“How can something so old still stand?” you might ask, gazing upon Mamoa I de Vermoim. This megalithic monument whispers tales from the Neo-Calcolithic period. Imagine a time long before Porto became famous for its port wine. Think back to around 10,000 BC.
Megaliths like Mamoa I de Vermoim mark a pivotal shift. Humans transitioned from nomadic life. They began forming settled communities. These structures testify to our ancestors’ beliefs. They reveal a deep connection to ritual and the afterlife.
Mamoa I de Vermoim is a tomb. It once served as a burial site. Important people were laid to rest here. The structure is made of large stones. These stones weigh tons. These monuments are called Dolmens or Antas. Sometimes, these tumuli are grouped in a necropolis.
What you see now of Mamoa I de Vermoim is only part of its original glory. The tumulus once stood proudly. It was a sub-elliptical mound of earth and granite stones. Today, it bears the scars of time. A eucalyptus grove surrounds it.
Sadly, a backhoe has disturbed it. The central area and the entire surface are damaged. Large holes mar the landscape. The upright stones are gone. A boundary marker for the parish of S. Cosme do Vale sits at its center.
Originally, the tumulus was about 2 meters high. Its diameters spanned 23 meters north to south. It stretched 27 meters east to west. Despite the damage, some parts remain intact. The buttress of the funerary chamber is well-preserved. The corridor may also survive.
From this spot, other mamoas are visible. Mamoas 3 and 4 can be seen easily. With clear vegetation, mamoa 2 can also be spotted. These monuments create a landscape. They connect us to the past.
Archaeologists discovered artifacts here. They found flint flakes and a nucleus. There were also ceramic fragments. Most were without decoration. Two fragments had designs. A bronze fibula fragment was discovered. Rounded pebbles completed the finds.
Mamoa I de Vermoim is not just a pile of stones. It is a link to our ancestors. It connects us to their lives and beliefs. It serves as a reminder. We are part of a long human story.
Consider the hands that built this. Think of the rituals performed here. Imagine the lives of those buried within. Mamoa I de Vermoim stands as a testament. It represents resilience. It is a monument to the enduring power of the human spirit. It deserves our respect.