Bugalheira Cave

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Santarém > Torres Novas > Lapa da Bugalheira

Location:

Lapa da Bugalheira is located in the homonymous locality, in the municipality of Torres Novas. This site is situated within the Estremadura Limestone Massif, a region geographically characterized by limestone formations and karst features. This natural environment is conducive to the existence of caves and rock shelters, elements that, since ancient times, have served as shelter and points of interest for the human communities that settled there. The designation "Lapa" refers precisely to a grotto or natural cavity.

A Millennial Past:

This site is notable for its profound historical and archaeological significance. Lapa da Bugalheira was a space of great relevance for prehistoric communities, essentially functioning as a necropolis, i.e., a place dedicated to burials and funerary practices. Its use extended over a vast chronological period, spanning from the Early Neolithic, through the Middle and Late Neolithic, to the Chalcolithic. This long and continuous occupation for funerary purposes underscores the lasting importance the cave held for the rituals and beliefs of the peoples who inhabited this area over the millennia.

Traces of an Ancestral Culture:

Archaeological investigations carried out at Lapa da Bugalheira have revealed a valuable collection of artifacts that bear witness to the daily life and complex symbolic practices of the ancient populations. Among the most unique findings are the phalanx-idols: small pieces crafted from polished bones, mostly from horses and, to a lesser extent, from domestic cattle. These objects were transformed to evoke human figures and are interpreted as ideotechnic artifacts with strong symbolism. Some of these idols feature specific decorations, which relate to common representations from the Chalcolithic period, often associated with the Mother Goddess and agrarian cults. The presence of these and other vestiges, such as impressed pottery and various ornaments, offers insight into the social structure and ritual richness of the communities that inhabited this region thousands of years ago.

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