Scientists have reportedly discovered several Roman buildings and the ruins of a forum in Spain that likely helped integrate local communities into the ancient empire.

A team of students, volunteers, and researchers from the University of Granada uncovered the Roman forum of Ocuri in the southern Spanish town of Ubrique, Cádiz, reports Independent. 

The possibility of a Roman forum at the site, known as “Cerro de la Mora,” had been suggested as early as the late 18th century by local scholar Juan Vegazo. 

Forums were the heart of ancient Roman cities, serving as hubs for social activities, gatherings, and public speeches.

During excavation, archaeologists discovered a potential enclosure wall for the central square of the forum. 

The wall, standing about one metre high and 16 metres long, revealed ancient architecture that pointed to large, public buildings dating from the High Roman Empire (1st to 5th century AD). 

While initially thought to have been occupied only until the late 3rd century, coins found at the site indicated continuous habitation until the late 4th century.

Among the finds was a coin bearing a Christogram, marking the first evidence of Christian iconography at the site. Additionally, ceramics from North Africa extended the site’s period of occupation.

The team also identified a “monumental altar” and various decorative architectural remains, including bases, shafts, columns, and statue pedestals. 

These findings suggested the forum was a focal point for Roman syncretic religious practices, particularly those related to water.

Furthermore, researchers uncovered a medieval defensive structure, which likely maintained visual contact with other nearby fortifications. 

The discoveries offer insights into ancient Roman trade routes in the Gibraltar region and shed light on the Roman Empire’s integration with local communities in the southern Iberian Peninsula.