Historic Find in La Seu d'Urgell: 17th Century Mortar Bomb

The seventh archaeological campaign at Pati de les Monges unearths a wartime projectile, reinforcing theories of a siege in the city.

Medieval mortar bomb found during an archaeological excavation in La Seu d'Urgell.
IA

Medieval mortar bomb found during an archaeological excavation in La Seu d'Urgell.

The seventh archaeological intervention campaign at the Pati de les Monges site in La Seu d'Urgell has concluded with an exceptional discovery: a 17th-century iron mortar bomb.

The works, promoted by the La Seu Town Council and the Espai Ermengol-City Museum, have exceeded expectations with new findings that expand knowledge of the historical evolution of the Alt Urgell capital. Excavation director Carla Garrido and mayor Joan Barrera presented the results.
Mayor Barrera highlighted that the site "is a box of surprises that continues to reveal fascinating chapters of medieval history." The council is working on a project exceeding 200,000 euros to integrate the site into the street with a grid enclosure, improving access and conservation.
The archaeological team focused on studying the ancient pottery kilns, documenting usage levels and recovering abundant ceramic material. According to Carla Garrido, these pieces provide information on pottery production and artisanal activity from centuries ago.
The major surprise was the discovery of an iron mortar bomb, approximately 30 centimeters in diameter, apparently intact and undetonated. Due to the potential danger, strict safety protocols were activated, and members of the Mossos d'Esquadra's TEDAX-NRBQ unit intervened to remove it.
The objective is to neutralize the explosive charge without destroying the piece, preserving its heritage value. The find, provisionally dated to the first half of the 17th century, strengthens the hypothesis of a siege or military episode in the city, possibly linked to the Reapers' War.
This line of research aligns with the findings from the 2023 campaign, where a collection of objects suggesting a sudden abandonment was discovered. The presence of the projectile solidifies the idea that the artisanal sector was directly affected by a military event.