07 March 2023
Pete Siegfried : Origins: 'A look at how the geology of the Algarve
has defined tools, shelter and art through archeological time.'
This presentation has been crafted after many requests by members and interested parties to have a better understanding of the role of the rocks of the Algarve region. This interest is expressed in not only an appreciation of the shaping of the landscape, but also determining the direction of human history in the area.
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It is well known that our earliest history and evolution was forced by the volcanoes and lakes of the East African rift regions, but it may be demonstrated that in the Algarve the geology has also impacted and controlled the growth and shape of the human civilisations which have dwelt here over the last 50 000 years. |
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This talk will start off with a review of the geology of the Algarve, the ages of the rocks and how they were formed. Once these foundations have been established, it will be demarcated how the different rock types and landscapes have determined which areas have risen in importance through the use of specific rocks and minerals in the region. This will be illustrated by the use of these rock materials as tools, shelter and importantly in art. |
It is hoped that this presentation will show how deeply the rocks and geology are intertwined with the development of societies in the Algarve through time.
Pete Siegfried is a consulting geologist who has focused his life on studying and exploring industrial mineral deposits throughout the world. Mineral deposits of rocks which are used in the agricultural industry such as sources of phosphate, potassium and other elements, has formed a large part of these studies. Presently Pete lives in Monchique and with a passion for nepheline syenite is right at home.
