A new archaeological intervention at Balma de Castelló confirms its scientific and training potential

A research team from IPHES-CERCA has carried out a new archaeological intervention at Balma de Castelló, in the municipality of Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant, between 21 and 24 April. The work is part of a research project exploring the archaeological potential of this cave, also known as Cova del Cingle. The project is carried out in collaboration with the Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant Town Council.

The campaign consisted of a small-scale archaeological excavation, continuing the survey work initiated just a year ago. Its aim was to characterise the sedimentary deposit and the chrono-cultural sequence of the site. The results obtained so far confirm the scientific interest of the cave, with the identification of levels corresponding to the Early Neolithic Epicardial (between 6,200 and 5,700 years before present) and evidence of earlier occupations, most likely from the Upper Palaeolithic.

These results reinforce expectations raised in earlier research phases, when archaeological remains had already been recovered pointing to a long sequence of human occupation in the cave. The results of this research will be publicly presented in the autumn, with the aim of bringing scientific knowledge closer to society and enhancing the heritage value of this site.

A site with strong potential for future research

Balma de Castelló had not previously been catalogued as an archaeological site, but the quality of its sedimentary record and the chronological diversity of the recovered materials point to a location with high potential for future archaeological interventions. The data obtained will help assess the continuity of the work and define new lines of research in this area of Baix Camp, where little is known about prehistoric settlement.

Practical training in Quaternary archaeology

The intervention also had a strong teaching component. Fieldwork was carried out the course Methods of excavation and recording in Quaternary archaeology, part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Quaternary Archaeology and Human Evolution at Rovira i Virgili University.

Fifteen students of different nationalities took part in the campaign, under the supervision of professors Josep Maria Vergès and Juan Ignacio Morales, who provided on-site theoretical and practical training in excavation and recording techniques used in prehistoric archaeology.

The research team also received support from the Masia de Castelló Association, which provided the facilities used for the field laboratory and for delivering theoretical training sessions to the master’s students.