Dolmen of Matança

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Guarda > Fornos de Algodres > Matança > Furtado

Location

The Matança Dolmen is set within the picturesque landscape of the municipality of Fornos de Algodres, in the locality of Matança, specifically in the Furtado area. Located in the district of Guarda, this megalithic monument benefits from a rural and serene setting, typical of the Beira lands. Its location allows visitors to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle, where one's gaze sometimes gets lost in the gentle horizons of the region.

A Megalithic Testimony

The Matança Dolmen is a remarkable vestige of human presence in the region from very ancient times. Dating from prehistoric periods, this monument is an anta (dolmen), a collective funerary structure built by Neolithic communities. It represents a landmark of the ingenuity and beliefs of our ancestors, serving as a burial and worship site, and reflecting a complex social organization for its time.

The Prehistoric Construction

The architecture of the Matança Dolmen is characteristic of megalithic monuments: it consists of large stone slabs, designated as esteios (uprights) or orthostats, arranged vertically to form a burial chamber. On top of these, one or more horizontal slabs rest, the tampas (capstones) or covers, which roof the interior space. The imposing nature of the stones used testifies to the effort and technique required for their erection, elements that still impress those who observe these millennia-old structures today.

Landscape Setting

The experience of visiting the Matança Dolmen is enriched by its natural setting. The monument is harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape, an area dominated by agricultural and forest elements. The calm that pervades the site and its connection to the land help to evoke the environment in which ancient communities lived and revered their dead, making the visit an opportunity to contemplate the passage of time and the persistence of memory.

Sources: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dólmen_da_Matança?uselang=pt

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