Restituir arquiteturas abertas. Breve reflexão sobre o que não aparece esquece, se interessa ou não fazer aparecer, mas talvez seja melhor esquecer

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to make a brief reflection on issues related to the study, conservation and dissemination of the so-called open megalithic architectures, that is, isolated menhirs, dispersed in fields of menhirs, or structured in alignments and cromlechs. In that context, some major misconceptions about such monuments are addressed, and the lack of research into their origins, chronologies and functions allows speculations. The existence of those monuments, having more or less naturalistically phallic morphologies, never fails to arouse reactions, often negative, even among archaeologists, not only in relation to such occurrences, but even among those who want to study them, particularly from religious and feminist sectors of our society. Cases of social coercion and of success or failure are analysed, relating to the restitution and survival of open architectures.