La Corona and Villasumil
Within the IVGA project certain sites in Candín have been surveyed: La Corona, A Matoa, the Castro de Balouta and the nucleus found at Villasumil. This fieldwork has served to rule out any archaeological presence at Teso Altamira, which is merely an outcrop of the original ground level, left behind by the Roman mining front.
A Matoa, which is southwest of Lumeras, is situated on a crest, known as As Penas da Matoa, which looms over the Ancares River in a narrowing of the valley. It is a medieval fortified settlement with many structures still visible, including a ditch protecting the entrance and some mines at its feet possibly used to obtain iron. A field survey, together with some medieval documentation, indicates that this was the castelo, castle, of Ancares, built in the 14th century by the Bishop of Astorga.
Despite the reports of findings at the Castro de Balouta, there is no on-the-ground evidence of ancient settlement.
La Corona (Pereda de Ancares/ Espinareda de Ancares) is located on a conical hill between the River Ancares (which in this part is still called Cuiña) and its tributary the La Vega creek. The hill reaches an altitude of 961 m. In recent decades the installation of a TV antenna –which was never used– has greatly affected the site. Until the mid 20th century all this area was actively farmed, leading to further alterations in the topography of La Corona. An intensive survey and a microtopography have been carried out on site. Although the survey has found no material trace of habitation, the topography has revealed certain structures which indicate occupation, such as entrances, terracing. This information, however, is insufficient to ascertain a chronology of occupation. Nonetheless, the topography of the site, the size and, above all, the location at the heart of the mining area of the Ancares valley can reasonably allow us to infer that it served for habitation at that time. However, there is no material proof of this chrono-cultural adscription. In any case, the total occupation area was no larger than 3500 m2.
Villasumil is well known because of the votive inscription found there, dedicated to the god Cosus, and which is currently found in the private collection of the Barcia family in Ponferrada. This is the only Roman inscription of the area, and its reading and interpretation presents great difficulties. Thanks to the fieldwork carried out, and some information provided by some local inhabitants, the piece was found re-used in the rectory, which is currently in ruins. The material used to build it had been brought from around the local church, a place called A Muroca where other findings have been reported. The very village of Villasumil has other remains which indicate a nearby ancient settlement, which unfortunately is not located as yet. These remeinas include granite stones used for construction, and querns, both circular and saddle-shaped.