Menir da Cabeça do Rochedo, Prehistoric menhir in Bensafrim, Portugal.
Menir da Cabeça do Rochedo is a cylindrical limestone block rising about two meters from the ground in the Figueiral area, positioned near an old stone quarry. The stone surface displays carved patterns that become visible when examined closely.
The stone dates to the Neolithic period and was originally part of a group of eight similar monuments located near an ancient settlement. These menhirs likely served as markers or boundaries for the early inhabitants of the region.
The spiral carvings on its surface show that Neolithic communities had artistic skills and performed rituals at this location. These marks suggest the stone held religious or social meaning for the people who lived nearby.
The monument sits around 500 meters from the N120 national road connecting Lagos to Bensafrim and can be viewed from roughly 50 meters away. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and the location requires walking through rural terrain.
A deep crack running down the center and a cut on the upper portion make this stone easy to identify. What sets it apart is that it remains the only menhir from the original group still standing in its original location.
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