Category: Archaeology > Dolmen
District: Viseu > Vila Nova de Paiva > Fráguas > Zona Industrial de Vila Nova de Paiva
Situated in the locality of Fráguas, within the municipality of Vila Nova de Paiva, the Anta das Castonairas is located in the local Industrial Zone. This particular location gives the monument a unique setting, where the presence of an ancient structure coexists with the dynamism of the present.
Offering an interesting perspective on the passage of time, its discreet presence in the modern landscape invites reflection on the permanence of historical remains in contemporary contexts, highlighting how the most remote past intertwines with current daily life.
The Anta das Castonairas is a remarkable vestige of human presence in the Viseu region during Prehistory, particularly in the Neolithic period. These megalithic monuments, built by ancient communities, primarily served as collective tombs, burial sites where the remains of several people were deposited, marking an important step in the complexity of ritual and funerary practices.
It therefore represents a tangible link to our most remote ancestors, offering a glimpse into their lives, beliefs, and social organization, as well as their deep connection to the land and the cycles of life and death.
The construction of the Anta das Castonairas is based on the use of large stone slabs, or orthostats, arranged to create a burial chamber. Its architecture, characterized by monumentality and simplicity, reflects the mastery of the populations who erected it, capable of moving and fitting stone blocks of considerable size without the aid of modern technology.
The robustness of these structures has allowed them to withstand time, witnessing centuries of history and landscape transformation. Their imposing presence invites contemplation and imagination, allowing observers to connect with a cultural heritage that endures, silently, in the heart of the Paiva territory.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.834758,-7.7554394
Coordinates DMS: 40°50'5.1"N 07°45'19.6"W