Anta do Tapadão, Neolithic dolmen near Aldeia da Mata, Portugal.
This megalithic structure consists of seven upright granite stones supporting an enormous stone roof slab. A long passageway leads into the inner chamber where burials once took place.
Built more than 5000 years ago during the Neolithic period, this structure gained National Monument protection in the early 20th century. Its construction demonstrates the importance communities placed on shared burial sites.
This served as a communal burial ground where multiple people were laid to rest together with personal belongings. The pottery, ornaments, and tools discovered suggest these items held meaning for the deceased and their families.
The monument lies about two kilometers from Aldeia da Mata village in Crato municipality. The site is easy to reach as the ground is open and accessible.
The roof stone slab is remarkably large and ranks among the biggest ever found in Portuguese dolmens. Its massive weight demonstrates the extraordinary engineering skill of these prehistoric builders.
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