Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia)
This study analyses the Roman hydraulic system linked to Las Médulas gold mining complex in Northwest Iberia. The research includes a detailed mapping and assessment of the hydraulic network, which extends over 1110 km, using advanced geomatic techniques and an innovative script for tracing canals i...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/13 |
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| author | Javier Fernández-Lozano Iván González-Pérez Ángel González-Abajo Enoc Sanz-Ablanedo José Ramón Rodríguez-Pérez |
| author_facet | Javier Fernández-Lozano Iván González-Pérez Ángel González-Abajo Enoc Sanz-Ablanedo José Ramón Rodríguez-Pérez |
| author_sort | Javier Fernández-Lozano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study analyses the Roman hydraulic system linked to Las Médulas gold mining complex in Northwest Iberia. The research includes a detailed mapping and assessment of the hydraulic network, which extends over 1110 km, using advanced geomatic techniques and an innovative script for tracing canals implemented in Matlab. The study reveals previously unidentified canals, improves existing cartographic representations, and addresses water sourcing and canal distribution uncertainties. It identifies 41 canals distributed between La Cabrera and El Bierzo regions, (33 and 8, respectively), with 14 canals supplying water to Las Médulas. Our study also provides evidence that this canal system had a wider purpose than simply supplying the mining works at Las Médulas. Furthermore, the findings presented here challenge established assumptions about the system’s water sources and offer new insights into how this outstanding canal system was built. Thus, this work not only provides a detailed map of the Las Médulas hydraulic system but also constitutes a model for an effective methodological approach for studying similar ancient hydraulic systems worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-759631528a0c42b1b4875a3238159599 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-759631528a0c42b1b4875a32381595992025-01-24T13:34:09ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-01-011511310.3390/geosciences15010013Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia)Javier Fernández-Lozano0Iván González-Pérez1Ángel González-Abajo2Enoc Sanz-Ablanedo3José Ramón Rodríguez-Pérez4Dpto. de Tecnología Minera, Topografía y Estructuras, ESTI Minas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, SpainDpto. de Tecnología Minera, Topografía y Estructuras, ESTI Minas, Universidad de León, Campus de Ponferrada s/n, 24401 Ponferrada, SpainAsociación Teleno Libre, La Bañeza, 24750 León, SpainDpto. de Tecnología Minera, Topografía y Estructuras, ESTI Minas, Universidad de León, Campus de Ponferrada s/n, 24401 Ponferrada, SpainDpto. de Tecnología Minera, Topografía y Estructuras, ESTI Minas, Universidad de León, Campus de Ponferrada s/n, 24401 Ponferrada, SpainThis study analyses the Roman hydraulic system linked to Las Médulas gold mining complex in Northwest Iberia. The research includes a detailed mapping and assessment of the hydraulic network, which extends over 1110 km, using advanced geomatic techniques and an innovative script for tracing canals implemented in Matlab. The study reveals previously unidentified canals, improves existing cartographic representations, and addresses water sourcing and canal distribution uncertainties. It identifies 41 canals distributed between La Cabrera and El Bierzo regions, (33 and 8, respectively), with 14 canals supplying water to Las Médulas. Our study also provides evidence that this canal system had a wider purpose than simply supplying the mining works at Las Médulas. Furthermore, the findings presented here challenge established assumptions about the system’s water sources and offer new insights into how this outstanding canal system was built. Thus, this work not only provides a detailed map of the Las Médulas hydraulic system but also constitutes a model for an effective methodological approach for studying similar ancient hydraulic systems worldwide.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/13MatlabRoman hydraulic systemgold miningLas MédulasGIS |
| spellingShingle | Javier Fernández-Lozano Iván González-Pérez Ángel González-Abajo Enoc Sanz-Ablanedo José Ramón Rodríguez-Pérez Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) Geosciences Matlab Roman hydraulic system gold mining Las Médulas GIS |
| title | Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) |
| title_full | Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) |
| title_fullStr | Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) |
| title_short | Absent Voices and Unwarranted Presences: A Combined Multi-Approach to Mapping the Roman Hydraulic System Supplying Las Médulas Gold Mine (NW, Iberia) |
| title_sort | absent voices and unwarranted presences a combined multi approach to mapping the roman hydraulic system supplying las medulas gold mine nw iberia |
| topic | Matlab Roman hydraulic system gold mining Las Médulas GIS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/1/13 |
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