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Date Published: 10/07/2025

Archaeology digs begin in Alhama at Cabecico Redondo and Las Paleras

The two-week project brings together experts, students and locals to explore the town’s ancient heritage

The latest edition of the Alhama de Murcia Archaeology Work Camp got underway this week, on Monday July 7, marking the start of two weeks of excavation and research at two of the municipality’s most important historical sites: Cabecico Redondo and Las Paleras.

The initiative, organised by Alhama Town Council in collaboration with the University of Murcia, has brought together 31 participants from across the country, including archaeologists, university students, graduates and local residents with a shared passion for history.

Team members have travelled from provinces such as Madrid, Toledo, Alicante and Murcia, and include people from towns such as Cartagena, Caravaca, Totana, Beniel, Librilla and Alhama itself.

The volunteers were welcomed at a reception held at the Plaza Vieja Cultural Centre by the Councillor for Culture and Heritage, Alicia Martínez, who highlighted the importance of the project in helping to protect and promote Alhama’s historical identity.

At the Bronze Age site of Cabecico Redondo in La Muela, the fourth excavation campaign is being led by archaeologists Benjamín Cutillas, Alberto López and José Baños.

The team is working to uncover more details about the settlement that existed there at the end of the third millennium BC. The site, over 4,000 years old, offers valuable insights into the dwellings and everyday lives of its prehistoric inhabitants.

At the same time, excavations are continuing at Las Paleras on the Cerro del Castillo, a site that was an important settlement between the 8th and 10th centuries AD.

This campaign is focusing on key areas including the north wall, grain silos and residential spaces within the former citadel. The findings are expected to shed light on the layout and strategic importance of this medieval settlement, which once played a key role in the Guadalentín valley.

In addition to the ongoing fieldwork, preparations are being made for a wider musealisation project that will begin in the coming weeks. This project will enhance the Cerro del Castillo as a visitor-friendly historical space, alongside the Castle of Alhama and the Archaeological Museum of Los Baños.

The work camp represents a unique opportunity for training and research while strengthening the town’s commitment to heritage conservation. Through initiatives like this, Alhama continues to invest in both the study and celebration of its rich and diverse past.

For more local news, events and visitor information, you can go to the home page of Alhama Today

Images: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia

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Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Tel: 968 633 512

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.