DÓLMEN DA CRUZINHA

The Dólmen da Cruzinha is a megalithic tomb that is different from all the other ones. It is a circular mound of earth, with 27m in diameter and 2m high, covering two dolmens.

The Dólmen of Cruzinha I is the smaller one and archaeological excavation showed it was intact, something extremely rare. It has a protective stone armor and a polygonal funerary chamber, with a small vestibule open to the east, topped by a large capstone. Inside laid a thin layer of ocher, in which was discovered a rectangular granite plate. During the excavation of this dolmen, were recovered only lytic instruments, such as flint blades and a granite hand mill.

The Dolmen of Cruzinha II has a larger dimension, a polygonal chamber formed by 7 support stones and a short corridor, lower than the chamber, with entrance facing east. Inside of this tomb, there were several ceramic fragments and arrowheads. Outside the dolmen, in the area adjacent to the corridor was identified an occupation level prior to the monument.

This space served as a lithic tool production area. Nearby there was also a combustion structure.

ART | The head support stone of Dolmen of Cruzinha II contains engravings, mostly concentrated on the top right corner. Some of the motifs are V shapes, segmented squares, cruciform and wavy lines, among others.

CHRONOLOGY | These two dolmens were most likely built in different phases: Cruzinha I fits into the 4th millennium BC, while Cruzinha II might been built at the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC.

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