The scientific investigation of the archaeological finds at the Ca la Madrona site provides new information and confirms that the remains are not from the Visigothic period, as stated by the municipal archaeologist. The discovery caused the opposition to promote the declaration of a Cultural Asset of Local Interest, which would complicate the construction of the Circular Economy Center.
Although among the first hypotheses it was suggested that they could be from the Visigothic period, the studies directed by the director of the excavation of the site and archaeologist, Jordi Ardiaca, confirm that the remains comprise different chronological phases, especially Roman. Eras well documented and with numerous remains, which downplay the importance of those found in Ca la Madrona.
From the 14th century, a good number of ditches have been documented for planting vineyards arranged in rows and which are limited by a wall that acts as a terrace. From the 4th, 5th and perhaps the beginning of the 6th century – late Roman period – a street has been found delimited by a large building that preserves an entrance door and a parallel wall. On both sides of the street there is a documented necropolis from which 88 tombs have been excavated. The studies indicate that the building would be an open-air construction, without a roof. In Catalonia, very similar buildings have been found in the Monastery of Santa Caterina and in the Monastery of Sant Cugat with necropolis around; That is why current hypotheses lead us to think that this building is a funerary classroom.
From the 1st to 4th century –Roman era–. From this moment, a building is documented, built around 70 AD and which would correspond to rooms in the rustic part of a villa or to an isolated establishment for agricultural or industrial purposes. In this building there are several renovations and a duration until the imperial period in which it is configured as a building with five different areas. The abandonment dates back to sometime in the 5th century. Two turculariums have also been found from that time, that is, two cellars for making wine.
The scientific research process is slow and months of study will still be needed to be able to date the findings with greater precision. Currently, the ceramic remains found have begun to be inventoried and an anthropological study of the individuals found in the necropolis has begun. On the other hand, the laboratory results of the carbon 14 tests on these are awaited.
Beyond this new data, Maresme Circular, the brand of the Maresme Waste Consortium together with the Mataró City Council confirms its willingness to transfer the findings to be museumd in a future Interpretation Center that will be located in the Bon Recés area, a green area located just 250 meters from the original location of the finds.
This proposal, which makes it possible to make the construction of the Mataró-Maresme Circular Park and the conservation of the remains compatible, provides qualitative values ??to the museum project. The fact of being integrated into a green area that is part of the green ring of Mataró generates an attractive point of sociocultural interest in this space. And above all, it maintains its proximity to contextualize the findings.
The Mataró-Maresme Circular Park is a unique and disruptive public infrastructure project in Europe, of high environmental, economic and social value whose purpose is to change the current production and consumption model towards the circular economy model.
The Park will offer free services such as advice to self-repair small appliances, furniture or bicycles. It will have a “library of things”, where we can borrow objects that we use occasionally such as a drill, a tent or a car seat. You can borrow reusable tableware, buy at a large second-hand store or attend cooking workshops to avoid food waste.
The main component of innovation and disruption of the Park is the fact of unifying in the same space initiatives aimed at citizens with private initiatives aimed at carrying out business activities in the field of the circular economy, thus visualizing the urgent need for change in the production and consumption model that has led us to the current climate and environmental emergency.
The new Circular Park will have a high socioeconomic impact for Mataró and Maresme. It is estimated that 381 jobs will be created during the construction phase and another 211 jobs will be created during the exploitation phase.
On the other hand, the project has already been granted subsidies worth 11 million euros from the Waste Agency of Catalonia and the Next Generation fund; and involves an investment of more than 20 million additional euros from the Maresme consortium councils and private financing.