The Dama de Guardamar is a sculptured bust of an Iberian lady that was discovered on 22 September 1987 in the archeological site of Cabezo Lucero, which is not very far at all from El Raso.
Unlike her similar counterpart, the Dama de Elche, which was discovered intact, only pieces of the Dama de Guardamar were found, and these showed signs of having been deliberately broken by hammering, as well as scorch marks. Some pieces, however, were quite large, including one of the wheel-like ornaments worn on each side of the head, part of the face, neck and head-dress. In any case, sufficient pieces were found to identify the piece as a bust and to enable its full reconstruction. This took place in the Archaeological Museum of Alicante between October 1987 and June 1988.
The Lady of Guardamar probably dates form between 400 and 370 BC.
The exhibition that has been organised around the Dama de Guardamar can be visited for free in the Casa de Cultura. It is tastefully done, with explanatory notes in Castilian, Valenciano, and English. Sadly, instead of being shown as the Lady of Guardamar, the Dama is indicated as being the Dame of Guardamar, which seems to place her more in the realm of pantomime than patrimony.
