Penha Archaeological Station

Category: Archaeology > Settlement

District: Braga > Guimarães > Penha

Location:

The Penha archaeological station is located at the summit of Monte da Penha, approximately 613 meters above sea level, in the municipality of Guimarães. Surrounded by a landscape of granitic hills and Mediterranean vegetation, it offers an expansive panoramic view over the Ave river valley and the urban sprawl of the city.

Erected on a granite rocky outcrop, the station is integrated into a natural space dominated by gigantic stone blocks, where small caves and shelters have formed. This setting lends the site an atmosphere of tranquility, interrupted only by the whisper of the wind between the rocks.

Millennial Context:

The vestiges collected at Penha indicate a prolonged occupation, from the Chalcolithic period until the end of the Bronze Age, approximately between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. Over two millennia, the natural cavities served as a stage for ceremonies and commemorations, linking prehistoric populations to the elevated territory.

Although the original structures have been largely altered by subsequent interventions, the archaeological finds (which include ceramic fragments and lithic objects) reveal communal practices of ritual deposition. The discovery of small gold treasures further attests to the symbolic relevance of this site for ancient inhabitants.

Granitic Environment:

The relief of the mount is characterized by large granite massifs which, over thousands of years, fragmented and gave rise to caves of different sizes. In some of these cavities, slabs of compacted clay are preserved, possibly the flooring of prehistoric huts, offering a direct trace of how the space was occupied.

This granitic scenery creates an environment of contrast between the hardness of the rock and the softness of the low-lying vegetation. The soil, sometimes covered with gravel, allows one to perceive the textures and colors of the granite, which vary from light gray to reddish, depending on the incidence of light.

Archaeological Findings:

Despite the scarcity of visible constructions, the Penha archaeological station preserves a collection of artifacts that document ancient human presence. Among the discoveries are various metal pieces, ceramic fragments, and lithic points, now kept in regional museums.

The collection of materials found (the result of initial, often informal, excavations) illustrates a place of celebration and symbolic deposition. For visitors, contemplating these vestiges within a natural setting reinforces the perception of continuity between past and present.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_da_Penha

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