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Historic discovery
ARCHAEOLOGISTS working in Villajoyosa have unearthed the first layer of the ancient Phoenician city upon which the town was built.
The remains, of great historic importance, were discovered during restoration work in Fray Posidonio street.
Previous findings elsewhere in Villajoyosa have included numerous tombs from the same era, located in the Casetes (seventh century BC) and Poble Nou (eighth century BC) cemeteries.
Many of these large and ornate graves contained jewels, ceramics and other highly valuable elements thought to have been brought here from Egypt, Canaan and other parts of the Mediterranean.
But this is the first time that remains of the actual city have been discovered, which, despite being only a small stratum containing fragments of amphorae, plates and grey PhoenicianPunic pottery from the sixth century BC the same elements found in the Casetes tombsis of great archaeological importance as it begins to unravel the mystery of the ancient city.
It constitutes the first material proof of the most northern Phoenician colony on the Iberian Peninsula a strategic position given its maritime connections with La Fonteta now Guardamar and Ibiza.
This reportedly enabled the suspects to claim ownership of up to 20 properties valued at more than €3 million, as well as jewellery, money and other goods.
The victims included one British, five French, eight German, one Belgian, one Finnish and two Spanish nationals.
The suspects were arrested in Denia, Ondara, Alfaz del Pi, Calpe and Oliva.
The investigation is still ongoing and more victims could be confirmed shortly.
