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

BBC Reel2 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.

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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.

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Summary

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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.
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