Molelinhos rock art site

Category: Archaeology > Rock Art

District: Viseu > Tondela > Molelinhos > Vale do Porco

Location

The Molelinhos Rock Art Station is located in the heart of the Molelinhos region, a rural area within the parish of Molelos, municipality of Tondela. This archaeological site is nestled in a valley, bathed by the right bank of the Carvalha River, a mere three hundred meters from the point where its waters join those of the Criz River. Its surroundings are characterized by cultivated land and natural landscapes, in an area locally known as Vale do Porco (Pig Valley), offering a tranquil environment conducive to historical observation.

The First Artists and Ancient History

Discovered in 1932 by a local researcher, Dr. Almiro do Vale, the Molelinhos Rock Art Station represents a valuable testament to human presence in remote times. This archaeological site, also referred to as the Molelinhos Rock Engravings, is an important example of open-air art and was recognized as a Property of Public Interest in 1992, underscoring its relevance to national heritage. The engravings present here were created between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age, offering a glimpse into the communities that inhabited this territory thousands of years ago. Interestingly, the site is also known in popular tradition as "Arquinha da Moura".

Motifs and Sculpting Techniques

The archaeological complex consists of six schist panels, spread over an area of approximately five hundred square meters of rock outcrop. The engravings were created using three distinct techniques: incision, abrasion, and pecking, demonstrating the diversity of methods employed by our ancestors to express their worldview. Among the represented motifs, figures of weapons stand out, such as spears, blades, daggers, arrows, and sickles, reflecting the importance of these instruments in daily life at the time. There are also varied geometric patterns, such as zigzags, circles, triangles, ramiform shapes, and reticulates, some of which converge to a central point. It is also possible to observe representations of human footprints, known as podomorphs. The largest panel, measuring approximately eight by two meters, boasts hundreds of engravings, being the point of highest artistic concentration. Despite some signs of vandalism over time, a large part of the engravings remains in good condition.

Preservation and Visitation

The Molelinhos Rock Art Station is a site of great historical and cultural value, allowing a direct connection with the region's distant past. With the aim of protecting and enhancing this heritage, a musealization project was implemented between 2013 and 2014. This intervention focused on the conservation of the site and the creation of a delineated path, including structures that facilitate the observation of the engravings, making the visit more enriching and accessible. This effort allows visitors to closely contemplate the rock art, better understanding the life and beliefs of the prehistoric populations who left their mark here.

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