Baraka Burial Mound
Chalcolithic (4500–3300 BCE)·Chalcolithic·🇵🇹 Alentejo, Portugal
About
About Baraka Burial Mound
Baraka Burial Mound in Alentejo, Portugal is a Chalcolithic (4500–3300 BCE) tumulus attributed to Chalcolithic culture. Systematically investigated through aerial LiDAR and coring, it presents a monumental core with ancillary settlement. UNESCO World Heritage context. Construction employs cyclopean blocks and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Chalcolithic tumulus with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Social hierarchy and elite control
- 02Construction labor organization and logistics
Theories
- 01Territorial marker and boundary statement
- 02Elite residence and administrative centre
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. 4238 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (4500–3300 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Defensive and administrative
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 4238 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 3438 BCE
Major expansion and monumental elaboration
c. 616 BCE
Rebuilding and fortification phase
1989
Modern archaeological excavation and survey
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5201° N · 7.8312° W · 2062 m · 3 mapped features
Reservoir/Cistern
shrineAncillary necropolis associated with main monument
38.5226° N · 7.8282° WReservoir/Cistern 2
petroglyphOutlier feature with petroglyphs
38.5213° N · 7.8297° WHydraulic Channel
hydraulicBurial zone — shaft tombs
38.5184° N · 7.8294° W