Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village
Castro do Zambujal
Chalcolithic (3000–1700 BCE)·Vila Nova de São Pedro / Bell Beaker·🇵🇹 Lisbon District, Torres Vedras, Portugal
About
About Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village
Lisbon's type-site of Copper Age fortification excavated by E. Sangmeister 1964–, with Beaker pottery, copper smelting and Atlantic trade links.
Why it mattersKey Vila Nova de São Pedro / Bell Beaker fortress with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ceremonial 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. 3000 BCE; fortifications c.2800 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (3000–1700 BCE)
- Culture
- Vila Nova de São Pedro / Bell Beaker
- Purpose
- Copper Age walled hilltop with barbican and bastions — Iberian proto-urban
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1909
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village
c. 3000 BCE; fortifications c.2800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village
2005 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village
On the ground
Structures & features
39.0750° N · 9.2850° W · 95 m · 3 mapped features
Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — Principal Structure
structurestructure at Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — hydraulic feature
39.0749° N · 9.2850° WZambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — Complex Annex 2
complexcomplex at Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — subsidiary complex
39.0745° N · 9.2870° WZambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — Rock_Art Annex 3
rock artrock art at Zambujal Chalcolithic Fortified Village — subsidiary complex
39.0760° N · 9.2864° W