Anta da Herdade de Vale de Rodrigo

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Évora > Évora > Vale de Rodrigo

Location

The Dolmen of Herdade de Vale de Rodrigo is located in the municipality of Évora, in the locality of Vale de Rodrigo. This megalithic monument is situated in a rural setting, typical of the Alentejo landscape. Its integration into the space is remarkable, being adjacent to an old corral area near Monte do Vale Melhorado, which gives it a distinctive environment and a direct connection to rural daily life.

A Testimony to Prehistory

This site is a remarkable example of a dolmen, also known as anta, dating back to the Neo-Chalcolithic period. These structures are collective funerary monuments, erected by communities that inhabited the region thousands of years ago. The Dolmen of Herdade de Vale de Rodrigo offers a unique opportunity to connect with the marks left by our ancestors, revealing their practices and social organization.

Megalithic Architecture

The dolmen is characterized by its large, polygonal main chamber. Its construction is made with seven imposing granite orthostats, vertical stone blocks, six of which remain in their original position, rising to about two meters in height. The monument also features a corridor that would have led to the chamber. Currently, there are no traces of the mamoa (the mound of earth and stones that originally covered the dolmen), nor of its capstone, allowing a clear observation of its interior structure.

A Classified Legacy

Due to its high archaeological and historical value, the Dolmen of Herdade de Vale de Rodrigo has been recognized as a National Monument. This classification underscores its relevance as part of Portuguese cultural heritage and ensures its conservation. A visit to this monument allows one to understand the importance of preserving these millennia-old constructions, which are fundamental links for understanding human history in the Alentejo.

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