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Location
Anta Lapeira I is located in the area of Quinta do Gião, in the village of Pavia, belonging to the municipality of Mora. This prehistoric monument is situated approximately one kilometer south of Pavia's center. It is visible from the national road connecting Pavia to Vimieiro, for those traveling in that direction, and is set within a rural Alentejo landscape, resting on a small elevation that provides it with a unique setting.
A Prehistoric Testimony
This architectural example dates back to the Neo-Chalcolithic period, testifying to the presence and funerary practices of the communities that inhabited this region thousands of years ago. An "anta," or dolmen, was originally a structure built for sepulchral purposes, serving as a collective burial chamber. Anta Lapeira I offers a direct glimpse into the engineering and beliefs of the prehistoric peoples of Alentejo, remaining a visible link to a remote past.
Structure and Dimensions
Anta Lapeira I stands out for its good state of preservation, remaining almost intact throughout the centuries. Its burial chamber has a polygonal plan, composed of seven large vertical stones, known as orthostats, which stand firmly upright. On top of these stones rests an impressive round capstone, still in its original position. The chamber has an approximate diameter of 3.40 meters and reaches a height of about 2.50 meters. It is still possible to observe an orthostat that suggests the existence of an access corridor, an integral part of the dolmen's original design.
A History of Rediscovery
Anta Lapeira I was formally registered and studied in 1921 by the researcher Vergílio Correia. At the time of its rediscovery, this megalithic monument had an unusual use, serving as a pigsty, which highlights its integration into the daily life of the local rural community. Correia also noted that the dolmen had already been subjected to earlier excavations, carried out approximately three decades before its documentation. His record contributed significantly to the understanding of the megalithic heritage of the Mora region.
