# Carteia

> ancient city and archaeological site at San Roque, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q97616842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q97616842)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carteia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carteia

## Summary
Carteia is an archaeological site and cultural property located in San Roque, Spain, dating back to the 1st century BCE. It includes ruins from various historical periods, including Roman and medieval structures, and has been designated as a cultural heritage site since 1968. The site is notable for its well-preserved Roman forum and other architectural remains.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in San Roque, Spain, with coordinates at 36.185556° N, 5.412222° W.
- **Inception**: Founded in the 1st century BCE (94 BCE), with evidence of earlier La Tène culture settlements.
- **Instance of**: Classified as a city (High Roman Empire and Roman Republic), castle (Middle Ages), human settlement (La Tène culture), and grave (La Tène and Ancient Rome).
- **Parts**: Includes the Torre del Rocadillo, a medieval tower.
- **Designation**: Declared a cultural heritage site in Spain on September 30, 1968.
- **Identifiers**: SNARC ID 1898, IAPH code 01110330015, Pleiades ID 256063, and various other heritage and geographic identifiers.
- **Conservation Status**: Abandoned, with no active preservation measures documented.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Ruinas de Carteia, Carteya, and Sitio Arqueológico de Carteia.
- **Wikipedia**: Available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Catalan, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Russian.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Carteia?**
Carteia was a Roman city founded in the 1st century BCE, with remnants from the High Roman Empire and Roman Republic. It later evolved into a medieval castle and has been a site of archaeological interest since ancient times.

**Where is Carteia located, and what can be seen there?**
Carteia is located in San Roque, Spain, and features ruins of a Roman forum, a medieval tower (Torre del Rocadillo), and other historical structures. The site is designated as a cultural heritage property.

**When was Carteia designated as a cultural heritage site?**
Carteia was declared a cultural heritage site in Spain on September 30, 1968, and has been recognized as a "bien de interés cultural."

**What are the coordinates of Carteia?**
The archaeological site is located at 36.185556° N, 5.412222° W.

**Is Carteia still inhabited or preserved?**
The site is abandoned and not actively preserved, though it remains a significant archaeological location.

## Why It Matters
Carteia is a key archaeological site that provides insights into Roman and medieval history in Spain. Its well-preserved ruins, including a Roman forum and medieval tower, offer a glimpse into the region's past. The site's designation as a cultural heritage property ensures its preservation for future generations, though its current state is abandoned. Carteia serves as a reminder of the region's rich historical tapestry, blending ancient Roman civilization with later medieval developments.

## Notable For
- **Roman Forum**: One of the best-preserved Roman forums in Spain, dating back to the 1st century BCE.
- **Medieval Tower**: The Torre del Rocadillo, a surviving medieval structure from the Middle Ages.
- **Cultural Heritage**: Designated as a "bien de interés cultural" since 1968, ensuring its protection as a historical site.
- **Multi-Period Site**: Evidence of La Tène culture, Roman Republic, and medieval settlement, making it a unique archaeological site.
- **Archaeological Significance**: Recognized by Pleiades and other heritage databases, highlighting its importance in academic and historical circles.

## Body
### History
Carteia was established as a Roman city in the 1st century BCE, with evidence of earlier La Tène culture settlements. It flourished under the Roman Republic and High Roman Empire, with remnants of a well-preserved forum. The site later evolved into a medieval castle, as evidenced by the Torre del Rocadillo. Archaeological excavations have uncovered grave sites from both the La Tène culture and Ancient Rome, providing insights into the region's prehistoric and Roman past.

### Location and Identification
Carteia is located in San Roque, Spain, at coordinates 36.185556° N, 5.412222° W. It is identified by various heritage and geographic databases, including SNARC ID 1898, IAPH code 01110330015, and Pleiades ID 256063. The site is also linked to OpenStreetMap and other digital heritage platforms.

### Cultural Heritage
Carteia has been designated as a cultural heritage site in Spain, declared a "bien de interés cultural" on September 30, 1968. It is recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Culture and other heritage organizations, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The site is also referenced in academic sources such as the Pauly–Wissowa and the Russian translation of Lübker's Antiquity Lexicon.

### Archaeological Features
The archaeological site includes a Roman forum, a medieval tower (Torre del Rocadillo), and grave sites from the La Tène culture and Ancient Rome. The ruins are well-preserved, offering a glimpse into the region's historical development. The site is part of the broader archaeological landscape of San Roque, with connections to other historical and cultural properties in the area.

### Conservation and Accessibility
Carteia is currently in an abandoned state, with no active preservation measures documented. The site is accessible to the public, though its condition may require caution. It is part of the broader cultural heritage of Andalusia, with references in the Guía Digital del Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía.

### Related Entities
Carteia is connected to various historical and cultural entities, including the city of San Roque and the broader region of Andalusia. It is referenced in multiple heritage databases, academic sources, and digital platforms, ensuring its recognition in historical and archaeological circles. The site's significance is also acknowledged by international heritage organizations.

## References

1. Digital Guide to the Cultural Heritage of Andalusia
2. [Wiki Loves Monuments monuments database. 2017](https://tools.wmflabs.org/heritage/api/api.php?action=search&format=json&srcountry=es&srlang=es&srid=RI-55-0000078)
3. [Source](https://www.europasur.es/san_roque/Carteia-leyenda-pulpo-ladron-salazones-Roma_0_1725427921.html)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](https://www.europasur.es/campo-de-gibraltar/enclave-arqueologico-carteia_0_2005657862.html)
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File