Speakers’ Bureau Lecture with Don Unger

With a focus on some of the earliest literary records in the ancient Mediterranean, Don Unger will give a short talk on his recent research at UCCS looking at the mining industry during the late Roman Republic up to the moment of its transition into a dominant dynastic Empire under Augustus (c. 31 BC).

In his talk, Don will explore and analyze literary evidence from various ancient authors on the topic of mining and metallurgy and compare this against evidence derived mainly from ice and sediment cores. He does this in order to paint a more detailed picture of what he theorizes was a booming and long-forgotten ancient enterprise (in Spain and Portugal).  Perhaps even a proto-industrial revolution which would not see its equal until the advent of the modern industrial revolution.

It’s up to you to decide from the evidence presented.