Anta das Pedras Grandes, Neolithic dolmen in Caneças, Portugal
Anta das Pedras Grandes is a Neolithic burial structure with a polygonal chamber formed by eight large stones and a narrow entrance corridor. The site now sits within a small urban park established in 2018 in the town of Caneças.
The structure was built during the Neolithic period as a burial site for the early population. Archaeological investigations from 2001 to 2004 confirmed its function through the discovery of human remains and traces of an earthen mound.
The dolmen reflects early burial customs of the region, where multiple people were laid to rest together in a shared chamber. Walking inside today allows visitors to sense how this site held meaning for the community across millennia.
The monument is centrally located and freely accessible year-round, though the surrounding park may have specific opening times to check beforehand. Visitors should expect uneven ground and wear sturdy footwear, especially if weather has been damp.
Flint fragments scattered around the site suggest it was used for crafting stone tools in addition to its burial purpose. This reveals how the location served the community in multiple practical ways beyond its role as a grave.
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