The pieces, dating from prehistoric times to the present, were gathered from the dredged river and lagoon deposits in Portimão as part of a survey project using metal detectors.
Over 2200 objects have been recovered from the Arade River and Ria de Alvor as part of a survey project using metal detectors. “These are metallic objects that cover all types, from those for daily use, rituals, to instruments related to professions”, archaeologist Vera Freitas, responsible for the DETDA project, told Lusa.
The pieces that “have already lost their original archaeological context” have been collected since the year 2000 as part of the IPSIIS/DETDA project – Prospecting with Metal Detectors in the Dragados Deposits of the Rio Arade and Ria de Alvor.
According to Vera Freitas, the project’s main goal is to continue working on “searching for buried items” using metal detectors, “which helps protect items that would otherwise be lost forever.”
“In total, 2,257 pieces of the most varied types were collected. We assume some came from shipwrecks, anchorage areas, occasional losses, or from populations living along the riverbanks and estuary,” she pointed out.
Although their context of origin is unknown, the objects “have a chronology that goes from prehistory to the present day”, highlighted the archaeologist.
Prospecting is done voluntarily by members of the IPSIIS Project Association under the supervision of two intervention directors, who are responsible for guiding the exploration, collection, research, conservation, restoration, and scientific dissemination.
“I think this is a unique project in the country, especially because the use of metal detectors is regulated and requires legal authorization”, noted Vera Freitas.
The framework for this initiative is outlined 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 discovered by group members permitted to use metal detectors are taken to the Portimão Museum. Part of the treasure found in the dredged sands of the Arade River and Ria de Alvor is on display at the Portimão Museum in the exhibition “Stories Brought by the River”, which will be open until November.
“This exhibition aims to give meaning to this set of pieces and present it in a way that visitors can get a preview of what the occupation of the banks of the Arade River would be like, from prehistory to the present day”, concluded Vera Freitas.
