Posted on 07/10/2011 6:57:49 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists from the Portuguese Association of Archeological Research (APIA) believe to have found in the Azores a significant number of Carthaginian temples, from the fourth century BC, dedicated to the goddess Tanit.
The new archaeological sites were found in Monte Brasil, Angra Heroismo, Terceira island.
According to APIA archaeologists Nuno Ribeiro and Anabela Joaquinito, "More than five hypogea type monuments (tombs excavated in rocks) and at least three 'sanctuaries' proto-historic, carved into the rock, were found."
A monument located at "Monte do Facho" shows inbuilt sink shaped carvings linked to water conduits for libations. "There are 'chairs' carved into the rock, a ceremonial tank covered by vegetation, and dozens of post holes indicating the existence of a shelter over the area," they said.
The APIA's researchers said, "The temples carved inside the hypogea structures are large and very well preserved and were drawn almost in a triangular shape."
They said, "In the first temple there are four sinks linked to conduits to collect fresh water associated with ritual libations, probably for sacrifices purposes."
The second and third shrines are located in the area of the Forte de São Diogo and were discovered in late June.
Recently, traces of Sunni inscriptions were discovered on São Miguel Terceira island, by APIA archeologist Nuno Ribeiro. Previously, a number of Carthaginian and Greek coins were found on the island of Corvo and dozens of pre-Christian hypogea were uncovered on the islands of Terceira and Corvo. Similar findings were also reported on the islands of Santa Maria and Flores.
Based on their findings, researchers now believe it is possible to establish that human presence in the Azores precedes the Portuguese occupation of the islands in the fifteen century.
(Excerpt) Read more at portuguese-american-journal.com ...
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http://www.zocotravel.com/images/maps/portugal_azores_madeira.jpg
http://www.taniwani.de/Journe54.jpg
http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~edwinsel/land/maps/eilanden,atlantische_oceaan,map%20(encarta_nl).gif
http://www.colonialvoyage.com/eng/wic/images/wicmap.jpg
http://kesaniemi.kapsi.fi/fs2004/pics/000-route—map.GIF
http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-ocean-map-large.htm
“dedicated to the goddess Tanit.”
Dyslexics beware.
Beach goddess?
Although with children as the main feature.
It's conceivable that there have been other islands either east or west of the Azores. Or anywhere, for that matter.
Timelines: A Phoenician Fable
The island of Corvo in the Azores is one of the most remote places on earth. To reach it, one flies first to Santa Maria or Terceira, and then, on a very small plane, to Flores to wait for the weekly mail run by a 20-foot motor launch that is the island’s link to the world. Corvo is the tip of a volcano in the mid-Atlantic ridge and, except for a small area at the south end where a village and port are located, it rises up in sheer cliffs from the sea. Yet this ten-square-mile speck of land is the focus of a most remarkable story of ancient seafaring, a tale involving a statue and a hoard of Carthaginian coins. If true, the discovery of Corvo by Carthaginians would surely change our thinking about ancient navigation, for the easiest way to reach Corvo is to sail first to America on the Canary and North Equatorial Currents and then ride the Gulf Stream back to the Azores...
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/shiplab/acores-geral01-fenicios.htm
Ilha da Terceira Bump!
;’)
Oooh, thanks FN!
Very interesting, thanks.
I am not surprised that the Carthaginians were there. If the Ancient Phoenicians could sail the 2,300 miles across The Mediterranean Sea, then its colony of Carthage could certainly sail the 900 miles off the coast of Portugal to reach the Azores.
It is very beautiful there but it only has two seasons, Sunny and Deluge.
Oh I forgot to say, my wife and I went into this cave. It is much more vast than the picture indicates.
Levadas
The island of Madeira is wet in the northwest but dry in the southeast. In the 16th century the Portuguese started building levadas or aqueducts to carry water to the agricultural regions on the south. The most recent were built in the 1940s. Madeira is very mountainous, and building the levadas was difficult and often sentenced criminals or slaves were used. Many are cut into the sides of mountains, and it was also necessary to dig 25 miles (40 km) of tunnels, some of which are still accessible.
Today the levadas not only supply water to the southern parts of the island but provide hydro-electric power. There are over 1,350 miles (2,170 km) of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths. Some provide easy and relaxing walks through beautiful countryside, but others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in serious injury or death.
Two of the most popular levadas to hike are the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and the Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno which should not be attempted by hikers prone to vertigo or without torches and helmets. The Levada do Caniçal is a much easier walk, running 7.1 miles (11.4 km) from Maroços to the Caniçal Tunnel. It is known as the mimosa levada because mimosa trees are found all along the route.
-------But a 'Levada' such as described here, built by the Portugese, is harddly an AQUEDUCT...IS IT?
The Azores is almost on a straight line between Lisbon,Portugal and New York City. That puts Madeira Island much further to the South.
LOL, I went by there a long time ago.
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