’The ditches, whose widths vary between 1.75m and 3.5m (and depths reach 2m), show a winding pattern, except for the outer ditch of the doubles, which is linear. They define enclosures with diameters between 30m (the innermost) and 220m (the outermost), delimiting areas ranging from 707m2 to 34636m2. The widths of the ditches vary between 1.75m and 3.5m, with depths of around 2/2.5m. At the surface were fragments of ceramic containers, flint blades, hand mill sleepers, spheroidal strikers, polished stone axes, carved pebbles and a copper ingot. The site is on the flat top (227m altitude) of a gentle elevation, overlooking the slightly inclined valley of Barranco da Morgadinha and east of the taller hill where the Folha do Ouro geodesic landmark stands. In other words, there were no concerns for the best visual oversight. Although it sits at an elevation, the higher topography of surrounding areas, such as the observation point in this circuit, limits the visibility over the landscape.’

‘The regular lobulated sinuous morphology, as well as the average number of lobes and circular tendency and concentricity, connects the Folha do Ouro 1 enclosure with those of Outeiro Alto 2, Borralhos and Herdade da Laje (the next ones on this circuit), to which it is relatively near, or of Xancra (Cuba), Santa Vitória (Campo Maior) and Roca 7 (Sousel), which constitute a specific type of enclosure in the Guadiana basin. However, in the case of Folha do Ouro 1, the regular lobed pattern joins another pattern: the double ditch, with the lobed inner ditch and the linear outer ditch. This situation occurs in only two other enclosures: the large Salvada enclosure (Beja) and Moreiros 2 (Arronches). Interestingly, the equidistance between the ditches that make up these double ditches is approximately the same in the various enclosures, between 10 and 15 meters, also suggesting a pattern that shows planning and principles in building these ceremonial enclosures.’

Surface prospecting and geophysical prospecting by magnetometry.

Valera, A.C.; Pereiro, T.; Valério, P.; Soares, A.M. (2020) – O recinto da Folha do Ouro 1 (Serpa) no contexto dos recintos de fossos calcolíticos alentejanos, Arqueologia em Portugal / 2020 – Estado da Questão. Actas do 3º Congresso da Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses, Lisboa, AAP: 29-42.