Granite and rock crystal quarrying in the Civitas Ammaiensis (north-eastern Alentejo, Portugal): a geoarchaeological case study

This paper presents the results of a geoarchaeological research project in the north-eastern Alentejo region of Portugal. The study focuses on the granite and rock crystal exploitation in the territory of the Roman town of Ammaia. By means of non-destructive survey methods, performed by an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, geomorphologists and geologists, the main quarries in the Civitas Ammaiensis were identified and investigated. The survey project aimed at gaining a clearer insight in the extractive industries of the town and, on a higher level, at gaining a better understanding of the economic and spatial organization of the town and its hinterland