Portugal, Vale de Rodrigo

Research on megalithic graves and a fortified settlement (Monte da Ponte) in South Portugal.
Studies on the settlement history of the area.

Location

Area of ca. 240 square kilometres with about 50 megalithic monuments – graves, menhires and stone settings – 20 km southwest of the town of Évora and some 100 kilometres inland from the Atlantic coast. The project takes its name from four large megalithic graves, which were discovered, in 1944, by the German pre-historians Georg and Vera Leisner, in a farmstead called Vale de Rodrigo.

Objectives

	Monte da Ponte

The aim of ongoing research is to study the settlement history of the area in question from the beginnings until the construction of the megalithic monuments, as well as their history until modern times. We concentrate on the application of non-destructive methods and only few problem-oriented excavation work. 

Current Work

	Das Megalithgrab "Vale de Rodrigo 3"

At the moment, the publication of the results is being prepared. Research focused on discovering settlement sites and on the geological-petrographical classification of the rocks used for the megalithic constructions, as well as on the localization of their possible origin. Great emphasis was placed on the accurate mapping and documentation of the monuments. Excavation work was undertaken at two megalithic graves (Vale de Rodrigo 2 and 3) and at the Monte da Ponte settlement, after previous geophysical survey (resistivity, magnetism).
During additional measurements and studies, in 2005, two further until now unknown megaliths were discovered in the southeast of our area, Anta da Malhada da Bidueira and Anta da Falcoeira. 

Results

	Alto do Barroco (oben) und Vale de Rodrigo 1 (unten).

There is neither technical nor esthetical obvious reason for the selection of the diferent materials.
Geological and petrographical analysis shows that the uprights and capstones from Vale de Rodrigo 1, 2, 3 and 4, most of them weighing several tons, must have been brought over distances up to 7 km. At each chamber of the Vale de Rodrigo graves, like at other megalithic monuments in the area, rocks of different type, from different origin and coming from different directions were used. A menhir from Vale de Rodrigo 1 had been transported over, at least, 10 km.
Due to geophysical results it was possible to detect structures which were not visible on surface. For example, the polygonal shaped stone kerb of Vale de Rodrigo 3, obvious in the measurement plan, could be exactly located and verified by excavation. On the other hand, at Vale de Rodrigo 2, there was no sign in the measurement plan for an expected long stone-covered passage. Excavation verified that he did not exist! At Vale de Rodrigo 1, where the geophysical measurements equally lack indications of a passage, probably occurs the same. Magnetic and resistivity measurements showed that the settlement of Monte da Ponte had, at least, six defence enclosures, only four of them visible in the topographic plan.
The excavations at the megalithic graves showed a complex building and occupation history. At Vale de Rodrigo 2, for example, the entrance area was remodeled / altered several times. At Vale de Rodrigo 3 the chamber was initially free-standing, without mound.
Below the mounds traces of earlier settlement were discovered. In Vale de Rodrigo 2, a 14-C-date indicates an age of about 5700 years, but the finds are not very characteristic. On the other hand, below the mound of Vale de Rodrigo 3, a layer with – relatively – many potsherds was cut for the foundation trench of the chamber. At other places in Portugal the same kind of ceramic is usually been dated to the end of Early Neolithic. 

Cooperation

	Anta da Falcoeira, Conc. Évora

The project has been authorized by the Portuguese Heritage Board since 1987. It was started by the Lisbon Branch of the DAI, is now settled at RGK Frankfurt and carried out in cooperation with scholars of the universities of Covilhã (Portugal), Lund (Sweden), Leoben (Austria) and other institutions of various disciplines. 

Contact

Dr. phil. Philine Kalb

Vorgeschichte
Telefon: 00351-917579831
bzw. 0163-66908007
Telefax: 069-975818-38
Email: kalb@rgk.dainst.de

Further Contact Partners

	Anta da Malhada da Bidueira, Conc. Évora

Prof. Dr. Martin Höck
Centro de Estudo e Proteccao do Patrimonio
Departamento de Engenharia Civil
Universidade da Beira Interior
P-6200 Covilhã
Email: martinvs@ubi.pt

Bibliography

G. Leisner, O dolmen de falsa cúpula de Vale de Rodrigo. Biblos 20, 1944.
G. Leisner / V. Leisner, Die Megalithgräber der Iberischen Halbinsel, Madrider Forsch. 1, 2 (Berlin 1959).
Aktuelle Vorberichte in Madrider Mitt. 32, 1991; 35, 1994; 38, 1997.
Ph. Kalb, Megalith-building, stone-transport and territorial markers: evidence from Vale de Rodrigo, Évora, South Portugal. Antiquity 70, 1996, 683 ff.
L. Larsson, Symbols in stone – ritual activities and petrified traditions. Actas do 3° Congreso de Arqueologia Peninsular 3, 2000, 445 ff.
L. Larsson, Decorated façade? A stone with carvings from the megalithic tomb Vale de Rodrigo, monument 2, Alentejo, southern Portugal. Journal Iberian Arch. 3, 2001, 35–46.
M. Höck / Ph. Kalb, Baumaterial und Architektur portugiesischer Megalithgräber als Zeugnis für religiöse Vorstellungen und Siedlungsgebiete. Arch. Inf. 24 (2), 2001, 229–237.
Ph. Kalb, Die Megalith-Kultur auf der Iberischen Halbinsel. Hispania Antiqua – Denkmäler der Frühzeit (Mainz 2001) 101 ff.
Ph. Kalb, Vale de Rodrigo - Megalithforschung in Portugal. Vortrag zur Jahressitzung 2002 der Römisch-Germanischen Kommission. Ber. Der Römisch Germanischen Kommission 83, 2002, 315ff.
For recent information see also the online-magazine "Spuren der Jahrtausende", vol. 2004:
Ph. Kalb, Denkmäler für die Ewigkeit. Megalithforschungen in Vale de Rodrigo, Portugal