HELP US KEEP OUR
HERITAGE!
WE ASK FOR YOUR
HELP AND SUPPORT. PLEASE SIGN BELOW, STATING YOUR NAME
AND OCCUPATION, AND YOUR OPINION.
A COPY OF YOUR
EMAIL WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY POSTED TO THE BASQUE
GOVERNMENT ASKING THEM TO PRESERVE THE REMAINS!
HOME
|
|
Archeological Remains
During the summer of 1997 some traces of metalworking
related to an ancient road and 2 old stone bridges were
discovered in the village of Zamudio (Biscay, Basque
Country, Spain).
One of the bridges ("Puente
Aricondo" shown above in the photo), is a single
span bridge, whose structure consists of well cut regular
stone blocks and it bore singular carved marks in the rib
arch face.
A cross was carved on the
central voussoir and the adjacent voussoirs each had one
letter inscribed, namely an "L" and a
"Z". These marks gradually became symbolic of
the limits of the village, "Z" standing
forZamudio village and "L" standing for Lezama
village. This demonstrates the survival of an ancient
practice which was employed to indicate territorial
borders/boundaries.
The Road
A combination of archaeological analysis and extensive
consultation of local and national archives has allowed
us to date the remains found by the road.
One of the bridges dates back to
the 18th century. Furthermore, this research has pointed
to some distintive features:
According to documentation found in the archives
dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, all the remains
belonged to an ancient road that linked the medieval
cityof Bilbao to Guernica, the symbolic centre of the
Basque country.
|
Saint
James Way
This route, in use from the
Middle Ages until the 20th century, was part of another
symbolic route, namely the pilgrim route to Saint James
of Compostela. Before the French route (through Navarre
and Castille) became popular there was a coastal route
from France and from England (Southampton to Bermeo's
port and then through this coastal route either up to
Bilbao, Burgos and Santiago or straight along the
Cantabrian coast to Santiago).
Roman Origin
As Roman sites flank this route,
we can presume that it was in use during the Roman
period, as there is enouh evidence for its antiquity and
usage. It is also possible to outline the path of the
route which was still used in the twentieth century. That
is probably why we have not been able to find metal
working remains dating from before the 18th century.
Heritage at risk
A recent project propose to construct a motorway over
the area which this route covers; in fact, it will pass
through the bridges and the metalworking site by the
road.
The Basque Government has been informed about
thediscovery. Evidence of the antiquity and on the
character/nature of the remains has also been provided.
Surprisingly, the Governmenet sector responsible for the
National Heritage have alleged economic reasons for not
diverting the motorway for a mere 100 metres in order to
preserve the remains. Moreover, they stated that they
cannot protect the entire National Heritage (but where
should we draw the line?: do we have to keep 50 out of
100 sites? Based on which criteria?)
Are political reasons involved?
(The Saint James Pilgrim Route reminds us all of a
national or "Spanish" route).
Archaeologist are astonished and
at a loss for words! If there is no pressure from outside
the Basque Country, remains of the past must once more
besacrified for no obvious and clear-cut reason.
HELP
US KEEP OUR HERITAGE!
|
