The Statue-Menhir of Nave 1 (Moimenta da Beira, Viseu, Central Portugal): preliminary results from the 2023 archaeological campaign

Prehistoric statue-menhirs and stelae are amongst the most interesting and at the same time problematic monuments in Iberia. Almost none of these self-standing pieces of rock art have been found within an archaeological context, and chronologies are often based on iconography alone. The statue-menhir of Nave 1 appeared to be in situ and thus offered the unique possibility for the investigation of chronological, technological, and contextual issues. The monument has been excavated and its pit could be recorded; C14 samples were obtained from a stratigraphic unit cut by this pit and a nearby fireplace. This paper presents the strati4 PhD student. Conimbriga, 63 (2024) 5-46 graphic sequence, illustrated with graphic materials from the excavation. It also addresses the protocol applied to the process of lichen removal from the granite slab. Following an analysis of the archaeological contexts and discussion of the data gathered in our fieldwork, it highlights the future perspectives for research on this notable site.