Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Viseu > Resende > São Martinho de Mouros
The archaeological site of Mogueira or São Martinho de Mouros is located in the district of Viseu, more precisely in the municipality of Resende, in the locality of São Martinho de Mouros, parish of Guardais. This historical site, nestled in a landscape of remarkable natural beauty, benefits from a strategic position that was once fundamental for its defense.
The archaeological site is typically situated on an elevation, providing a wide perspective over the surrounding territory. Its location allows visitors to understand the strategic choice of its ancient occupants, who sought both security and visual dominance of the region.
This ancient settlement is a fascinating testament to ancestral human presence in the region. The existing remains reveal aspects of the daily life and defensive strategies of communities that inhabited this site in distant periods of history, possibly since the Iron Age. Its structure, although sometimes fragmented, allows for the inference of residential constructions and, above all, impressive defensive systems.
The visible ruins generally comprise the foundations of ancient dwellings and sections of walls. These structures offer a glimpse into the construction techniques used by the peoples who settled here, showing how they adapted to the terrain and utilized available resources to create a secure and functional living space.
The archaeological site of Mogueira or São Martinho de Mouros is of considerable importance for understanding human occupation and the social and cultural evolution of the Resende territory and the district of Viseu. The findings collected at the site, resulting from excavation campaigns, contribute significantly to the knowledge of pre-Roman communities and their interaction with the surrounding environment.
By exploring this site, visitors have the opportunity to reflect on the way of life of these ancient civilizations, their social organizations, and their relationships with other peoples. The site is, thus, an authentic open-air history book, where every stone and every structure reveals chapters of a distant past.
In addition to its historical and archaeological value, the Mogueira site benefits from a natural setting of great beauty. The surrounding landscape, characteristic of the rural areas of Douro and Viseu, offers a tranquil environment conducive to contemplation.
The elevated location of the ancient settlement provides unobstructed views over the valleys and mountains that delineate the region. This natural scenery not only complements the experience of visiting the archaeological site but also highlights its strategic importance in the past, where a broad view of the horizon was crucial for the community's security and subsistence.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.0977286,-7.89387917
Coordinates DMS: 41°05'51.8"N 07°53'38.0"W
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