and the customs of its inhabitants.
Alongside the archaeological research, conservation efforts have been underway to ensure the protection of the findings. Currently, 85% of the site is protected with gravel coverage, while technical teams complete archaeological documentation, install final security measures, and carry out restoration work on elements requiring specialised intervention.
This project is being carried out by a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, restorers, biological and anthropological specialists, technicians, and engineers, whose collaborative efforts have ensured the proper documentation, protection, and conservation of each discovery made.
The completion of this first phase will pave the way for the execution of the San Esteban recovery project, which includes the creation of a large public space above ground, the protection of archaeological remains beneath a garden, and the construction of an interpretation centre to facilitate understanding and dissemination of this exceptional heritage site in Murcia. The construction project has been awarded by the Ministry to a consortium formed by Acciona and Fernández Molina, whose representatives have already visited the site to prepare for the commencement of works.
