One of the most important remains of prehistory is a set of four artificial caves, excavated in the rock, which served as collective burial places for the people of the region for around 1,000 years during the Chalcolithic Period (Copper Age). The deceased was placed – in the foetal position, accompanied by a series of ceremonies and offerings – inside the tomb, which, due to its shape, imitated a mother's womb, symbolising a return to the origin of life and a tribute to fertility.
The four artificial caves at Quinta do Anjo are funerary monuments with unique characteristics, dating back to the Final Neolithic (around 4,500 years ago) and which continued to be used as collective burial sites during the Copper Age.
They were excavated in the rock to form circular compartments, which are accessed via a corridor and an antechamber.