There is no direct archaeological evidence of Phoenician colonies in the Alpujarra. The Phoenicians, known for their maritime trading culture, primarily established coastal settlements along the Mediterranean shores of the Iberian Peninsula from around 1100 BCE to 300 BCE. Their most notable colonies in southern Spain were in coastal areas, such as Gadir (modern-day Cádiz) and Malaka (Málaga).

However, the Phoenician influence likely reached the interior regions indirectly through trade networks. The nearby coastal areas, particularly around Almuñécar (known in ancient times as Sexi or Ex), did have Phoenician settlements. It's possible that trade routes extended from these coastal settlements into the mountainous hinterland, including the Contraviesa range, but this would have been limited due to the challenging terrain.

The indigenous population of the region during this time was Iberian, possibly with some Celtic influence. These local cultures interacted with traders and may have adopted some Punic cultural elements. From around the 6th century BCE the Carthaginians, originally a Phoenician colony themselves, expanded their influence in southern Iberia.

Roman Period

The Roman presence in the region that includes the Alpujarra began around 206 BCE, following the defeat of Carthage in the Second Punic War. While major Roman settlements were primarily located in more accessible coastal and river valley areas, the Romans did have a significant impact on the broader region, including the mountainous hinterlands.

The area fell under the Roman province of Hispania Ulterior, later reorganized as Baetica. While not heavily populated, the Contraviesa and surrounding mountains were likely exploited for their natural resources. The Romans were particularly interested in:

• Mining: The Sierra Nevada and surrounding ranges are rich in minerals. While major mining operations were centered elsewhere (notably lead and silver mining in the nearby Sierra de Lujar), smaller-scale extraction of metals like lead, silver, and iron may have occurred in the Contraviesa. (a very interesting read about the global importance of mining on the Iberian peninsula through the ages can be found here: The mines that built empires)

• Timber: The forested areas would have been valuable for shipbuilding and construction. It is said that in Roman times a squirl could travel from the south to the north coast of Spain without touching the ground.

• Agricultural Products: The Romans likely encouraged the cultivation of olives, grapes, and grain in the more fertile areas. They were skilled hydraulic engineers and improved upon existing water management systems in the region, enhancing irrigation for agriculture.

While large Roman cities were not established in the Alpujarra, smaller settlements or villae rusticae (rural estates) might have existed, particularly in the foothills or more accessible valleys. Major Roman roads (viae) didn't pass directly through the Contraviesa, but secondary routes likely connected the area to larger networks. These would have facilitated trade and administrative control. Latin gradually became the dominant language, forming the basis for the later development of the local Romance dialect.

The Roman era laid important foundations for the region's future development, particularly in terms of agricultural practices, language, and basic infrastructure. However, the relatively remote and rugged nature of the Alpujarra meant that Roman influence was less direct and transformative here than in more accessible parts of Hispania. The legacy of this period would be built upon and modified by subsequent cultures, particularly during the long era of Islamic rule that followed.