Roman camp discovery sheds light on conquest in León

Archaeologists from the University of León in Spain discovered a Roman military camp covering 1.7 hectares near an Iron Age settlement close to La Peña del Castro, in the municipality of La Ercina.

The camp’s location, approximately 500 meters from the settlement, suggests a direct connection between the Roman army and the conquest of the local population during the Cantabrian Wars over 2,000 years ago.

Previously, linking Roman military installations to conquered settlements in this area of León had been difficult due to limited evidence. The camp features a rectangular shape, a stone wall about 1.5 meters wide, and a typical Roman military entrance. Its placement allowed soldiers to monitor the settlement and access routes, offering a strategic advantage during a potential siege.

Excavations at the camp revealed Roman weaponry and hobnails from soldiers’ boots, further confirming its military purpose and connection to the attack on La Peña del Castro. Researchers also continued excavating the Iron Age settlement and confirmed that the Roman attack came from its north side, aligning with earlier theories. Evidence of a large fire that destroyed parts of the settlement, including two Iron Age temples, was found.

The team is investigating whether some structures were deliberately destroyed after the conquest, but more evidence is needed to confirm this idea. They also identified a watchtower within the settlement, which may have been used to maintain control of the territory afterward. It remains unclear if the settlement was conquered in a single attack or over multiple phases.