Reactivating research: El Acequión (Albacete)

In 2023, the Ideas MedioAmbiental team participated in the excavation of the famous Albacete site of El Acequión. After decades of abandonment in fieldwork, the enclave has had a new archaeological campaign led by Laura Castillo Vizcaíno, Fernando Ruiz Salazar and José Vicente Rodríguez Cano, under the scientific direction of Dr. D. Luis Benítez de Lugo Enrich.

2023 campaign: we are reactivating work

The work planned for the first campaign focused on documenting the population of the circum-lagoon area, specifically on the north and south slopes of the lagoon, where previous field surveys had documented abundant ceramic and construction remains that motivated interest in surveying the area. Added to all this was a set of surveys carried out in the lagoon itself to determine the use that the floodplain area might have had. In total, 10 surveys were opened by hand on both sides of the lagoon, most of them positive in terms of archaeological remains, and four more, with a machine, inside the lagoon from which we extracted soil samples.

Although under investigation, we can anticipate that drone flights made it possible to generate high-quality orthoimages to locate the surface findings that were identified during the intensive survey of the site. The excavation has also brought to light structures of high interest that are currently under study, whose results will soon revert to the dissemination and dissemination of such an enormous and complete site.

Although, How was the Albacete Museum progressed, we can give the first taste of the discovery of a series of Iberian structures that connect with the findings made in Motilla itself. A significant part of these were in a good state of conservation thanks to the abandonment of these lands and the protection of the environment generated by its declaration of Asset of Cultural Interest in 1991, the first Motilla being declared the highest figure of protection.

Until now, excavation campaigns had never been carried out in the lagoon and its surroundings, so all the information allowed us to open up a new horizon of study at this site, already well recognized in scientific society, in addition to the lack of regulated archaeological activities in the surroundings of the lagoon.

Campaign 2024: the return to the Motilla de El Acequión after 35 years

Once again, in September 2024, a new archaeological campaign began, this time focusing efforts on La Motilla. In this way, after 35 years of neglect, archaeological works returned to the heart of El Acequión.

This campaign, rather than excavating, focused on carrying out exhaustive documentation of the state of La Motilla, which, in the absence of maintenance and cleaning, showed serious conservation deficiencies, mainly due to bioturbations resulting from the coexistence of tarays and an important colony of Leporids.

In this way, a series of topographic surveys were carried out together with photogrammetric flights with which it was possible to carry out a 3D model of the Motilla so as to have a digital record of its current state and of the different phases of the work carried out.

Along with these works, an important task was carried out to clear and clean the Motilla and its immediate environment, which was practically devoured by undergrowth and by accumulations of garbage and debris resulting from the degradation of archaeological structures.

We must bear in mind that, due to the lack of maintenance and with the growth of tarays on the reservoir, significant damage is taking place to the structures. This is why cleaning tasks are so necessary, eliminating or mitigating as far as possible these damaging factors that little by little undermine the integrity of the Motilla.

As part of these cleaning works, actions were prioritized on the western and central sectors, recovering the visibility of the outer ring or wall B, in addition to removing the debris accumulated in Corte 2 (central area of La Motilla) until reaching the heights of Phase II of the Village, about -4.5 meters deep from the current height.

In conclusion...

The reactivation of the works in the Motilla de El Acequión is a milestone in the protection and safeguarding of the heritage of our municipality, which has suffered so much over the years. In this regard, we have already addressed in our blog the loss of historic assets in Albacete in the posts “In search of Albacete's lost heritage — Part I” and “Part II”, where we explore the traces of the past that have disappeared over time.

We cannot but celebrate and highlight the work of Mr. Luis Benítez de Lugo, as principal investigator of the project, and the good will and involvement of the Albacete City Council, together with the Institute of Albacete Studies and the Council of Communities of Castilla-La Mancha, in the present and future of El Acequión.

The protection and safeguarding of our heritage, as well as its study and research, are an essential part of archaeological science, but to these foundations we must add dissemination, since knowledge in the hands of a few is useless. As archaeology and research professionals, we must ensure that our work is not limited to scientific knowledge alone.

In recent years, important changes have been taking place in society's perception of archaeological heritage. There is an increasing demand, a quest to visit and get to know him. Archaeological tourism, or archeotourism, requires a series of needs both in terms of conservation and enhancement, and in the use of new technologies to facilitate the understanding and visualization of heritage for the general public.

There are many networks that request that this area be restored, and, from this platform, we want to join these voices. Already abandoned as a bathing area due to intensive irrigation, its landscape has changed significantly. What hasn't changed is the interest shown by the population. During this campaign, many people passed by the enclave asking:”Isn't there a field here?” , “Is this where is there a Motilla?” or “Are there any information or visits to the site?” So far, all the answers were negative. We hope that in future blog posts we can give the good news that El Acequión is reopening as a recreational and cultural leisure area, where heritage and environment come together within a periurban space that promotes economic entertainment in the periurban area of Albacete.

If you want to expand your knowledge of the site and keep up to date with the news, follow the adventure in the specialized website. There are years of work left in El Acequión, but we are getting closer to being able to enjoy an environment that has historically been part of the culture and leisure of our city.

At Ideas MedioAmbiental, we can't help but be proud to be part of this special adventure.

Soon, in the best polls...

‍