"In this site, all the cultures that have passed through the municipality are encompassed, from the Iberians to the early Christian settlers, with the notable presence of the Andalusian Arabs.

The site is a small shelter that was used as a dump at least from the 2nd century BC onwards. Currently, it is not known whether it had also been used as a dwelling or housing previously, although it is clear that it was used as a corral, as evidenced by the walls.

The fact that it was used as a dump has facilitated its dating because ceramic materials from different periods have been found, with a complete piece of Iberian pottery standing out.

The Roman occupation of this site was also significant. Its known occupation period is based on the ceramics found, with remains of so-called “terra sigillata” pottery. The discovered materials include remains spanning from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.

At the end of some terraced fields, archaeological structures corresponding to an Andalusian farmhouse called Alabiar, documented in 1277, have also been found.” (1)

During the archaeological excavations about ten earth storage pits were unearthed; these were used to store cereals and later filled with waste generated by the farmhouse. The inhabitants illuminated their homes with the bluish flame of oil lamps, a technological innovation preceding lanterns, which brought light to Andalusian houses. Some of these oil lamps were found during the excavations of the last pit that was discovered.

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(1) Turisme Benitatxell (2018) La cova de les Bruixes. Turismo Benitatxell, retrieved from https://www.turismobenitatxell.es/es/que-ver/yacimientos-arqueologicos/27-cova-de-les-bruixes