Research 2014 (July 20th-August 20th) and 2015 (July 20th-August 15th):

In this area, consistent archaeological interventions have been carried out according to the historical study of the salty wetlands of La Mancha, which were completed after two excavation campaigns in the Dancos site during 2014 and 2015.

The archaeological site is located in Mancha Húmeda, next to an old, dried-out lagoon and around the Virgen de la Esperanza sanctuary, in the township of Lillo, Toledo.

Above an occupation that emerges from the widespread population of the Copper Age in relation to the Manchegan pools and the flint, a Carpetanian village from the Second Iron Age was established. This settlement was then covered by a Hispano.muslim occupation and another Christian occupation, which together gave form to a tell that stands out against the plains of La Mancha. In area surrounding the hill there is a Roman occupation with abundant materials. The entire site was used as a field of holes (silos, landfills, material extraction, etc.) that were later filled and abandoned.

Dancos constitutes a settlement of successive occupations that emerged in the context of a study of roads (drover’s roads, the Antoninian Itinerary), of the use of salt and silviculture resources from the lakes and steppes of La Mancha, and of an economy based primarily on farming cereal and raising bovine livestock, supplemented by a limited local metallurgical activity.

(translation by Emily Marie Polacek)