Spain's new archaeological finds reveal Iron Age settlement and Paleolithic climate refuge

Recent excavations in Spain have uncovered two distinct ancient sites that expand knowledge of early human occupation. At the Castro de los Judíos in Puente Castro, León, a University of León-led campaign confirmed, through carbon‑14 dating, that the hillfort was inhabited during the Iron Age, predating its well‑known medieval Jewish quarter. The summer 2026 work, supported by the León City Council, aims to further investigate the pre‑Roman phases of the settlement.

Separately, researchers from the University of Valencia have re‑examined the Hort de Cortés‑Volcán del Faro site at Cullera on the Mediterranean coast. Their analysis, published in *Quaternary Science Reviews*, indicates the area served as a climatic refuge for Paleolithic hunters during the Last Glacial Maximum, roughly 20,000 years ago, making it an exceptional example of sustained human presence in a harsh environment.

Both studies employ modern dating and analytical techniques to reconstruct early human lifeways in the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting the region's long‑term occupation and adaptability.