Wisigothic Treasure Hoax Claim Rocks Spanish Archaeology
Historian Fernando Arce Sainz from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) asserts that the treasure of Recópolis was concealed in 1945 by its finder, Juan Cabré, who purportedly fabricated the discovery of 90 gold coins on September 12, 1945. Arce contends that these coins originated from medieval layers rather than 6th-century deposits, referring to this as 'the smoking gun on the crime scene.' In response, site director Manuel Castro argues that numerous coins were previously unknown, making it unlikely for Cabré to have staged their discovery. He references a monograph from March 2026 proposing that the coins were meant as a religious offering. The archaeological community stands by Cabré, and this debate is anticipated to be a focal point in Spanish archaeology this summer.
Key facts
- Fernando Arce Sainz claims Juan Cabré buried the Recópolis treasure in 1945 to support his theory.
- The treasure of 90 gold coins was discovered on September 12, 1945, at La Oliva hill near Zorita de los Canes.
- Arce argues the coins were found in medieval layers (12th-13th centuries), not 6th-century strata.
- Manuel Castro defends the discovery, noting many coins were previously unknown and could not have been faked.
- Castro's March 2026 monograph suggests the coins were a religious offering buried during church construction.
- Additional evidence includes ceramics, sculptures, Merovingian pieces, and 25 carbon-14 datings supporting a Visigothic date.
- Lauro Olmo, scientific director, called the accusation 'scandalous.'
- Arce admits he cannot prove how Cabré obtained the coins.
- The controversy threatens the identification of Recópolis as a Visigothic city.
Entities
Artists
- Juan Cabré
- Fernando Arce Sainz
- Manuel Castro
- Lauro Olmo
Institutions
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
- Association espagnole d'archéologie médiévale
- El País
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Zorita de los Canes
- Castille-La Manche
- Spain
- Madrid
- Tage
- Galice
- Mediterranean