English name: Interpretation Centre of the Muge Shell Middens
A museum about the “Concheiros de Muge,” or the Shell Middens of Muge: a group of mesolithic shell middens that are one of the most famous and important archaeological sites for the Mesolithic period. The middens themselves are not generally visitable, so this interpretation centre is a terrific place to learn about them.
The interpretation centre tells the story of the Concheiros (“Shell Middens”) of Muge in both English and Portuguese. These are large human-made hills or mounds made of discarded shells. They were originally trash heaps, but their purpose changed over centuries and they were also used for burials of humans as well as domesticated dogs. The excavations of the middens has also turned up post holes and other evidence of how people lived during the Mesolithic.
The Mesolithic period (approximately 6,000 to 5,000 BC) was a transition period. Humans had been, and continued to be, hunter-gatherers with nomadic lifestyle: following game and moving to suit the season. After the last Ice Age, the rising sea levels brought seawater (as well as fish and shellfish) further upriver into the Tejo River. Along the Muge stream, people made camps along the water and took advantage of the abundant fish and shellfish, as well as the plentiful hunting and foraging opportunities in the surrounding forests. People became more settled, and the camps – while still seasonal – became more permanently used. The shell middens became used over many years and grew huge in size.
The museum provides much information to learn about the people living here during this time, as well as the history of the archaeological discovery and excavation of the middens. There is a large model of a burial, as well as exhibits about the artefacts found in the middens, explaining what they reveal about peoples’ lives back then. There are interactive exhibits and an excellent animated video (in Portuguese with English subtitles).
Location
The interpretation centre is in the district of Santarém, municipality of Salvaterra de Magos, parish of Muge. It’s in the centre of the town, inside the “Casa do Povo.”
The concheiros (shell middens) themselves are in various locations along the Muge stream, as well as the Magos stream, nearby. They are not publicly accessible, as they are on private land.
Admission
The Interpretation Centre is free to visit, but you must schedule an appointment in advance. You can use the contacts on the Schedule a Visit page for the centre.
Signage
In Muge there are signs directing you to the “Casa do Povo,” which is the building that houses the interpretation centre.
Links
For more details about the shell middens/concheiros themselves, see my page about them here.
- Description (in Portuguese) from the town hall of Salvaterra de Magos
- Video (in Portuguese) about the opening of the centre from the newspaper O Mirante
- Video (in Portuguese) about the centre from RTP