Prehistory

The numerous archaeological remains associated with human communities established since prehistoric times in the present-day municipality of Santo Tirso make it possible to trace their origins to the Middle Palaeolithic. Both the monuments and their associated artefacts reveal a sequence of cultural developments extending from the earliest manifestations of basic gathering practices to incipient agricultural activities documented in megalithic cultural contexts. This trajectory led to increased regional significance identified during the Bronze Age, a period characterised by a notable demographic expansion and growing social complexity closely related to the surrounding environment, particularly the exploitation of natural resources.