Archeology, and Underwater Heritage Conservation Laboratory
PIPA: CARACA – intervention area Caldas da Rainha (Leiria)
Project approved by the DGPC – Project: Archaeological Map of Caldas da Rainha 2017–2021
Coordinators: Cláudio Monteiro, Alexandra Figueiredo e Adolfo Silveira
Continuation planned under CARACA II
Objectives
Study, research, and development of an archaeological map of Caldas da Rainha, a project that is fundamental for the municipality with regard to the safeguarding and valorisation of the heritage of this region and to understanding heritage impacts. Territorial management, for which municipalities are responsible and which includes the component of heritage analysis, is only possible if attention is given to the different elements, namely the recognition and location of former occupation areas, zones that are already heavily destroyed and others with no visible structures, as well as the remains they preserve, which allow the reconstruction of the history of the municipality. Understanding and recognising points of interest and areas of greater or lesser historical-archaeological viability will ensure better territorial organisation, enabling prior safeguarding and the development of the most appropriate strategies from the outset.
The development of this work will culminate, at the end, in the publication of the data in book form and in publicly accessible digital media. Two books have already been published: Moinhos das Caldas da Rainha and Lendas e Fotografias das Caldas da Rainha.
With regard to the archaeological map, at the beginning of the project 33 sites were known. This number has since increased by more than 325%.
Main publications
Moinhos das Caldas da Rainha
Lendas e Fotografias Antigas de Caldas da Rainha
Paleontology of Caldas da Rainha
Archaeological Map of Caldas da Rainha
Other, more specific information
PROJECT CODE: LABACPS2
MAIN OBJECTIVE:
Study, research, and development of an archaeological map of Caldas da Rainha, a project fundamental for the municipality in terms of safeguarding and valorising the heritage of this region and understanding heritage impacts.
REGION OF INTERVENTION: Centre
COLLABORATING AND PARTNER INSTITUTIONS:
Municipality of Caldas da Rainha; CAAPortugal (non-profit Association of Archaeology and Technology); Polytechnic Institute of Tomar; Autonomous University of Lisbon
DATE OF APPROVAL: December 2016
START DATE: March 2017
END DATE: 31/12/2021 (one-year extension due to work stoppages caused by COVID)
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPECTED/ACHIEVED RESULTS
Specific objectives:
Study, recording, and survey of terrestrial and interface archaeological data
Development of studies and creation of probability maps for the occurrence of remains
Identification, analysis, and study of the historical-archaeological evidence of the municipality recorded in terrestrial heritage or its maritime and fluvial interface
Georeferencing within a Geographic Information System for the preparation, analysis, and interpretation of historical-archaeological contexts and the production of chrono-cultural thematic maps
Integration of built historical heritage of national and local interest
Support for the preparation of thematic itineraries on tangible and intangible heritage, aimed at developing tourism in the region and promoting public recognition of existing heritage, also contributing to cultural education
Publication of results in editions (leaflets) primarily aimed at the local population and visitors
Support for participation in dissemination events, public seminars, and heritage education and valorisation activities
Support for the scientific and museological development of the Historical Interpretation Centre of Caldas da Rainha
Support for the development of terrestrial and underwater scientific projects
Publication of books on heritage
Website: www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt
Associated publications
Figueiredo, A., & Berezowski, W. (2017). Heritage education as a pathway to a more archaeologically aware community: The case of the megalithic complex of Rego da Murta, Portugal. Revista TEMPORIs[ação], 17, 65–87. Brazil.
Figueiredo, A., & Monteiro, C. (2017). Study of glazed ceramics excavated from Praça da República, Caldas da Rainha, Leiria (Portugal). Revista Memorare, 4(3 special issue), 182–208.
Figueiredo, A., Lopes, R., Simões, S., Monteiro, C., & Silveira, A. (2017). Memory as a tool for archaeological research and investigation. In Proceedings of Archaeology in Portugal 2017: State of the question (pp. 227–235). Lisbon: Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses.
Figueiredo, A., Lopes, R., Monteiro, C., & Silveira, A. (2018). Educating younger generations about cultural heritage. CARACA project publications. Municipality of Caldas da Rainha website.
Figueiredo, A., & Lopes, R. (2018). Moinhos das Caldas da Rainha. CMCRainha, CAAPortugal and IPT LABACPS.
Figueiredo, A., & Lopes, R. (2019). Lendas e fotografias antigas das Caldas da Rainha. CMCRainha, CAAPortugal and IPT LABACPS.
Figueiredo, A. (2019). The archaeological site of Algar da Água (Alvaiázere): Results from 2017 to 2019. Tomar: IPT, LABACPS, CAAPortugal and CM Alvaiázere.
Peliano, S., & Figueiredo, A. (2020). Wandering through the identity-generating mechanism: Our thinking and sustained heritage. Boletim do Centro Português de Geo-História e Pré-História, Series III, 2(2).
Figueiredo, A., Monteiro, C., Silveira, A., & Lopes, R. (2020). Analysis of historical-archaeological knowledge among the youth population of the municipality of Caldas da Rainha. Boletim do Centro Português de Geo-História e Pré-História, Series III, 2(2).
Figueiredo, A., Lopes, R., Monteiro, C., & Silveira, A. (2020). The Archaeological Map of Caldas da Rainha: Preliminary results of an ongoing project. In Proceedings of the Congress on History and Heritage of Alta Estremadura and Terras de Sicó (pp. 47–60). Alvaiázere.
Lopes, R., Figueiredo, A., Monteiro, C., Silveira, A., & Simões, S. (2020). The importance of heritage education for the safeguarding and recognition of local heritage. In Proceedings of the Congress on History and Heritage of Alta Estremadura and Terras de Sicó (p. 61). Alvaiázere.
Figueiredo, A. (2020). Stories with history from the underwater world. Tomar: Laboratory of Archaeology and Conservation of Underwater Heritage, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar.
Figueiredo, A., Monteiro, C., Silveira, A., & Lopes, R. (2020). How archaeology projects can contribute to a culturally aware community. In J. M. Arnaud, C. Neves, & A. Martins (Coords.), Archaeology in Portugal 2020: State of the question (pp. 327–336). Lisbon: Associação dos Arqueólogos Portugueses.
Figueiredo, A., & Encarnação, J. (2022). Altar to I.O.M. from A-dos-Francos (Caldas da Rainha) (conventus scallabitanus). Ficheiro Epigráfico, 232, 805–807. University of Coimbra.
Sténio, J., & Figueiredo, A. (2023). Shipwrecks and maritime archaeological potential on the coast of Caldas da Rainha. Atlanticus: Revista do Museu EXEA, 2, 111–137.
Figueiredo, A., & Monteiro, C. (2023). Archaeological Map of Caldas da Rainha. Caldas da Rainha: Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Autonomous University of Lisbon, CAAPortugal and Municipality of Caldas da Rainha.
Figueiredo, A., & Monteiro, C. (2025). Good methodological planning for good results: The case of the archaeological map of Caldas da Rainha. Cuadernos del Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano, 34(1).
ESRI/IPT Geopackage
