From the Museum to the Territory – A Journey through the Archaeology of Serpa (Baixo Alentejo, Portugal)

On Tuesday 3^rd October, the Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) resumes its programme of monthly lectures. It will be presenting two lectures, in English, by archaeologist Miguel Serra. The first lecture will be at 2.30pm at the Museu do Traje in São Bras, the second lecture will be at 6pm at the Convento de São José in Lagoa.

Miguel Serra will be introducing us to the Municipal Museum of Archaeology of Serpa (Baixo Alentejo, Portugal). The museum first opened in the 1980s and after remodelling and updating was reopened to the public in March 2016. The museum presents a renewed museological concept which involved the intervention of several entities. The museum collection brings together more than 300 artefacts and aims to be a showcase of the history of the human communities that have occupied and lived in Serpa’s territory from the most remote times of the Palaeolithic up to the arrival of Islam.  In addition to being a guardian of memory, the Municipal Museum of Archaeology is also a space for experiences and learning through the promotion of various activities in heritage education, being an essential place for understanding the territory.

Miguel Serra is an archaeologist and since 2017 has been a Senior Technician in the Culture and Heritage Division of the Municipality of Serpa where he is also responsible for the management of the Municipal Museum of Archaeology. He is the founder of the archaeology company Palimpsest where he held the functions of coordination and scientific direction between 2002 and 2017. He worked as a professional in the field of Safeguarding Archaeology and in Research Projects in 1999-2002. Miguel has been responsible for several research projects including “The Final Bronze Transition/Iron Age in the South of Portugal. The Case of Outeiro do Circo” – PNTA 2008-2013, “O Povoado do Bronze Final do Outeiro do Circo (Beja)” PIPA 2014-2017, and “PAOC – Projecto Arqueologico do Outeiro do Circo (Beja)” – PIPA 2019-2021.

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.