Discovering the secrets of Portugal's 7,000-year-old cromlech - BBC REEL

BBC Reel5 minutes read

Cromlech Almendres in Portugal, dating back 7,000 years, predates Stonehenge and was likely built by Neolithic farmers. The site served as a gathering place for exchanging goods and animals during equinoxes, forming the oldest man-made ecosystem. Cromlech dos Almendres, a later site, features pyramid-like structures associated with social hierarchy and beliefs in the afterlife, with symbols possibly representing constellations.

Insights

  • Cromlech Almendres in Portugal, predating Stonehenge by 2,000 years, was constructed by Neolithic farmers and shepherds, serving as a gathering spot during equinoxes for trading goods and animals.
  • Cromlech dos Almendres, resembling a pyramid and built later, is linked to social hierarchy and afterlife beliefs, with its structures potentially symbolizing human figures and constellations through cup marks.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is Cromlech Almendres?

    Cromlech Almendres is an ancient site in Portugal dating back 7,000 years, pre-dating Stonehenge by 2,000 years. It was built by sedentary farmers and shepherds during the Neolithic period.

  • How is Cromlech Almendres aligned?

    Cromlech Almendres is aligned towards the equinoxes, serving as a gathering place for agricultural communities during those times to exchange goods and animals.

  • What is unique about the landscape of Montado?

    Montado, the natural landscape where Cromlech Almendres is located, features two types of oaks and is considered the oldest man-made ecosystem globally.

  • What is the significance of Cromlech dos Almendres?

    Cromlech dos Almendres, built 2,000 years later, resembles a pyramid and is associated with social stratification and beliefs in the afterlife.

  • How are the structures within Cromlech dos Almendres interpreted?

    The structures within Cromlech dos Almendres are interpreted as representing human figures, with symbols like cup marks possibly signifying constellations.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Ancient Cromlech Almendres: Portugal's Prehistoric Landmark

  • Cromlech Almendres is an ancient site close to Evora in Portugal, dating back approximately 7,000 years and pre-dating Stonehenge by 2,000 years. It is aligned towards the equinoxes and believed to have been built by sedentary farmers and shepherds during the Neolithic period.
  • The site, set in a natural landscape called Montado, features two types of oaks and is considered the oldest man-made ecosystem globally. It served as a gathering place during equinoxes for agricultural communities to exchange goods and animals.
  • Another significant site, Cromlech dos Almendres, built 2,000 years later, resembles a pyramid and is associated with social stratification and beliefs in the afterlife. The structures within are interpreted as representing human figures, with symbols like cup marks possibly signifying constellations.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.