Roça do Casal do Meio Megalithic Monument

Category: Archaeology > Tolo Hut

District: Setúbal > Sesimbra > Castelo > Casal do Risco

Location

This ancient monument is located in the parish of Castelo, in the municipality of Sesimbra, specifically in the locality of Casal do Risco. It is situated within the Quinta do Calhariz estate, on a hillside covered with natural vegetation, which gives it a tranquil and distinctive landscape setting.

Its Remote Origin

The history of this monument dates back to the late Bronze Age, having been built during the first half of the 1st millennium BC. Over the centuries, it served as a funerary monument, a place of rest and ritual for the communities of that era.

Architecture and Structure

This unique monument features a sub-circular chamber, notable for its false dome that rises over the interior space. Access to this chamber is through a carefully constructed corridor. Originally, the structure would have been covered by a large mound of earth, which not only protected the monument but also integrated it into the surrounding landscape, marking its presence monumentally.

Archaeological Discoveries

Excavations at the site have revealed a valuable collection of archaeological finds, which provide clues about the practices and lives of the populations who inhabited this area. Among the discovered artifacts are bronze items such as belt buckles, a fibula, a ring, and tweezers. More delicate pieces were also found, such as an ivory comb and ceramic vessels decorated with burnished patterns, demonstrating the material and cultural wealth of the period.

Ancient Cultural Connections

The architecture of this monument bears fascinating resemblances to other ancient structures scattered across the Mediterranean Basin. Its style evokes parallels with the tombs of the Mycenaean period and the constructions known as the nuraghes of Sardinia, suggesting cultural exchanges or architectural influences that extended across vast regions in the distant past.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monumento_megalítico_da_Roça_do_Casal_do_Meio

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