Almaraz (Almada, Portugal)

The settlement of Quinta do Almaraz (Almada, Portugal) is located on a broad platform on the left bank of the mouth of the Tagus River, facing Lisbon. Rising over 60 meters in altitude, it holds an absolute visual dominance over the surrounding territory, natural conditions of defensibility, and privileged river access. The occupation of Almaraz extended, at least, from the 7th century BC to the late 5th century BC, witnessing a moment of particular development around the 6th century BC. During this period, the settlement played an essential role in the economic and commercial structure of the Tagus Estuary, as indicated by economic specialization traces revealed by artifacts associated with metallurgy or pottery, along with the presence of imported elements, including amphorae, alabaster vessels, or Greek ceramics from the Middle Corinthian period.

The elements of material culture also reveal the deep connection of the site to the south of the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean, with typical Iron Age ceramics such as red slip pottery, grey pottery, pithoi, Cruz del Negro urns, and amphorae. The elements associated with architecture corroborate this influence, both using orthogonal plans, which break entirely with the existing construction patterns in this territory in previous moments, and through construction techniques and a defensive system.

Ana Olaio

Bolseira de Doutoramento FCT (SFRH/BD/146563/2019)

UNIARQ – Centro de Arqueologia da Universidade de Lisboa