Málaga is currently at the centre of one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in its recent urban history. As part of construction work to extend the metro towards Hospital Civil, an exceptionally large Roman necropolis has been uncovered beneath Calle Hilera. What initially began as minor archaeological monitoring of the works has since developed into an excavation of unexpected scale, far exceeding initial expectations. The number of discovered graves continues to grow, clearly indicating that this is one of the largest ancient burial sites ever documented within the city of Málaga.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Almost 700 graves from Roman antiquity
So far, archaeologists have uncovered around 690 graves, and it cannot be ruled out that this number will continue to rise in the coming months. The necropolis dates back to the Roman Imperial period and spans roughly from the 1st to the 4th century AD, when Málaga, known as Malaca, was an important coastal settlement within the Roman Empire.
The diversity of burial practices is particularly remarkable. In addition to simple earth graves, cremations in urns have been discovered, as well as graves lined with roof tiles, known as tegula graves. Archaeologists have also found wooden coffins and, in some cases, lead coffins, which were likely reserved for individuals of higher social status, as well as burials in amphorae. This range of burial types points to a socially heterogeneous society in which different funerary rites and economic circumstances existed side by side.
A cemetery on the outskirts of the ancient city
The necropolis is located in today’s urban area of Málaga, in the Calle Hilera district near Avenida de Andalucía. Experts believe that in Roman times this area lay on the outskirts of the ancient city of Malaca. As was common in many Roman cities, cemeteries were placed outside the city walls in order to separate residential areas from spaces for the dead. This discovery strongly confirms that historical practice and also provides new insights into the extent and structure of the Roman settlement.
A discovery without any historical warning
What has been particularly surprising for archaeologists is the fact that there were no concrete indications of such a large necropolis at this location prior to the start of the construction works. Only during the course of the project were individual graves initially discovered, which in turn repeatedly pointed to further burials. Over time, this developed into a continuous and extensive burial area that has far exceeded initial expectations in its overall scale. As a result, the site has become one of the most important urban archaeology projects in Andalusia.
Impact on the metro expansion
The discovery has had a direct impact on the progress of the metro construction. Work has had to be partially suspended or slowed down in certain areas in order to allow for a full archaeological investigation. Each individual grave is being systematically documented, examined, and secured before construction work can resume in those sections.
Despite the delays, the responsible authorities emphasise that the overall project is not fundamentally in question. Instead, efforts are being made to balance infrastructure development with the protection of cultural heritage. In this context, there is also discussion about whether parts of the finds could later be displayed in a potential museum area within the metro system.
A window into 400 years of urban history
The necropolis offers an exceptional insight into the development of the city of Málaga during the Roman period. Over a span of around four centuries, people were buried here, indicating long and continuous use of the site. The various types of graves and burial rituals allow conclusions to be drawn about social structures, economic differences, and cultural changes within the population of that time.
For research, this discovery is particularly valuable, as it documents not only individual graves but a nearly intact urban burial area located directly beneath a modern major city. This creates a rare connection between ancient urban history and contemporary urban development.
Significance for archaeology in Spain
With the current excavation, Málaga now ranks among the most significant sites of Roman urban archaeology in Spain. The exceptionally high number of graves, the good state of preservation of the structures, and the location in the very centre of today’s city make the necropolis a reference project for the study of ancient cities in urban environments. The discovery strikingly demonstrates how modern infrastructure projects can unintentionally uncover deeply buried historical layers that fundamentally expand our understanding of the past.
