Visigothic Cemetery of Alcoitão

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Alcabideche > Quinta de São Martinho

Location

The Visigothic Cemetery of Alcoitão is located in the town of Alcabideche, which is part of the municipality of Cascais. More specifically, this historical site is situated in the Quinta de São Martinho area, integrated into an urban environment. Its proximity to Avenida da República and Avenida de Alcoitão facilitates access and discovery for those exploring the region.

A Legacy of Late Antiquity

This cemetery is a testament to human presence in the Cascais region during Late Antiquity, a period encompassing the Visigothic era in Portuguese territory. Recognized for its importance, the site is classified as a Monument of Public Interest, highlighting its historical and archaeological value on the national scene.

Discovery and Archaeological Finds

The existence of this cemetery was first noted in the late 19th century by archaeologist Francisco de Paula e Oliveira. Studies and excavations revealed a set of graves, totaling around thirty-four, many of which contained more than one inhumation. These funerary structures were built with flagstones and were predominantly oriented from west to east.

Archaeological investigations have yielded various artifacts, such as metal adornments (earrings and rings) and ceramic pieces. These finds are similar to those discovered in other necropolises from the same period in the municipality of Cascais, offering a glimpse into the funerary practices and daily life of the population at the time. In more recent work, carried out in the 21st century, additional graves were identified, some of which were limestone cists with lids and others were simple pits dug into the ground, deepening the knowledge of this significant site.

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