Roman villa of Vilares
Encyclopedia
The Roman ruins of Vilares is an archaeological excavation in the civil parish of Alcabideche
, municipality of Cascais
, discovered in the early part of the 21st century on a site designated for residential development. The site identified remnants that implied a necropolis
and remains of a Roman villa (imbrices and terra sigillata
), but suggested occupation since the Iron Age until Moorish intervention.
The first investigation into this area occurred between 2000 and 2001, under the supervision of José d'Encarnação, Guilhereme de Jesus, João Pedro Marcelino Cabral and Maria de Lurdes Nieuwendam.
Between May-August 2007, the archaeological dig continued, with archaeologists accompanying the construction projects, including the digging of channels for sanitation and water pipes. This intervention continued into 2008; while the surrounding terrains were cleared for construction, the site was cleaned and a registry of all the archaeological artifacts was compiled.
Between November 2007 and April 2008, excavations were completed to safeguard the terrains adjacent to the archaeological site, owing to the intended construction of new residential homes in the area.
Diagnostic analysis was completed in an area of 6 km², revealing numerous and varied remnants. Ten metres from the villa's ruins a group of five structures in dry masonry (60 centimetres thick), that were attributed to the Roman period, and although in ruins, represented two former compartments. Within these spaces the archaeologists unearthed a large concentration of ceramics. Farther to the south of the site, at about a distance of 50 metres, the team also discovered 28 structures, that were associated with Moorish occupation. More then 150 metres south of the villa site, the explorers were able to identify six masonry structures that belong to the Roman era construction, occupying an area of 400 m². In some areas, there were also overturned rocks that could have been a part of the structures already identified.
In its totality, the artifacts unearthed were ceramic, and includes examples of terra sigillata and thin walls. Although a majority of these remnants are difficult to date, some pieces are clearly from the Iron Age (including amphora
), Roman occupation and Moorish interventions.
Alcabideche
Alcabideche is a parish located in the Portuguese municipality of Cascais. It has a population of 31,801 and an area of 39,76 km².-External links:*...
, municipality of Cascais
Cascais Municipality
Cascais Municipality is located in Lisbon District. It contains the town of Cascais. It has 205 117 inhabitants, according to 2011 census, in 2001 it had 170 683 inhabitants...
, discovered in the early part of the 21st century on a site designated for residential development. The site identified remnants that implied a necropolis
Necropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
and remains of a Roman villa (imbrices and terra sigillata
Terra sigillata
Terra sigillata is a term with at least three distinct meanings: as a description of medieval medicinal earth; in archaeology, as a general term for some of the fine red Ancient Roman pottery with glossy surface slips made in specific areas of the Roman Empire; and more recently, as a description...
), but suggested occupation since the Iron Age until Moorish intervention.
History
Although dates are difficult to ascertain, it is likely the area on which these ruins are located were systematically occupied by Iron Age, Roman and Moorish settlements, during their waves of occupation starting in the 1st century.The first investigation into this area occurred between 2000 and 2001, under the supervision of José d'Encarnação, Guilhereme de Jesus, João Pedro Marcelino Cabral and Maria de Lurdes Nieuwendam.
Between May-August 2007, the archaeological dig continued, with archaeologists accompanying the construction projects, including the digging of channels for sanitation and water pipes. This intervention continued into 2008; while the surrounding terrains were cleared for construction, the site was cleaned and a registry of all the archaeological artifacts was compiled.
Between November 2007 and April 2008, excavations were completed to safeguard the terrains adjacent to the archaeological site, owing to the intended construction of new residential homes in the area.
Architecture
During the excavation the group unearthed vestiges of Roman-era structures including buildings and tombs, as well as vestiges of Islamic silos, which are also discovered from the main site.Diagnostic analysis was completed in an area of 6 km², revealing numerous and varied remnants. Ten metres from the villa's ruins a group of five structures in dry masonry (60 centimetres thick), that were attributed to the Roman period, and although in ruins, represented two former compartments. Within these spaces the archaeologists unearthed a large concentration of ceramics. Farther to the south of the site, at about a distance of 50 metres, the team also discovered 28 structures, that were associated with Moorish occupation. More then 150 metres south of the villa site, the explorers were able to identify six masonry structures that belong to the Roman era construction, occupying an area of 400 m². In some areas, there were also overturned rocks that could have been a part of the structures already identified.
In its totality, the artifacts unearthed were ceramic, and includes examples of terra sigillata and thin walls. Although a majority of these remnants are difficult to date, some pieces are clearly from the Iron Age (including amphora
Amphora
An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...
), Roman occupation and Moorish interventions.