Cromeleque de Vale de Maria do Meio, Stone circle in Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Portugal.
Cromeleque de Vale de Maria do Meio is a stone circle in the Alentejo region with several granite monoliths arranged in a circular formation. The individual stones stand across open landscape, creating a prehistoric archaeological feature that stretches across the terrain.
This megalithic structure was built in the Neolithic period around 6,000 to 4,000 years ago and marks one of the earliest human settlements in Portuguese territory. The construction of such stone formations shows that early populations were organized and capable of executing large-scale projects.
The stones were likely used for ceremonies and gatherings, with each monolith serving a role in ritual practices of ancient communities. The arrangement suggests these places held central importance in the daily and spiritual life of the people who built them.
The site sits in open landscape in the Alentejo and is reached via a marked walking path that connects several prehistoric monuments. A visit requires comfortable shoes and preparation for changing weather, as the location is completely exposed with no shelter.
The stones appear to be aligned with specific celestial events like sunrise directions on certain festivals or seasonal moments. This astronomical knowledge of the builders suggests they carefully observed sky movements and incorporated them into their structures.
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