2017 - May : Jorge Correia & Antonio Rodrigues:
Silves through the ages –
archaeological evidence of human presence since the Upper Paleolithic.
The municipal area of Silves offers a diverse geological landscape that ranges from the hilly uplands to its coastal limestone cliffs. The archaeological evidence shows that human occupation occurred throughout the region from as far back as the upper Paleolithic. The presentation we have prepared focuses primarily on some of the main archaeological finds and sights that are the material evidence of human presence in the region.
We shall give a brief insight into the prehistoric presence through the various aspects that range from micro-lithic tools to megalithic monuments. Changes in the social structures brought about through the origination of metallurgy are mirrored in the artifacts that accompanied the deceased during the Bronze and Iron ages. The presence of graves dating from these periods is quite profuse in the region of Silves and shall also be overviewed in the communication.
The rise and expansion of the Roman Empire introduced a new modus vivendi to all the conquered regions and the Iberian Peninsula was no exception. Although investigation has focused little on the roman presence in the Silves region, recent archaeological studies have brought to the spotlight some surprising results.
The time span between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula was marked by a strong generalized ruralization of the various communities. This period left minute evidence in the region, although an astounding agglomerate of graves carved into the bedrock located in São Bartolomeu de Messines and Vale Fuzeiros did survive. The rise of Christianity and the spread of the Islamic faith contributed significantly to great change in the status quo of the Iberian Peninsula, influences that are still felt today and which the evidence will be presented and revised.
Jorge Correia
Studied Cultural Heritage at the University of the Algarve, where he also obtained his masters degree in archaeology. Collaborated with Nuno Bicho at Lapa do Picareiro cave and Vale de Boi between 1999 and 2004. Discovered and excavation alongside Pedro Barros the Iron Age grave of Gregórios in 2004. In 2009 co-coordinated the excavation of the Iron Age Graves of Vale Romeira near Messines and participated in the excavations of the Roman Villa of Corte, detected during a survey he lead in 2004 in the Messines region.
Since 2005 he works for the Municipality of Silves in the Historical Heritage Department.
Antonio Medeiros Rodrigues studied History and Archaeology at the University of Coimbra between 1997 and 2001. Collaborated with Professor Teresa Gamito of the University of the Algarve, working at the Horta da Misericordia in Faro, the Necropolis Crista just to the north of the Cathedral in Silves and the Islamic Cisterna
in the Rua do Castelo (Silves).
Since 2003 he has been working as an archaeologist in the Silves Council where he has worked on a number of projects including the Gregorio Mascarenhas Theatre and in the Silves Municipal Archive.
He also carried out evaluations in Armação de Pera which led to archaeological excavations at the Fortaleza de Santo Antonio das Areias on the beach front.
The municipal area of Silves offers a diverse geological landscape that ranges from the hilly uplands to its coastal limestone cliffs. The archaeological evidence shows that human occupation occurred throughout the region from as far back as the upper Paleolithic. The presentation we have prepared focuses primarily on some of the main archaeological finds and sights that are the material evidence of human presence in the region.
We shall give a brief insight into the prehistoric presence through the various aspects that range from micro-lithic tools to megalithic monuments. Changes in the social structures brought about through the origination of metallurgy are mirrored in the artifacts that accompanied the deceased during the Bronze and Iron ages. The presence of graves dating from these periods is quite profuse in the region of Silves and shall also be overviewed in the communication.
The rise and expansion of the Roman Empire introduced a new modus vivendi to all the conquered regions and the Iberian Peninsula was no exception. Although investigation has focused little on the roman presence in the Silves region, recent archaeological studies have brought to the spotlight some surprising results.
The time span between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula was marked by a strong generalized ruralization of the various communities. This period left minute evidence in the region, although an astounding agglomerate of graves carved into the bedrock located in São Bartolomeu de Messines and Vale Fuzeiros did survive. The rise of Christianity and the spread of the Islamic faith contributed significantly to great change in the status quo of the Iberian Peninsula, influences that are still felt today and which the evidence will be presented and revised.
Jorge Correia
Studied Cultural Heritage at the University of the Algarve, where he also obtained his masters degree in archaeology. Collaborated with Nuno Bicho at Lapa do Picareiro cave and Vale de Boi between 1999 and 2004. Discovered and excavation alongside Pedro Barros the Iron Age grave of Gregórios in 2004. In 2009 co-coordinated the excavation of the Iron Age Graves of Vale Romeira near Messines and participated in the excavations of the Roman Villa of Corte, detected during a survey he lead in 2004 in the Messines region.
Since 2005 he works for the Municipality of Silves in the Historical Heritage Department.
Antonio Medeiros Rodrigues studied History and Archaeology at the University of Coimbra between 1997 and 2001. Collaborated with Professor Teresa Gamito of the University of the Algarve, working at the Horta da Misericordia in Faro, the Necropolis Crista just to the north of the Cathedral in Silves and the Islamic Cisterna
in the Rua do Castelo (Silves).
Since 2003 he has been working as an archaeologist in the Silves Council where he has worked on a number of projects including the Gregorio Mascarenhas Theatre and in the Silves Municipal Archive.
He also carried out evaluations in Armação de Pera which led to archaeological excavations at the Fortaleza de Santo Antonio das Areias on the beach front.
