Discovery under Montevideo could reshape history: Uncovering the enigmatic water source essential for life in the fortified city.
The routine of some works carried out in the transformed into a journey to the past. What seemed like a simple elevator installation uncovered layers of history buried beneath the city. Now, archaeologists and historians are working against the clock to decipher a discovery that not only sheds light on Uruguayan colonial life, but also poses a dilemma on how to preserve this unexpected treasure.
Underground, a portal to the past
The discovery began fortuitously, when accessibility works revealed perfectly preserved colonial structures. Archaeologist Nicol de León, leading the project, explained that among the remains were everyday objects such as pipes, glass bottles, bullets, and bone fragments. Each piece provides an intimate portrait of how life was lived in Montevideo during the 18th and 19th centuries, from food to social differences between rich and poor.
The fountain that sustained life
It is an ancient water fountain that could be the famous “fountain of the water of life.” To understand its importance, it is enough to remember that Montevideo was a walled city: in times of siege or war, internal fountains were the only guarantee of survival. Ana Ribeiro, Deputy Minister of Education and Culture, recalled that “water was always a problem for Montevideo,” and that scarcity turned each spring into a strategic resource.
Between legend and archaeology
Legends spoke of “miraculous” waters in the west of the city, especially those opened by the settler Luis Mascareñas, famous for their supposed health properties. Although archaeologists have not yet confirmed the identity of the fountain found, the possibility that it is that same historical structure keeps expectations alive. The excavation not only seeks scientific answers, but also reactivates an urban myth that has accompanied generations.
The dilemma of the present
However, faces a modern conflict. The elevator that prompted the works is necessary for the museum’s accessibility, but installing it could compromise the preservation of the finding. María Inés Obaldía, Director of Culture of the Intendencia de Montevideo, admitted that the final decision will be difficult: today’s comfort could demand a sacrifice to yesterday’s heritage. The report from the will be key in deciding whether the fountain is preserved intact or put at risk in the name of modernity.
