Junco Valley Archaeological Station

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Santarém > Mação > Ortiga > Vale do Junco

Location

The Archaeological Station of Vale de Junco is located in the village of Ortiga, in the municipality of Mação, district of Santarém. The archaeological site is situated on a hillside, offering a view over the railway line and the Tagus River. This position gives the place a unique natural setting, where the presence of ancient remains integrates into the riverside landscape of Vale de Junco.

A Window to the Past

The Vale de Junco Station corresponds to an ancient settlement with a significant Roman occupation, extending over approximately two hectares. The remains indicate that the site was inhabited from the mid-1st century until the early 5th century CE. There are indications suggesting a possible link between the Roman occupation and gold mining in the region, with traces of "conheiras" (structures associated with gold prospecting) visible a few meters from the banks of the Tagus.

One of the most notable elements of the station is a Roman bath complex, dated to the 3rd/4th centuries CE, whose rectilinear walls and opus signinum (a type of waterproof mortar) pavements are still visible today. On the site, it is also possible to find surface fragments of common pottery and Roman building materials, as well as indications of some burials that may be of Visigothic origin, pointing to a continuity of occupation after the Roman period.

Historical Value and Its Preservation

The Archaeological Station of Vale de Junco is recognized for its historical relevance, being classified as a Property of Public Interest. This recognition underscores the site's importance for understanding the Roman presence and subsequent periods in the Mação region.

However, the Roman structures at the site show a high degree of abandonment and degradation, being in danger of destruction. Despite this fragility, the site has been the subject of archaeological attention over the decades, with recent prospecting and excavation campaigns (notably in 2022 and 2023) indicating the presence of new structures. These continuous efforts aim not only to deepen knowledge about the settlement but also to contribute to its enhancement and eventual preservation.

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