“These are metallic objects that cover all types, from those for daily use, rituals, to instruments related to professions”, archaeologist Vera Freitas, one of those responsible for the DETDA project, told Lusa.

The pieces that “have already lost their original archaeological context” have been collected since the year 2000, within the scope of the IPSIIS/DETDA project –prospection with Metal Detectors in the Dredged Deposits of Arade River and Alvor’s Ria, in the district of Faro.

According to Vera Freitas, the central objective of the project is to maintain “prospecting for decontextualized assets”, with the use of metal detectors, “which allows the safeguarding of assets that would otherwise be irretrievably lost”.

“In total, 2,257 pieces of the most varied types were collected, assuming that some came from shipwrecks, anchorage areas, occasional losses, or from populations on the banks of the river and estuary”, he pointed out.

Although their context of origin is unknown, the objects “have a chronology that goes from prehistory to the present day”, highlighted the archaeologist.

The prospecting is carried out voluntarily by members of the IPSIIS Project Association, under the supervision of two intervention directors, who are responsible for scientifically guiding the prospecting and collection of the estate, research, conservation, restoration, and dissemination.

“I think this is a unique project in the country, especially because the use of metal detectors is regulated and requires legal authorization”, noted Vera Freitas.

According to the person responsible, the framework for the activities is defined in a protocol signed between the Portimão Museum and the Project Association IPSIIS, in collaboration with the former general directorate of Cultural Heritage and regional Culture of the Algarve.

The objects found by members of the group authorized to use the metal detectors are then delivered to the Portimão Museum.

Part of the assets found in the dredged sands of the Arade River and Alvor’s Ria can be seen in the exhibition “Stories that the Sea Brings to Us”, open until November, at the Portimão Museum.

"This exhibition aims to give meaning to this set of pieces and present it in a way that visitors can get a preview of what the occupation of the banks of the Arade River would be like, from prehistory to the present day", concluded Vera Freitas.