Located a structure that could be the temple of Melqart and Hercules

An investigation has found some remains that could belong to the mythical Phoenician-Punic temple of Melqart and Hercules in Cádiz (in the south of Spain). The structure, located at a depth of between 3 and 5 meters and with dimensions of 300 meters long and 150 wide, has been located in a area between Camposoto (San Fernando) and Saint Peter (Chiclana). If the finding is confirmed, could solve one of the great unknowns of archeology.

Its location has been possible thanks to remote sensing methods carried out Ricardo Belizón Aragon Y Antonio Saéz Romero, of the Department of Prehistory and Archeology of the University of Seville. Both have scrutinized images of the area, from documents from the National Geographic Institute to orthographies of an American flight in 1956, and have subjected them to digital processes that have allowed them to be viewed.

Apart from the structure, next to it Remains of what could be breakwaters, an interior port structure and other buildings have also been found which would indicate that there was a Roman city there that could be the size of Baelo Claudia, a completely different social landscape from the one estimated until now in this area where the Melqart temple was sought (Heracles for the Greeks and Hercules for the Romans).

A highly sought after temple

In addition, the structure correlates with the information that classical authors such as Strabo, Italic Silium, Poseidon, or Philostratus They gave of this famous sanctuary, which they described in a changing environment, subject to the tides and close to the coast.

Since the 18th century remains have been located (coins, sculptures …) that confirmed that the temple sought was in that area and since the 70s of the 20th century they have been made various archaeological interventions and surveys that have served to locate other remains, but not to locate the temple. With this investigation it is believed to have found the platform on which this sought-after temple was located.

Possible difficulties

The researcher Ricardo Belizón has shown his joy and “impact” for having made this finding in the course of the work for his doctoral thesis and has shown, along with Antonio Sáez, cautious: “We are scientists, time and research will tell us whether or not it is“They have commented after explaining that a work of” many many years “is now beginning to corroborate their theory.”Right now it’s a guess“, they have affirmed.

Some tasks that they are hampered because the space is subjected to ocean currents, poor visibility and tides, which barely allow diving surveys for three hours in a row.

They continue with the investigation

The delegate in Cádiz of the Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage, Mercedes colombo, has assured today in the presentation of this research at the Underwater Archeology Center of Cádiz, that the necessary funds will be obtained to continue this investigation given “the importance” of the find and its “great archaeological interest”.

The director of the Department of Prehistory and Archeology of the University of Seville, Francisco Jose Garcia, has assured that it is a find “top notch”, of “enormous historical importance” because “it is part of the DNA of western culture and the history of Andalusia.” He praised the “discretion”, the “meticulousness” and the prudence of the investigation: “I am reluctant to the archeology-spectacle that is in vogue now, but in this case the find is spectacular“.

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This finding is the result of collaboration between researchers from the University of Seville and the Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage, within the framework of the “Ergasteria Project”.

The place where this structure has been found is about four kilometers from the one recently pointed out by another investigation by experts from the universities of Córdoba and Cádiz, who located the oldest and most famous sanctuary in the West in the Cerro de los Mártires in San Fernando. and not on the islet of Sancti Petri, the place where it had been sought until then and where it could have been definitively located.