Research Unit: IEM-NOVA FCSH
Participant Institutions: Idanha-a-Nova Municipal Council; University of Coimbra and NOVA University

Lead Researchers: Pedro C. Carvalho and Catarina Tente
Research Team: Tomás Cordero Ruiz, Brais X. Currás, Ricardo Costeira da Silva, Adolfo Fernández, Patrícia Dias, José Cristóvão, Gabriel de Souza, Sofia Tereso, João Pedro Tereso, José Ruivo, Vera Pereira, Lídia Fernandes, Armando Redentor, Catarina Meira, Bruno Franco Moreno, Paulo Almeida Fernandes and Saul Gomes
Duration: 2017-2021

Idanha-a-Velha provides one of the most relevant of all Portuguese archaeological sites and brings together various particular scientific and heritage characteristics that reflect the long period of research ongoing in the city. Despite this, much about the site remains a mystery and there are still far more questions than answers that we have about the history of this unique site. The IGAEDIS project therefore seeks to undertake an integrated, long term study of the city and its surrounding territories. Only this type of approach will enable an understanding of the uniqueness of the site and this territory. One without the other prevents any complete understanding as the city reflects the territory and with the latter organised according to the greater or lesser capacity of the city to act upon its extent.

The project results from collaboration between the Idanha-a-Nova Municipal Council and the Universities of Coimbra and Nova of Lisbon, which enabled the bringing together of a multidisciplinary team that integrates various specialists in areas that span classical and late-medieval archaeology, medieval history, paleo-metallurgy, physical anthropology, paleo-botany, zoo-archaeology and the history of art.

This multidisciplinary approach will return an understanding of how this territory was configured, identifying the factors of development and the main axes of articulation of this space. Furthermore, this seeks to establish the continuities and ruptures in the occupation of this landscape over the course of these centuries and how this process projected onto the organic evolution of the city.

The project deploys four axes:
Configuration and evolution of the classical city of Idanha-a-Velha;
The territories: the rural world through to mineral resource exploitation;
Regularising research: study and publication of previous interventions;
Social dissemination of the knowledge and patrimonial valuation.

Implementation is to involve a series of campaigns of archaeological excavation in the area of the forum of classical Egitânia and the adjoining urban area. This also involves continuity of the study of the contexts restored through excavation in the baptistries as well as studying the archaeological materials and eco-facts of previously excavated contexts by the municipality archaeological team.

In terms of the territory, this aims to carry out targeted and systematic prospecting to identify the strategies to the spatial occupation, define the focuses of interest and explore the natural resources, and identify the spaces of local power and the daily life styles of the rural populations. The study of the classical exploitation of mineral resources plays a highly relevant role in this axis.

The project also seeks to socially convey the research work carried out, transferring the knowledge to society, both to school communities and to tourists seeking out these lands, involving the local population and contributing to the valuation of the Idanha heritage. The archaeological and historical patrimony associated to the lands of Igaedis and Egitania encapsulates potentials that, from the outset, ensure this takes a leading role in the social and economic development policies at the local and regional level. In turn, this cultural heritage may contribute to dynamically boosting the local economy, diversifying the regional economy and ensuring the settlement of population, thus combating the aggravated asymmetries in intra-regional development, such as the low demographic density of this council.

Finally, the project also provides training opportunities to university students within the context of practical work, thus contributing to strengthening their competences and thereby enhancing their skills for better future integration into the labour market.

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