The Menhirs of Alto da Cruz (Mora, Portugal)

Abstract

Alto da Cruz (Mora, Portugal) is a distinctive site within the known frame of reference of 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 its cruciform plan. It presents several exceptional characteristics that justify new lines of questioning on the diversity of open megalithic monuments in the Alentejo and their chrono-cultural relationship with funerary megalithism. In this paper, the functionality of the Alto da Cruz menhir group is presented and discussed.