Linda R. Gosner

This dissertation focuses on the social and economic impacts of Roman conquest and colonization on the mining industry in the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Drawing primarily from archaeological and epigraphic evidence, it investigates four Roman imperial mining centers scattered throughout the region in order to better understand changes and continuities in daily life, the technological and social aspects of production, and economic interactions at these locales. Illuminating the lives of oft forgotten people in mining districts helps to illustrate the nature of Roman imperialism and its localized effects on communities. Further, this project demonstrates the utility of examining processes of resource extraction and community formation in studies of colonial encounters.

When Iberia was conquered by the Romans, mining began there on an unprecedented scale to supply metal for the empire’s coins, lead pipes, and other products. "Mining Matters: Industry, Community, and Empire in Roman Iberia" examines the relationship between Roman imperialism, resource extraction, and the labor of local communities involved in mining in Iberia. "Mining Matters" uses archaeological and epigraphic evidence to investigate the lived experiences of mining communities and the material and social networks that connected them to the wider Mediterranean world. The book explores the diverse local responses to Roman imperialism in the industrial landscapes of Iberia, contributing to discussions of labor and technology, community identity, and economy in imperial and colonial contexts.