Alcalar Extension — Monte Velho Tholoi
Alcalar Monte Velho · Alcalar West Group
Chalcolithic·Alcalar / Los Millares related·🇵🇹 Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
About
About Alcalar Extension — Monte Velho Tholoi
Western tholoi group of Alcalar Chalcolithic necropolis (c. 3000–2600 BCE) on Algarve ridge, comprising tholos Monte Velho and ancillary cists. Built of limestone and schist with corbelled vaults, part of 18-monument cemetery linked to Alcalar fortified settlement.
Why it mattersWestern Algarve Chalcolithic type-necropolis for southwestern Iberian megalithism.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Social hierarchy in tholos size
- 02Links to Los Millares
Theories
- 01Chiefdom cemetery for Alcalar hillfort
- 02Mediterranean tholos diffusion
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2900 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic
- Culture
- Alcalar / Los Millares related
- Purpose
- Collective burial and ancestor cult
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 19th–20th century
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2900 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Alcalar Extension — Monte Velho Tholoi
19th century / 1960s
Antiquarian notice and modern systematic excavation of Alcalar Extension — Monte Velho Tholoi
2000s
Conservation and publication of final reports for Alcalar Extension — Monte Velho Tholoi
On the ground
Structures & features
37.1970° N · 8.5880° W · 65 m · 3 mapped features
Tholos Monte Velho (Sepultura 3)
tholosCorbelled tholos 4 m with schist slabs and corridor facing Alcalar settlement
37.1972° N · 8.5879° WCist Necropolis North
cistCluster of 6 limestone cists with collective burials north of tholoi
37.1969° N · 8.5879° WSettlement Viewpoint Platform
platformArtificial platform on ridge with view to Alcalar fortified hilltop 800 m east
37.1972° N · 8.5881° W