In a dense forest in the northwest region of Spain’s Galicia region, the remains of an ancient structure that once had a massive defensive wall have been discovered. It was used for 200 years after it was made.

What is known about the find

• The team found the castle on the hill with the help of the lidar, a device that determines the distance. This method sends hundreds of thousands of laser pulses from aircraft to ground every second and then measures the time it takes for them to return. In this way, a relief map is created.
• The castle had an area of ​​approx. 10 hectares and surrounded 30 towers and a defensive wall about 1.2 kilometers long.
• It was probably built to protect against Germanic invaders after Roman control over the area fell.
• Local residents believed that Castro Valente (translated as “Brave Castle”) was built in the 9th century BC by the Celts, who were called “Callaeci” in Latin. Therefore, scientists were looking for an older building on this site. But archaeologists say: a Spanish fort can be built on top of itso they need to do some research to see if this is really the case.
• Another Celtic tribe, called the Asturians, lived to the east in what is now the Spanish region of Asturias.
• In the 1st century BC, the Callaeci and Asturians formed the “Castro culture” and built a system of fortified hill settlements. Modern Galicia is littered with its ruins.

Ruins of the castle / Photo Castelos no Aire

When archaeologists began exploring the area, they also thought that Castro Valente was a fortified Celtic settlement. But they soon found evidence that The building was much larger than they had expected. It was built using methods not used in the Iron Age.. Archaeological excavations “continued to provide evidence pointing to post-Roman times.”

One of the buildings in the area / Photo: Castelos no Aire

The layout of the castle, its construction, and the pottery found here indicate that it was built after the Roman Empire lost control of the area when Spain was invaded by Germanic tribes in the early 5th century AD. It went to the Suevi (or Suebi) people, who came from the Elbe River region on the territory of Galicia, modern Germany and the Czech Republic. The fort seems to have been built for protection by the locals.

However, the castle appears to have been abandoned after nearly 200 years. Maybe because it is no longer needed.

Future research may reveal more.