## 1 Introduction  
This paper presents an investigation carried out in the framework of the Ager Mellariensis research project, conducted in the Cerro de Castillo landscape located in the Alto Guadiato Valley of Cordoba, Spain (Figure 1). The study site covers an area of around 800 hectares and contains megalithic monuments, prothistoric metallurgical settlements, Roman roads, Late Antique monasteries, Andalusi fortresses, medieval castles and villages, and historical routes, as well as many native and foreign flora and fauna species that have developed over time (Figure 2). There is documented evidence of the development of the Alto Guadiato Valley dating to the Chalcolithic period (ca. 2500 BC), when copper began to be mined, extensive agriculture was developed, the number of settlements grew, and several megalithic monuments were constructed [1]. At that time, mining was the main industrial activity in the area, which intensified toward the end of the Iron Age (approximately 1000 BC). However, it was not until Roman times that the Alto Guadiato Valley became an important center of metallurgical activity, with the large-scale exploitation of lead and silver mines [2,3]. Later, in the Andalusi period (8 th-12 th centuries), several fortresses were erected, the population declined, and agriculture ceased to be a prominent activity. Following the Castilian conquest beginning in the thirteenth century, the lands became property of the nobility and the mining activity that had characterized the area until this time disappeared [4,5]. In the nineteenth century, the Societe Houillere et Metallurgique de Belmez and later the Societe Minerometalurgique de Penarroya-Pueblonuevo created the largest lead smelting complex in the world and the second most important coal mining basin in Spain. The French Quarter and the industrial complex of Penarroya Pueblonuevo are magnificent examples of the heritage that remains from that glorious past [6,7]. Unlike other sites [8], this rich cultural heritage has never been fully researched, rehabilitated, or developed as a narrative landscape until now. To recover this site, it must be interpreted as a multitemporal landscape comprised of several superimposed layers and interwoven texts [9], from which today's inhabitants can interpret their history and understand their cultural roots [10]. Figure 1: (**a**) Location of the medieval Castle of Belmez. (**b**) Panoramic view from the Cerro del Castillo of Belmez. (**c**) Area surrounding the castle shown using Virtual Reality imaging. Copyright “Ager Mellariensis”/AEI FEDER HAR 77136-R. The process of researching, protecting, and promoting this heritage while preserving its diachronic and narrative value has been a challenge for various reasons. The 800 hectares of land are of very difficult to access for the purpose of carrying out ground archeological investigations due to the existence of a reservoir, restrictions on entering private properties, and the lack of previous research projects. However, these difficulties have not obstructed our previous investigations [11; 12; 13]. A further challenge stems from the fact that the site is located in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of Spain, with the highest unemployment rate in the European Union. Moreover, the Alto Guadiato has no major roadways or railroads and very few museums or cultural facilities, and the protection of the area's cultural heritage is still in a nascent stage. There are many examples of the rehabilitation of cultural landscapes, where the sum of actions and the progressive recovery of monuments create a heritage landscape without a pre-established discourse. In other cases, there is a preparatory story [14; 15]. Our objective was to use state-of-the art tools and technologies to digitize heritage resources in 3D format, with a clear research, social, and discursive intention strategy.