Cerro de La Gavia

“A fortified settlement,” our guide began, gesturing towards Cerro de La Gavia. “Occupied from the third century BC to the beginning of the first century AD.” Cerro de La Gavia was a Carpetani settlement, a tribe who thrived in this region before the Romans arrived. Their lives here, on this hill overlooking the Manzanares River valley, were a blend of agriculture, livestock, and trade. The Carpetani at Cerro de La Gavia were resourceful. They built their homes on the bedrock, using mud walls reinforced with stone bases. These walls doubled as fortifications. They farmed the fertile land, herded sheep and goats for wool and sustenance, and even crafted tools and weapons from iron. Trade was also vital to their existence. The strategic location of Cerro de La Gavia, along a major route between the northern and southern plateaus of the Iberian Peninsula, facilitated trade and cultural exchange. Evidence of this can be seen in the archaeological discoveries made here, including oriental artifacts and luxurious ceramics. The Cerro de La Gavia excavations have revealed a glimpse into their daily lives. Homes were simple, often single-roomed, with hearths for warmth and cooking. Imagine stepping inside one of these dwellings. The air is thick with smoke. The aroma of stewing meat mingles with the scent of herbs hanging from the walls. Outside, life bustled along two main streets that ran the length of the settlement. At the highest point stood a tower. This was more than just a defensive structure. It was a place of worship, dedicated to the deities that represented the Carpetani’s needs and hopes: gods of the harvest, of animals, of crafts, of the forests, and even of storms. Life at Cerro de La Gavia wasn’t easy. The harsh realities of ancient life meant constant struggles for survival. Yet, they persevered for centuries. But the arrival of the Romans in the second century BC marked a turning point. Cerro de La Gavia, once a place of refuge, became vulnerable in the face of the powerful Roman legions. Slowly, the inhabitants began to abandon the settlement, seeking safety and comfort in the newly established Roman towns. Though abandoned, the story of Cerro de La Gavia didn’t end. It was used as a Republican resistance center during the Spanish Civil War. Then, more recently, the construction of high-speed rail lines in the 1990s and early 2000s led to the rediscovery of the site. Although partially damaged by the construction, the archaeological excavations unearthed a wealth of information about the Carpetani and their way of life. These discoveries are now housed in the Museum of San Isidro, offering a tangible link to the people who once called Cerro de La Gavia home.