Cave of Pedra Furada, Archaeological cave in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
Cave of Pedra Furada is a natural cave near Vila Franca de Xira formed by limestone erosion, featuring multiple chambers that show evidence of human settlement. The site contains archaeological layers spanning several prehistoric periods.
Humans occupied this cave intermittently from the fourth to second millennium BC, leaving behind layered evidence of their presence. Systematic excavations in the 1950s revealed these prehistoric remains and established the site's importance for understanding early settlement patterns in the region.
The cave served as a burial ground in prehistoric times, where people left behind objects tied to their daily lives and death rituals. Visitors can observe bone tools, flint points, and pottery fragments today, which reveal how inhabitants used this space.
Reaching the cave requires walking uphill to the site, but most artifacts discovered here are now on display at the Municipal Museum in Vila Franca de Xira. Visiting the museum first helps you understand the site's history before exploring the location itself.
Archaeological finds from the site show multiple occupation phases separated by centuries, revealing how the location was used differently across time. A striking discovery is a small bone figurine carved in the shape of a rabbit, offering insight into the animals inhabitants knew and observed.
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