New archaeological discoveries in Playa Blanca

Archaeological excavations at the San Marcial de Rubicón site have uncovered three more skeletons and a lime kiln – the first to be dug up on Lanzarote.

The site, near Playa de las Mujeres beach in Papagayo, is hugely important as it is the first European settlement on the Canary Islands. The excavation, overseen by professors María del Cristo González and Esther Chávez, has already revealed a dozen skeletons which are being subjected to analysis in Canarian universities.

González describes the lime kiln as the “most spectacular” of recent finds, as it is the first to feature in an archaeological dig on Lanzarote. The kiln is partially dug out of rock, about three metres in diameter and contains its final load of lime and stone. 

Walls that have already been excavated on the site contain lime, so it could be that the oven was used in the construction of the settlement.