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Approximately one thousand years after it was first built, during which time it fell into disuse, the dolmen was reused for burials during the [[Bronze Age]], without any significant change to the structure.

Approximately one thousand years after it was first built, during which time it fell into disuse, the dolmen was reused for burials during the [[Bronze Age]], without any significant change to the structure.

==Excavations==

==Excavations==

The anta was discovered in 1990 and excavations have been carried out since the early 1990s and subsequently. More-detailed excavations were carried out from 2017 by a Portuguese-British team, involving the {{ill|Instituto Politécnico de Tomar |pt| Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT)|}}, the Instituto Terra e Memória of [[Mação]], and the [[University of Durham]] from England. It was co-ordinated by Luiz Oosterbeek (IPT) and [[Chris Scarre]] of Durham University. Remains of about 90 bodies were found and these were accompanied by decorated [[schist]] plaques, bell-shaped pottery, a pendant, [[microlith]]s, a polished axe, pottery, arrowheads, and other items. Many of these items can now be seen at Centre for Prehistory of the IPT. The excavations and analysis carried out have not only have revealed much about the site’s construction and use, but also the food consumption of the time.

The anta was discovered in 1990 and excavations have been carried out since the early 1990s and subsequently. More-detailed excavations were carried out from 2017 by a Portuguese-British team, involving the {{ill|Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT)|pt|Instituto Politécnico de Tomar|}}, the Instituto Terra e Memória of [[Mação]], and the [[University of Durham]] from England. It was co-ordinated by Luiz Oosterbeek (IPT) and [[Chris Scarre]] of Durham University. Remains of about 90 bodies were found and these were accompanied by decorated [[schist]] plaques, bell-shaped pottery, a pendant, [[microlith]]s, a polished axe, pottery, arrowheads, and other items. Many of these items can now be seen at Centre for Prehistory of the IPT. The excavations and analysis carried out have not only have revealed much about the site’s construction and use, but also the food consumption of the time.

Four archaeological layers were identified during the excavations. The bottom layer revealed no archaeological finds, while the top layer was a disturbed layer, containing remains dating from the [[Copper Age]] until recently. The archaeologists therefore focussed focused on the middle two layers. The lower of these two was the phase when the monument was built, while the higher was the period of most intense use. On the basis of the excavated material, the two layers represent a prolonged period of time, spanning over the later [[Neolithic]] and possibly the beginning of the [[Copper Age]]. [[Radiocarbon dating]] was used to provide an exact chronological determination.

Four archaeological layers were identified during the excavations. The bottom layer revealed no archaeological finds, while the top layer was a disturbed layer, containing remains dating from the [[Copper Age]] until recently. The archaeologists therefore focussed focused on the middle two layers. The lower of these two was the phase when the monument was built, while the higher was the period of most intense use. On the basis of the excavated material, the two layers represent a prolonged period of time, spanning over the later [[Neolithic]] and possibly the beginning of the [[Copper Age]]. [[Radiocarbon dating]] was used to provide an exact chronological determination.

Excavations in 1992 produced 2246 highly fragmented pottery units. Four general categories of container made of pottery were identified: dishes, which were conical, [[carinate]]d, or hemispherical, and shallow plates; bowls of various shapes, some of which were used for cooking; jars, often featuring necks and handles, which were likely to have been used for storage and transportation; and closed globular pots that possibly served as lamps. Study of these fragments confirmed the presence of animal fats from both [[ruminant]] and non-ruminant animals, as well as dairy fats. While the presence of domesticated sheep, goats and cattle during the late 4th/early 3rd millennium  BCE had been well-established, the excavations of the Anta de Vale da Laje provided the first direct evidence of the consumption of milk and dairy products in Portugal.

Excavations in 1992 produced 2246 highly fragmented pottery units. Four general categories of container made of pottery were identified: dishes, which were conical, [[carinate]]d, or hemispherical, and shallow plates; bowls of various shapes, some of which were used for cooking; jars, often featuring necks and handles, which were likely to have been used for storage and transportation; and closed globular pots that possibly served as lamps. Study of these fragments confirmed the presence of animal fats from both [[ruminant]] and non-ruminant animals, as well as dairy fats. While the presence of domesticated sheep, goats and cattle during the late 4th/early 3rd millennium  BCE had been well-established, the excavations of the Anta de Vale da Laje provided the first direct evidence of the consumption of milk and dairy products in Portugal.

==Classification==

==Classification==

Despite the anta’s age and condition, it has yet to be officially classified. As a consequence, construction of houses has continued up to the fence around the site. Following the 2020 excavations, the procedure for classification began on 16 July 2021.

Despite the anta’s age and condition, it has yet to be officially classified. As a consequence, construction of houses has continued up to the fence around the site. Following the 2020 excavations, the procedure for classification began on 16 July 2021.