Roman dam of Muro dos Mouros

Category: Archaeology > Dam

District: Beja > Serpa > Serpa

Location:

It stands on rural land south of Serpa, next to Barranco da Morgadinha, in a landscape characterized by sparse vegetation and dry soils. It is accessible via the road from Serpa to Vila Verde de Ficalho, near Aldeia Nova de São Bento, just over 2 km from the town of Serpa.

Located within a small hydrographic basin of about 0.7 km², the dam is approximately 375 m from an ancient Roman station, on a plateau crossed by intermittent watercourses throughout the year.

Origin and Function

It was built during the Roman Era with the aim of storing water for agricultural irrigation in a region with average precipitation below 600 mm/year. Its presence reveals the Roman engineers' concern with capturing and regulating water flow, ensuring essential water resources for the surrounding lands.

During the height of the imperial period, this type of hydraulic work ensured the productivity of neighboring fields, complementing other existing agricultural infrastructures, such as canals and water treatment stations.

Structure and Materials

It is a wall of rectangular cross-section, approximately 130 m long, 1.5 m thick, and a maximum of 3 m high. It develops in a gentle curve, reinforced downstream by buttresses that increase stability.

The interior features a core of opus incertum and opus caementicium, externally clad with courses of blocks laid in regular ashlar masonry. At the top, a stone coping is visible, which prevented water from overflowing the crest, while a ceramic pipe embedded near the base ensured the controlled discharge of the stored flow.

Environment and Landscape

Set within an arid landscape, the dam provides a point of archaeological interest amidst abrupt ravines and seasonal watercourses. The surroundings feature hard soils, low scrub, and the characteristic silence of low-population density areas.

The contrast between the solidity of the Roman construction and the drought-adapted vegetation reflects human adaptation to the local climate, offering a privileged setting to observe ancient engineering in dialogue with the Alentejo nature.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt