Untersuchungen zur antiken Prospektion von Erzlagerstätten mit bergbaulichen Beispielen aus dem römischen Goldbergwerksdistrikt von Três Minas, Gralheira und Campo de Jales in Nordportugal

Abstract

The prospection of ore deposits had already in roman times a long lasting tradition. As
there was no knowledge about the connections on the level of natural sciences, prospection
based on the acknowledged founds of practice. Apart from this, the necessity and the methods
were discussed in the antique literature, depending on the aim of the author from a more
practical, economical or even moral point of view. Furthermore the carrying-out in Roman
times was well organized, efficient and consequent. All this can be exemplified at the Roman
mining district of Três Minas. Because of the complexity of the situation of the ore deposit
in the mining-zone of Três Minas the Romans were forced to take measures of which the
impressive monuments are still visible. Only by the scientific recording of the remains of the
prospection, they basically do not differ from any other underground working for extraction,
transport or drainage, it became possible to approach the systematic working of the Roman
prospectors.