Rock Art of Molelinhos

Category: Archaeology > Arte rupestre

District: Viseu > Tondela > Molelos > Vale do Porco

Location

The Molelinhos Rock Art is located in Vale do Porco, in the village of Molelos, municipality of Tondela. This archaeological site is situated on the right bank of the Carvalha River, a short distance from where its waters join the Criz River. Set in a predominantly rural environment, the site is integrated into a riverside valley, surrounded by cultivated fields that define the surrounding landscape.

Testimonies of Ancient Times

Discovered in 1932 by Dr. Almiro do Vale, this rock art station offers insight into the life and artistic expressions of communities that inhabited the region thousands of years ago. Its historical and cultural importance is such that it has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1992, recognizing its value as national heritage. The engravings were executed between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age, a period of profound social and technological transformations.

The Expressions Engraved in the Rock

The site comprises six rock art panels, distributed over an area of approximately 500 square meters of schist outcrop. These ancient artists used various techniques to engrave their messages into the stone, including incision, abrasion (resulting in finer, filiform engravings), and pecking. Among the depicted motifs, figures related to daily life and tools of the time stand out, such as spears, blades, daggers, arrows, and sickles, in addition to geometric designs like zig-zags, circles, and triangles, and representations of feet (podomorphs). Although some parts have suffered the effects of time or vandalism, a significant portion of the engravings remains visible and well-preserved.

The On-Site Experience

The site was subject to a musealization project, which included the creation of an architecturally designed pathway to allow visitors to closely observe the archaeological elements. This intervention aimed to protect and recover the heritage, while also facilitating its understanding and appreciation. The visit provides direct contact with this manifestation of prehistoric art, in a natural environment that invites reflection on the connection between humans and the landscape throughout the centuries.

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