Category: Archaeology > Dolmen
District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Nossa Senhora da Graça de Póvoa e Meadas
The Anta do Pai Anes is located about 1.7 kilometers northwest of the town of Póvoa e Meadas, in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Graça de Póvoa e Meadas, municipality of Castelo de Vide, in the district of Portalegre. Set in a rural Alentejo landscape, this location offers a tranquil environment and invites visitors to appreciate the serenity of the countryside, far from the bustling urban areas.
This remarkable megalithic monument dates back to the Neolithic period, approximately 4,000 to 3,000 BC, testifying to the presence and practices of prehistoric communities in the region. The Anta do Pai Anes was recorded and studied as early as 1897 by the ethnographer and archaeologist Leite de Vasconcelos, highlighting its importance and early recognition. In 1997, it was formally classified as a Property of Public Interest, ensuring its protection and heritage enhancement. Despite the challenges of time, the monument underwent restoration efforts in 2003, aiming for its preservation for future generations.
The dolmen's structure reveals a polygonal burial chamber, built with remarkable granite slabs. Originally supported by seven vertical orthostats, or support stones, six of these remain visible, standing out in the landscape. Although the capstone, which once covered the chamber, has been lost over the millennia, the first support stone of the chamber features a unique decorative carving, a detail that catches the eye and suggests the artistic and symbolic complexity of its original builders.
The Anta do Pai Anes is a significant testament to the funerary and ritual practices of the communities that inhabited this region during the Neolithic period. It is a site of profound historical resonance, inviting contemplation of the remote past. Archaeological investigations at the site, although limited to a slate axe as the main find to date, underscore the importance of this type of monument for understanding the social organization, beliefs, and technology of the prehistoric peoples of the Alentejo.
Given its location on private property, it is essential that any visit to the Anta do Pai Anes is conducted with due respect for the established rules and the tranquility of the site. Its preservation depends on the care and awareness of all who visit, helping to ensure that this fragment of ancient history remains accessible and valued.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anta_do_Pai_Anes
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.517727726273066,-7.537659419939497
Coordinates DMS: 39°31'3.8"N 07°32'15.6"W
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