Roman Villa of Monte da Chaminé

Category: Archaeology > Roman Villa

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Ferreira do Alentejo

Location

The Roman Villa of Monte da Chaminé is located in an Alentejo rural landscape, near the locality of Ferreira do Alentejo, in the municipality of Aljustrel. It sits on a hillside, overlooking the left bank of the Ribeira de Canhestros, in a countryside area that preserves the natural essence and tranquility of the region, offering a serene environment for its discovery.

Roman Heritage and Villa Structure

This site offers a unique perspective on the Roman presence in the ancient province of Lusitania, standing out as one of the largest known villas in the southern territory. Its construction dates back to the 1st century BC, remaining occupied until the 6th century AD. The structure of the villa, characteristic of large Roman rural complexes, was divided into two main parts: the residential area, known as the pars urbana, and the area dedicated to agro-industrial production, the pars fructuaria.

The Pars Urbana and Domestic Life

In the pars urbana, the owner's dwelling was organized around a central garden, adorned with a water feature, a common element in Roman residences of status. This space was surrounded by four porticoed galleries, which provided access to the various rooms. Vestiges of the decorative richness of the era can still be observed, such as panels of bicolor geometric mosaic on the floors of some rooms and fragments of painted stucco in various colors, which once adorned the walls and corridors, revealing the luxury of Roman daily life.

The Pars Fructuaria and Agricultural Production

The pars fructuaria reveals the economic and productive importance of the villa, essential for the complex's self-sufficiency and wealth. This area included several structures for agricultural and industrial activities. Noteworthy is an underground storage, where sections of walls about 1.65 meters high and the beginning of its ancient vaults are preserved. Inside, there are two adjoining tanks, likely used in olive oil production, one for reception and the other for decantation, evidencing a strong connection to the olive culture that endures in the region. In addition to these, there were other agricultural infrastructures, such as a raised building with elevated foundations, allowing for air circulation, and a small tank for liquid collection.

Hydraulic Engineering and Sustainability

The villa's sustainability was ensured by a dam, located about 250 meters to the west, in a tributary ravine of the Ribeira de Canhestros. This remarkable work of Roman engineering, with a straight masonry wall reaching approximately 3.20 meters in height, was fundamental for irrigating horticultural products, fruit trees, and vineyards, being supplied by a conduit from an upstream spring. This system demonstrates the Romans' advanced technical mastery in water resource management.

Vestiges Beyond Rome

The history of the Roman Villa of Monte da Chaminé did not end with the cessation of Roman occupation. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed an unexpected discovery: the presence of a skeleton dated to the 13th century, directly resting on the debris levels of the villa. Alongside this skeleton, a scallop shell and fragments of a pot with ashes were found. These findings suggest it belonged to a pilgrim of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, whose presence at the site represents a notable link to a period after the Roman era, giving the site an additional dimension of historical and symbolic value that transcends its Roman origins.

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