The first lecture will be at 2.30pm at the Museu do Traje in São Brás de Alportel, the second lecture will be at 6pm at the Convento de São José in Lagoa.

Miguel Martinho will be talking about the Alqueva Multipurpose Project and the resulting identification of the cultural heritage in the Alentejo Region. Over the last three decades the project has contributed decisively to the increase of knowledge about the cultural heritage of the region, in particular its archaeological heritage.


The complex set of infrastructures built and in operation, including dams, canals, roads and irrigation projects, distributed over a vast territory, gives it an unprecedented dimension. In the various phases of the project (Environmental Impact Assessment, construction and operation) thousands of cultural heritage elements have already been inventoried, constituting an unparalleled volume of information at a national level. More than 1700 archaeological excavations have already been carried out which have led to the identification of occupied spaces of the most diverse typologies (including settlements, necropoli, houses etc), with a vast chronological scope, extending from ancient prehistory to modern times.

This lecture will present, in a comprehensive way, the work that has been developed, in terms of cultural heritage, in the Alqueva Multipurpose Project. Miguel will explain some of the work methodologies, action strategies and results of various archaeological works carried out and in progress.


Miguel Martinho graduated in History-Archaeology from the University of Porto and has participated and directed several archaeological works as a freelance professional. After a brief time as a history teacher at secondary school, over the last 22 years Miguel has developed his professional activity in Cultural Heritage at EDIA, the company responsible for the design, execution, construction and management of the Alqueva Multipurpose Project. He has ensured the planning and management of projects associated with impact assessment, minimisation, valorisation and promotion of Cultural Heritage within the Alqueva Project.

Non-members are welcome to attend AAA lectures for a 5-euro admission fee, with all money raised by the AAA being used for archaeological grants and speakers. For more information contact algarvearchass@gmail.com, visit arquealgarve.weebly.com or Facebook 'Algarve Archaeological Association'. Please check the website or Facebook page for any last-minute changes.

Press release by Jane Robertson