Sensation in Alicante: Ancient Spain's Oldest City Found Beneath Tossal de Manises!
Sensation in Alicante: Ancient Spain's Oldest City Found Beneath Tossal de Manises!
Right now, in November 2025, archaeologists from MARQ (Alicante Archaeological Museum) are completing one of the most significant excavation phases in decades at the Tossal de Manises hill—the very site where the famous Roman city of Lucentum once stood.
New discoveries are literally rewriting the history of Alicante!
Researchers have uncovered robust structures and settlement remains dating back to the late 3rd century BCE, belonging to the Iberian city of Akra-Leike, founded by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca (Hannibal’s father!).
This officially makes Akra-Leike the oldest known settlement from which modern-day Alicante evolved—centuries older than Roman Lucentum!
The 2025 excavation campaign—first phase of a four-year project—is concluding these days. Archaeologists have reached foundational layers of residential quarters and are now advancing toward the area adjacent to a massive building near the Roman Forum.
Each day brings new artifacts: pottery, coins, tools, and even traces of Carthaginian fortifications.
Soon, these finds will be on display at the MARQ museum, and some may even be exhibited directly at Tossal de Manises.
Alicante is growing ancient before our eyes! Who would have thought that beneath the familiar Lucentum lies an entire Carthaginian city from Hannibal’s era?
Source: Official announcements from MARQ