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Laser beams have revealed previously unknown structures, including the remains of a circus that hosted horse and chariot races, that were once part of a vast Roman city hidden in present-day northern Spain.
Archaeologists announced their findings, part of a new pilot program, at a press conference on July 17. The researchers mapped the site of Iruña Veleia in what is now Álava, a province in the Basque Country, using lidar (light detection and ranging), which involves aiming laser pulses at the landscape from above and measuring when they bounce back to image the terrain’s surface, according to a translated rack of the Provincial Council of Álava.
The new aerial map reveals several structures scattered across the 620-acre (251-hectare) site, including a 919-foot-long (280 meters) by 236-foot-wide (72 m) Roman “circus” arena that could seat 5,000 spectators and hosted horse-drawn chariot races. This is only the third known Roman circus site on the Iberian Peninsula.
Chariot racing was a popular pastime in ancient Rome. In fact, there was an entire industry devoted to it. And like today’s fanatical sports fans, enthusiasts would join their favorite stables of horses and charioteers and travel far and wide to cheer them on, according to the World History Encyclopedia.
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In addition to the arena, Lidar also revealed arcaded streets, residential areas, meeting places for worship, and buildings for urban sewerage and water supply.
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According to the statement, the city centre is “a jewel yet to be discovered”.
“The discovery is very important and confirms once again that Iruña Veleia is a large ancient site with great archaeological and historical research potential,” said Ana del Val, representative of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sports, in the statement.
The researchers said they hope the site “receives the attention it deserves, that it is protected, studied, valued and wealth created for the entire area.”