Discovered: The Ancient Vaccaei City of Pintia and the Rivalry with Rome

Originating in the region of contemporary Padilla de Duero, Spain, Pintia was a substantial settlement of the Vaccaei, a pre-Roman Celtic civilization [1]. Their unique governance structure consisted of nearly independent city-states, intertwined with their sister cities [2]. A pact with the Arevaci of Numancia during the Roman siege, however, led to the Vaccaei's downfall, as the Romans invaded and destroyed their city-states [2]. The fall of Pintia took place during the second century BCE Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula [2].

For years, it was thought that Valladolid was Pintia, but archaeological excavations in Padilla de Duero unearthed an essential Vacceo-Roman settlement, potentially the location of Pintia [3]. The archaeological site is divided into three distinct areas: the city of Las Quintanas, the necropolis of Las Ruedas, and the potter's district of Carralaceña [4].

The necropolis of Las Ruedas contains the graves of seasoned soldiers [4]. The district of Carralaceña, not yet open to the public due to the lack of tourism infrastructure and regional investments, stands out [4]. Evidence suggests that fires occurred in the city during the period of kiln use, as indicated by the scale of the output [4].

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons