DETAILS ABOUT the Islamic Medina, or town, discovered by archaeologists in Cacela Velha, Vila Real de Santo António, during excavations inside the local fortress, have been revealed to The Resident.
Structures discovered during the experimental excavations, which lasted from May 7 to July 4, have now been revealed as the Medina of Qast’alla Daraj dating back to the 10th Century when it was controlled by the Berber family Banu Daraj.
This family’s most famous member was Ibn Darraj Al-Qastalli (958-1030), a poet and the chancellor secretary and is said to be one of the most emblematic figures of his time.
A spokesman from Vila Real de Santo António Câmara said: “The existence of the habitation of the Cadi of this important coastal post of the Garb Al-Andalus, the Algarve, was uncovered. Seven corn pits, five of which are very large and an archaeological rarity, were found in the structure.” These pits were used to store cereals and grain at the time and show evidence of a rich agricultural society.
Work continues
Due to the interesting nature of the project and the artefacts uncovered, the Centro de Investigação e Informação do Património de Cacela, the centre for investigation and information of the heritage of Cacela, organised a walking tour for residents and visitors with archaeologist Cristina Garcia in June.
Dra Garcia explained that, during the Islamic period, between the 10th and 13th centuries, the district was well populated with fertile soils, farms and orchards, which can all be proven through the artefacts and structures uncovered.
People’s diets at the time can also be traced through ancient rubbish deposits which include many fish bones and mollusc shells.
Excavations at the site were undertaken by the archaeology department of Vila Real de Santo António Câmara and the Centro de Investigação e Informação do Património de Cacela, in conjunction with the Instituto de Gestão do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico (IGESPAR), the institute for the management of architectural and archaeological heritage.
Although excavations were officially due to cease on July 4, work is still continuing as the site has revealed such important structures for the archaeological studies of Islamic history in the region.
Next year, IGESPAR is due to continue the archaeological investigation of the site with a view to restoring the remains of the structures and artefacts and creating a museum on the site.
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