Almendres Cromlech

Cromlech of the Almendres (Cromoleque dos Almendres)
Cromlech (Cromoleque)
The Cromlech of the Almendres overlooking the civil parish of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
Nickname: Alto das Pedras Talhas
Country	Portugal
Region	Alentejo
Sub-region	Alentejo Central
District	Évora
Municipality	Évora
Location	Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
- elevation	400 m (1,312 ft)
- coordinates	38°33′26.91″N 8°3′40.03″W / 38.557475°N 8.0611194°W / 38.557475; -8.0611194
Length	0.06 m (0 ft), West-East
Width	0.03 m (0 ft), North-South
Architects	unknown
Style	Megalithic
Material	Granite
Discovered	1966
- Initiated	4000 B.C.
- Completion	3000 B.C.
Owner	Portuguese Republic
For public	Private
Visitation	Closed
Management	Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico
Status	Property of Public Interest
Listing	Decree No. 735/74; DG 297, 21 December 1974
Wikimedia Commons: Almendres Cromlech

The Cromlech of the Almendres megalithic complex (or Almendres Cromlech), located near Guadalupe, in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, municipality of Évora, is the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the largest in Europe. This archaeological site consists of several megalithic structures: cromlechs, and menhir stones, the first belonging to the so-called "megalithic universe of Évora", with clear parallels to other cromlechs, such as in Portela Mogos in the Montemor-o-Novo.^[1]

History

The construction of these structures date back to 3000 B.C., or to as early as 4000 B.C., and only rediscovered in 1966 by Henrique Leonor Pina who was preceding in field work associated with the geological charts of the country.^[1][2][3][4] The excavation of the site unearthed a series of both megalithic and neolithic construction phases. The relative chronology of the cromlech and menhirs is extremely complex and covers a period from the Chalcolithic to Iron Age, and it is believed that the monument had a religious/ceremonial purpose, or functioned as a primitive astronomical observatory.^[1][4]

Architecture

Located off the national roadway from Évora to Montemor-o-Novo, in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, it is situated just after the village of Guadalupe, in Herdade dos Almendres.^[1][4] The cromlech is located within the property, 1.5 kilometres southwest, while the menhir is sited on the limits of the residence to the east.^[1][4] The location is a rural area on the southeast flank of the Serra de Montemuro, isolated from the local community. A pedestrian trail was defined by the local municipal council, and integrated into the municipalities "megalithic route" that follows the prehistoric remnants through the region.^[4]

The complex, organized in a circular pattern, is marked by a forest of about 95 granite monoliths, deposited in small agglomerations.^[1] The older (Early Neolithic) are designated by two or three concentric circles of smaller monoliths in the western part of the complex, while the mid (Middle Neolithic) structures consist of two ellipses (irregular but concentric) and large menhirs. In the Late Neolithic phase both structures suffered modifications, transforming into a site for social or religious rituals.^[4] Ninety-two of the menhirs form two grounds, which were built and oriented to different directions associated with the Equinox.^[4]

Many of the stones were unearthed where they stood/fell, and were rebuilt/erected by Mario Varela Gomes, based on criteria established from research and rediscovery of the original bases.^[4][2][5] The complex's latitudinal position is about the same as the maximum moon elongation (38.55 degrees for 1500 BC); comparably, another latitude where this occurs is associated with Stonehenge (51.18 degrees for 2000 BC).^[2].

Although many are large solitary 2.5 to 3.5 metres rounded/elliptical stones, most are predominantly with small, squat agglomerations of stone.^[1] The group is disseminated in an area of 70 by 40 metres, oriented along an axial alignment northwest to southeast. The columns show signs of profound erosion, especially in those surfaces exposed to the elements, although decoration is still visible. These designs take the form of lines and radials, at least two on each stone.^[4]

About a dozen monoliths present some form of carved drawings^[1], four of which exhibit only small circular holes. Monolith number 8, with a cut flat top at about breast level and showing several dimples, might have served for finer astronomical observation, specially spring equinox observation, by putting small stones on them. These observations might be made from stone 39, on the eastern focal point of the elliptic layout^[2]. Menhir 48, also exhibits a schematized anthropomorphic representation, surrouned by circles and associated with a crozier.^[1]

A isolated single menhir, approximately 4.5 metres tall and 0.9 metres in diameter is located near the residences, or 1400 metres northeast of the main complex. A line from the Almendres Cromlech to this menhir points roughly towards the sunrise in the Winter solstice.^[2]

During various excavations fragments of ceramics and a polished stone axe.^[4]

The distribution of the Cromlech of the Almendres

Gallery

An example of an engraved stone (circles)   Semi-circular crescents engraved on another stone   An inverted shepherd's crook: a common motif   The number 8 monolith with rounded dimples   The isolated Menhir of the Almendres

See also

• Cromlech
• Menhir
• Megalithic
• Neolithic
• List of archaeoastronomical sites sorted by country

External links

• Câmara Municipal de Évora Archaeology site
• The Megalithic Portal: Cromlech of the Almendres
• The Megalithic Portal: Menhir of the Almendres
• 360° Photos
• Megalithomania
• GEMA - Grupo de Estudos do Megalitismo (Alentejano Megalithic Study Group of Alentejo)

References

Notes

Sources

• Gonçalves, José Pires (1975) (in Porutguese), Roteiro de Alguns Megálitos da Região de Évora, Évora, Portugal 
• Varela Gomes, Mário (1979), Valcamonica Symposium, III, Capo di Monte, Italy 
• Santos, M. Farinha dos (1985) (in Portuguese), Pré-História de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal 
• Gonçalves, José Pires; Varela Gomes, Mário; Santos, M. Farinha dos (1986), "Os Menires da Pedra Longa", Arqueologia e História, Lisbon, Portugal 
• Silva, António Carlos, ed. (1992) (in Portuguese), Roteiro do Megalitismo de Évora, Èvora, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Évora