Quinta da Ponte Rock Art Complex

Category: Civil Architecture > Bridge

District: Viseu > Mangualde > Espinho > Quinta da Ponte

Location

The Quinta da Ponte Rock Art Complex is located in the urbanization of the same name, in the locality of Espinho, belonging to the municipality of Mangualde. This archaeological site is situated in a predominantly rural environment, next to the right bank of the São Pedro river, lending it a tranquil atmosphere connected to the nature of the Beira plateau.

Its location allows visitors to experience the landscape that, millennia ago, welcomed the communities who left their mark there, in a setting that invites observation and reflection on the past.

Engravings from a Distant Era

This complex is a remarkable testament to human presence in the region during Protohistory, particularly in the Bronze Age. It consists of a set of rock engravings inscribed on the surface of a granite outcrop. These are marks that have crossed eras, offering a window into the artistic and symbolic expressions of ancient peoples who inhabited these lands.

The engravings are currently undergoing study, which underscores the continuous importance and dynamic nature of archaeological research at this site of municipal value.

Artistic Expression on Stone

The rocks of Quinta da Ponte reveal a diversity of engraved motifs. It is possible to observe geometric shapes such as circles, often concentric, crosses, and quadrangular figures. In addition to these, the popular "cup marks," small circular depressions common in various rock art sites in Northern Portugal, stand out.

However, one of the most distinctive aspects of this complex is the anthropomorphic figures. These human representations are particularly interesting, as some exhibit a sense of movement through the way the upper limbs and feet were positioned, a rather uncommon trait for the typology known as "Northwestern Peninsular Art." The engravings of Quinta da Ponte fall within this tradition, also designated as "Galician-Atlantic," a type of post-glacial rock art.

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