Cromlech Alemendres, Portugal: The Oldest Stone Circle in Europe?

Summary

The video script explores an impressive megalithic site in Portugal, featuring large stones with mysterious carvings. It discusses the two categories of monuments: non-funerary, the oldest, and funerary. The script delves into the construction and alignment with astronomical events, such as the summer solstice. It also highlights the connection between Portuguese and French-British megaliths, suggesting a cultural link developed by sea. The narrator's personal quest to uncover megalithic secrets adds a personal touch to the historical and geographical exploration.

Takeaways

• 🗿 The speaker is at an impressive cromlech in Portugal with large stones and carvings.
• 🏞️ The site has two distinct areas: a lower valley with smaller stones from earlier constructions and an upper part with larger stones from later constructions.
• 🔍 The speaker investigates carvings, including two circles at the bottom of a stone.
• 🏺 The site features a variety of monuments, categorized into non-funerary (older) and funerary.
• 📅 Non-funerary monuments, constructed from the middle of the 6th millennium BC to the end, are usually found on ridge lines.
• 🌊 Funerary monuments are often near water lines, suggesting water was a significant factor in their placement.
• 🔮 Dowsing at the site revealed interesting results, with guests pointing to the same spot beneath the monument.
• 🌅 A large 'Great Men' stone is aligned with the summer solstice, suggesting a connection to archaeoastronomy.
• 🗾 The speaker notes a strong connection between megalithic sites in Alentejo, Portugal, and French Brittany, including similar carvings and materials.
• 🏺 The transition from non-funerary to funerary monuments occurred in the 4th to 3rd millennium BC, with the construction of larger dolmens.
• 📍 The speaker discovers a dolmen, similar to those in Cornwall and Wales, and takes GPS coordinates to document its location.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Cromlech in Portugal mentioned in the script?

The Cromlech in Portugal is considered one of the most impressive and has the largest stones. It features two main construction phases: an earlier one with smaller stones and a later one with larger stones that have carvings on them.

What are the carvings found at the bottom of one of the stones?

At the bottom of one of the stones, there are two circles that have been recorded at the site. These carvings are said to be from a later period and are considered interesting despite their disputed age.

What shapes are the stones at the Cromlech site carved into?

The stones are carved into beautiful egg shapes with curved tops, showcasing the ability to shape solid granite into these forms.

What are the two main categories of megalithic monuments mentioned in the script?

The two main categories of megalithic monuments are non-funerary and funerary monuments. Non-funerary monuments are the oldest and typically consist of standing stones, while funerary monuments are associated with burial practices.

What is the time period during which the non-funerary monuments were constructed?

The non-funerary monuments were constructed from the middle of the sixth millennium BC until the end of the same millennium, a period of about 500 years.

Why are these monuments not called Cromlechs?

These monuments are not called Cromlechs because they often have an elliptic shape rather than a circular one, which is why the term 'megalithic enclosures' is used more frequently, especially in Continental Europe.

What is the significance of the Great Men stone mentioned in the script?

The Great Men stone is significant because it is at least 12 feet tall, aligns with the summer solstice, and has a carving that resembles symbols found in megalithic sites in Brittany. It also weighs an estimated 40 to 50 tons, indicating the remarkable engineering skills of its builders.

What is the connection between the megalithic sites in Alentejo and those in French Brittany?

The connection between the megalithic sites in Alentejo and French Brittany includes similar carvings, the use of granite as a building material, and similar chronological periods. The connection is believed to have been established by sea, as there is no direct land connection between the two regions.

What replaced the non-funerary monuments after they were abandoned?

After the non-funerary monuments were abandoned, they were replaced by funerary megalithic monuments, starting with small individual tombs known as protomegaliths, which evolved over time into larger structures like dolmens.

What did the dowsing results at one of the sites indicate?

The dowsing results indicated a line beneath the monument, with two different guests pointing to the same place. The exact explanation for this is unknown, but it is considered interesting.

What is the significance of the dolmen discovered along the side of the road?

The dolmen discovered along the side of the road is significant because it is similar to structures found in Cornwall and Wales, indicating a shared megalithic culture across these regions. Its discovery is a testament to the ongoing quest to uncover the secrets of Portugal's megalithic culture.