Caves of Poço Velho

The Caves of Poço Velho are located in the centre of Cascais in the Lisbon district of Portugal [1]. The caves were first explored in 1879 by the geologist, Carlos Ribeiro [1]. However, subsequent work has found that the main occupation of the caves took place in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods (4th and 3rd millennia BC) [1]. Evidence points to their use as a necropolis, with around 115 burials having been identified [1]. In 1942, Afonso do Paço carried out the second major exploration of the caves and between 1945 and 1947, the archaeologist, Abreu Nunes, carried out new excavations that discovered different funerary remains, including: polished and chipped stone artefacts; limestone votive offerings, such as cylindrical idols; decorated schist slabs, and ceramics [1].