In 2021, a routine construction project in southwestern Spain took an unexpected turn, peeling back layers of time to reveal a forgotten fortress from the Copper Age and a puzzling Roman burial. What began as the groundwork for a solar panel farm near Almendralejo in Badajoz province transformed into one of the most significant archaeological finds in recent Spanish history; a discovery that bridges millennia and hints at ancient conflicts and enigmatic rituals.
A Fortress from the Dawn of Civilization
The star of this find is the Cortijo Lobato site, a sprawling Copper Age fortress dating back roughly 5,000 years (3000–2450 B.C.). Unearthed during the construction of Acciona Energía’s Extremadura I-II-III solar plants, the structure stunned archaeologists with its scale and sophistication. Covering approximately 140,000 square feet (13,000 square meters), it dwarfs other known fortifications from the period, such as one in Almería, by a factor of two.
This wasn’t just a simple settlement. The fortress boasted three concentric walls made of stone and adobe, reinforced by 25 towers. Deep moats, painstakingly carved into the bedrock, surrounded the perimeter, while a single, narrow entrance, only 27 inches wide, funneled visitors (or invaders) into a defensible choke point. Carbon dating of animal bones found in fire-scarred sections suggests the site was abandoned around 2450 B.C., likely after a violent assault. Scattered arrowheads and signs of burning paint a picture of a dramatic end to this ancient stronghold.
Archaeologists believe Cortijo Lobato reflects a society on edge. Built during a time of climatic upheaval, possibly a prolonged drought, its robust defenses suggest it protected something valuable (perhaps crops or livestock) from rival groups. This glimpse into the Copper Age, a transitional era marked by the rise of metallurgy and social complexity, underscores how conflict and resource scarcity shaped early human communities.
A Roman Soldier’s Fate
The surprises didn’t end with the fortress. Buried atop the ruins, some 2,500 years after its fall, excavators uncovered a Roman-era grave from the 2nd to 3rd century A.D. Inside lay a man, believed to be a soldier, interred in an unusual and grim manner: face down, with his feet severed and a Roman military dagger, or “pugio” , placed on his back. The burial raises more questions than it answers. Was he a deserter executed in disgrace? A victim of ritual punishment? And why here, at a site long abandoned by the time the Romans arrived?
The juxtaposition of these finds, a prehistoric fortress and a Roman burial, highlights the layered history of the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans, known for their sprawling empire, often repurposed older sites, but this burial’s isolated and macabre nature sets it apart from typical Roman practices. Researchers are still piecing together the soldier’s story, but it adds a haunting coda to the fortress’s saga.
A Window into Humanity’s Roots
This find is more than just an archaeological jackpot; it’s a portal into the lives of people who lived five millennia ago. The fortress’s scale and defenses challenge assumptions about the Copper Age, revealing a society capable of monumental engineering and organized warfare. Meanwhile, the Roman burial adds a layer of intrigue, connecting two vastly different eras through a single patch of earth.
As research continues, Cortijo Lobato promises to reshape our understanding of prehistoric Spain. It’s a reminder that beneath our modern world lie stories of resilience, conflict, and mystery; waiting patiently to be uncovered, even by accident. Return to AncientHistoryX for more.
