Breaking News: Silves Excavation

The Maximus Archaeology team, led by archaeologists Francisco and Eliana Correia, is currently conducting a highly significant archaeological excavation in the city of Silves, located in the heart of the Algarve.

The ongoing work has uncovered remarkable remains of Islamic occupation dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. These findings include an urban street covering approximately 300 m², residential areas, pottery workshops, a public square, and a second defensive wall line. This discovery provides crucial evidence that clarifies the historical evolution of the territory before, during, and after the Christian conquest of this urban center.

The archaeological works now underway reinforce the importance of Silves as one of the most relevant urban centers in the southern Iberian Peninsula during the Islamic period.

The diversity and state of conservation of the identified structures allow for a clearer understanding of the city's social, defensive, and economic organization, revealing a complex and planned urban layout.

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One of the most remarkable finds is a possibly unprecedented Islamic pot, as well as a well in an excellent state of conservation, which still contains traces of the original water level, offering a rare window into the daily life of the city's ancient inhabitants.

These elements allow archaeologists to better understand the urban dynamics of Silves during a period of intense political and cultural transformation.

Maximus Arqueologia, as a recently established company with extensive experience in commercial archaeology, conducts these works with scientific rigor and a focus on the preservation and enhancement of historical heritage.

The intervention integrates surveys, diagnostic soundings, and archaeological monitoring within construction contexts, as well as specialized consultancy for developers and entities interested in archaeological heritage management.

According to the team responsible for the intervention, the remains identified now contribute decisively to the knowledge of the historical evolution of Silves, highlighting continuities and transformations that occurred before and after the Christian conquest.

The discovery of a second line of wall, associated with residential and craft production areas, confirms the existence of a broader defensive system than previously known.

The intervention is carried out with rigorous technical monitoring, respecting the standards for safeguarding archaeological heritage, and demonstrates the relevance of preventive archaeology in reconciling urban development with the preservation of historical memory.

Francisco — archaeologist and co-founder of Maximus Arqueologia.

Example of one of the several pots discovered at the site.

Aspect of the Islamic wall of Silves