THE MENHIRS OF ALTO DA CRUZ (MORA, PORTUGAL). NEW DATA, NEW READINGS

Abstract

Alto da Cruz (Mora, Portugal) is a distinctive site of the known frame of reference for menhirs in Portugal. The group of menhirs was identified by L. Rocha and P. Alvim, in August 2011, and archaeological work was carried out in 2012, allowing researchers to confirm their cruciform plan. It presents several exceptional characteristics that justify new lines of questioning, regarding the diversity of the open megalithic monuments in the Alentejo and their chronocultural relationships with funerary megalithism. The functionality of the Alto da Cruz (Mora, Portugal) menhir group is presented and discussed in this paper.