Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro, Archaeological site and nature reserve in Manique do Intendente, Portugal.
Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro is an archaeological site and nature reserve spanning roughly 2,000 hectares that combines ancient settlement remains with protected natural landscapes. The area displays fortification walls made from stones covered in clay along with other structural remains from prehistoric times.
Excavations in the 1930s revealed a fortified settlement dating to around 2600 BCE during the Chalcolithic period. This early stronghold shows that the region was inhabited and defended thousands of years ago.
The settlement displays remains of early ceramic production, including a semi-circular kiln and limestone structures that reveal craft techniques from ancient times. These discoveries show how the people here worked with clay and stone to make everyday items.
The site is open during daytime and evening hours, but the terrain is not suitable for wheelchair users and can be uneven in places. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for natural ground conditions.
Archaeologists discovered thousands of arrowheads throughout the settlement, including palmela-style points that suggest trade connections across vast distances. These findings reveal that inhabitants maintained contact with people from distant regions across Europe.
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