Gold and its uses in Andalusia

Abstract

When the Muslims arrived in the Iberian Peninsula, they found enormous mineral wealth that was present there, especially the gold mineral, which was found in abundant quantities. They made great efforts to extract it and use it as a raw material in multiple industries of great importance to the state and society, and their impact was clear in this regard. Despite the indications and data that indicate the presence of gold in many of the areas from which it was extracted, the historical accounts do not give us sufficient and largely information about this important metal and its use in the manufacture of jewelry, gold statues, or trade in it, and all that is mentioned are minimal indications, Because of its historical value, it was collected for the purpose of arriving at historical facts that reveal the use of this vital mineral as a raw material in many industries. These accounts also confirmed that the conquistadors properly exploited the wealth of the country, benefited from the experience of the indigenous people, and brought labor from the Islamic East in order to help in The extraction of gold from various aspects of Andalusia. These people worked in the profession of gold jewelry and jewelry and excelled in this profession, so cities, mosques, and palaces were decorated and gold coins were minted. Andalusia reached the height of its development, especially during the era of the Umayyad Caliphate (316-422 AH / 928-1030 AD), so the goldsmithing profession developed and flourished like no other. It indicates that this profession was advanced and popular in Andalusian society, and despite this progress, the production of goods and products manufactured from gold, silver, and jewelry was very little, if compared to the great demand for it and the Andalusian society's need for it. And because of the necessity required by the nature of the study, the researcher used the historical method based on linking historical events with each other, and describing what can be described, by joining with an introduction, two sections, and a conclusion. Industries in which gold is used as a raw material, hope to reach reliable historical facts that are embodied in the conclusion of the study.