The inauguration of the CIPAR, on October 13th, marked a symbolic reunion with the history of archaeological research in the Algarve region and opened new perspectives for collaboration between the Municipal Museum Santos Rocha, Vicentina - Association for the Development of the Southwest, A3PR - Association for the Promotion of Rural Heritage, local Parish Councils, and the Municipality of Lagos.
A pioneer of Portuguese archaeology, Santos Rocha stood out for the quality of his field analysis, the rigor of his records, and his ability to interpret archaeological contexts. At Fonte Velha, in Bensafrim, he continued previous work, contributing to a deeper understanding of an important necropolis and revealing new data about the territory's past in the Algarve.
His expeditions, conducted between 1894 and 1906, also had a fundamental objective for the archaeology of Figueira da Foz: to find parallels that would allow for a better understanding of the identified archaeological materials and contexts, particularly in Santa Olaia. The Algarve thus played a decisive role in building the scientific knowledge that Santos Rocha sought to develop and preserve at the Figueira Museum.
The ceremony included interventions by the Head of the Museums and Centres Division, Manuela Silva, and archaeologist Marco Penajoia, who discussed the Algarve collections preserved at the Municipal Museum Santos Rocha, with particular emphasis on materials from Fonte Velha, and the contribution of Santos Rocha, members of the Figueira Archaeological Society, and local figures to archaeological research in the Algarve.
The Municipal Museum Santos Rocha thanks the Municipality of Lagos for the reception, represented by its President, Hugo Pereira, and acknowledges the role of new partners and friends in this journey: Vicentina - Association for the Development of the Southwest, A3PR - Association for the Promotion of Rural Heritage, and archaeologist Pedro Barros.
This encounter has sown seeds for a future of joint work between Figueira da Foz and the Algarve, particularly with the municipality of Lagos, based on research, collection valorization, and knowledge sharing. The heritage preserved in Figueira da Foz can continue to bring communities, territories, and generations closer, demonstrating that the history initiated by Santos Rocha remains alive and that museums are fundamental partners in building new bridges between the past and the future.
