Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace
Middle Neolithic (3800-3200 BCE)·Iberian Neolithic·🇵🇹 Alentejo, Evora, Portugal
About
About Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace
Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace in Alentejo, Evora, Portugal is a Middle Neolithic (3800-3200 BCE) megalithic attributed to Iberian Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal citadel 5 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 38.5720N -7.9016E controls access to Alentejo, Evora resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for Alentejo, Evora, illustrating Iberian Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3600 BCE
- Period
- Middle Neolithic (3800-3200 BCE)
- Culture
- Iberian Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3600 BCE
Initial construction of Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace main structure
c. 1216 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5720° N · 7.9016° W · 281 m · 3 mapped features
Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace — Main Megalithic Feature
cairnPrimary cairn at Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
38.5718° N · 7.9034° WAnta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
plazaAncillary plaza at Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace — platform mound with stratified deposits
38.5715° N · 7.9002° WAnta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
reservoirOutlier reservoir panel linked to Anta da Alcoverias North Chamber — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
38.5721° N · 7.9001° W