Date:

Moorish camp where last of the Morisco chiefs was captured identified

A research project led by the University of Granada (UGR) has identified a 16th century Moorish military camp where Abén Aboo, the last of the Morisco chiefs, was captured during the Second Rebellion of the Alpujarras (1568–1571).

Up until 1250, the reconquest of Spain by Catholic forces had left only the Emirate of Granada as the last independent Muslim state in Western Europe. By 1492, Granada fell to Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, bringing the region under Christian rule.

- Advertisement -

The persecution of the remaining Morisco (Catholic descendants of the Mudéjares) population of the former Emirate of Granada, sparked an armed rebellion in the mountainous Alpujarra region and on the Granada Altiplano region, led by a Morisco known as Aben Humeya.

Aben Humeya was usurped and killed by his cousin, Aben-Aboo, who was proclaimed as Chief of the Moriscos under the name of Mulley Abdalla. According to legend, Aben-Aboo was pursued to Tajo del Reyecillo in Alpujarra, where he was captured by his own men and handed over to Castilian troops to end the conflict.

A recent study by the University of Granada has discovered a Moorish military camp at Tajo del Reyecillo, identified by a 30-metre-long masonry barricade and 16th-century pottery deposits.

According to UGR archaeologist, Blas Ramos: “The dispersion of the pottery indicates that the rebels occupied various shelters spread throughout the cliff, many of which could cover each other, so it was very well defended. In addition, it had good communication possibilities towards the mountain range.”

- Advertisement -

“Thanks to the written documents we know that this camp was used by the last leader of the rebellion, Abén Aboo, who was handed over to the Castilian troops by his own coreligionists to end the war,” added Ramos.

Header Image Credit : UGR

Sources : University of Granada

- Advertisement -
spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Ancient Egyptian settlement discovered near Alexandria

Archaeologists excavating at Kom el-Nugus west of Alexandria have discovered the remains of a New Kingdom settlement.

Researchers uncover hidden inscriptions in Jerusalem’s Last Supper Room

An international team of researchers, including experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), have uncovered Medieval inscriptions hidden on the walls of the Cenacle – the traditional location of the Last Supper.

Thirty Years’ war camp excavation sheds light on military life

Archaeologists from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD) have excavated one of the largest fortified military camps of the Thirty Years' War, located in Stein, Germany.

Macabre book discovery at Suffolk Museum

A macabre book bound in human skin has been rediscovered at Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Homeowner discovers hidden tunnel beneath townhouse

A homeowner unexpectedly discovered a hidden tunnel during renovations of their townhouse in Tielt, Belgium.

Armed in death: swords reveal warrior graves

Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) have uncovered a necropolis with burials accompanied by richly adorned grave goods.

4,000 fragments of Roman wall paintings unearthed in Villajoyosa

Archaeologists excavating the Roman villa of Barberes Sud in Villajoyosa, Spain, have unearthed over 4,000 fragments of ornamental wall paintings.

Archaeologists solve the mystery of the “Deserted Castle”

Along the shores of a Danube tributary near Stopfenreuth are a section of ruined walls known locally as the “Deserted Castle”.