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Location:
Fiais, Nr Carregal do Sal, Bierras.
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Grid Reference:
40.45˚ N, 7.95˚ W |
Description
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The
elevated granite bedrock of the Fiais region near Carregal do
Sal, offered the builders of the 'Orca' dolmens both a ready source
of building material, and a 360˚ view of the country extending
several miles in all directions, whilst remaining in close proximity
to the Mondego river.
The several dolmens in this area have been
preserved and combine together to form the 'Curcuito Pre-historico
Fiais', a signposted journey through the forest tracks of Fiais.
Apart from the beautiful Orca dolmen, this circuit offers examples
of rock-art (arte-rupestre), several other smaller dolmens, and
various other traces from Neolithic life, all of which add to the
feel of the site.
(Click
here for map of site)
Scroll down for more..
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The
Orca Complex.
 The
Orca Dolmen (Lapa da Orca) -
(Passage-mound) The
largest and most complete of all the Neolithic remains in area, the
Orca dolmen is a magnificent example of a passage-mound and has some
interesting examples of prehistoric cut-marks showing on at least
two of the stones (see below).
It is possibly
because it is the dominant structure of the group that this
passage-mound has remained in such good condition.
The stone at the
end of the chamber shows signs of having been worked (in a style
similar to that seen on several Maltese temples). The same carving
can be seen on a stone at the nearby Orca
da Palheira. The holes in the surrounding stones suggest
a door mechanism which although unusual, is a feature of many
prehistoric Maltese and Egyptian temples.
Note: From the middle photo, it looks as though
the 'door' was once forced inwards.
Exposure of the top of the passage-way
lintels has revealed that a couple of the stones still have their
original cut-marks in them. Other stones in the
area have the same feature. This method of cutting stone was
common throughout the prehistoric world
as the following pictures demonstrate.
Note: this stone has been re-used recently for the entrance plaque for
Orca da Lapa.
Orca da Lapa (left),
Orca do Santo (right)
(Click here for more examples)
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Orca do
Outeiro do Rato: Another passage-mound, only a lot smaller
and mostly destroyed, This structure is dated at around 3,500 BC. It
is orientated towards a nearby hill and the passageway is so small
that by the look of it one would have had to crawl along it to get
in originally.
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Orca do
Santo: This completely demolished passage-mound has
apparently little to offer. It has been stripped of almost all
its original stones and small eucalyptus trees are growing
aggressively through the ground in and around the site.
However, just across the way, hidden in
the long grass are the following two stones. They appear
aligned to each other, but not to the mound.
The same cut-marks are
seen on the lintel-stones of the passage of the Orca da Lapa
(see above).
Note: The
stone on the right appears to be fashioned across its face. It
rests on a support stone, incidentally similar in style to the
stone supporting the large menhir at
Hagar-Qim temple on Malta.
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The
'Quarry': Within sight of the Orca do Santo is this
quarry face where it is still possible to see
prehistoric cut-marks in the rocks.
The same
quarry marks can be seen at the 'quarry' as seen on megaliths
around the complex.
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| Orca 1 do
Ameal:
This small
structure (Orca 1) dated at around 4,000 BC is peculiar in
that it has evidence of a mound surrounding it, yet it has no
passage. The opening faces away from a spectacular view.
Orca 2 do Ameal:
Only a hundred
yards away is this greatly restored dolmen (also dated at
around 4,000 BC). Again showing evidence of a mound, again
facing away from the vista, and again in a different style to
other structures in the area.
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Prehistoric rock-shelter: Not much to look at perhaps
but this tiny, paved shelter would have provided invaluable
shelter from the elements.
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| Rock
carvings (Arte Rupestre do Ameal). This is one of two
rocks that are almost completely covered with abstract shapes
and carvings. Their meaning and age are speculative.
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Orca da
Palheira: This heavily 'restored' dolmen is
almost invisible from most angles having had a 60's nightmare
built around it (and with parts of it). It is dated to
around 3,500 BC and again, is completely different in design
to all the other structures in the area.
The same
rock-cut 'door' can be seen on a stone at this site too. The
stone has been re-used by the look of it... as part of a
modern door-frame (Below, left). Other stones in the
structure also appear to have been re-used from the original
dolmen (Below, right).
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