Cave of Bones

Category: Nature > Cave

District: Santarém > Tomar > Casais Novos > Lapa dos Ossos

Location

The Gruta dos Ossos, sometimes referred to as Lapa dos Ossos, is located in the eponymous area of Lapa dos Ossos, in the locality of Casais Novos, in the municipality of Tomar. This site is set in an environment that still preserves its natural character, providing an atmosphere of tranquility and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

A Prehistoric Sanctuary

This remarkable site, a natural cave, dates back to the period of the Late Neolithic, revealing a unique use as a necropolis. The Gruta dos Ossos served as a space for collective burials, a crucial aspect for understanding the funerary practices and social organization of the communities that inhabited this place millennia ago. The archaeological remains suggest the existence of a very specific funerary ritual, which involved the removal and subsequent reorganization of the bones of the deceased in an ossuary, demonstrating an elaborate and reverent approach to death.

Treasures of the Earth

Excavations carried out inside the cave brought to light a variety of objects that offer a fascinating window into the daily life and beliefs of the Neolithic populations. Among the most significant finds are tools made of flint, such as sharp blades and percussors, as well as an adze, essential tools for daily activities and subsistence of the time. Also discovered were skullcap bowls and, of particular importance, a considerable quantity of human bones, along with deer bones, confirming the use of the site as a burial ground and the context of their lives.

The Legacy of Ancient Communities

The Gruta dos Ossos represents an invaluable testimony to understanding the beginning of collective burials in the Tomar region. This archaeological site offers a deep perspective on the beliefs, rituals, and social structures of the human groups that settled here. The continuous study of this site contributes significantly to the knowledge of Portuguese prehistory, helping to trace the evolution of funerary practices and the lives of the communities that shaped the human landscape thousands of years ago.

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