Anta of Torre das Arcas I

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Bairro da Abóboda

Location

The Dolmen of Torre das Arcas I is located in the district of Portalegre, within the municipality of Elvas, more specifically in the rural surroundings of Bairro da Abóboda. This location offers visitors direct contact with the serenity and vastness of the Alentejo landscape, characterized by open fields, scattered cork oaks, and a particular light that highlights the antiquity of the site. The surrounding environment is typically rural, conducive to a tranquil and contemplative visit, far from urban hustle.

Prehistoric Monument

This monument represents a remarkable testament to the funerary and ritual practices of the communities that inhabited the Alentejo region millennia ago. It is a construction dating back to the Neolithic or Chalcolithic period, eras when sedentary life and the first forms of complex social organization began to shape the landscape. Its existence underscores the importance these peoples attributed to death and the cycle of life, as well as their ability to undertake large-scale works with rudimentary means.

Structure and Construction

The architecture of this type of monument is characterized by the use of large stone blocks, called orthostats, arranged vertically to form a chamber. This chamber, intended to house the deceased and their grave goods, was then covered by one or more large slabs. The construction of such structures required considerable empirical engineering knowledge and collective organization for the transport and elevation of the heavy stones. Although the state of conservation may vary, the robustness of its original design is evident.

A Window to the Past

Visiting the Dolmen of Torre das Arcas I is more than observing an ancient construction; it is embarking on a journey through time, seeking to understand the life and beliefs of peoples who lived in this territory long before us. The site invites reflection on the resilience of civilizations and their intrinsic connection to the land. The simplicity and monumentality of this structure, in harmony with the natural surroundings, provide an experience that evokes the profound connection between humanity and its most ancestral legacy.

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