Unearthing a 1st‑Century Roman Factory on Isla de Lobos

Archaeological Campaign Begins to Reveal the Island’s Roman Past

The Isla de Lobos, in La Oliva, has been hosting since Monday the tenth archaeological excavation campaign at the Lobos I site, one of the most important projects for understanding the Roman presence in the Canary Islands.

The work is carried out under an agreement between the Cabildo of Fuerteventura and the Autonomous Body of Museums and Centers of the Cabildo of Tenerife, with the collaboration of researchers, archaeologists and specialists from various fields.

For three weeks, the team will aim to delimit the extent of the purple‑dye workshop and explore areas linked to everyday life and fishing activities, conducting soundings near the workshop and along the coastline. The findings are expected to shed new light on the settlement of the islands and the strategic role of the Canaries as a frontier of the Roman Empire.

The campaign is led by Isidoro Hernández, director of the Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura, together with Carmen del Arco, professor of Prehistory, and technicians from Tenerife, with logistical support from BINTER Canarias for the transport of personnel and equipment.