Anta Grande do Zambujeiro
Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro
Late Neolithic to Chalcolithic·Alentejo Megalithic / Évora group·🇵🇹 Alentejo, Évora District, Portugal
About
About Anta Grande do Zambujeiro
Largest megalithic dolmen in Iberia and one of largest in Europe, free-standing polygonal chamber of seven 6-8 m granite pillars supporting massive capstone (now collapsed) with 12 m corridor leading to atrium, formerly under large tumulus 50 m diameter. Built c.4000–3500 BCE, contained Beaker pottery and schist plaques. Located 13 km southwest of Évora, near Almendres but distinct and far more monumental. National Monument since 1971.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How 8 m pillar transported from 1 km outcrop
Theories
- 01Central place for Alentejo megalithic chiefdom
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. 4000–3500 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic to Chalcolithic
- Culture
- Alentejo Megalithic / Évora group
- Purpose
- Collective dolmen (anta) funerary chamber for elite
- Abandoned
- c.2500 BCE (Beaker reuse)
- Rediscovered
- Found 1964 by Henrique Leonor Pina after robbing; excavated 1969-71
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000–3500 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1026 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5392° N · 8.0140° W · 210 m · 2 mapped features
Polygonal Chamber
chamberSeven-pillar chamber 8 m diameter
38.5392° N · 8.0140° WCorridor
corridor12 m passage of orthostats leading to chamber
38.5393° N · 8.0141° W