THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL WEALTH OF CÁDIZ, A CONFLUENCE OF CIVILISATIONS

The Friends of the Gijón Archaeological Museums Cultural Association visits Cádiz from the Tambor del Llano for the second time.

The Cultural Association of Friends of the Archaeological Museums of Gijón (AMAG) is a non-profit organisation, based in Gijón (Asturias), whose main objective is to learn about, learn and collaborate in  dissemination of archaeological heritage in Asturias and throughout Spain.

For the second consecutive year, in 2026 we will choose the Province of Cádiz for its archaeological richness associated with the history  of the melting pot of civilisations that have passed through this territory, shaping its life and culture.

Our association is made up of people who share a deep interest in Archaeology, History and Culture, and who seek to be a channel of citizen participation for the enjoyment and knowledge of the past through local heritage.

AMAG is dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge by organising an annual programme of activities focused on the discovery of the cultures of the past and the rich archaeological heritage of Spain.

AMAG regularly organises study trips on archaeology and history. In the month of July  It will be three years since the foundation of AMAG as an association, but we can already present a wide range of activities carried out.

Tambo del Llano reference point for exploring history

In May we will travel to the Sierra de Cádiz and Málaga, for which we chose the hotel Tambor del Llano, located 5 kilometres from Grazalema and 20 from Ronda. From this strategic point, you can find numerous archaeological sites of great interest and historical importance. Antequera or the cave of La PIleta for Prehistoric times, Ouri, Acinipo, Sierra de Aznar, Carisa Aurelia or Bornos, for the Roman period, Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra for the Middle Ages or the Renaissance among many other sites.

This year our programme will be divided into two stages, one focusing on the city of Cádiz and its coast; in the other, we will once again explore the archaeological sites in the mountains of Cádiz and Malaga from Tambor del Llano.

Cadiz, confluence of civilisation

The province of Cádiz, due to its location in the extreme south of the Iberian Peninsula, is a territory in which there is a confluence of civilisations and an archaeological wealth that extends from Prehistory to the Middle Ages and, from there, to the most contemporary times. Cadiz spans millennia of settlement and cultural development. This strategic position, bathed by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, made it a crucial meeting point for Phoenicians, Punics and Romans, leaving a monumental legacy that fascinates historians and visitors alike.

Prehistory in the Cádiz Mountains

The archaeological history of Cádiz begins in prehistoric times. The Serranía de Cádiz, with its caves and shelters, treasures important examples of rock art. Of particular note are the Abrigo del Tajo de las Figuras in Benalup-Casas Viejas, known for its representations of birds, and the Cueva de la Pileta in Benaoján, with its Palaeolithic and Neolithic art. Megalithic art also left its mark, such as the impressive Alberite Dolmen in Villamartín, one of the oldest in the Peninsula, or the Dolmen del Gigante in El Gastor.

Cadiz, the oldest city in the West

However, the period of greatest splendour and archaeological visibility corresponds to Antiquity, marked by the arrival of the Phoenicians. The foundation of Gadir around 1100 BC makes it the oldest city in the West, a milestone that sums up the importance of the province on the trade routes. The Gadir Archaeological Site in the capital reveals strata of overlapping Phoenician settlements, including houses and remains that illustrate the daily life of the first settlers.

After the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and, above all, the Romans, consolidated the development of the region. The territory became part of the Roman province of Baetica, and was dotted with important cities, factories and communication routes. The coast of Cádiz, in particular, was a nerve centre for the production of salted fish and the famous garum sauce, which was exported throughout the Empire.

Main Archaeological Sites in the Province of Cádiz

Among the numerous enclaves that bear witness to this intense history, several sites are obligatory visits in order to understand the magnitude of Cádiz's heritage:

• Baelo Claudia (Tarifa): Considered one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Spain, Baelo Claudia is a paradigmatic example of a coastal city and Roman factory. Located in the Bolonia inlet, its remains include a basilica, a theatre, temples dedicated to Isis and the Capitoline triad, thermal baths and, crucially, the salted fish factories. Its excellent state of preservation is due to its abandonment from the 7th century AD onwards.

• Carteia (San Roque)Carteia: In the Campo de Gibraltar, Carteia was initially a Phoenician and Punic settlement that became the first Latin colony outside Italy (Colonia Libertinorum Carteia). Its ruins include walls, the remains of a Punic temple, baths and an important port area. It was a strategic enclave of great importance in the Roman civil wars.

• Roman Theatre of CádizDiscovered by chance in 1980, the Roman Theatre of Cadiz is one of the largest in Hispania, with an estimated capacity of 20,000 spectators. It dates from the 1st century BC and its discovery and museumisation have helped to enhance the value of the Roman legacy in the capital. Its proximity to the modern urban layout underlines the historical continuity of the city.

• La Casa del Obispo archaeological siteThe site is one of the most important heritage sites in Cádiz and southern Europe, as it offers a complete stratigraphy of the oldest city in the West, with continuous occupation from the 8th century BC to the present day.

• Doña Blanca Archaeological Ensemble (El Puerto de Santa María): This site is essential for understanding the transition between Tartessian culture and Phoenician colonisation. Located near the Bay of Cadiz, it is a fortified city with a necropolis that has provided valuable information on the funerary practices and commercial contacts of the pre-Roman populations.

• Asta Regia (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain)): Although not yet fully open to the public, Asta Regia is one of the most promising sites. It is believed to have been an important Turdetan and later Roman city, a crossroads and a major administrative and economic centre in the interior of the province. Its potential to rewrite part of the ancient history of the area is enormous.

• Roman Inland CitiesOther sites such as Ocuri (Ubrique), with its imposing acropolis and mausoleum, Carissa Aurelia (Esperanza and Bornos), or the Acinipo (on the border with Malaga, but closely linked to the history of Cádiz), show the dense urban network and the degree of Romanisation achieved in the sierra.

Cadiz is in constant discovery and offers us a palpable history lesson.

The archaeological wealth of Cádiz is not just a collection of static ruins; it is a living history. The constant excavations in the capital, such as the remains found in the Casa del Obispo, or the work in progress in cities such as Ocuri. Doña Blanca, Carteia or Asta Regia, continue to add new pieces to the complex historical puzzle.

A gateway between the African continent and Europe, and between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, this province remains a natural laboratory for the study of cultural interactions and the deep roots of Western civilisation.

Through its archaeological sites, Cadiz offers a palpable and accessible history lesson, allowing visitors to connect directly with the lives of the Phoenicians, Romans and other peoples who forged their identity over the centuries. And the Tambor del Llano, in Grazalema, is a privileged point from which to discover them.

Archaeology lovers will enjoy themselves in Cádiz and will leave with a fabulous image of its heritage and a treasure trove of knowledge that will give Cádiz's culture and values an edge far removed from clichés.

Julián Jiménez López

President of AMAG

Friends of Gijón Archaeological Museums Cultural Association and founding member of Tambor del Llano