In the heart of Mérida, during the rehabilitation work on the Square of the Basilica of Santa Eulaliaarchaeologists have made a remarkable discovery: a Roman mausoleum.
This discovery, found under the ground of the famous Hornito de Santa Eulalia, adds a new piece to the vast archaeological puzzle of the city, formerly known as “Emérita Augusta”.
What was found in this Roman mausoleum and why is it so important?
The excavation team, led by Ana Bejarano, identified several elements of interest next to the mausoleum. Among them are remains of walls of houses, baths and tombsall dated from different periods of the Roman era.
These structures reflect the rich urban life of the former Roman colony and question the uses and transformations of these spaces over time.
According to specialists, the mausoleum discovered dates back to the High Imperial period, a period during which Emerita Augusta was an important administrative and cultural enclave of the Roman Empire in Hispania. Although field work has been completed, structural studies have only just begun.
The objective of the researchers is understand the meaning and exact use of this Roman mausoleumas well as its relationship with other remains found in the area. This type of building, commonly used for funeral ceremonies of famous people, reflects the high level of architectural and symbolic sophistication of the Romans.
The historical importance of the Basilica of Santa Eulalia
The mausoleum is not the only important discovery in this area of Mérida. The Basilica of Santa Eulalia, originally built in the 4th century, It is one of the first Christian temples in Hispania.
This religious building was erected as a martyrium in memory of Saint Eulalia, a young martyr whose story of sacrifice spread throughout the Roman Empire.
The original basilica was built over a Christian necropolis which included a burial mound, considered the precursor to the martyr’s mausoleum dedicated to Saint Eulalia. This mausoleum, in turn, It served as the basis for the construction of the great Visigothic basilica.whose relevance continues to this day.
Currently, the basilica is part of the archaeological complex of Mérida, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In addition to its religious value, it stands out as one of the rare medieval buildings in the city.
Curiosities about Santa Eulalia, where the Roman mausoleum was discovered
In the atrium of the Basilica is the famous Hornito de Santa Eulalia, a small votive chapel which, according to tradition, It marks the place where the young martyr suffered martyrdom. This more recent building reuses the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mars.
Among the elements preserved in the Hornito, a Latin inscription that pays homage to the god stands out: “MARTI SACRVM VETTILLA PACVLI”.
The practice of reusing materials from earlier constructions was common in late antiquity, reflecting a cultural syncretism characteristic of that era.
New perspectives on Emerita Augusta
Recent discoveries in the square of the Basilica of Santa Eulalia highlight the archaeological importance of Mérida as a key city of the Roman Empire in Hispania.
The discovered Roman mausoleum, along with the remains of dwellings and baths, provide information on how daily and ceremonial activities took place in this historic enclave.
Subsequent studies will more precisely determine the context and use of these structures, as well as their link with other discoveries in the city. Mérida, thanks to these works, strengthens its status as one of the largest archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula.
About the archaeological context of Mérida
Emerita Augusta was founded in 25 BC. C. by Emperor Augustus as a retreat for veteran soldiers. Since then, it has become a important political centereconomic and cultural of the Roman Empire.
Its urban layout, which included forums, theaters, temples and aqueductsdemonstrates the high level of planning and development that characterized Roman colonies.
Over the centuries, the city has undergone significant transformations, move from a Roman core to a center of Christian pilgrimage. Each step has left a unique archaeological trace, as evidenced by this latest discovery in the Basilica of Santa Eulalia.
This discovery highlights the importance of excavations and restorations to uncover fragments of the past. Merida, declared a world heritage site in 1993has an archaeological heritage that continues to reveal surprises.
