Lauro Olmo Enciso

Lauro Olmo Enciso is a Professor of Archaeology at the University of Alcalá, affiliated with the Department of History and Philosophy within the School of Humanities. He is the scientific director of major archaeological projects at Recópolis and the Vega Baja de Toledo, and leads the research group ArqPaiCo focused on landscapes, colonialism, and cultural heritage.

Education:

• Doctorate in Archaeology, University of Alcalá (1988)
• Bachelor’s in Geography and History, Autonomous University of Madrid, specializing in Prehistory and Archaeology
• Visiting Researcher, Harvard University (Fulbright Scholar)
• Visiting Researcher, University of Siena

Specializing in medieval archaeology, particularly the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo, Olmo Enciso’s research centers on urban landscapes, state formation, and cultural heritage. His work integrates field archaeology with theoretical frameworks on landscape transformation and political centralization during the early Middle Ages. He has pioneered studies on climate change in medieval times and the dynamics of urban renewal in post-Roman Iberia.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Visigothic urbanism, with an emphasis on Recópolis as a royal foundation and model for understanding statecraft and territorial organization. Themes include the interplay between written sources and material evidence, defensive systems, religious architecture, and the evolution of urban spaces across the 6th to 8th centuries. His scholarship bridges Spanish and international archaeological discourse, contributing to comparative studies in early medieval Europe.

Scientific Awards:

• Fulbright Scholarship

Olmo Enciso has advised numerous students and led extensive research projects, often supported by institutional and international grants. He has co-directed international training courses in Toledo and promoted interdisciplinary collaboration across Spain and Italy. His academic influence extends through field schools, publications, and leadership in preventive archaeology policy.

He is the scientific director of the Recópolis archaeological site and the Vega Baja de Toledo project, where he collaborates with researchers from the University of Castilla-La Mancha. His research group, ArqPaiCo, fosters interdisciplinary work on cultural landscapes and heritage management.