This book delves into the research conducted on eleven engraved sites on the eastern and southeastern slopes of Monte de São Silvestre in Viana do Castelo. It explores the significance of these rock engravings in both spatial and temporal contexts, offering interpretations of the social and symbolic value of the diverse imagery present, including Atlantic Art and Figurative Art within their cultural and chronological framework.
The hypothesis is presented that this mountain served as an ancestral place of significance throughout a long duration, starting in the Recent Prehistory. The work suggests that the communities associated with these engravings were likely part of a primitive animistic belief system, where the world was perceived to be filled with spirits and properties.
The geographical and environmental aspects of Monte de São Silvestre are discussed, along with a brief historical overview. The book provides an inventory of the engraved sites, such as Breia 1 to Breia 11, detailing the characteristics and conservation status of each location. It also examines the magical geography of the mountain, highlighting alignments of engravings with cardinal points and the orientation of figures towards specific directions, possibly related to astronomical events like solstices and equinoxes.
The research presented in the book was shared at the Images in Stone Colloquium in Braga in 2016 and is intended to be part of a forthcoming publication on rock art. Overall, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the prehistoric rock engravings in Northwestern Portugal, shedding light on their cultural, symbolic, and historical significance.
