Beyond the Myth of the ‘Iron Belt’: Archaeology of a Fortified Line from the Spanish Civil War

The fortified line known as the ‘Iron Belt’, a significant feature of the Spanish Civil War, was used for propaganda by both sides: the Republicans had blind faith in its ‘resistance’, while the Francoists emphasized its ‘invincibility’ when publicizing its conquest. The myth of the Iron Belt’s impenetrability, which has deeply permeated society, is being challenged by recent archaeological studies that explore this fortified line within the emerging context of Spanish Civil War archaeology. This article presents findings from archaeological interventions in four sectors along this line: Somorrostro, Muskiz, Mount Avril, and Mount Ollargan. Results show the lack of preparation of the Basque Army: the ammunition and the structures unearthed show that it was impossible to defend the line against the military power of the Francoists and air warfare. Today, the Iron Belt endures as a contested and fragile heritage landscape, illustrating how conflict heritage encapsulates societal tensions and unresolved historical legacies.