Abstract
Resumen: La mota de Trespalacios, en Hinojedo (Suances [Cantabria]), es una fortificación medieval atípica en la península ibérica, donde rara vez han sido objeto de análisis arqueológico. La estructura arqueológica, de planta circular concéntrica, se compone de un montículo de tierra artificial que se rodea de una doble línea de muralla terrera con sus correspondientes fosos. Sobre las elevaciones terreras se elevarían probablemente estructuras de madera: una torre defensiva central y estacadas sobre las murallas. Un complejo sistema de anegado de fosos y un entorno cenagoso garantizaban su protección. La propia existencia del castillo se debe vincular muy factiblemente con un puesto de control o fielato de un camino con trazas antiguas que discurre por el oeste, colindante a la finca de ubicación de la mota castral.
Palabras clave: Cantabria, fortificación terrera, mota, foso, camino medieval.
Abstract: The motte of Trespalacios, Hinojedo (Suances, Cantabria, Spain), is a medieval castle not commonly seen in the Iberian Peninsula. This type of bastion is raraely known in this geographical context, it is thought to be the Castle High Middle Ages by execellence in the Atlantic and Central Europe. The article presents the results of a range of studies conducted in the building (topography, three archaeological tastings, geophysical —prospecting electromagnetic, georadar and electric tomography—, analysis of the ground with metal detector, completion of five sounding —trench with systematic archeological, control of conventional excavation works, others), framed within «professional archaeology», as a result of the initiative of various projects in the urban around the fortress. The castle structure, of concentric circular plant consists of a man-made mound of earth that is surrounded by a double row of earthworks with ditches. It is likely that on elevations earthworks can be constructed of wooden structures with a central tower and a wall within a wall. The location of the castle in an area of swamp land, today disfigured, greatly assisted the complex defense of the castle. A swamp land, which ditches were flooded. The location of the fortress doesn’t strictly obey to a geostrategic reason. The function of fortification, very possibly, linked with a checkpoint or fielato of a historical route, which runs in front of the motte. It handles the assumption that this fortress is part of a system of control over territory, with its central at nearby mountain The Masera del Castío, where there are indications of a castle. The research of motte of Trespalacios continues, there is still much to learn and further proposals are being considered.
Keywords: Spain, Cantabria, earthworks fortress, motte, ditch, medieval road.