New Evidence of Roman Gold Mining in Cerdanya Region Exposed Through Luminescence Dating of Sediments

Strategic Insights -

Archaeologists have been unearthing evidence of gold mining during the Roman period in the Cerdanya region of Catalonia, Spain. Recent surveys have identified hydraulic mining opencast structures, and excavations have revealed a buried water reservoir with stone block dam and pottery sherds dating back to the 1st-2nd century AD and the Bronze Age. Luminescence dating of sediment layers deposited at the bottom of the reservoir has yielded ages corresponding to the 2nd-4th century AD, providing the first evidence of mining activities in Les Guilleteres during Roman times.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers have found evidence of gold mining during the Roman period in the Cerdanya region of Catalonia, Spain.
  • Hydraulic mining opencast structures, including chantier-cirques and chantier-ravins, have been identified through surveys.
  • Excavations have revealed a buried water reservoir with a stone block dam and pottery sherds dating back to the 1st-2nd century AD and the Bronze Age.
  • Luminescence dating of sediment layers deposited at the bottom of the reservoir has yielded ages corresponding to the 2nd-4th century AD.
  • The research has provided the first evidence of mining activities in Les Guilleteres during Roman times.
  • The study suggests that the reservoir was filled during historical times and nearby settlements from those periods were present.
  • The research has implications for our understanding of the history of gold mining in the region and the impact of human activities on the landscape.

Statistics:

  • The research has identified two waterlain sediment layers deposited at the bottom of the reservoir, dated to the 2nd-4th century AD.
  • The excavation of the buried water reservoir has revealed an enlarged area with a dam constructed from stone blocks.
  • The study reported the presence of two pottery sherds, one dating to the 1st-2nd century AD and the other to the Bronze Age.
  • The research has provided evidence of mining activities in Les Guilleteres during Roman times, corresponding to the 2nd-4th century AD.

Sources:

  • Land, 2025,14(9):1912. (Land - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/land)
  • First Evidence of Roman Gold Mining Obtained by Luminescence Dating of Sediments in Les Guilleteres D'All (Cerdanya, Girona, Eastern Pyrenees)
  • University of A Coruna
  • Ministry of Science of Spain
  • Xunta De Galicia
  • Jorge Sanjurjo-Sanchez, University Institute of Geology, University of A Coruna, 15008 A Coruna, Spain