Beyond nature: The management of a productive cultural landscape in Las Médulas area (El Bierzo, León, Spain) during pre-Roman and Roman times

Research at Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain, reveals the complex interplay between human activity and landscape management during pre-Roman and Roman times. Analysis of plant remains—including seeds, fruits, charcoal, pollen, spores, and non-pollen palynomorphs—from two archaeological sites demonstrates that communities in this region diversified their use of the landscape through agriculture, animal husbandry, and mining. The study highlights how these activities shaped the environment, satisfying multiple needs while leaving a lasting imprint on the cultural landscape.

López-Merino, L., Peña-Chocarro, L., Ruiz-Alonso, M., LópeZ-Sáez, J. A., & J. Sánchez-Palencia, F. (2010). Beyond nature: The management of a productive cultural landscape in Las Médulas area (El Bierzo, León, Spain) during pre-Roman and Roman times. Plant Biosystems - an International Journal Dealing with All Aspects of Plant Biology, 144(4), 909–923. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2010.491976