Members of The Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) recently enjoyed a five-day excursion to Lisbon, Torres Vedras and Lourinha. They had a very varied programme moving through time.
The trip included a guided tour, by the Director, of the Lisbon Pharmacy Musuem which presents the history of medicine from ancient through to modern times. A tour of the area around Torres Vedras included a visit to the local museum which displays the prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and Peninsular War histories of the area. This was followed by visits in the local area to see Prehistoric cave sites, a Bronze Age hillfort and a Peninsular War battle site. An afternoon sightseeing in Obidos (medieval city and World Heritage Site) included sampling of the local 'brew' of ginga (cherry liquer) in chocolate cups!
A tour was also made of the impressive monastery at Alcobaca. At Lourinha and Nova University the group participated in a programme of activities guided by Palaentologist Octavio Mateus (Director of the Lourinha Dinosaur Museum), the Head of Department and a number of students. The activities included seeing the laboratory work undertaken to recover dinosaur remains from rock, a 'class' about geology, the use of stereoscopic viewers to produce 3D images of the landscape, and a 'water-tasting' session looking at different brands of bottled water and the geology of their sources. The final session allowed the group to view examples of minerals, fossils and rocks under a microscope.
Everyone in the group found the whole trip very interesting and inspiring, promoting much discussion and, for some, further research on topics covered.
The Algarve Archaeological Association undertakes monthly talks and regular trips. For further information visit the AAA webpage: http://arquealgarve.weebly.com.
