Jewish cemetery, Lucena

The Jewish necropolis of Lucena, discovered in 2006, stands as the largest Jewish cemetery found in Spain. This significant archaeological site features 346 catalogued graves, with some gravestones dated as early as the 8th century CE, marking the presence of a thriving Jewish community in Lucena during the Early Post-Classical Period. The cemetery provides a glimpse into the Jewish heritage of the region, spanning several centuries up until the community's decline due to the city's destruction by the Almoravid dynasty in 1146 CE. Excavations and studies, including analyses of dental remains, offer insights into the life and customs of the Jewish population, making the site a vital link to the past Jewish cultural and religious practices in the Iberian Peninsula.