Anta da Pedra da Orca — Gouveia Extension North
Orca de Gouveia Norte · Pedra da Orca II
Middle Neolithic·Beira Alta Megalithic·🇵🇹 Centro, Guarda, Gouveia, Portugal
About
About Anta da Pedra da Orca — Gouveia Extension North
Polygonal anta (dolmen) north of Gouveia, part of Beira Alta megalithic cluster (c. 3800–3200 BCE), with 7 granite orthostats, short corridor and tumulus remnant on granite plateau. Associated with quartz knapping scatter and nearby Orca 1 group.
Why it mattersRepresentative Beira Alta anta for interior Portuguese megalithism.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Beira Alta anta distribution pattern
- 02Quartz vs flint exchange
Theories
- 01Highland burial marker for Neolithic pastures
- 02Kin-group cemetery
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. 3600 BCE
- Period
- Middle Neolithic
- Culture
- Beira Alta Megalithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial dolmen
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 19th–20th century
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3600 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Anta da Pedra da Orca — Gouveia Extension North
19th century / 1960s
Antiquarian notice and modern systematic excavation of Anta da Pedra da Orca — Gouveia Extension North
2000s
Conservation and publication of final reports for Anta da Pedra da Orca — Gouveia Extension North
On the ground
Structures & features
40.4980° N · 7.6050° W · 620 m · 3 mapped features
Polygonal Chamber
chamber7-orthostat chamber 3.5 m with capstone fallen inside
40.4981° N · 7.6049° WShort Corridor
corridor2 m corridor with paired orthostats opening southeast
40.4979° N · 7.6049° WTumulus Kerb Stone 7
kerbLarge kerb stone 1.8 m marking eastern tumulus edge
40.4982° N · 7.6051° W