2011 - June : AAA visit to Alcoutim guided by Alexandra Gradim
Alcoutim
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We started at the castle and municipal museum where Alexandra has her base. She explained how important it is for the people of the area to be involved in the archaeology and history of the huge area she covers. To this end she encourages (and persuades) finders of artefacts to donate them to her museum and in ‘return’ makes sure that is acknowledged when displaying the items. In pride of place was a Roman tomb monument which Alexandra was able to have returned from the National Museum in Lisbon and as she put it: ‘They have loads up there and we have only one!’ A statue of Apollo however is a replica but Alexandra was very philosophical about that as the original statue is of national importance.
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The items in the museum date from the prehistoric through to the medieval and are all from sites within the locality. Whilst inside we were able to see part of the original walls and evidence of earlier excavations when the dating of the castle was secured as medieval although there had been Iron Age and Roman occupation previously on the castle site.
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One of the most interesting displays in the castle grounds was that of a large collection of game boards and stone game pieces from the Islamic period… all found within the castle walls. This is the largest such collection in Portugal and at least one is recognized as still being played today.
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We then moved on to Castelo Velho and although the way into the castle was overgrown, ‘pathfinder Florian’ and men in long trousers got us there!! … and we were rewarded with a lovely view over the river to Spain. The castle is Islamic in origin and was part of the defences along the river. It has a unique Islamic mosque.
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Back in time to the prehistoric menhirs at Lavajo for our next stop. These have been replaced to their original upright position and are protected by a fence but have public access.
This has been part of Alexandra’s remit to conserve and display monuments within the landscape. Lavajo 1 has particularly good carved designs and although not wholly visible on the stone there is an excellent reproduction on a display panel close by. |
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Lunch followed at Cantarinha do Guadiana (home cured presunto and porco preto) and then we visited the site at Laranjeiros.
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Advertised as a Roman site it also contains the remains of Islamic and Medieval buildings. Originally excavated by E. de Veiga it is believed to extend beyond the fenced area and due to its proximity to the river it is likely to have had connections with trade - possibly minerals as well as farmed commodities.
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An excellent display panel by the car park gives an idea of the chronology of the site as well as the different coloured gravels used on the floor space in each of the buildings. A viewing platform also overlooks the site.
Alexandra then took the party to her excavation site at Castelinho dos Mouros where this year she is completing her excavations together with students from abroad, and, she hopes, some AAA volunteers.
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Finally we went to the Tholos da Malhanito – a Calcolithic monument with later usage during the Bronze and Iron Ages. When discovered the monument was almost covered with earth but excavations revealed the tomb with a central chamber, narrow entry sealed at the chamber end. The stones used were greywacke. The human remains found were very limited due to the robbing of the tomb in antiquity. |
We all had a great day and I believe everyone who came was impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm Alexandra has for her subject. She is a well known and well respected member of the archaeological community here in the Algarve and beyond.
