Tapir 1 of the Little Defenses

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Defesinhas

Location

Anta 1 das Defesinhas is located in the Defesinhas area, near the city of Elvas. Its setting is markedly rural, nestled in a serene Alentejo landscape dominated by holm oak woodlands. This prehistoric monument is situated at an elevation of approximately 186 meters, offering a glimpse of the surrounding vast plain.

A Testament to the Distant Past

This site is a valuable testimony to human presence and funerary practices of Prehistory. Anta 1 das Defesinhas dates from the Neolithic/Chalcolithic period, times when the communities inhabiting this Alentejo region built megalithic monuments to bury their dead. It is recognized as one of the best-preserved dolmens in the municipality of Elvas, allowing a clear understanding of its original configuration.

Megalithic Features

The dolmen's structure is composed of a chamber and a corridor, originally covered by a mamoa, an artificial mound built with earth and stone blocks. Currently, this mamoa still envelops a good part of the chamber and corridor, maintaining its form almost intact. It is possible to observe the top of some of its esteios, the large vertical slate slabs that form the walls of the funerary chamber, which has at least five visible elements, and the access corridor.

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