Povoado das Mesas do Castelinho, Archaeological site in Santa Clara-a-Nova e Gomes Aires, Portugal
Povoado das Mesas do Castelinho is an archaeological site near Santa Clara-a-Nova that spreads across four hectares on an elevated platform. The landscape shows two different settlement areas: a trapezoidal one in the north and a circular one in the south.
The settlement began in the 4th century BC and was continuously inhabited until the 2nd century AD. Later, the site was expanded with an Islamic fortification between the 9th and 11th centuries.
The place served as a meeting point for different peoples across centuries, who left their marks through pottery, coins, and personal objects. These finds show how people lived and traded with one another here.
The site is reachable via a dirt road from Santa Clara-a-Nova village, with information panels available upon arrival. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow time to explore both settlement areas and the views from the elevated platform.
Artifacts from excavations such as amphorae, Italian pottery, coins, and rings are now kept in two important institutions. Part of the collection is stored in a local museum, while other significant pieces are housed at an archaeology institute in Lisbon.
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