Tell el-Scar Ridge
Jōmon (14000–300 BCE)·Jōmon·🇵🇹 Alentejo, Portugal
About
About Tell el-Scar Ridge
Tell el-Scar Ridge in Alentejo, Portugal is a Jōmon (14000–300 BCE) tell attributed to Jōmon culture. Systematically investigated through aerial LiDAR and test trenching, it presents a monumental core with workshop zone. Construction employs rubble core with facing and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Jōmon tell with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Social hierarchy and elite control
- 02Population scale vs catchment
Theories
- 01Defensive refuge and tribal capital
- 02Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
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. 1003 BCE
- Period
- Jōmon (14000–300 BCE)
- Culture
- Jōmon
- Purpose
- Defensive and administrative
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1003 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 802 BCE
Architectural refurbishment
c. 270 CE
Reoccupation and adaptation
1982
Rediscovery and systematic excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
38.9281° N · 6.5700° W · 1401 m · 3 mapped features
Ancillary Complex
granaryHydraulic feature — cistern
38.9263° N · 6.5720° WGranary Cluster
tombHydraulic feature — aqueduct
38.9310° N · 6.5677° WNecropolis Extension
ditchHydraulic feature — well
38.9290° N · 6.5702° W