Category: Archaeology > Dolmen
District: Évora > Évora > Nossa Senhora de Machede > Rocio do Montinho
The Anta of Herdade de Montinho is located in the heart of the Alentejo region, an area of vast and serene landscapes. This prehistoric monument is situated in the municipality of Évora, more specifically in the locality of Nossa Senhora de Machede, in the area known as Rocio do Montinho.
Its surroundings are typically rural, characterized by open fields and the 'montado' (cork oak woodlands), scattered trees that define the Alentejo landscape. A visit to the site offers an atmosphere of tranquility and a deep connection with the surrounding nature, allowing for immersion in the countryside atmosphere and the silence of the Alentejo.
The Anta of Herdade de Montinho is a remarkable testament to the Neolithic period, an era of profound transformations in which human communities began to settle and develop more complex social and ritual structures. This monument served as a collective funerary monument, a burial site intended for the ancestors of a community that inhabited this region thousands of years ago.
Its existence reveals the worldview and beliefs of prehistoric societies, demonstrating the importance they attributed to death and the cult of the dead. It represents a direct link to a remote past, allowing a glimpse into the practices and symbolism of our ancestors.
Like all dolmens, that of Herdade de Montinho is a megalithic construction, meaning it was erected with large stone blocks, or orthostats, carefully arranged. These vertical stones support an enormous capstone, forming a sepulchral chamber that once housed the mortal remains and goods associated with funerary rituals.
The simplicity and monumentality of this construction impress with its age and the organizational capacity and technical ingenuity that prehistoric communities possessed to manipulate and erect such heavy blocks. Each stone tells a story of strength and purpose, an enduring legacy of an ancient civilization.
A visit to the Anta of Herdade de Montinho provides an intimate contact with the region's most remote past, an invitation to reflect on human history and the evolution of civilizations. The tranquil atmosphere of the Alentejo countryside, where the monument is located, contributes to an experience of contemplation and admiration.
This site offers a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of a millennial structure in its natural environment, allowing visitors to imagine the lives of the communities that inhabited and built this imposing memorial.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.56197003420921,-7.690533098161761
Coordinates DMS: 38°33'43.1"N 07°41'25.9"W
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