Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro
Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro
Portugal · Lisbon, Azambuja
In brief
Vila Nova de São Pedro is a fortified Chalcolithic settlement associated with agriculture and metalworking. Defensive systems identified in earlier excavations are being reinvestigated as part of a new project begun in 2017.
What was found?
- 1Three lines of defensive walls
Excavations identified three lines of walls surrounding the inner fortified area. They show the settlement's defensive arrangement and spatial organization.
- 2Ceramic loom weights
The terracotta weights found within the settlement were used on looms. They document that cloth production was part of local life.
- 3Hand querns
Hand querns used to process grain were recovered. They provide tangible evidence that agricultural products were processed in the settlement.
- 4Wheat and barley remains
Samples of pulses were found alongside wheat and barley. These plant remains directly document the community's agricultural production.
- 5Copperworking remains
Crucibles, casting droplets and copper tools were found. Although limited in number, they show that copper was worked in the settlement.
What does it point to?
The finds indicate a settled life in which agriculture, animal husbandry, weaving and copperworking were practiced together. According to researchers, the location and fortifications may have been related to a desire to control the movement of people, animals and goods as well as to defense.
What did it teach us?
- It documented cereal cultivation, grinding and weaving within the same settlement.
- It showed that the use of stone and bone tools continued alongside copperworking.
- It revealed that the defensive system was modified and strengthened during its period of use.
Images
Latest news / selected archive
The 2025 excavation revealed a large wall extending perpendicular to the second wall line and investigated a possible hollow bastion that had not previously been documented.
Record
- Culture
- Chalcolithic communities of Portuguese Estremadura
- First modern dig
- 1937
- Team / historical
- Mariana Diniz, César Neves and José Arnaud / UNIARQ and the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists
- Coordinates
- 39.2198°, -8.8403°
Sources
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- Lagar Velho Rock Shelter 60 km
- Conímbriga 102 km
- Perdigões Archaeological Complex 142 km
- Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida 219 km
- Casas del Turuñuelo 241 km
- Italica 314 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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