Pre-Historical Portugal

Portugal possesses some of the earliest and finest examples of Neolithic structures in Europe.

Portugal has been continuously inhabited since at least the Mesolithic times as demonstrated by the cave systems in Evora In addition to having the earliest stone-circle in Europe, it is also home to examples of 'Ogham' script, Spiral rock-art, Shell-middens and a range of megalithic structures including Stone circles, Dolmens, Passage mounds and even cart-ruts (occasionally referred to as 'Strada's Real'). More recently, Portugal hosted the Templar's conversion to the 'Order de Christo'.

A dolmen, also known as a cromlech, portal tomb, portal grave or quoit, is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of two or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal capstone (table), although there are also more complex variants. Most date from the early Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BCE). Dolmens were typically covered with earth or smaller stones to form a barrow. In many instances, that covering has weathered away, leaving only the stone "skeleton" of the burial mound intact.

It remains unclear when, why, and by whom the earliest dolmens were made. The oldest known dolmens are in Western Europe, where they were set in place around 7000 years ago. Archaeologists still do not know who erected these dolmens, which makes it difficult to know why they did it. They are generally all regarded as tombs or burial chambers, despite the absence of clear evidence for this. Human remains, sometimes accompanied by artifacts, have been found in or close to the dolmens which could be scientifically dated. However, it has been impossible to prove that these archaeological remains date from the time when the stones were originally set in place.

From Wikipedia

This Dolmen is called "Anta de Adredunes" and situated near Sintra...

It took Mel and I about 6 hours to find the right spot... BUT... TODAY WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DEDICATE THIS INCREDIBLE FINDING TO ALL OUR FRIENDS......