Universidade de Vigo begins excavation of major burial mound

Researchers from the Universidade de Vigo (UVigo) have launched a new excavation at the Xunqueiras/Pedreiras necropolis located on the Campus Olívico. The current work focuses on 'mámoa 3', the largest monument in the complex, with the primary goal of studying its internal structure and locating a potential burial chamber.

The project is being conducted under an agreement with the Xunta de Galicia to investigate and preserve the region's archaeological heritage. Director Javier Chao noted that while the site shows signs of intense looting, there is no evidence of modern materials, leading researchers to hypothesize that the looting may have occurred in antiquity.

This intervention follows previous ground-penetrating radar surveys and builds upon earlier excavations conducted in 2011. The research aims to understand the monument within the broader context of the regional megalithic landscape.