To try to draw an accurate evolution of Mértola’s urban growth is a difficult task due to the intensity of historical occupation that, in the biggest part of the Vila, is still being used, making it impossible to do any archaeological survey in all that area (except occasionally), this being the only chance to obtain a more precise knowledge of those historic stages of its life.

Nevertheless, one small area, that corresponds to the old roman forum (or at least to the ceremonial area of the oppidum), was empty of houses, back in 1978 when Mértola town Museum project began, and from those structures (roman and islamic) many relevant materials have been picked up, and with those and with the untouched beauty of the place, it as been possible to combine research with promotion, in a innovative road to an integrated development.

Fundamental heritage resources

If we want to give a general view of the state of the art in this field, the best is to draw a tablet, where very rapidly it can be seen from what periods and in what quantity, quality and relevance these exist in the town and in the territory (the council) which depends administratively of Mértola.

PERIOD Pre-historic
HERITAGE RESOURCES Chalcolithic remains (slopes of Guadiana river, around the vila).
RELEVANCY Confirmation of ancient human occupation

PERIOD Pre-roman (VIII c. BC.)
HERITAGE RESOURCES Existing sources of village being founded by Phoenicians (roman written sources) developing old autochthon settlement. Material vestiges never found
RELEVANCY Confirmation of connections to the commercial routes of eastern Mediterranean

PERIOD Roman (I c. BC.)
HERITAGE RESOURCES
Mértola:
- forum (archaeological site): houses, public building (bap-tisterium) and chriptoportic;
- roman house (a group of remains found under Town Hall)
- harbour defensive structure (Torre Couraça)
- remains of external defen-sive structure
S. Domingos:
- remains of mining works and mineral processing
RELEVANCY One of the most relevant periods of the town, gives confirmation of Mértola’s importance in this period by the fact the urban structure was developed and many works done, as it was usual in relatively important cities from the Empire. This is justified by its naval commercial importance , the close mines and military role

PERIOD Paleochristian / Late roman (IV-VIII c.)
HERITAGE RESOURCES
- ruins of basilica (primitive christian church and graves (Rossio do Carmo)
- remains of ancient grave yard (Achada de S. Sebastião)
RELEVANCY Example of continuity of roman burial tradition and to historic trends without he local introduction of cult

PERIOD Islamic (VIII-XIII)
HERITAGE RESOURCES
- old mosque (actual parish church, with considerable remains from this period);
- almohad walls and castle remains
- archaeological remains of the almohad period neigh-bourhood (over the roman forum)
RELEVANCY The most important period in terms of artefacts. The ceramic collection obtained from the excavations is one of the most relevant of this period in European context.

PERIOD Christian Mediaeval (XIII-XV c)
HERITAGE RESOURCES Castle tower
RELEVANCY Representative of the changing political powers with the arrival of the Santiago Knights

PERIOD Modern (XVI-XVIII c.)
HERITAGE RESOURCES
- Manueline (portuguese late gothic stile) and Renaissance intervention at the parish church
- Misericórdia church
- S. Sebastião church
- Calvary church
- Nª Srª Conceição chapel
- S. Francisco convent
- Clock tower
- Old town hall (today Justice Court)
RELEVANCY Relevant because the number of new buildings, expression of the local economic growth as a consequence of the portuguese expansion, during the first half of the XVI th century, and a renewed importance of the Guadiana river.

PERIOD Contemporary (XIX-XX c.)
HERITAGE RESOURCES
Several manor houses:
- “Casa Amarela”
- “Casa do Lanternim”
- “Casa de Brasileiro”
- Town Hall
- Prison (presently used as municipal library)
- Cinema /Theatre House
- Primary School
RELEVANCY Relevant because the number of new buildings, expression of the local economic growth as a consequence of large number of agricultural lands has changed hands, due to liberal revolution; and also changes caused by the impacts of the mining exploit of S. Domingos area (17 km from Mértola


Mértola Vila Museu project has also a considerable number of resources in other localities, and, an immense richness in natural heritage which now, with the recent constitution of the Natural Park (at the end of 1996), will allow to develop the work in this area, as complementary to the actual project.

The actual museum project which is being developed by the CAM and ADPM teams in Mértola (at the town) can have, by the end of 2000, the following spaces for visitors:

- Roman Forum and Islamic Houses (at the archaeological field);
- Roman House (Town Hall basement);
- Paleochristian Basilica ruins (Rossio do Carmo);
- Islamic Art (new building at Largo da Misericordia, with Casa Amarela as complemantary spaces);
- Old Mosque (Parish Church);
- Christian Art (Misericordia Church);
- S. Sebastião Chapel (at the Achada of the same name, reconstructed in 1996);
- Stone remains nucleous (Castle tower, carved stones from different periods);
- XVI-XVIII c. ceramics (to be defined, probably at Casa do Lanternim horse stable);
- Black smiths workshop (Rua da Afreita);
- Jewellery workshop (Largo da Misericórdia);
- Handweaving workshop (Largo Vasco da Gama).

Beside these, the castle and clock tower sould also be mentioned because of their characteristics as ex-libris. These will also be implanted during this year a multimedia heritage information centre, at Rua da Igreja and special street signs.



Rui Mateus
Researcher, Campo Arqueológico de Mértola (CAM)
email: epbjc.mt@mail.telepac.pt