Located in a small cove on the beach that gives them their name, the Fornelos rock engravings are prehistoric inscriptions – dating from approximately the 10th to 8th centuries BC – carved into the limestone of this beach. They represent semi-schematic figures of dimples and ‘horseshoes’, but also deer and horses, animals that were important in the imagination of ancient hunter-fishers. The technique used combines chipping and abrasion of the rock. This site was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1992, as it is a rare example of rock art in a coastal environment. Although the maritime climate has eroded part of the reliefs, the engravings at Fornelos are still impressive for the precision of their lines and their strong historical value.
Fornelos Rock Engravings