A new programme of archaeological excavations will increase knowledge of the medieval period of occupation of Cacela Velha, close to the old fortress which remains in danger of collapse.
The excavations will concentrate in the old well area, where the old Islamic quarter is located, and will look for a possible connection to the port and a Christian necropolis.
The activity began this week in a programme that will re-analyse the existing archaeological remains, mark out the areas of occupation and identify any new areas, according to Vila Real de Santo António Council.
The dig involves students from the University of the Algarve and the Simon Fraser University in Canada and has the support of the Council and the Regional Cultural Directorate of the Algarve.
The four-year project will allow Portuguese and overseas archaeologists to increase our knowledge of Cacela Velha’s past, particularly between the C10th and C15th and follows on from ten-years of digs that finished in 2007.
The ‘Muslims and Christians in the Medieval Cacela: Territory and Changing Identities’ project involves archeologists at undergraduate and master's level.
All this is no fun unless the public can see what has been unearthed so there will be a programme set up to spread news of findings to boost the historical and archaeological heritage of Cacela Velha – maybe some site visits also.
Below the Cacela Velha fortress, the friable cliff face that was damaged further in the spring storms has not miraculously repaired itself and the building remains in danger of collapse while MPs, councillors and people in suits tug their chins and lament, “there’s no money.”
