17/10/2025 - Documentary on the Ilhéu do Rosário project released on International Archaeology Day

The project ‘Study and characterisation of the heritage and archaeology of the Rosário Islet (Estômbar, Lagoa)’, promoted by the Municipality of Lagoa (Algarve) in partnership with ERA Arqueologia, S. A., is in its final phase and has been revealing new data on ancient human occupation in the western Algarve. Located at the confluence of the Odelouca stream and the Arade river, the Islet of Rosário stands out as an area of exceptional scientific and heritage value, bearing witness to more than three millennia of human presence and activities linked to navigation, trade and production.

As part of International Archaeology Day, celebrated on 18 October and promoted by the Archaeological Institute of America, the Municipality of Lagoa joins this global initiative that celebrates archaeology and the discipline's essential role in understanding and preserving the past. The event, which mobilises numerous scientific institutions around the world, aims to bring people closer to archaeological research through cultural animation and mediation.

It is in this context that the premiere of the video documentary dedicated to the Ilhéu do Rosário project will be presented for the first time, a production that showcases the work carried out in the field, the methodologies applied, and the results achieved. The film highlights the site's importance as a strategic fluvial depot and natural repository of the Arade's estuarine evolution, helping to reinforce knowledge about ancient human occupation of this riverside territory.

Watch the documentary here: