Cláudio Torres, archaeologist, historian and director of Mértola’s Archaeological Centre since its creation in 1978, is noted for his pioneering research that has brought to light the importance of this territory during the Islamic period, leading countless excavation campaigns and research projects, and playing a decisive role in the importance of heritage as a factor of local development in the area. He was the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including the “Prémio Pessoa” in 1991 and the “Prémio Rómulo de Carvalho” in 2001, and was the Portuguese representative on UNESCO’s Committee for World Heritage between 1999 and 2000. His many published works and contributions include “O legado islâmico em Portugal”, “O Garb-al-Andaluz”, in “História de Portugal”, by José Mattoso, and “A arte islâmica em Portugal”, in “História de arte portuguesa”, by Paulo Pereira.