The excavation, study and restoration of the Early-Christian Necropolis of Tarragona were carried out by Joan Serra i Vilaró. Previous interventions by the Institute of Catalan Studies (Bosch Gimpera, Colomines, Puig i Cadalfach) and various scholars and researchers (Tulla, Beltrán, Oliva) had not been continued.

Born in Cardona on 24th March 1879, Serra i Vilaró studied in the seminaries of Vic and Solsona. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1902 and on 14th December 1940 he was appointed canon of Tarragona cathedral.

During his time in Solsona he researched the prehistoric and protohistoric periods of the area and published two books: El vas Campaniforme a Catalunya i les coves sepulcrals eneolítiques (The bell-shaped burial container in Catalonia and the neolithic burial caves) (1924) and La civilització megalítica a Catalunya (The Megalithic Civilization in Catalonia) (1927). He was in charge of the Diocesan Museum of Solsona where he created the Prehistorical Section.

Called to Tarragona by Cardinal Vidal i Barraquer, he started work on what turned out to be the largest and most important early-Christian necropolis in Spain. The archaeological remains had been discovered when construction work was started on the new State Tobacco Factory. As representative of the Higher Board of Excavations, his methods were rigorously scientific. The results of his work were published in four memoranda in 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1935. These publications are obligatory reference points for students of Christian archaeology.

The State Tobacco Company ceded part of the land occupied by the necropolis to allow for its preservation in situ and for the building of a permanent museum. Serra i Vilaró was the prime force behind the protection and preservation of this important burial site, as well as the creator of the Monographic Museum.

He died in Tarragona on 27th October 1969 and was buried in the Necropolis to which he had dedicated so many years of research.