A Unique Roman Mural Painting Decorated with Spears Discovered in Borja
An archaeological excavation at the site El Pedernal de Bursao has uncovered a mural painting from the 2nd century AD that constitutes a unique finding on the Iberian Peninsula. The piece, decorated with motifs of Roman spears, is being studied to determine if it is also exceptional within the broader context of the Roman Empire.
Details of the Finding at El Pedernal de Bursao
The mural measures 4.86 meters in length and 2.35 meters in height, and it was part of the exterior wall of a room in the archaeological complex. The piece even preserves the imprint of a window that once illuminated the interior space.
The decoration features yellow panels with green bands and white delimiting details. The inter-panels are black and display motifs of spears corresponding to the Roman pilum. According to archaeologist Francisco Gutiérrez, who is in charge of the excavation, the pictorial style and the model of weaponry date the work to the mid-2nd century AD.
Archaeological Development and Historical Context
The work was carried out during the sixth excavation campaign of 2025, funded by the Borja City Council. The interventions have revealed several rooms arranged around a courtyard, forming a constructed space of an unknown function that might be related to the military estate.
The complex features unconventional characteristics, as the rooms do not follow the typical standards of a Roman house. In addition to the mural, the site also houses a central basin discovered two years ago, for which similar examples are also unknown.
Impact and Support for Research
The provincial deputy and mayor of Borja, Eduardo Arilla, emphasized that this finding «is going to position» the site «in the field of archaeology throughout the country, all of Europe, and even the world.» Local authorities plan to continue supporting the project to expand the excavation area and carry out a recreation of the discovery.
The archaeological work, conducted by the company arqueoguti.S.L., confirms long-term occupation of the site from the Iron Age to the Late Roman period. The first systematic excavations date back to the early 1980s, following the accidental discovery of structures during urban development works.
