Tardoantico

The archaeological excavation conducted by the Soprintendenza di Catania in 2007 brought to light a Roman farm, characterized by multiple phases (from the third to the seventh century A.D. ) in the area of a previous Hellenistic settlement (fourth - third centuries b.C.). In the late Byzantine period (between the eighth and the first half of the ninth century) a three-naved basilica, with a narthex, was built, destroying in part the remains of the farm, as well as those of the late antique settlement. The basilica underwent various modifications before being transformed into a stone dump. The plan is similar to thoe of other Sicilian religious buildings traditionally dated between the fifth and the sixth century A.D. and shows that it was well-rooted in the Late Antique tradition. The centrality of the settlement (not far from the Roman aqueduct that crossed the area, and next to a road in use betwen the Roman and the Late-medieval periods) explains the continuity of the settlement at a junction that was clearly important in this area.

The archaeological intervention of a preventive nature carried out at the site of San Martín de Dulantzi (Alegría-Dulantzi, Álava) brought an unexpected stratigraphic sequence, especially on the each less darks centuries of Late Antiquity. However, despite the important extension of land intervened, about 800 m2, only recovered a total of ten coins. This low density of findings contrasts vividly with the abundant representation of other kinds of material evidence at the site. Although, behind this lack of testimonies coins, hides a complex sequence of occupation developed into a space of use preferably religious and/or funeral, where prevail those historical periods of limited or almost non-existent monetary circulation, including between the V and XII centuries.

The coins, without being the most significant archaeological material from a quantitative or qualitative point of view, however, show the apparent contradiction between the numismatic evidence and the archaeological record. And we say apparent because, as we will have opportunity to see over the next lines, absences, in certain cases, can provide information as valuable as those offered by own presences. Within the small cast of pieces found at the site, stand out for their uniqueness exemplary shakes by the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the 11th century and a rare issue attributed to the Navarrese King Sancho VI the Wise (1150-1194).

La intervención arqueológica llevada a cabo en las calles Nuestra Señora de Ayala y San Martín, ubicadas en la villa alavesa de Alegría-Dulantzi, ha deparado una inesperada secuencia estratigráfica, especialmente del cada vez menos oscuro periodo tardoantiguo. Las monedas, sin llegar a ser los materiales arqueológicos más significativos desde el punto de vista cuantitativo o cualitativo, arrojan interesantes informaciones relativas a las primeras emisiones monetarias de los reinos cristianos peninsulares a finales del siglo XI.