The role of the Montjuïc promontory (Barcelona) in landscape change: human impact during roman times

Abstract

A multidisciplinary (historical, archaeomorphological, archaeological, palaeobotanical, and sedimentary) and multi-scale study was carried out to gain a better understanding of the long term landscape shaping of the Montjuïc promontory as a result of land use and palaeoenvironmental changes. Evidence suggests that, especially the southern slope of the promontory, was cultivated and used for grain storage during the Iberian Iron Age period. The presence of a Roman quarry, probably related to the foundation of Barcino, was also confirmed. Despite the prevalence of agriculture during the Roman period, pollen studies suggest that there were no significant changes in the plain of Barcelona.