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A new phase of archaeological excavations has begun to recover Cartagena's Roman Amphitheatre, specifically inside the bullring focusing on the southwest sector, bringing the landmark a step closer to being opened to the public.

 

A team of three archaeologists started the meticulous excavations on June 1, under the direction of Professor Jose Miguel Noguera and UNED lecturer María del Carmen Berrocal who, together with archaeologist Francisco Fernández Matallana, are in charge of the project.

 

They have been busy removing levels of rubble - mainly schist (medium grade metamorphic rock) and phyllite - left behind when the natural rock of the Cerro de la Concepción was cut in the 19th century to lay the foundations of the bullring.

 

According to Cartagena Council, the team used specialised machinery to remove large volumes of rubble that concealed the amphitheatre.

 

"The work carried out has made it possible to connect the already open probes located on the major and minor axes of the 1st century amphitheatre. Despite the fact that excavation began only a few days ago, the archaeologists have already exposed the sandstone ashlar podium, which served as a separation between the main show arena and the grandstand where the spectators were seated", explained deputy mayor Ana Belén Castejón.

 

The wall would have been more than two metres high and, so far, a section formed by two rows of sandstone ashlars has been documented.

 

"Archaeologists still have a lot of research to do on this, but they have also found an access to the interior of one of the rooms used in the original arena shows and was reused in the 18th century," added the deputy mayor.

 

As well as excavation, the 10-month project seeks to conserve, restore and enhance the amphitheatre so that it can be opened to the public.

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena