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Thu, 11 October 11:00 2007 |
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A trip back in prehistory |
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A RECREATION of the daily life of people who lived in the Algarve during the prehistoric era was staged at the Alcalar Megalithic Necropolis at Mexilhoeira Grande near Portimão. The recreation ‘One day in Prehistory’ was sponsored by Portimão Town Council. Actors from a local theatre group interpreted scenes depicting daily life in the area which archaeologists believe was the location of a large settlement. Archaeologists Rui Vinhas and Helena Móran, dressed as a prehistoric warrior and a high ranking village woman guided the visitors to the archaeological site.
The necropolis is a National Monument dating from the third millennium BC. The focal point of the territory stretching north from the Alvor inlet to the foothills of the Monchique range was a settlement of more than 10 hectares located at the end of a once navigable section of the Torre River, next to what is now Alcalar. Other inhabited sites grew up around this central settlement and around 18 megalithic tombs were built in different groups on the surrounding low hills, forming a necropolis with a wide range of architectural styles. Monument 7, a funeral temple built in the third millennium BC, is the best preserved tomb in the necropolis and has been the focus for conservation and restoration work.
The diameter of this circular building reaches almost 27 metres and has a straight, east-facing façade with the only access to the crypt in the centre. The Portuguese Heritage Institute has announced plans to build a reception and study centre and install explanatory signs. Support material for visitors is currently being prepared for publication.
The monument can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
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