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The quickest access to the archaeological area in Neixón, situated in the parish of Saint Vicenzo de Cespón (Boiro municipality), is along the Padrón–Ribeira corridor, taking the Boiro Sur exit followed by the N–550 towards Padrón. Once we arrive at the parish of Cespón, a sign on the right indicates an exit towards Quinteiro and Nine, alongside another sign which reads Centro Arqueológico de Barbanza (Archaeological Centre of Barbanza). We follow these signs until we reach a crossroads at the foot of the Cespón parish church. Here we turn left —another sign for the Centre is displayed— and follow an asphalt road which leads directly to the village of Nine and the Archaeological Centre of Barbanza, located in the immediate surroundings of the Castro Grande de Neixón. The Castros are visible from the Centre, and a track leads us straight to the site. |
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The Punta de Neixón is considered one of the most interesting cultural landscapes of the Barbanza peninsula. Therefore, not only is it a geographic symbol in this part of the Aurosa estuary, and a natural space of considerable beauty, but it also presents itself as a very important archaeological site for the understanding of Prehistoric Galicia. This emblematic feature did not go unnoticed by the local community, or the local and autonomous institutions, who designed a program that has served as the vertebrate axis of the cultural offer available at the Archaeological Centre of Barbanza, inaugurated in the summer of 2002.
This building is the reception area for visitors, and on its main floor it hosts a permanent and interactive exhibition, which summarizes the archaeological value of the Barbanza peninsula as well as the evolution of the local communities, from recent prehistory to the Romanization of Galicia. The information offered by the Center’s guides, and the didactic support provided by the models and reconstructions, help the visitor to learn first hand about the most important patrimonial resources that may be visited in the zone, as well as their historical significance.
From the top floor, we access a second exhibitory space. Here we find the most significant material remains recovered since 2003 at the Castro Grande de Neixón, by youngsters between the ages of 18 and 30 who attend an annual international work camp during the summer months.
We advise visitors to stop at this building first, and then take advantage of the guided tour organized by the Center’s personnel, which takes us round the archaeological site. The designed tour commences at the building and then continues along the site, where a number of boards display the necessary information to understand this archaeological space.
The tour takes us, first of all, to the denominated Castro Grande (Big Fort), a fortified settlement probably constructed around the C. IV BC. Its strong boundary wall, formed by barricaded earth, protects the point from easy access along the isthmus. Recent excavations at this site, which may be viewed during the summer months —the visitor is able to see first hand the work of the archaeologists—, provided evidence of a great access point to the settlement, which faced the point of sunrise and stood between two pits excavated 3 meters deep into the rock.
Various ceramic objects of Carthaginian origin, metallurgical remains, a variety of mollusk remains and part of a dog skeleton, possibly associated a burial ritual, where found inside these pits, filled between the C. IV–II BC. With the arrival of the Romans, this Castro underwent a noticeable remodeling, but preserved its important role in the area’s maritime commerce, until it was later abandoned (C. IV–V AD).
From the Castro Grande we walk along the south facing terrace until we reach the end of the Punta de Neixón, where the Castro Pequeno (Small Fort) is located, one of Galicia’s oldest fortified settlements, constructed and inhabited throughout the 1st Iron Age (C. VIII–V BC.). It stands in a strategic, sea-facing position, allowing ample visibility over its surroundings; this small peninsula was inhabited by a group of families belonging to the Prestamarcos, who practiced agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, mainly shellfish, and bronze metallurgy. Inside the walled space we can contemplate the duly consolidated ruins of the circular houses where these people lived. They were originally constructed of a stone pedestal and straw–clay walls, which sustained a cone–shaped roof.
The return path, an enjoyable walk, allows us to view the W edge of the terrace, and cross the Castro Grande site, where we can appreciate the remains of building walls erected during Roman times. From here we head towards the parapet, cross the pit and, once again, walk to the Archaeological Centre, crossing a rich pinery, which serves as a relaxation zone, and also provides the setting for the well–known local festivities (Romaria de Neixón) in early August, where we can appreciate folkloric sounds of indubitable interest, and which reminds us that the Punta de Neirón continues to be a live area of social interest, and not only an archaeological ruin. |
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Ayán Vila, X. M. (coord.) (2005): Os Castros de Neixón (Boiro, A Coruña). A recuperación dende a Arqueoloxía dun espazo social e patrimonial. Serie Keltia, 30. Noia: Toxosoutos (371 pages). |
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