Almendres Cromlech

Last updated
Cromlech of the Almendres
Cromeleque dos Almendres1341.JPG
Almendres Cromlech
Alternative nameCromlech of the Almendres Estate
Location Évora, Alentejo Central, Alentejo, Portugal
Coordinates 38°33′27″N8°03′40″W / 38.55749°N 8.0611872°W / 38.55749; -8.0611872
Altitude400 m (1,312 ft)
Type Cromlech
Length62.4 m (205 ft)
Width32 m (105 ft)
Site notes
Archaeologistsunknown
OwnershipPortuguese Republic
Public accessPrivate

The Cromlech of the Almendres (Portuguese : Cromeleque dos Almendres/Cromeleque na Herdade dos Almendres) is a megalithic complex (commonly known as the Almendres Cromlech), located 4.5 road km WSW of the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora da Tourega e Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, municipality of Évora, in the Portuguese Alentejo. The largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula (and one of the largest in Europe), this archaeological site consists of several megalithic structures: cromlechs and menhir stones, that belong to the so-called "megalithic universe of Évora", with clear parallels to other cromlechs in Évora District, such as Portela Mogos and the Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech. [1]

Contents

History

Scheme showing the evolution of the Almendres Cromlech (Evora, Portugal) from the early Neolithic until today CromelequeAlmendres.png
Scheme showing the evolution of the Almendres Cromlech (Évora, Portugal) from the early Neolithic until today

The construction of these structures dates back to the 6th millennium BC. They were rediscovered in 1966 by Henrique Leonor Pina, who was carrying out field work relating to the country's geological charts. [1] [3] [4] [5]

The excavation of the site unearthed a series of both megalithic and neolithic construction phases; Almendres I 6000 BC (Early Neolithic), Almendres II 5000 BC (Middle Neolithic), and Almendres III 4000 BC (Late Neolithic). The relative chronology of the cromlech and menhirs is extremely complex and covers a period from the Neolithic to Chalcolithic. It is believed that the monument either had a religious/ceremonial purpose or functioned as a primitive astronomical observatory. [1] [5]

Architecture

Located off the national roadway from Évora to Montemor-o-Novo, in the former-civil parish of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, the cromlech is situated just after the village of Guadalupe, in Herdade dos Almendres (the Almendres Estate). [1] [5] It is located in the southwest of the property, while the menhir is situated on the eastern limits of the estate [1] [5] facing the sunrise over the Serra de Monfurado, isolated from the local community. A pedestrian trail was defined by the local municipal council, and integrated into the municipality's "megalithic route" that follows the prehistoric remnants through the region. [5]

The complex, organized in a circular pattern, is marked by a forest of about 95 granite monoliths, deposited in small groups. [1] The older (Early Neolithic) monoliths are formed as two or three concentric circles of smaller monoliths in the western part of the complex, while the Middle Neolithic structures consist of two ellipses (irregular but concentric) and large menhirs. In the Late Neolithic phase the earlier constructions suffered modifications, transforming it into a site for social or religious rituals. [5] Ninety-two of the menhirs form two grounds, which were built and oriented to different directions associated with the Equinox. [5]

Many of the stones were unearthed where they stood/fell, and were rebuilt/erected by Mario Varela Gomes, based on criteria established from research and rediscovery of the original bases. [3] [5] [6] The complex's latitudinal position is about the same as the maximum moon elongation (38.55 degrees for 1500 BC); comparably, another latitude where this occurs is associated with Stonehenge (51.18 degrees for 2000 BC). [3]

Although there are many large solitary 2.5 to 3.5 metres rounded/elliptical stones, most are smaller and formed into groups. [1] The cromlech occupies an area of 70 by 40 metres, oriented along an axial alignment northwest to southeast. The columns show signs of profound erosion, especially in those surfaces exposed to the elements, although decoration is still visible. These designs take the form of lines and radials, at least two on each stone. [5]

