In this interview, Javier Fernández Lozano highlights the remarkable educational and heritage value of the ancient Roman gold mines of the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. Far from being mere scars on the landscape, these mining complexes provide invaluable evidence of ancient engineering and territorial organisation.
To raise awareness of this legacy, the researcher emphasises the key role of the AURVILLAGE project, an initiative led by the GEOINCA research group. The project’s main objective is to bring science and history closer to society by using innovative technologies to digitise and communicate this heritage.
Finally, Fernández Lozano stresses that protecting these environments begins with education. By raising awareness of the historical significance of these gold-mining landscapes, the AURVILLAGE project not only promotes the conservation of the natural environment but also encourages sustainable cultural tourism that recognises and respects the region’s Roman heritage.