New evidence of Roman military presence in western Provincia Ulterior. The case study of El Quintillo (Cabeza del Buey, Badajoz)

This study presents the archaeological evidence recorded in the Finca El Quintillo, in the municipality of Cabeza del Buey (Badajoz), the eastern border of the territory that is now the region of Extremadura. We describe the process of uncovering the archaeological structures, which began thanks to the analysis of the historical series of aerial photographs and LiDAR data,) of free access in the National Plan of Aerial Orthophotography. We then detail the field work developed in order to contrast this evidence, based primarily on a series of non-invasive methods. We use a combined study of geophysical methods, including geomagnetic prospecting and electromagnetic induction, with the acquisition and analysis of images captured with sensors installed on drones (RGB and thermal infrared image). We also incorporate the chronological and functional characterization of a series of materials recovered by means of surface prospecting and metal detection. The results of these analyses are evaluated in the light of evidence from other Roman camp sites, establishing some analogies based on the shape and dimensions of the structures detected. We propose that, despite the small size of the preserved remains, we are faced with a new case of this type of settlement, possibly of short duration, although we do not have strong evidence to suggest an accurate dating. Finally, we assess how we can relate this evidence of Roman presence in this territory with the previously available data regarding its transformation within the process of Roman implantation. In this sense, we value the information on the late-Republican settlement documented in the area, as well as a heuristic approach with the data obtained from the spatial analysis of their relationships and the communication structure in the region of La Serena.