During the dig some months ago remains of the monasteries original Romanic church from the 11th century appeared as well as burial remains from medieval times as well as from the XVl and XVll centuries.
Javier Garrido who is in charge of the archaeological digs said that these finds were half expected except for those that appeared at the back of the existing church.
To one side, and near the baptism font, a grave site for children and babies from the XVll and XVlll centuries was found. In only nine square metres they have been able to classify the remains of 42 different individuals.
Beside the burial place they have found prehistoric elements, dating from the bronze age, in what looks like a workplace for objects of silex, arrow heads, flints and the remains of a fire.
Talking with EFE, Javier Garrido said that “ All over the Rioja there are human settlements of that era, even so we didn’t think we would find any here; perhaps from Roman times but nothing as old as these. He insisted that this discovery will help to complete part of the historical sequence of the monastery that is ten centuries old”.
Over and above the find, the archaeologist believes that the excavation of the church of Yuso will also serve to clarify some aspects of its history, “because there have appeared layers of medieval construction that are intact, with their original paintings and the remains of a fortified tower, as well as other things, for example, an Xll century coin.
The restoration of the church of Yuso is a project financed by the Regional Government of Rioja in collaboration with the Caja de Madrid Foundation and the Community of Augustinian Recollects.The Ongoing Restoration
The archaeological excavation is only a part of the work being carried out in the church of Yuso, where there is a complete team of restoration experts working full time on paintings, walls and images.
Some pieces have already been restored and the work will continue for another two years, after which the church will be seen as never before in its history, because, as Cesar Ordas, who is in charge of the work has said, “for centuries there have been refurbishments but never a complete overhaul like this one”.
For Pablo Latorre, one of the architects of the Caja de Madrid Foundation which is financing part of the work, at this moment the church offers an “unrepeatable image” we will never have again, because the archaeological remains will be covered over after the study is done.
Because of this the Foundation has created a teaching area in the church so that children and visitors can observe the work being done and learn “a real feel for architecture”.
The project coordinator, the architect Oscar Reinares, points out the importance of “being part of the historical journey of the Monument ( the church of Yuso) where for centuries there have been continuous interventions” . Now this team has the responsibility of this new intervention that will preserve things for the future.
The restoration of the church of Yuso is a project financed by the Regional Government of Rioja in collaboration with the Caja de Madrid Foundation and the Community of Augustinian Recollects. It is estimated that up to 2010 some 4.6 million euros will be invested.