The Castro of Monte Valinhas, alternately the ''Castro of São João de Valinhas'', is an

archaeological Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

site in Portugal, in the civil parish of Santa Eulália, in the municipality of Arouca, notable for the discovery of important traces of human remains from the last 2000 years.

History

Its situation, overlooking the open-spaces in the valley, was used by successive communities throughout the centuries (since the

Neolithic The Neolithic or New Stone Age (from Ancient Greek, Greek 'new' and 'stone') is an archaeological period, the final division of the Stone Age in Mesopotamia, Asia, Europe and Africa (c. 10,000 BCE to c. 2,000 BCE). It saw the Neolithic Revo ...

until the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

) for protection and defence. Although some artifacts may have indicated a presence since the

Bronze Age The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...

, the reality is that there has not been any correspondent confirmation beyond the

Iron Age The Iron Age () is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. It has also been considered as the final age of the three-age division starting with prehistory (before recorded history) and progre ...

. It was in this period that a defensive structure ( castro) was established over Monte Valinhas, as well as along the southern and southeastern flanks, taking advantage of the granite rocks that exist there. Later, during the Roman period, the area was reoccupied, possibly after the 1st century: artifacts that include fragments of ceramics and glass, lithics and metals were discovered during archaeological investigations. Its strategic location attracted early settlers, but more important, medieval settlement during the

Reconquista The ''Reconquista'' (Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese for ) or the fall of al-Andalus was a series of military and cultural campaigns that European Christian Reconquista#Northern Christian realms, kingdoms waged ag ...

era, who utilized the hilltop and built a castle that lasted until the late 12th century or early 13th century, when it was abandoned. Archaeological study of the area began in at the end of the 1980s, by a team of investigators coordinated by António Manuel Silva, whom identified the walled compound. These studies also concluded the investigations into the circular castro structure, discovering a fireplace in one of the human residences.Centro de Arqueologia de Arouca (2002), p.8 The site remains unclassified, and under study since 1996.

Architecture

The Castro of Monte Valinhas was erected on the hilltop of the same name (''Monte Valinhas'') within the parish of Santa Eulália, in a privileged strategic space over the valley of Arouca.

References

;Notes ;Sources * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sao Joao De Valinhas Monte Valinhas Former populated places in Portugal Castro Monte Valinhas Buildings and structures in Arouca, Portugal