Megalithic Complex of Monte de Têra

Category: Archaeology > Megalithic

District: Évora > Mora > Pavia

Location

In the heart of Alentejo, near the tranquil village of Pavia, in the municipality of Mora, lies the Monte de Têra Megalithic Complex. This historical site is set within a serene rural landscape, characteristic of the region, offering an environment of quietude and reflection. Its elevated position provides unobstructed views over the vast Alentejo plain, inviting one to appreciate the scale and natural beauty of the surrounding territory.

The Secrets of Monte de Têra

The existence of this remarkable archaeological complex was recognized in 1996, as a result of the work of M. Calado and L. Rocha. The site reveals itself as a testament to ancient human presence in Alentejo, structured into two distinct and complementary areas. It comprises a first sector corresponding to a Stone Alignment and a second sector distinguished as a Necropolis, each with its peculiarities that unveil practices and beliefs from past eras.

Traces of Remote Times

The Monte de Têra Megalithic Complex offers a fascinating insight into the region's prehistory. Its constituent elements, such as the menhirs and the necropolis structures, allow us to imagine the communities that lived here and their rituals. The necropolis, in particular, indicates that this was a burial site, where the practice of deceased cremation was already part of funerary customs, a relevant fact for understanding the cultures that inhabited this space at different times, including the Iron Age. The alignment, in turn, suggests a ceremonial or astronomical function, typical of many megalithic monuments.

The Importance of Research

This megalithic complex has been the subject of continuous attention from archaeology. Over more than a decade, several excavation campaigns have been carried out at Monte de Têra, initially under the coordination of L. Rocha and, from 2006, with the collaboration of R. Mataloto. This persistent work has been fundamental in unravelling the site's complexity and historical richness, contributing significantly to the knowledge about the societies that inhabited Alentejo and their oldest cultural and ritual manifestations. Ongoing research continues to reveal new details about the life and beliefs of our ancestors.

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