History, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage of Interconnections and Complicities in Intra-European Borders
The Case of the Navigable Section of the Guadiana River (Portugal – Spain)
Abstract
This paper examines the current state of the navigable section of the Guadiana River (that marks a part of the interstate border) from the perspective of cultural heritage and tourism. Focusing mainly on the archaeological and historical record, it aims at providing some directions for the enhancement of local memories and identities around the role of the river in the past interactions, interconnections, and entanglements. Following a Global history-centred approach, this paper values the importance of the archaeology of ports such as Mértola (located ca. 70km from the coast) for the construction of a narrative centred on entanglements that explains, from a historical long-term perspective, the construction of this unique cultural landscape. This narrative is crucial for the enhancement of border heritage beyond the idea of interstate separation.
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