Anta dos Currais do Galhordas[The] Anta of Currais do Galhordas

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Castelo de Vide > São João Baptista

Location

The Anta dos Currais do Galhordas is located in the area of São João Baptista, in the municipality of Castelo de Vide. It is situated in a gentle valley, characterized by the presence of a seasonal watercourse that flows northwards. The valley is flanked by small granitic elevations, framing the monument within a typical rural landscape of the region, with sandy soils and some scattered vegetation.

A Monument of Prehistory

This site holds an important testament to the region's remote past. The Anta dos Currais do Galhordas is a megalithic monument, built thousands of years ago, during the period known as the Neo-Chalcolithic (transition between the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic). Its primary function was to serve as a funerary space, a burial site for the communities that inhabited this area in that distant era. There are also indications that the monument was reused in later periods, particularly during the Bronze Age.

The Architecture of the Anta

The structure of the anta follows the common model for this type of funerary construction. It is composed of a polygonal chamber, formed by large stone blocks (orthostats), and a corridor that provides access to this chamber. It is interesting to note that the corridor's entrance is oriented approximately to the west, a frequent characteristic in megalithic monuments of this area. The complex would originally have been covered by a mamoa, an artificial mound of earth and stones that is still visible at the site and gives the structure its compactness.

Vestiges and Discoveries

Archaeological investigations carried out at the Anta dos Currais do Galhordas allowed for the recovery of various materials that help us understand the life and rituals of the people who lived and were buried there. Among the finds are stone tools, such as polished axes, and fragments of ceramic vessels, some of which could be reconstructed. Shale plaques were also found, some plain and others with engraved decorations, as well as smaller objects like arrowheads and necklace beads. Analyses of residues found in ceramic vessels provided clues about diet, revealing the presence of traces associated with fruits (such as grapes), fish, and animal fat (perhaps milk), particularly in contexts of later reuse.

The Natural Environment

The natural surroundings of the anta contribute to the visitor's experience. The predominantly sandy soil and the vegetation, with a predominance of scattered holm oaks (Quercus ilex rotundifolia), reflect the characteristics of the terrain. Being at this site allows one to feel the connection between the ancient monument and the landscape that has embraced it for millennia, offering an atmosphere of tranquility and introspection on the long human history in this region.

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