Outeiro do Circo archaeological project to resume in Beja

A new archaeological research project is set to resume at the Outeiro do Circo, a fortified Bronze Age settlement located between Mombeja and Beringel in the Beja district. The site, which is approximately 3,000 years old, has been under study since 2008, though field excavations were paused in 2021 to allow for laboratory analysis of a collection containing roughly 30,000 artifacts.

The upcoming project, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2029, will be led by Professor Nelson J. Almeida of the University of Évora. The research aims to expand the excavation area near a section of the settlement's wall, with the long-term goal of preparing the site for public visitation.

Financed by the Beja Municipality, the initiative also involves partnerships with the Union of Parishes of Santa Vitória and Mombeja, the Rainha Dona Leonor Museum, and other local entities. The project intends to increase scientific outreach through international conferences and community-focused initiatives.