An interdisciplinary analysis of the evolution of the cultural landscape of Arga Mountain (north-western Portugal), linking geographical and historical approaches, revealed strong evidence that geomorphology has crucially conditioned the settlement and land use options throughout different historical periods. This work aims to analyse how landforms and lithological formations played a major role in the definition of locative options, settlement patterns, agrarian structure, defensive strategies, the development of communication networks and the exploitation of natural resources. Benefitting from the historical–archaeological research carried out for more than a century, it was possible to draw an accurate synthesis of the key moments and most relevant shaping processes of this cultural landscape, from the Neolithic to the present day. The combined analysis of the geomorphological map with the cartography of the archaeological remains and historical heritage revealed the correlation between the geomorphological units and the type of settlement patterns and land uses that have been specially favoured by them._x000D_
The achieved results not only highlighted the strategies adopted to take the best advantage of natural conditions in different historical periods, but also emphasised their effects on landscape-shaping. In this way, the understanding of the contribution of Geomorphology to an interdisciplinary, integrative and dynamic reading of cultural landscapes has been enhanced by this work.
Pereira, Andreia; Cunha, Lúcio
Coimbra University, Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning
ID Abstract: 970
