Vale do Roto Caves
Lapa do Suão Cave
Situated in the same section of the valley, even if located at a higher level, the Lapa do Suão Cave represents another of Bombarral’s archaeological sites with proven human occupation ongoing throughout thousands of years. In addition to remains from the Upper Palaeolithic period, demonstrated by archaeofauna and the lithic industry, evidence was found of more recent occupation, in Neolithic times, featuring small statues of rabbits. This cave also saw the secondary deposit of human bones with some indications of the carbonisation of bone material coinciding with the recent pre-historic period. This was also the site of finds of artefacts compatible with the Copper Age, specifically a ceramic bowl decorated in the form of a floral motif.
Nova da Columbeira Cave
Located on the West slope of the Roto Valley, in the vicinity of the village of Columbeira, the Nova da Columbeira Cave, discovered in 1962 during exploratory work for a quarry. Extending for around 20 metres in length, the opening of the current point of access corresponds to the back of the original cave with the exploratory digging progressing from the area with the oldest remains through to the area with the more recent. This is one of the Portuguese caves that constitutes a point of reference of the Mid-Palaeolithic period, having gathered clear evidence of occupation by Neandertal man who may have resided here either permanently or on a seasonal basis.
