Category: Archaeology > Dolmen
District: Évora > Alandroal > Pardais > Carrapatosa
Situated in the rural area of Carrapatosa, near the locality of Pardais, in the municipality of Alandroal, the Anta da Azenha dos Apóstolos is harmoniously integrated into the serene landscape of the Alentejo. Its surroundings are characterized by vast countryside, providing an environment of tranquility and direct contact with nature. This rural setting underscores the monument's millennial presence, allowing for a deeper appreciation of its antiquity and the context in which it was built.
The Anta da Azenha dos Apóstolos is a remarkable vestige from the Late Neolithic period, dating back to the 4th millennium BC. This megalithic structure served as a collective burial chamber for the prehistoric communities that inhabited the region, evidencing their social complexity and funerary rituals. Classified as a National Monument, the anta holds considerable historical and archaeological importance, functioning as a tangible link to the first inhabitants of the Alentejo territory. Excavations carried out in 1898 by José Leite de Vasconcelos allowed for the recovery of artifacts, such as ceramic fragments and flint tools, which contributed to a better understanding of the life and beliefs of these ancestral peoples.
The imposing nature of the Anta da Azenha dos Apóstolos is revealed in its architectural composition, typical of chamber and corridor dolmens. The polygonal chamber is formed by seven large orthostats (vertical stones) that remain standing, defying the passage of time. A particularly intriguing detail is the existence of schematic engravings visible on one of the orthostats, a rare testament to the art and symbolism practiced by prehistoric societies. The corridor, consisting of two pairs of orthostats, establishes the connection to the chamber. The ensemble is complemented by vestiges of an earthen mound, which originally covered the structure, giving it its original form as a tomb.
Visiting the Anta da Azenha dos Apóstolos offers a unique opportunity to contemplate the monumentality of prehistoric architecture and to reflect on the passage of time. In the silence of the Alentejo countryside, it is possible to feel the historical dimension of the place, imagining the communities that lived here and bequeathed these millennial structures. It is an invitation to introspection, offering a tangible connection with the earliest history of humanity and with the enduring presence of man in the Alandroal landscape.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.720432,-7.3862682
Coordinates DMS: 38°43'13.6"N 07°23'10.6"W
Weather Pardais
On-duty Pharmacy Pardais
