[4][6] However, it is the best preserved and most studied necropolis of this period in Barcelona, as only scattered remains have been found in other necropolises, mostly in the form of reused funerary monuments that were incorporated into the Roman expansion of the city in the 4th century.

[4] The main feature of the necropolis is a five-metre wide road, the remains of which were discovered between the streets of Portaferrissa and Santa Ana.

This road left the city through the south-west gate (in the direction of what is now Boqueria street)[7] and led to the Corts or Sarrià areas.

[8] After the necropolis ceased to be used, it was gradually buried by the alluvial deposits of the Collserola streams, which prevented the stones from being reused as building materials.

The site was rediscovered in 1956 during the groundwork for the building that now occupies the south-east side of the square, and a first excavation campaign was carried out, followed by another in 1959.