Cabeço Hillfort

Category: Archaeology > Hillfort

District: Vila Real > Boticas > Ventoselos > Cabeço

Location

The Castro de Cabeço is located in a rural and isolated area, in the village of Ventoselos, municipality of Boticas. It is situated atop a natural spur, an elevation that offers a wide perspective over the Terva River valley. The surrounding environment is characterized by dense vegetation, including gorse, lending the place an atmosphere of tranquility and connection with nature.

An Ancestral Past

This notable archaeological site dates back to a very ancient period of history, with its origins in Protohistory. The Castro de Cabeço was a fortified settlement that played a crucial role for the communities that settled here. Its occupation extended into the Roman Period, indicating the strategic importance and continuity of human life in this location over many centuries.

The Ancient Defenses

The defensive architecture of the Castro de Cabeço is a testament to the ingenuity of its builders. The settlement was protected by two concentric lines of walls, built with irregularly shaped granite blocks, laid without mortar. To reinforce security in its northeastern area, two ditches were created, excavated directly into the rock, with an earthen embankment between them. Walking along the ancient platforms between the walls, it is possible to observe the foundations of circular-plan residential structures, some of which still retain parts of their original flooring, made of granite slabs.

Fragments of a Life

Archaeological campaigns carried out at the Castro de Cabeço revealed a valuable set of discoveries that help us understand the daily life of its inhabitants. Among the recovered artifacts are pottery fragments dating from both the Iron Age and the Roman period, indicating the different moments of occupation. Roofing elements were also found, such as tiles (known as tegula and imbrex), a bronze coin, and traces of tools, such as a fragment of a hand millstone. These material finds allow us to imagine the daily life, activities, and resources that sustained the communities that inhabited this castro in distant times.