About a dozen monoliths exhibit some form of carved drawings, [1] of which four exhibit only small circular holes. Monolith number 8, with a cut flat top at about breast level and showing several dimples, might have served for finer astronomical observation, specially spring equinox observation, by putting small stones on the dimples. These observations might also be made from stone 39, on the eastern focal point of the elliptic layout. [3] Menhir 48, also exhibits a schematized anthropomorphic representation, surrounded by circles and associated with a crozier. [1]

An isolated single menhir, approximately 4.5 metres tall and 0.9 metres in diameter is located near the residences, or 1400 metres northeast of the main complex. A line from the Almendres Cromlech to this menhir points roughly towards the sunrise in the Winter solstice. [3]

Views

The distribution of the Cromlech of the Almendres Cromeleque dos Almendres Pan.jpg
The distribution of the Cromlech of the Almendres
Almendres Cromlech, Evora, Portugal, 2014 Almendres Cromlech, 2014, Evora, Portugal.jpg
Almendres Cromlech, Évora, Portugal, 2014
View from the top, 2019 Megaliticos do Almendres Cromlech.jpg
View from the top, 2019

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megalith</span> Large stone used to build a structure or monument

A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. There are over 35,000 in Europe alone, located widely from Sweden to the Mediterranean sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reguengos de Monsaraz</span> Municipality in Alentejo, Portugal

Reguengos de Monsaraz is a municipality in Évora District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 10,828, in an area of 464.00 km2. The City of Reguengos de Monsaraz proper has a population of 7,308.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro</span> Dolmen in Évora, Portugal

Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro is a megalithic monument located in Nossa Senhora da Tourega, near Valverde, in the municipality of Évora, considered one of the biggest such structures in the Iberian Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monsaraz</span> Civil parish in Alentejo, Portugal

Monsaraz is a civil parish (freguesia) of the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, on the right margin of the Guadiana River in the Portuguese Alentejo region, near its border with Spain. The population in 2011 was 782, in an area of 88.29 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escoural Cave</span> Cave and archaeological site in Portugal

The Prehistoric Rock-Art Site of Escoural Cave is a structure known for its Paleolithic-era rock-art and funerary burial site, located in the Portuguese municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, in the civil parish of Santiago do Escoural.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Évora</span> Municipality in Alentejo, Portugal

Évora is a city and a municipality in Portugal. It has 53,591 inhabitants (2021), in an area of 1,307.08 square kilometers (504.67 sq mi). It is the historic capital of the Alentejo and serves as the seat of the Évora District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nossa Senhora da Tourega (Évora)</span> Civil parish in Alentejo, Portugal

Nossa Senhora da Tourega is a former civil parish in the municipality of Évora, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Nossa Senhora da Tourega e Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. The population in 2011 was 686, in an area of 196.19 km².

Nossa Senhora do Bispo is a former civil parish in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Nossa Senhora da Vila, Nossa Senhora do Bispo e Silveiras. It has an area of 121.83 km², and a population of approximately 5411 inhabitants in 2001. It contains the localities Fazendas do Cortiço, Ferro da Agulha and São Geraldo.

Castle of Cola is an Iron Age residence and Islamic redoubt in the Portuguese Alentejo, classified as a National Monument. The castro is part of a larger archaeological park of Castro da Cola, that includes various Megalithic and Calcolithic monuments, including necropolises of the Bronze and Iron Ages. The Castro-era polygonal plan, included reinforced blocks, with an entrance controlled by tower. The remaining defensive structure was circled by walls, with still exist, on the neighboring pasture-lands protecting the castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Dolmen of Comenda da Igreja</span> Dolmen in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal

The Great Dolmen of Comenda da Igreja is a megalithic funerary site in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora do Bispo, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, in the central Alentejo region of continental Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torrão</span> Civil parish in Alentejo, Portugal

Torrão is a civil parish and town, in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, in the Portuguese district of Setúbal, bordering on the districts of Évora and the Beja. It is crossed by the river Xarrama River. The population in 2011 was 2,295, in an area of 372.39 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barreira Megalithic Complex</span> Megalithic site near Sintra, Portugal

