Old Castle - Iron Age Settlement

Category: Archaeology > Settlement

District: Évora > Estremoz > Veiros > Castelo Velho

Location

The Castelo Velho, Iron Age Settlement is serenely situated in the locality of Veiros, in the municipality of Estremoz, within the vast district of Évora. Its designation "Castelo Velho" (Old Castle) suggests its strategic and elevated position, typical of ancient human settlements that sought natural defense and a wide view over the surrounding Alentejo landscape. From this location, visitors can contemplate the beauty of the gentle hills, the cork oak forests, and the olive trees that characterize this region, feeling the quietude of the rural environment.

Remains of a Remote Past

This archaeological site constitutes a notable testimony to human presence during the Iron Age. The settlement, built in a dominant position, reveals the organization and way of life of the communities that inhabited these lands millennia ago. Although the remains may sometimes be subtle, careful observation allows one to discern the foundations of ancient residential structures, indicating how these populations settled and utilized the territory.

The importance of Castelo Velho lies in its ability to offer a window into understanding pre-Roman societies in southern Portugal. Archaeological studies allow for the reconstruction of aspects of the daily lives of these people, from their agricultural and pastoral practices to their social organization and their interactions with other settlements of the time. It is a place that invites reflection on the continuous evolution of human presence in the Alentejo landscape.

Archaeological Legacy

Visiting Castelo Velho is immersing oneself in a space where history intersects with the natural landscape. The presence of these Iron Age remains underscores the intrinsic archaeological value of the site, which contributes to the knowledge of territorial occupation and population dynamics over the centuries. The environment invites a peaceful walk, allowing the visitor to imagine the bustle of a community that flourished there long before the modern era, taking advantage of the natural resources and the protection the site offered.

The preservation of this type of settlement is fundamental to keeping alive the memory of the civilizations that shaped the Alentejo. Each fragment and each mark on the land tells a part of the story, allowing archaeologists and, consequently, visitors, to piece together a more complete picture of the ancestors who left their lasting mark here.

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