Phoenician Trading Post of Abul

Category: Archaeology > Settlement

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Murta

Location

Situated in the locality of Murta, Alcácer do Sal municipality, the Phoenician Feitoria of Abul occupies a remarkable position on the right bank of the Sado paleo-estuary. This location, on a naturally protected promontory with coves, was strategically ideal in antiquity for controlling fluvial traffic and for the operation of a natural port. The site is part of the unique landscape of the estuary, which, despite transformations over millennia, still allows a visual connection to its original importance as a communication route and natural resource.

A Millennial Legacy

Abul represents one of the oldest and most significant vestiges of Phoenician presence in Portuguese territory, recognized as the first Phoenician settlement discovered in the country and an exceptional case study across the entire European Atlantic facade. Its foundation dates back to the 7th and 6th centuries BC, during the Iron Age. After being abandoned by the Phoenicians, the site would be reoccupied in the Roman Era, between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, as a center for amphora production, utilizing the region's Miocene clays.

The Structure of the Phoenician Feitoria

Archaeological excavations revealed an organized and complex structure, with a characteristic quadrangular plan. The main building, approximately 22 meters per side, was arranged around a central courtyard. Initially, in the 7th century BC, large rectangular compartments were built, believed to have functioned as warehouses, and smaller rooms, perhaps for habitation or administrative functions. A rectangular tower marked the western access, and a V-shaped ditch surrounded the promontory for protection. In a later phase of reorganization, the central courtyard was redesigned and surrounded by a corridor, with a new main entrance served by a paved ramp. A rectangular altar in the center of the courtyard emphasized the symbolic importance of the space.

Daily Life and Economic Activities

Life in Abul was intrinsically linked to trade and the exploitation of local resources. The remains found offer a window into the daily life of its inhabitants: fishing and shellfish gathering in the estuary were essential activities, complemented by hunting and livestock farming. The presence of a tuyere suggests the practice of metallurgy, likely processing ores from nearby deposits. Furthermore, the discovery of ceramic spindle whorls indicates the practice of spinning, testifying to textile production. This diversity of activities underscores Abul's multifaceted role as a trading post and a center for natural resource utilization, in a setting that invites us to imagine the dynamics of one of the first trade networks connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic coast.

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