Category: Archaeology > Ensemble
District: Guarda > Pinhel > Cidadelhe > Ervideiro
The Côa Valley archaeological sites complex, Faia/Vale Alfonsinho Rock Art Nucleus is nestled in the district of Guarda, more precisely in the municipality of Pinhel, in the locality of Cidadelhe, in Ervideiro. This unique nucleus is integrated into the vast landscape of the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, characterized by its dramatic topography and the striking presence of the Côa river, a tributary of the Douro.
The area is dominated by a rugged and imposing natural environment, where schists outcrop, forming the rocky surfaces that served as support for the millenary artistic expressions. The surroundings are profoundly rural, with a landscape that invites contemplation and the recognition of its ancientness.
In this specific nucleus of the Côa Valley, the focus is on an extraordinary collection of open-air Paleolithic rock art. The engravings, dating back tens of thousands of years, are a remarkable testament to the artistic and symbolic capacity of our prehistoric ancestors. Representations of animals such as horses, bovines, and caprines predominate, often with impressive vitality and dynamism.
The techniques used by Paleolithic artists include emphasis on incision, pecking, and abrasion of the schist rock, creating figures that emerge from the natural surface of the stones. Each panel reveals a unique glimpse into the daily life, beliefs, and relationship of Ice Age humans with their environment and the megafauna that surrounded them.
The Faia/Vale Alfonsinho Rock Art Nucleus is not merely a set of engravings; it is an immersive experience in a natural setting that has remained largely unchanged since its creation. The Côa valley landscape itself, with its steep slopes and the fluidity of the river, is an intrinsic element to the understanding and appreciation of the rock art.
The harmony between the art and the surrounding nature lends the place an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. Natural light plays a crucial role in revealing the details of the engravings throughout the day, transforming the perception of the engraved figures and highlighting the interaction of prehistoric artists with their natural canvas.
This archaeological complex is one of the most significant in the world regarding open-air Paleolithic art, offering a unique window into human thought and expression from such a remote period. Its discovery and subsequent classification as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscore its universal importance and invaluable worth for the knowledge of human history.
A visit to this site provides a profound connection with the past, allowing for reflection on the continuity of human presence on Earth and the timeless capacity to create and communicate through art, in one of the planet's most ancient and impressive artistic archives.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunto_dos_s%C3%ADtios_arqueol%C3%B3gicos_do_Vale_do_C%C3%B4a
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.922795575028466,-7.095300106320495
Coordinates DMS: 40°55'22.1"N 07°05'43.1"W
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