FRANCE, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL 



close resemblance to those of Munster in Ireland 

 (cf. Fig. 7). In Alemtejo, south of Cape de Sines, 

 are several of these, usually about 6 feet in length, 

 with a slight portico at one end. 



A further point of similarity with the Irish 

 monuments is seen in the corridor-tombs of Monte 

 Abrahao in Portugal, where the chamber walls 

 seem to have been reinforced by an outer lining 

 of slabs. Remains of eighty human bodies were 

 found in this tomb, together with objects of stone 

 and bone, including a small conical button similar 

 to that of Carrowmore in Ireland. 



The Spanish Peninsula also possesses rock- 

 hewn tombs. At Palmella, near Lisbon, is a 

 circular example about 12 feet in diameter pre- 

 ceded by a bell-shaped passage which slopes 

 slightly downwards. Another circular chamber 

 in the same group has a much longer passage, 

 which bulges out into two small rounded ante- 

 chambers. These tombs have been excavated 

 and yielded some pottery vases, together with 

 objects of copper and beads of a peculiar precious 

 stone called callais. All the finds made in the 

 megalithic remains of Spain and Portugal point 

 to the period of transition from the age of stone 

 to that of metal. 



The Balearic Islands contain remarkable mega- 

 lithic monuments. Those known as the talayots 

 are towers having a circular or rarely a square 

 base and sloping slightly inwards as they rise. 



7i 



