Irulegi’s Hand | The team that found the Hand of Irulegi

The group of Aranzadi volunteers at the Irulegi excavation, eager to continue making progress in the area, still assimilate the finding of such a suitable piece for information on archeology and the history of the Basque language.

Excavation done Aranzadi Science Society takes place Irulegi Mountain village After several years of work, it has already been successful. The team of volunteers found a piece in its sixth campaign. Hand of IrulegiAccording to experts, the history of Euskera, its previous language Basque, and the 1st century BC constitute information about the inhabitants of this land.

In the last five campaigns between June and July, approximately this teamo 15 volunteers excavated in the town, which was a settlement between the Bronze and Iron Ages. In that time they have barely cleared a few houses and the way to the old town, but this small space has made them realize that it is an area with its own uniqueness. “Each site is different, but since Irulegi is a war (Sertorian wars) it might impress a bit. I don’t know of any other excavation like Amaiur,” he argues. Eder Martinez de MiguelA 22 year old volunteer from Navarra.

Another feature of the town of Irulegi is that, as the archaeologist and head of the excavation put it, each of the fragments is in a “primary location”, Mattin AystaranIn an abandoned area after the passage of Roman troops in the 1st century. “We found everything as it was, we could sense the collapse of buildings and explore everything preserved,” the director concludes. Olaia Hail25 year old volunteer.

This group of young people is driven by academic concerns, as many have studied degrees such as History, Archeology or Classical Philology, but there are also those who are impressed by their dedication to the valley. “I live in Mutilva and my family is from Labiano. Irulegi is the most important place in the valley,” says Oihan Ekiza with a laugh. The excavators joke that there is a guide on each of the expeditions. Aranzadi’s team of volunteers stayed in a house in the town of Aranguren. “We organize ourselves into teams to divide tasks and coordinate all tasks,” he says. leire malkorraexcavation coordinator for the last two years.

“Being able to return this find to the community complements the role of archeology”

Full it was Leire Malkorra who found the bronze hand. “It was a coincidence that I took it off. I was working in that area the day before and I was there that day too. But in the end, it’s a team effort,” says Malkorra.

The image of that metallic greenish hand remained engraved on them all, and the feeling that they were part of that goose. “After all, isn’t it a change in history? Confirmation of what the Basques wrote is a turning point for archaeology,” he says. Eder Martinez. “It’s also a turning point for the Basque language, because it now appears to be much older than previously thought,” he concludes. maitane rodriguez.

Beside daniel ruizHe agrees that the work is more satisfying when done with the values ​​of Aranzadi, who was a partner in this excavation and was the co-director of the excavation at Koskobilo (Sakana). “Being able to give that back to the community completes the study of archeology,” Ruiz says.