Archeologists discover Roman-era human remains inside a 5,000-year-old fortress
Archaeologists are shocked after discovering the remains of what appears to be a Roman solider who was buried in a 5,000-year-old fortress in southern Spain. The exciting find was made possible thanks to a solar farm project that caused the area to be excavated, uncovering what appears to be a Roman solider.
However, the remains aren't the only thing that have experts buzzing. It looks like they also found some surprisingly advanced architecture and design choices as well, which have archaeologists marveling over just how much the Romans were able to accomplish without complex machinery. I, for one, am always impressed when we see how people from another time period were able to make use of the most rudimentary tools to accomplish great things (like building a massive fortress). But, what impresses me the most is the fact that these structures are able to stand the test of time so that they're still here telling us their stories thousands of years later. You can find out what this structure's story is telling the experts below.
Photo by WHPics on Getty Images
A Roman-era man has been discovered in a fortress in Spain
Workers had started the early stages of building a solar farm in the region near Almendralejo when they uncovered the unexpected: A Neolithic fortress. The structure was inspected, which is when experts discovered that the building dated back to the Copper Age (AKA the Chalcolithic period ), which means it was likely build sometime around 3000 BCE, according to LiveScience.
But, believe it or not, the most unusual part of the discovery lie inside the fortress. That's where they found the remains of man that appeared to have been an ancient Roman. Experts believe that the gentleman was between 25 and 35-years-old, and that he was likely a solider due to the fact that he was buried with a pugio, which is the name for the dagger that most soldiers were issued. For those who need a refresher on Roman history, it existed some 2,500 years after the Copper Age, which means that this man would've been laid to rest in ruins that were already ancient, raising questions about the symbolism behind the gesture.
Related: This Spain national park was just named the best spot for panoramic views in the world
The fortress will remain as the solar farm is built
History buffs can breathe a sigh of relief, because LiveScience says that the company building the solar farm (Acciona Energia) has elected to hire an archaeological team to document the site while the company moves forward with their project around it, allowing the fortress to hopefully remain for another 5,000 years.
While the fortress will likely become quite a draw in the future, it's hardly the only artifact of note in the region. According to National Geographic , there is also the Huerta Montero tomb, which sees thousands of visitors a year. Built an estimated 4,650 years ago , this tomb is illuminated every winter solstice.
Related: One of the most famous monuments in Europe just started charging tourists to see it
What to do while visiting Almendralejo
Fans of this era, and history in general, will actually have a lot to do in the region , according to Expedia, which recommends some of the following destinations when you're in town:
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Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Piedad, a house of worship which highlights some of the history of the region
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Palacio de Monsalud, where you can visit the structure which was built in 1752, and is the birthplace of José de Espronceda
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Covent of San Antonio, tour the Baroque style cathedral, which is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary
No matter which spots you decide to visit, make sure you wear sturdy shoes and bring a camera, because this region is steeped in history and you're going to want to soak it all in while you're there.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
