# Mesas de Asta

> cultural property in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q5709588](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5709588)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mesas-de-asta-q5709588

## Summary
Mesas de Asta, also known as Asta Regia or Despoblado de Mesas de Asta, is an archaeological site and cultural property located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, representing the ancient Tartessos culture and featuring multiple historical periods from Neolithic through Roman times.

## Key Facts
- Designated as a "bien de interés cultural" (heritage of cultural interest) with multiple heritage designations starting from 2000
- Classified as an archaeological site with parts including Rosario 1, Rosario 2, and other distinct areas
- Belongs to the Tartessos culture and is associated with the ancient settlement of Asta Regia
- Located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain with coordinates 36.787932, -6.172455
- Has the asset code RI-55-0000584 and iaph_code 01110200048
- Owned by the Government of Andalusia
- Associated with the Samian Ware Discovery Site and has a Pleiades ID of 256193
- Features multiple parts including burial sites, public buildings, and Roman villa structures
- Designated as a human settlement with various historical periods including Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, Neolithic, and Ancient Roman eras
- Has a sitelink count of 5 across different languages

## FAQs
- What is the primary cultural designation for Mesas de Asta?
  It is classified as a "bien de interés cultural" (heritage of cultural interest) with multiple designations starting from 2000.
- What organizations manage or own the site?
  The site is owned by the Government of Andalusia.
- What historical periods are represented at the site?
  The site represents multiple historical periods including Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, La Tène culture, and Ancient Roman eras.
- When was the first significant archaeological excavation conducted?
  The first significant excavation occurred in 1958 under Manuel Esteve Guerrero.
- What is the site's connection to the Tartessos culture?
  The site is associated with the Tartessos culture and represents the ancient settlement of Asta Regia.

## Why It Matters
Mesas de Asta represents a crucial archaeological site that provides invaluable insights into the ancient civilizations of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly the Tartessos culture. As a well-preserved archaeological site spanning multiple millennia, it offers a comprehensive view of human settlement patterns, architectural development, and cultural evolution from prehistoric times through the Roman period. The site's significance lies in its ability to demonstrate the complex interactions between different cultures and its role as a major urban center in ancient times. Its designation as a "bien de interés cultural" underscores its importance as a national heritage asset that contributes to our understanding of Spain's rich archaeological heritage.

## Notable For
- Multiple historical periods represented in a single site
- Association with the ancient Tartessos culture and the settlement of Asta Regia
- Designation as a Roman villa and public building site
- Connection to Samian Ware discovery
- Ownership by the Government of Andalusia
- Multiple heritage designations as a cultural property
- Distinct parts including burial sites and residential areas

## Body
### General Information
Mesas de Asta is an archaeological site located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The site is designated as a cultural property and has been classified under multiple heritage designations as a "bien de interés cultural" since 2000. It is situated at coordinates 36.787932, -6.172455 and has the asset code RI-55-0000584 with the iaph_code 01110200048. The site is owned by the Government of Andalusia.

The site has multiple aliases including Asta Regia, Despoblado de Mesas de Asta, and Yacimiento Arqueológico Mesas de Asta Asta Regia. It is associated with the Tartessos culture and has been linked to the ancient settlement of Asta Regia. The site features various parts including distinct areas such as Rosario 1, Rosario 2, Rosario 4, Mesas 2, Mesas 4, Rosario 3, Mesas 3, Rosario 5, La Galguera, Regajo, La Mariscala, and El Muelle.

### Historical Periods and Classification
The archaeological site represents multiple historical periods, including:
- Neolithic
- Chalcolithic
- Bronze Age
- La Tène culture
- Middle Ages
- Ancient Rome

The site has been classified as both a human settlement and an archaeological site, with specific designations for different periods. It includes Roman villa structures, public buildings, and burial sites from the Ancient Roman era. The site is also recognized as a Samian Ware Discovery Site, indicating significant pottery findings.

### Heritage Designation and Ownership
The site holds multiple heritage designations as a "bien de interés cultural" with different start dates in 2000. It is owned by the Government of Andalusia, as confirmed by recent acquisitions of surrounding lands for preservation purposes. The site is managed under the Guía Digital del Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía with identifier i6681.

### Archaeological Significance
The site has been the subject of significant archaeological excavations, particularly in 1958 under the direction of Manuel Esteve Guerrero. These excavations have revealed important information about the ancient settlement patterns and cultural practices of the region. The site's connection to the Tartessos culture provides crucial insights into the early civilizations of the Iberian Peninsula.

### Technical and Digital Information
The site has been documented in various digital resources including the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire with identifier 25198 and the Pleiades project with ID 256193. It has an openstreetmap_way_id of 620869544 and appears in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary. The site has a sitelink count of 5 across different languages including Spanish, French, Galician, and Italian.

### Related Entities and Connections
The site has exact matches with external databases including the Samian Ware Discovery Site and is categorized under the commons category "Asta Regia". It has references to multiple sources including Wikipedia articles and heritage databases. The site is also referenced in the Google Knowledge Graph with ID /g/1229bmj0 and has an open science framework ID of t3dfk.

## 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-55-0000584)
3. [Source](https://www.diariodejerez.es/jerez/Asta-Regia-Museo-Arqueologico_0_1736528183.html)
4. Samian Research
5. [Source](https://www.lavozdelsur.es/ediciones/jerez/junta-compra-terrenos-yacimiento-asta-regia-90-hectareas-valor-incalculable_345868_102.html)
6. [Source](https://www.diariodejerez.es/jerez/manuel-esteve-olvidadas-visitas-mesas_0_2004332439.html)
7. [Source](https://www.diariodejerez.es/jerez/escribe-Asta-Regia-Hasta-Como-se_0_1816319545.html)