New excavations at Basque-Roman mines

Oiasso (modern Irun) was the port town of the Vascones and a rather important Roman town of the Atlantic coast. It was not just a harbour but also a major mining station that was in use until the late 20th century. In Roman times the mines of Arditurri produced silver mineral, iron in the Middle Ages and later other minerals. Due to such extended mining activity only a fraction of the early galleries is preserved.

Arkeolan foundation has now begun a new archaeological research in these important mines, campaign that will continue until 2010.

Pickaxe and shipyard rails: the two faces of ancient Oiasso