Description
-
This
is easily the largest passage-mound in all of Portugal
and, apart from the
Irish passage-mounds such as Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, is also one of the the
largest in Europe. The monumental size of the stones are reminiscent of the gigantic
stone-work at Malta and Egypt and show several stark differences in design to most other
prehistoric Portuguese constructions.
The site is free entry and is accessed by a track and then by foot for the last 100
metres.
There
are several large stones lying around the site which look as though they
were left in a state of semi-readiness. One of the most impressive discarded
stones is the 'leaf' shaped stone in front of the monument on the right-hand
side of the entrance (see below). This stone has the appearance of having
been left half finished (it is possible to discern a marked area of stone which may
have been intended for cutting) although it is also just as likely that we see it today as it
was originally intended. On the left hand side of the entrance (see left)
lies a large, flat topped stone with a single, large cup-mark in the centre
of it. The position of these two prominent stones on either side of the
entrance gives the site a sense of importance, before even bearing witness
to the eight giants that form the walls of the inside chamber.
The Mound
-
The mound itself is 50m in diameter and around 7m high.
It is
composed of rubble packing-stones of varying sizes and has been severely
excavated in the past. The round shape of the mound
is easily defined, except at the front which has lost all vestige of any
original appearance. If the two large stones to the
left and right of the passage entry were outside originally, then we
can assume that it was never completely round at the front as they lie
within the perimeter of the diameter.
The Passage
- The passage is composed of several stones on either side, which appear to
have been shaped in readiness to fit other stones. There are no visible
markings on any of the stones. The floor of the passage has a rock feature,
which appears to have been intentionally carved, although it is possible
that this too is still in its original form. The passage has a slight bend
along its length, a feature discussed below.
The stone pillar inside does not appear structural and is similar to the one
found in
Bryn Celli Ddu, in Wales.
The chamber
- The chamber is huge and cathedral-like from inside, and would have been
more spectacular with the capstone in place. It is composed of 8 mauled
granite stones, all 6-8m in
height (above ground), with the largest at the rear almost 4m wide. There is
no sign of carvings on any of them (except modern graffiti), and they all lean inwards,
pressing against each other and sharing the load of the surrounding mound. A
feature similar to many Portuguese passage mounds and dolmens.
Cope (1) mentions that excavators found 'callis
beads, decorated schist plaques, flint and stone tools, pottery and a
stone-axe', with mention of any skeletons notoriously absent..
The Cap-stone
- The cap-stone to the chamber is around a half metre thick and lies on the
top of the mound, behind the main chamber. It is broken into several pieces,
and in its original state would have weighed several tons. It has the
appearance of having either been slid off or having almost made it into
place, before being broken (struck by lightning?).
Astronomy
- The passage has a slight curve along its
length, a feature which is more easily discernable at Newgrange, where it
was used to restrict the entry of sunlight to the inner chamber. There are
two standing stones in the passage which may have been originally part of
the support, but are suspiciously placed as if to control the entry of
sunlight to the chamber. The whole mound faces 20
