Volunteers keep summer date with Roman villa

AS they have since 2008, young volunteers will be assisting excavations at the Roman villa in Albir.

Alfaz del Pi Town Hall and IVAJ, the Valencian Community’s official Institute for the Young, are collaborating on the usual two-week programme scheduled to begin on July 11.

The villa, discovered in 1988, was built between the Second and Fifth century AD and probably belonged to a wealthy Roman citizen.  It boasted central heating, drains and the usual bath system, with hot and warm rooms as well as a cold plunge pool.

“This initiative aims to create respect for archaeology through contact with an actual site,” said Alfaz’s Culture and Heritage councillor Rocio Guijarro.  “At the same time it promotes Alfaz’s history and cultural traditions.”

As well as helping with excavations, documenting and learning how to handle finds, the Villa Romana volunteers from Spain and other countries also have the opportunity to learn about each other’s customs and share experiences, Guijarro added.