Alcogulo I Dolmen

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > São João Baptista > Coutada do Alcogulo

Location

The Anta do Alcogulo I is located in the rural area known as Coutada do Alcogulo, integrated into the locality of São João Baptista, belonging to the municipality of Castelo de Vide. It is situated about 7 kilometers west of the village, rising to an altitude of 342 meters.

This prehistoric monument is set in a natural and isolated environment, surrounded by vegetation and close to a property wall. It is also located in the vicinity of the old Ramal de Cáceres railway line, in a rural setting that invites tranquility and discovery.

A Testament to Megalithism

This imposing monument is a remarkable vestige of the megalithic era in the region, having been built in a very ancient period, somewhere between 4000 BC and 2000 BC. Its construction reflects the funerary practices of the communities that inhabited these lands millennia ago, originally serving as a collective burial site.

Due to its historical and cultural relevance, the Anta do Alcogulo I was classified as a National Monument in 1910, serving as an important landmark in understanding the remote past of the Alentejo region and the country.

Granite Architecture

The main structure of the dolmen is formed by a polygonal burial chamber, composed of seven large vertical granite slabs, known as orthostats. Some of these monumental stones are partially damaged.

An impressive capstone rests on the chamber, remaining intact and supported by three of the orthostats. The dolmen also has an access corridor, oriented to the east, at least 4.50 meters long, of which some of the slabs that once covered it still remain. The construction technique involved the fitting and support of these heavy stones, demonstrating the mastery of the peoples who erected them.

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