São João de Valinhas
Encyclopedia
The Castro of Monte Valinhas, alternately the Castro of São João de Valinhas, is an archaeological
site in Portugal
, in the civil parish of Santa Eulália, in the municipality of Arouca, notable for the discovery of important traces of human remains from the last 2000 years.
until the Middle Age
s) for protection and defence.
Although some artifacts may have indicated a presence since the Bronze Age
, the reality is that there has not been any correspondent confirmation beyond the Iron Age
. It was in this period that a defensive structure (castro
) was established over Monte Valinhas, as well as along the southern and southeastern flanks, taking advantage of the granite rocks that exist there.
Later, during the Roman period, the area was reoccupied, possibly after the 1st century: artifacts that include fragments of ceramics and glass, lithics and metals were discovered during archaeological investigations.
Its strategic location attracted early settlers, but more important, medieval settlement during the Reconquista
era, who utilized the hilltop and built a castle that lasted until the late 12th century or early 13th century, when it was abandoned.
Archaeological study of the area began in at the end of the 1980s, by a team of investigators coordinated by António Manuel Silva, whom identified the walled compound. These studies also concluded the investigations into the circular castro structure, discovering a fireplace in one of the human residences. The site remains unclassified, and under study since 1996.
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
site in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, in the civil parish of Santa Eulália, in the municipality of Arouca, notable for the discovery of important traces of human remains from the last 2000 years.
History
Its situation, overlooking the open-spaces in the valley, was used by successive communities throughout the centuries (since the NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
until the Middle Age
Middle age
Middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age. Various attempts have been made to define this age, which is around the third quarter of the average life span of human beings....
s) for protection and defence.
Although some artifacts may have indicated a presence since the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
, the reality is that there has not been any correspondent confirmation beyond the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. It was in this period that a defensive structure (castro
Castro culture
Castro culture is the archaeological term for naming the Celtic archaeological culture of the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula from the end of the Bronze Age until it was subsumed in local Roman culture...
) was established over Monte Valinhas, as well as along the southern and southeastern flanks, taking advantage of the granite rocks that exist there.
Later, during the Roman period, the area was reoccupied, possibly after the 1st century: artifacts that include fragments of ceramics and glass, lithics and metals were discovered during archaeological investigations.
Its strategic location attracted early settlers, but more important, medieval settlement during the Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
era, who utilized the hilltop and built a castle that lasted until the late 12th century or early 13th century, when it was abandoned.
Archaeological study of the area began in at the end of the 1980s, by a team of investigators coordinated by António Manuel Silva, whom identified the walled compound. These studies also concluded the investigations into the circular castro structure, discovering a fireplace in one of the human residences. The site remains unclassified, and under study since 1996.