More than 2,200 pieces from prehistory to the present were collected in the dredged deposits of the Arade River and the Alvor estuary, in Portimão, within the framework of a prospecting project using metal detectors.
“These are metal objects that cover all types, from those for everyday use, rituals, to instruments related to professions,” archaeologist Vera Freitas, one of those responsible for the DETDA project, explained to Lusa.
Toward Since 2000, pieces have been collected that “have already lost their original archaeological context.”within the scope of the IPSIIS/DETDA project — Prospecting with Metal Detectors in the Rio Arade and Ria de Alvor Dredge Deposits, in the district of Faro.
According to Vera Freitas, the central objective of the project is to maintain the “prospecting of decontextualized assets”, with the use of metal detectors, “which allows safeguarding assets that would otherwise be irretrievably lost.”
Total 2,257 pieces of the most varied types were collectedassuming that some come from shipwrecks, anchorage areas, specific losses or from riverside and estuary populations.
Although their context of origin is unknown, the objects “have a chronology that goes from prehistory to the present day,” highlighted the archaeologist.
The survey is carried out voluntarily by members of the IPSIIS Project Association, under the supervision of two intervention directors, who are responsible for scientifically guiding the survey and collection of heritage, research, conservation, restoration and dissemination.
“I think this is a unique project in the country, especially because the use of metal detectors is regulated and requires legal authorization,” said Vera Freitas.
According to the person in charge, the framework of the activities is defined in a protocol signed between the Portimão Museum and the Associação Projeto IPSIIS, in collaboration with the former general directorate of Cultural Heritage and Regional Culture of the Algarve.
The objects found by members of the group authorized to use metal detectors are delivered to the Portimão Museum.
Part of the loot found in the dredged sands of the Arade River and the Alvor estuary can be seen in the exhibition “Stories brought to us by the sea”, open until November, at the Portimão Museum.
“This exhibition aims to give meaning to this set of pieces and present it so that visitors can have a preview of what the occupation of the banks of the Arade river would be likefrom prehistory to the present,” concluded Vera Freitas.
Source: Observadora
