This Wednesday, a technical meeting dedicated to the archaeological heritage of the municipality was held in Vila Viçosa, organized by the CECHAP Study Centre, with the objective of analyzing the possible classification of archaeological remains of "great interest" identified inside a marble quarry. The meeting brought together various entities linked to the areas of heritage, geology, archaeology and regional development, including the Vice-President of CCDR Alentejo, Henrique Sim-Sim, technicians from the General Directorate for Energy and Geology, archaeologists from the University of Évora and representatives from the Municipal Council of Vila Viçosa.
Henrique Sim-Sim stressed that it is the responsibility of public entities to ensure the preservation of this discovery, which he considers extraordinary for the municipality, advocating an approach that reconciles the investigation and protection of the remains with their valorization and public enjoyment. The official highlighted that the valorization of this heritage could represent a development opportunity for the territory, keeping historical memory alive and exploring the potential of a Roman-era quarry for visitation.
The participation of the University of Évora aims to deepen scientific knowledge about the identified remains, contributing to their adequate evaluation and supporting safeguard and classification decisions. The archaeological sites already identified have been registered in the respective portal, with the inventory of other sites referenced in the municipality also planned.
Among the next steps are the evaluation of the classification process, the definition of a safeguard plan and the completion of the necessary registrations for the protection and valorization of the heritage. The strategy aims to combine scientific knowledge, heritage preservation and the economic reality of the territory, which may contribute to strengthening the cultural and tourist offering of the municipality, without neglecting the importance of the marble industry for the local economy.
