A Man Buried With a Sword in A 4900-Yr-Old 'Unconquerable' Fortress Baffles Researchers About His Origins

In 2021, a research team discovered a fortress in Spain, whose excavations continue to surprise them. The establishment was discovered by a team associated with Tera S.L. on a hill in Badajoz province, stated EL PAIS. They were conducting preliminary surveys for the construction of a photovoltaic solar park when they unearthed the structure. As per experts, the features of this establishment in the Cortijo Lobato site match with many fortresses of Los Millares in Almería province. Along with the building, archaeologists have found many artifacts from the area.

As per examinations, the establishment dates back to 4,900 years ago. The whole structure was around 13,000 square meters in area. Researchers uncovered three concentric walls, three deep ditches which were four meters wide and two meters deep, and 25 semicircular towers in the fortress. Experts also noted a 70 centimeters wide single entrance, along with robust stone and adobe walls, which they believe was put in place to make the place unconquerable.

Despite so many defenses, the establishment faced many violent blows leading to insurmountable damage. Archaeologists found evidence that indicated that the fortress suffered from a widespread fire. Experts concluded the fire was intentional after analyzing the burn marks on wooden doors embedded in the adobe walls. The doors were placed away from other flammable materials but still suffered impact from the flames, which implied that the fire was not accidental, and was facilitated. The culprit behind this fire remains a mystery, which researchers are aiming to resolve with further examinations. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts like arrowheads, bowls, plates, loom components, axes, grinding stones, and idols from the fortress.

Radiocarbon dating of animal remains within the fire ashes indicated that the fortress was abandoned around 2450 B.C. The next evidence of human settlement in the establishment is noted in the Late Roman Empire era (2nd–3rd centuries A.D.). Experts claimed that a grave from this period was found in the fortress. It was a shallow burial, that carried the remains of a man aged between 25 and 35 years old. The man was laid to rest face down and carried a pugio (dagger) with him. This kind of weapon was used by Roman legionaries, which made researchers speculate that he could have been a military man. 

Archaeologists further claimed that the grave was made in haste as it was barely deep enough to hold the man's body. The remains were almost complete, with the only part missing being his feet. After examining the body, experts claimed that the feet had been cut. The dagger was in an exceptional state, still intact in its sheath, as per researchers. If the claims regarding the man being a soldier are true, then he could have been a part of Legio VII Gemina, the only Roman legion stationed in Hispania at that time. Researchers have been trying to gather DNA from the site and pugio to identify the man. The dagger has been sent to a laboratory for further analysis.