Archaeologists Unearth 14th-Century Hebrew Tablets at Sant Joan Sescloses Chapel Steps
Recent excavations at the chapel of Sant Joan Sescloses in Vilanova de la Muga (Peralada) have revealed three ancient Hebrew tablets originally embedded in the entrance steps of this 15th-century church. Experts believe these tablets originated from the Jewish cemetery of Castelló d’Empúries and date back to between the latter half and the end of the 14th century.
The six-year-long excavation project, led by archaeologists Anna Maria Puig, Bibiana AgustÃ, and Joan Frigola from the Institut d’Estudis Empordanesos, has provided new insights into the historical development of the site. During the latest phase of the dig, two additional stone fragments were discovered, joining three pieces found in earlier excavations. These finds have shed light on the numerous modifications undergone by the chapel over the centuries.
In addition to the Hebrew tablets, the team uncovered pottery dating back to the Republican Roman period, suggesting that the site was active during ancient Roman times. The researchers also identified remains of a mausoleum that pre-dates the chapel. Large sandstone blocks forming part of the current chapel walls and fragments of imported-quality marble, likely belonging to one or more sarcophagi, are thought to have been repurposed from this funerary structure during the construction of the church.
Further studies revealed that in the 15th century, a significant flood compelled the church to elevate its structure, resulting in the creation of steps that now provide access to the interior. Historical records indicate that, before these events, the chapel served as a small monastic cell dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, with links to a 10th-century monastery. A Romanesque reform during 1064 led to the expansion of the building and the relocation of its main entrance, while major alterations in the 18th century—such as the addition of a sacristy and the elevation of the choir—gave the chapel its present-day appearance.
Supported by local cultural institutions and governmental bodies, current restoration work aims to preserve the chapel and its surroundings. These efforts form part of a broader research project investigating the early medieval population around Lake Castelló, offering valuable perspectives on the region’s layered history, from Roman occupation through the medieval era.
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