Rumansil I Archaeological Site

Category: Archaeology > Settlement

District: Guarda > Vila Nova de Foz Côa > Freixo de Numão > Rumansil

Location and Natural Setting

The site known as Rumansil is situated in an area of great scenic beauty, in the vicinity of Freixo de Numão, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Guarda district. Set in a rural and isolated environment, it is located on a mid-slope plateau facing east, characterized by the presence of granite outcrops. Its surroundings are marked by a vast expanse of vineyards, almond trees, and olive trees, interspersed with wild scrubland and junipers, which together create a stunning palette of colors that transforms with the changing seasons, offering a memorable natural landscape.

The Heart of Roman Activity

Rumansil is, in fact, an archaeological station dating back to the 3rd century AD, interpreted as a Roman "Villa rustica" or an "industrial complex". The structure consists of two main buildings constructed with granite masonry. The larger one, with a rectangular plan and oriented north-south, was a center for various activities: it functioned as granaries, mills, a wine press, and a wine storage, and also housed stonemasonry and metalworking workshops. Further to the west, a smaller, quadrangular building was dedicated to housing, containing a kitchen, possible bedrooms, and a service area, as well as a furnace for smelting metals. Between the two, a portico is believed to have connected them.

South of the larger building, there are two circular granite furnaces with two levels: a lower combustion chamber and an upper baking chamber, separated by a grate of flagstones. Differentiated in size, the larger one was used for baking large pieces, such as dolia (large ceramic vessels), while the smaller one served for smaller volume pieces. The entire complex was surrounded by a defensive wall of granite blocks, possibly erected for protection against the wild animals of the time.

Testimonies of a Distant Past

This site, discovered and excavated over several archaeological campaigns, constitutes an important historical-cultural landmark. The work has revealed a diverse collection of artifacts, including fragments of pottery, lead and iron objects, a considerable number of coins from the second half of the 3rd century AD, as well as statuettes of animals and human figures. Although its main occupation dates back to the Roman period, traces of tenuous and temporary occupations, possibly by shepherds, have been dated to the Middle Ages, in the 9th and 12th centuries. The presence of these tangible remains offers a window into the daily life and economic activities that flourished in this region almost two millennia ago, making Rumansil a place of profound interest for those who appreciate history and archaeology.

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