The oldest botijo in the Iberian Peninsula

Puntarrón Chico is a conical and terraced hill located on the outskirts of Beniaján in the Murcia Region. It is surrounded by a rambla at the entrance of the Puerto del Garruchal. The site features a spring documented since Roman times, known today as "Mina del Agua," which favored the settlement of early inhabitants. This location became home to an important village belonging to the Argar culture during the Bronze Age, a society of great relevance in Europe during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC.

In 1961, the owners of Puntarrón Chico decided to use the terracing of the hill to plant fruit trees. This activity led to the discovery of the first remains of the previously unknown village. Archaeological excavations offered valuable information about the Argar way of life, revealing many homes that still remain in the place. Significant finds, including ceramic pieces, flint knives, bone punches, bracelets, rings, and copper and bronze halberds, were recovered from the site.

One of the most unique finds at the site is a cylindrical vessel considered to be the oldest botijo in the Iberian Peninsula. This essential piece of ceramic history measures 11 by 9.5 centimeters and features a single 2 cm hole and a handle at the top.

Early archaeological campaigns conducted immediately after the discovery suggested that the size of the village exceeded the scope of Puntarrón Chico. These excavations showed evidence that the settlement probably extended along the slope of the mount called "Picacho," potentially reaching the upper part of the current urban area of Beniaján. Because the site has not been the subject of new campaigns, these suppositions have not been confirmed or documented to date. The site was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural due to its great archaeological value.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons