The stones named after the village of Mestras, high above on the hillside, are very different in character from those at Pedra Letreira, just 3km away. It is notable, for instance, that the symbols have been produced by hammering on to the stone rather than by the careful engraving that is to be seen on the Pedra Letreira stones.

There are in fact three separate stones above Mestras, at some distance from each other, collectively known as the Pedras Riscadas (or marked stones). Each stone has its own individual name: the first is Pedra das Sertãs, the second is Pé Ferreiro (Blacksmith’s Foot) andthe third is called O Cabeceirinho (the little bed-head).

Although it has been suggested that these stones are from the Bronze Age, and probably less old than their neighbours at Pedra Letreira, it is actually anybody’s guess who chose to leave their mark on the stones and when. It is generally the theory with petroglyphs that the oldest of them depict naturalistic hunting scenes, hunters and animals, and that the artwork became more symbolic over time, as humankind’s conceptualisation processes became increasingly abstract.

There are several questions posed by the stones at Mestras, for example: why do they differ so much from the stones at Pedra Letreira?  What is the significance of the quartered circle?  ( a symbol that  occurs across the world e.g in  North America, Australia, and Celtic Europe). There is also a repeated design of six dots defined by an outer ring, that bears a resemblance to early cuneiform (an ancient form of writing originating in Mesopotamia). As with the engravings at Pedra Letreira, another possible interpretation is that these forms are symbols connected with the Old European Goddess religion. In her book 'The Language of the Goddess', Marija Gimbutas depicts 'egg' motifs marked with a cross, believed to be an ancient symbol of regeneration. Furthermore, she records abstract images of six dots contained within a circle from graves in Brittany, that relate to the lunar cycle and to the Owl Goddess of Death (an image found on xisto plaques in passage graves of Central Portugal from the Late Neolithic Period).

There is much that we do not understand about the Mestras stones, but it is obvious that this area was very important, and probably sacred, to the prehistoric people of the Góis region.

If you are travelling from Góis, take the N2 towards Pampilhosa da Serra. Follow this road for about 18km, then you will see on your left the sign post for Mestras. The road drops steeply down to the village. Park  your car in the village. At the top of the village, by the picnic area, there is a track leading up the valley. Above the track, close to the electricity pylons, are two of the Pedras Riscadas. But the area is forested, and they are very difficult to find!

The easier option is to continue to drive along the N2, then the N112 (towards Pampilhosa da Serra) for approx. 1km, where there is a road on the left to a large electricity substation. Follow the track to the right, which is the access road for the Mestras wind-turbine park, for approx. 1km, where the road in front will start to rise steeply. Before this, there is a small parking area on the left (separate to the parking areas on the right by the wind turbines). Park your car here, and the stones are approx. 80m down the hillside. There is a small dead pine tree standing next to the stones, which is  probably your best landmark!

N.B. If you are visiting the petroglyphs, please take care not to cause any damage to the site.