A exploração romana no anticlinal de Estremoz: extração, consumo e organização

Abstract

We present the first results of the research project on the exploration of marble in the Estremoz anticline during Roman times. An initial assessment of the research landscape is carried out, emphasizing that the two decades have brought a total renewal of traditional perspectives, although recent work continues to be mainly about reception points, with a lack of studies on extraction areas, something that this study attempts to address. After this, we analyse some problems regarding the exploitation of marble in the anticline region, especially in the matters related to the management and supervision of the works, and the undisputed interest that the imperial house dedicated, starting from the action of Lucius Fulcinius Trio, a legacy of Emperor Tiberius, in the promotion of major construction programs in Augusta Emerita and in the promotion of conciliatory actions in the region. The importance of marble as an economic product and symbol of prestige is also discussed. Following the axis of research, we analyse the preserved evidences of explora- tion in the region, as well as the archaeological sites that were possibly dedicated to extraction and used as primary worksites. We also analyse their relation with the roads and the rest of the settlement networks, while trying to understand how the local economic system was organised in function of the exploration and other territorial advantages. In this perspective, we have also tried to value the way the marble productions of the anticline were understood as an exceptional product over the years, and em- ployed in diverse constructions by different powers that be, be it public, private or, from the end of the Empire, through the action of the Church.