U

UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA

1. Introduction
Specific research to understand settlement dynamics during Late
Antiquity in the Balearic Islands (Spain) have shown that early
Christian basilicas played a fundamental role in territorial structuration
during the 4th and 8th centuries AD and that there seems to be a
difference in the dynamics observed between the basilicas located
inland and the ones located in the coast. In order to further explore
B
3. Methodology
Although a number of different geophysical survey techniques could Between the most significant features in the area of the church we can
have been applied at the site, the sedimentary nature of the deposits mention:
and the presence of ceramic material suggested that a combination • a positive linear band [m9] that runs in a southerly direction, with two
of magnetometry and resistivity would provide the best results. The breaks in its line, reaching a full length of 40m [m11], and may mark
arid ground conditions at the site in August 2009 meant that the use the line of a ditch or enclosure feature (Fig. 4).
of resistivity was impossible, so only magnetometry was conducted as 596450 596500 596550

this observation, it became necessary to know the real extension of part of the survey. Figure 8 Interpretation plot deriv ed from
Legend

the early Christian complexes and the disposition and function of the the magnetometer surv ey results from Fornells Mag_Area

adjacent structures. For the survey, grids of 20m by 20m were set out using a Leica 530 Dipolar, Kiln
Dipolar, Modern Disturbance
DGPS. The grid was located on a north-south axis, and the instrument Negative, Excavation Edge

In this manner, the general aims of the project were (1) to investigate was also used to record all extant archaeological remains, and an Negative, Sediment
Negative, Wall
the role of the rooms or structures associated to the main buildings and elevation model of the site. The magnetometer survey was conducted Positive, Ditch

(2) to advance interpretive hypothesis about their functionality and their using a Bartington Instruments Grad601-2 dual sensor fluxgate m32
Positive, Enclosure
Positive, Overburden
relationship to the landscape. gradiometer. Data were collected along traverses spaced 0.5m apart m33 Positive, Pit

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at 0.25m intervals. The magnetometer survey data were imported into m36
Positive, Room Infilling
Positive, Sediment
In the case of Es Cap des Port, the full extension of its architecture is and processed using Geoplot 3.0 software. The processing of data m34

not known, and there is evidence of the existence of other structures was necessary to remove any effects produced by changes in the m35
m38
than those that are currently visible and that corresponded mainly to earth’s magnetic field during the course of survey, and to minimise m37 m39

the church and few adjacent rooms. any interference in the data from surface scatters of modern ferrous m41

material and ceramics.

m42
m40

The geophysical survey in 2009 was initiated as part of the Plan

Nacional I+D+I investigating the settlements and ceramics of the
Balearics in late antiquity. The aim of the survey at Es Cap des Port

4430900

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m1

was to locate and map the remains of sub-surface archaeological m26

m4

4. Results
m5
deposits across various parts of the site, providing a full plan of the m28
m27

site and facilitating comparison of the results with other late antique m29 m6 m7 m2
m20
m30
settlements on the island.
m9

The results of the geophysical survey at Es Cap des Port indicate a

m31
m21
m8 m19
m3 m18
number of archaeological features associated with the late antique m10
m13
m14
m16
m17
settlement. Most of the features detected (Fig. 3) with the geophysical m25

survey are located in the immediate vicinity of the archaeological

m11 m12m15
m24

excavations, in particular to the west and south of the trenches.

2. Archaeological Background
m23

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m22

The basilica of Es Cap des Port is located on a small promontory

above the bay of Fornells (Fig. 1-2).

FRANCE
0 10 20 40 60 80
Metres
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596450 596500 596550

Barcelona • a number of broad positive areas of magnetic response, [m16],

[m17], [m18] and [m19] interspersed with a few quieter or negative
PORTUGAL

Madrid Fornells linear features mark a series of possible chambers of rooms filled
with ceramic material, with walls built of sedimentary rock dividing the
SPAIN deposits. Two very clear walls [m20] and [m21] are also visible on the
Lisbon The eastern edge of the survey area.
Balearic • in the northern part of the site a broad negative band of
Islands
Seville measurements [m32], with a positive band to the south [m33]
correlates with a levelling of the topography suggesting the presence
of overburden deposited through human activity to create a terrace to
the north of the site.
0 400km • several dipolar features [m37] suggest the presence of possible
kilns in the area, and a broad, positive sub-circular feature [m38]
measuring 30m across marks a possible enclosure feature to the
north of the main focus of the settlement.

5. Discussion
The magnetometer survey at Es Cap des Port was successful in
locating various archaeological features associated with the late
antique settlement. Most convincingly a number of walls and ceramic
dumps of material are visible to the south of the excavation area,
suggesting a continuation of the settlement in this direction. Two
dipolar features in this area also seem to indicate the presence of kilns.
The presence of large quantities of ceramic may suggest that pottery
kilns would be present.

The areas further to the south and west of the site show less evidence
of settlement activity, implying that the area of settlement was
concentrated. The location of features further to the north, however,
The site consists of a early christian basilica with a single nave, and indicates that other activities were taking place in relation to the
internal crypt. An aisle to the south allows access to the nave of settlement, either earlier than or contemporary with, the late antique
the basilica. The surrounding buildings suggest the presence of a occupation of the site. The terracing of the hillside evident in the
settlement, with a large quantity of ceramics being associated with the geophysics and the topography is matched by a sub-circular feature to
archaeological deposits. Remains at the site indicate that it was settled the south, and several other features, including possible kilns. It seems
and built up over a long period of time. apparent that the hillside was probably terraced, and the area behind
The site was first excavated in 1959, where the church and it used for either industrial or other activity. Finally the positive linear
surrounding structures were recorded. Further work followed with a feature which runs along the western side of the settlement is worth
team from the University of Barcelona in the late 70’s and early 80’s of noting. It appears to suggest a ditch or similar feature blocking off the
the 20th century, where parts of the settlement were excavated. These western approach and side of the settlement. There is no evidence
excavations, while revealing the central part of the settlement and the of a depression in the topography however, and it is possible that this
basilica, did not locate the full extent of the site. feature, which runs across the contours of the hillside, marks a buried
channel or similar feature. The purpose of this anomaly, and its origin,
remain mysterious.

U
UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA