Category: Archaeology > Hillfort
District: Vila Real > Valpaços > Lama de Ouriço > Tinhela e Alvarelhos
The Castro da Lama de Ouriço, also known as Cabeço da Muralha, stands in a rural and isolated area, in the parish of Tinhela and Alvarelhos, in the municipality of Valpaços. This ancient fortified settlement is located on a discreet but strategically positioned hill overlooking the surrounding plateau. From this location, one can contemplate the natural landscape and the proximity of a watercourse, the Ribeiro de Alvarelhos, which winds through the region.
This 'castro' represents an important testament to human occupation in the region, with its origins dating back to the Iron Age. There are also indications of presence during the Roman period. The site offers a window into understanding the communities that inhabited this area thousands of years ago, revealing their forms of organization and the strategies they developed for territorial defense. The designation "Cabeço da Muralha" highlights the importance of the impressive defensive structures that characterize this archaeological site.
The Castro da Lama de Ouriço is notable for its complex and ingenious defensive system. It is composed of a robust large tower, especially visible in the main access area to the east. The settlement was protected by three lines of walls, built of granite using an irregular masonry technique, where large ashlar blocks were laid dry. The internal wall, oval-shaped, defined the central space of the settlement, and a second outer wall surrounded the entire complex. A third, shorter line of defense reinforced the south side, the most vulnerable area. Other elements, such as a possible ditch and a field of upright stones, completed this elaborate protective scheme.
Beyond its imposing defensive structures, the site preserves vestiges that allow a glimpse into the daily life of its ancient inhabitants. Inside the settlement, it is possible to observe stone alignments corresponding to ancient dwellings, some with circular and rectangular layouts. In the exterior area, especially on the southern slope, there are rocks with hollows and engraved grooves, suggesting past activities or rituals, and even what appears to be a game board carved into the stone. A unique discovery in the vicinity of the 'castro' is a rock-cut press, a testament to the agricultural and food processing practices that were essential for these communities.
Due to its historical and archaeological relevance, the Castro da Lama de Ouriço has been classified as a Property of Public Interest. Although time and low-lying vegetation now cover much of the remains, the defensive structures are still discernible, mainly through the slopes of the walls and the piles of stones. Careful observation of the site allows one to grasp the grandeur and complexity of this ancient settlement, providing a journey into the region's distant past and the way its inhabitants organized and defended themselves.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.704799423862454, -7.34128210685662
Coordinates DMS: 41°42'17.3"N 07°20'28.6"W
On-duty Pharmacy Lama de Ouriço
