Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle

Why it mattersKey Alentejo Neolithic Almendres (Cardial) and later megalithic with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 6000 BCE Almendres proto; cromlech 5000 BCE; Almendres East 4000 BCE

Period

Neolithic (6000–3000 BCE earliest Almendres 6000 alley; cromlech 5000 BCE)

Culture

Alentejo Neolithic Almendres (Cardial) and later

Purpose

Largest Iberian cromlech (95 stones over 70 m × 40 m ellipse plus western 12 stone minor) with carved dimples and shepherd crooks — 6000 BCE allele cup-marked menhir 4 m

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1971

Excavation

Partially excavated

1. c. 400 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle

2. 1990 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle

• Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — Principal Standing Stone

  standing stone

  standing stone at Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — subsidiary complex

  38.5524° N · 8.0596° W

• Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — Northern Chamber

  chamber

  chamber at Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — subsidiary complex

  38.5536° N · 8.0614° W

• Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — Southern Cairn

  cairn

  cairn at Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — outlier feature

  38.5525° N · 8.0610° W

• Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — Eastern Standing Stone

  standing stone

  standing stone at Alentejo — Almendres Cromlech Western Europe's Largest Stone Circle — primary structure

  38.5556° N · 8.0606° W