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Culture
Numancia (Archaeological Site)
The Celtiberian city of Numantia demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of a 20-year siege by Roman legions. They were victorious in each subsequent engagement with the Empire's generals, ultimately compelling the most renowned of them, Publius Cornelius Scipio, to assume responsibility for the city's subjugation. The Celtiberian Wars finally came to an end in the summer of 133 BC when the latter army collapsed from starvation.
The strategic location of the high hill of La Muela, from which it is possible to control the ford of the Duero river, is undoubtedly the most significant factor in the city's success. This significant event transformed Numantia into a symbol of resistance and the struggle for freedom, earning it the nickname of the heroic city.
Today, many people visit this archaeological site in search of information about the Celtiberian culture, as it is the most extensively excavated site of its kind. The discoveries made have provided insights and information that have enhanced our understanding of the lives and customs of this pre-Roman Bronze Age population.
Excavations have revealed the existence of two distinct cities, the original and oldest from the Celtiberian period and a later one from the Roman period. Both were designed around an irregular layout of streets and were protected by a formidable wall, more than 3 metres high and 4 metres wide, which was reinforced by numerous towers with 4 access points coinciding with the cardinal points. The wall was constructed using boulders, filled with earth and stones, and topped by an adobe parapet reinforced with wooden posts. Furthermore, in areas where access could be more straightforward, such as in the east, a reinforcement based on ditches and driven stones was employed.
In 1993, the necropolis was discovered on the southern slope of the hill. The area covers just over one hectare and contains a total of 155 tombs. The structure of these, together with the elements of the grave goods and the subsequent analysis of the bones found, have helped to shed light on new aspects of the Celtiberians, such as their diet, the funerary rituals they carried out and their socio-economic organisation.
The discovery of these ruins has led to a renewed interest in Celtiberian culture, which has in turn given rise to various entities and celebrations. This is the case of the Archaeological Classroom on "The Roman siege of Numantia" and various events, the most important of which is the reproduction of the episodes of the Numantine Wars, held on the last Saturday in July. In August, the International Celtiberian Cultural Week "KELTIBEROI" will take place. During the latter period, several activities will be taking place, including the "Numancia Viva" open day, guided tours of the site, routes around the Scipio's Siege, Celtiberian gastronomic days and historical reconstruction activities.
The area is also home to the "Numantóbriga", a 45-kilometre trekking route that covers the towns of Soria, Garray, Velilla de la Sierra, Renieblas, Aldehuela de Periañez, Arancón, Calderuela, Aldealpozo, Tajahuerce, Pozalmuro, Matalebreras, Ólvega and Muro. Participants will walk along the ancient Roman road, Via 27 of Antoninus, which is the setting for cultural activities and performances designed to recover the uses, knowledge and practices of the Celtiberian and Roman cultures.