As part of the redevelopment of the historic area, which includes work on Praça 8 de Maio, archaeological finds were discovered at the old Praia da Reboleira pier, namely part of the structure of the seawall that supported the first major construction work carried out at the end of the 17th century in the then recently elevated town of Figueira da Foz.
Praia da Reboleira was one of three river beaches that, at the time, supported economic activities linked to fishing and the export of products ranging from cork to linen and olive oil. The economic strength that justified the elevation of Figueira da Foz to town status in 1771 was the same that led the local authority at the time to decide to reclaim this beach to create a large public square, similar to those in Lisbon and Porto, which would eventually house the Town Hall and the first municipal museum.
Following this intervention, the beach structures, such as the breakwater and the embarkation and disembarkation pier, were filled in, and their location or configuration has not been known with certainty until now.
“The work is being monitored by the Regional Directorate for Culture of the Center (DRCC) and these findings are being received with enthusiasm, as they add to the knowledge of local heritage and history,” explains Ricardo Nóbrega, the archaeologist responsible for the work, hired by the municipality.
“These findings do not jeopardize the continuity or deadlines of the project, although they do create some challenges and justify a few minor changes,” he adds.
“Any days ‘lost’ in terms of the construction schedule are more than compensated for by what is gained in knowledge and by the many records of various kinds that are being made with the support of the local authority,” he continues.
“The work is supervised by the DRCC, and much of the structure now uncovered will be safeguarded, with the structures being marked and the possible creation of an archaeological reserve which, even if not visible, will become known and can be studied through these cartographic, topographic, photographic, and other records that are being made,” adds Ricardo Nóbrega.
“What we have here is a very serious commitment between engineering and archaeology, between the past and the future,” concludes the archaeologist responsible for the work, highlighting “the close collaboration and dialogue between the local authority and the DRCC” and the records made, “far beyond what is required and legally imposed.”
Source: CMFF