Yacimiento Arqueologico Gadir (Gadir Archaeological Site), Cadiz

Cadiz is old for a European city. It was 700 years old when Hannibal started the Second Punic War. Around 1,000 BC, Phoenicians settled on Erytheia and Kotinoussa, two islands in the Guadalete River. They founded the port, later known as Cadiz. Gadir (Cadiz) formed part of the "Phoenician Belt" around the straight of Gibraltar.

The Gadir Archeological Site was a surprise. It was discovered during the restoration of the Norica Puppet Theatre. In 2014 the excavated site was fit for public view. It is now one of the town's main attractions. The Gadir Archeological Site is at the highest point of ancient Erytheia, the smallest island in the Cadiz archipelago.

The Archeological Site is arranged around areas representing different eras. It is a museum site with bi-lingual guides to explain things. Glass walkways cross over the exhibits. There are two levels to be seen from the walkway. The lower one holds the remains of eight Phoenician houses and streets.

There is an ancient Roman fish production factory on the upper level. A workshop for dyeing fabrics and a cistern are from the 2nd century BC. Skeletal remains of a young man burned in a fire in the 7th century BC were found. He was given the nickname "Mattan".