Middle Neolithic tomb unearthed at the necropolis of Vilanera, Spain

View of the central megalithic structure of the Neolithic mound recently excavated in Vilanera

[Credit: Conselleria de Cultura]

One of the burials ascribed to the Final Bronze Age

[Credit: Conselleria de Cultura]

Urn burial dating to the early Iron Age at the Vilanera necropolis

[Credit: Conselleria de Cultura]

TANN

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The ancient necropolis of Vilanera in the municipality of L'Escala (Girona), located in the northeast of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia in Spain, has been found to date from at least the Middle Neolithic period, according to the latest archaeological excavations begun in the autumn of 2016 by the Conselleria de Cultura and the local City Council.Excavation of the so-called 'great mound', located during the previous season, revealed "a complex structure formed by an upper ring of stones that surrounds a second lower tomb, also formed with stones. In the excavated space of the tomb four primary burials were found, all in fetal position and covered with stones. The burials have been assigned to the Final Bronze Age."Below these burials archaeologists also discovered a megalithic structure with a large roof slab. A shard of Montboló ceramic type dates the structure to the Middle Neolithic period, ie. around 4,500 BC.Several urn burials containing burned human remains and dating to the start of the Iron Age were also excavated nearby.