Conjunto Megalítico de Barreira, Neolithic cromlech in São João das Lampas, Portugal
Conjunto Megalítico de Barreira is a circular arrangement of approximately twenty standing stones of varying heights located in central Portugal. The central menhir rises about four meters tall at an elevation of 150 meters, marking the heart of the stone circle.
The megalithic complex was identified and documented by archaeologists Gil Estevam Miguéis Andrade and Eduardo Prescott Vicente in 1961. The site received official protection status in 1993 to preserve its archaeological importance for future research.
The stone arrangement displays small circular indentations on several stones that may have held ritual significance for prehistoric communities. These markings suggest the site served ceremonial purposes during ancient times.
The site stands on private property near Odrinhas village and can be viewed from accessible areas. The surrounding region also holds Roman ruins and an archaeological museum that provide broader context for the area's past.
Several stones from the original formation were removed in 1975 for the Port of Ericeira construction project, with additional menhirs taken by landowners later. These losses highlight the ongoing challenges in protecting prehistoric sites from modern development.
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