The first two seasons of excavations at Alcaria Longa: a caliphal-taifal period rural settlement in the lower Alentejo at Portugal

Abstract

This report summarizes the results of the 1988-89 excavations at the site os alcaria Longa, concelho of Mértola, Portugal. Investigations revealed a rural village site 4 to 5 hectares in size dating principally to the Caliphal and Taifal periods (10th and 11th centuries.) The main parte of the settlement was apparently abandoned during Almoravid times, with the exception of a small area at the top of the south hill, which may have remained through the 12th and early 13th centuries as a small fortification. A single house compound was nearly completely excavated, consisting of two long dry-stone masonry, tilerrofed structures built at right angles to each other, and enclosing a small interior patio.