Historical and archaeological study of the south-eastern city wall of Arcos de la Frontera (Cadiz)

Due to the project developed by the technicians of the Municipality of Arcos de la Frontera in order to restore the visible remains of the Medieval wall preserved in the southeastern area of this town, the authors of this paper conducted the archaeological excavation, drawing survey and study of this enclosure. As a result of these analysis have been identified eight constructive periods, grouped into three cycles. With the aim of obtaining a better understanding of this monument, these activities have been completed with the use of written sources, the urban fieldwork, the study of micro-toponymy, the analogy with other architectural elements and, to a lesser extent, with the information provided by the archaeological materials. The results of these analyses make possible to propose a reasonable hypothesis regarding the foundation of the wall and the relationship between its three southeastern gates. The conclusions mean an approach to the urban development of this area of Arcos de la Frontera from al-Andalus times until the late Modern Age.