The Barreira Megalithic Complex is located in the Sintra municipality in the Lisbon District of Portugal. Situated on a small wooded hill overlooking the village of Odrinhas, site of Roman ruins and an archaeological museum, it consists of about twenty menhirs and other monoliths or megaliths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antas da Valeira</span> Megalithic site near Evora, Portugal

The Antas da Valeira are two Chalcolithic dolmen, or burial chambers, about 100 metres apart, close to the village of Nossa Senhora da Graça do Divor in the Évora district of the Alentejo region of Portugal. Situated in a farm field about one kilometer from the Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech and ten kilometers from the notable megalithic complex of the Almendres Cromlech, these dolmen are among numerous megalithic sites identified in the Évora area. These two monuments have yet to be studied by archaeologists and are in a poor condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech</span> Stone circle in Évora, Portugal

The Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech is a megalithic stone circle situated in Évora district in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is believed to date back to the fifth millennium BCE or earlier, and is classified as a National Monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xerez Cromlech</span> Megalithic complex in Évora district, Portugal

The Xerez Cromlech, also known as the Xarez Cromlech, is a megalithic complex that is believed to date back to the 4th or 5th millennia BCE. It is situated near the town of Monsaraz in the Évora district of the Alentejo region of Portugal, close to the Spanish border. The present site of the cromlech is not its original location. Due to the construction of the Alqueva Dam for hydroelectric purposes, which led to the flooding of the original site from 2002, it was transferred from an area that is now under water to its present site close to the Orada Convent. This was the only monument to be moved, with the dam leading to the disappearance of prehistoric engravings and the Roman Castelo da Lousa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menhir of Outeiro</span> Phallic monolith in Évora district, Portugal

The Menhir of Outeiro, also known as the Penedo Comprido is a megalith located midway between the villages of Outeiro and Barrada near the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the district of Évora, in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is a few kilometers from the Portuguese-Spanish-border. The stone was discovered on its side in 1969 by Henrique Leonor Pina and José Pires Gonçalves and, on the initiative of Gonçalves, it was raised again around 1970. The menhir was classified as a Portuguese National Monument in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menhir of Bulhoa</span> Phallic monolith in Évora district, Portugal

The Menhir of Bulhoa, also known as the Menhir of Abelhoa, is a granite megalithic standing stone, located near the parish of Monsaraz, in the municipality of the Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Évora district of the Alentejo region of Portugal. It was classified as a National Monument by the Government of Portugal in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antas do Barrocal</span> Megalithic burial tombs in Évora district, Portugal

The Antas do Barrocal, also known as the Antas Herdade do Barrocal, are a set Neolithic dolmens, or megalithic funeral chambers, at Monte do Barrocal, in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Tourega, in the Évora District of the Alentejo region of Portugal. They are in an area with a high concentration of megalithic sites. Nine have been identified but only two are more than remnants and only Number 1 can be visited. This has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IGESPAR, ed. (2011). "Cromeleque, Menir e Pedras dos Almendres" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: IGESPAR-Instituto de Gestão do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  2. ↑ Mário Varela Gomes. Cromeleque dos Almendres: Um dos Primeiros Grandes Monumentos Públicos da Humanidade . Biblioteca Digital do Alentejo
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Marciano, C., Sobre o Possível Significado Astronómico do Cromeleque dos Almendres (in Portuguese), archived from the original on 22 February 2006, retrieved 30 October 2008
  4. ↑ Pina, H.L. (1971), "Novos Monumentos Megalíticos do Distrito de Évora", Actas do II Congresso Nacional de Arqueologia, Coimbra, Portugal, p. 151{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Branco, Manuel (1993). SIPA (ed.). "Cromeleque e menir, na Herdade dos Almendres" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. ↑ Alvim, P. (1996–1997), "Sobre alguns vestígios de paleoastronomia no Cromeleque de Almendres", A Cidade de Évora (in Portuguese), vol. II, pp. 5–23

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.