Archaeologists conducting restoration work at the Igreja Matriz de Portimão in southern Portugal unearthed human remains, including bones from 12 skeletons, in the church's courtyard. The discovery came after a wall of the church collapsed due to severe weather that recently hit the city of Portimão.
"It is normal to find bones in works near churches because they were places formerly used as cemeteries," said a source from the Portimão City Council who spoke to the Lusa news agency, according to a report by Observador. "The works to restore the wall ended up uncovering part of the remains, and at the time an archaeology team was called to study the findings," explained the municipal source.
Preliminary investigations indicated the existence of 12 bodies so far. However, the archaeologists do not rule out the possibility of finding more skeletons. "The archaeology teams continue to work to understand exactly the context of the burials," the municipal source emphasized.
Technicians are studying the possibility that there may have been an "ancient cemetery at the site," since the bones were discovered within the church's precinct. Archaeologists are carefully excavating the area, considering the historical significance of the findings.
The Igreja Matriz de Portimão, also known as the Mother Church of Portimão, is a 15th-century building and a historical and architectural landmark in the region. It was built "in the highest area of the city, inside the ancient walls," according to the characterization provided by the Algarve City Council and the Portimão City Council on their websites.
Inside the church, there is a "late Gothic portal" that was created based on "the most imposing monument of the time, the Monastery of Batalha," according to information provided by the municipality. "Various styles coexist there, such as Baroque, Rococo, and Manueline, as a result of the phases of reconstruction and artistic enrichment of the temple that is now the Mother Church of Portimão," the municipality states.
Portimão is located in southern Portugal, in the Algarve region, on the banks of the Arade River. Known for its beaches, marina, and the famous Praia da Rocha beach, the city attracts tourists from around the world. The discovery of the skeletons adds a new dimension to the history of the area.
The wall collapse that led to the discovery was caused by bad weather conditions that recently affected the region. Restoration efforts are ongoing, focusing not only on repairing the structural damage but also on preserving any historical artifacts uncovered during the process.
As the archaeological teams continue their work, the possibility of uncovering more bodies remains. Understanding the context of the burials is essential for historians and archaeologists, as it may reveal information about the people who lived in Portimão centuries ago.
The local community and authorities are keenly awaiting further findings from the ongoing investigations. The church remains a central element of Portimão's cultural heritage, and the new discoveries may enhance the appreciation of its historical importance.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.