Archaeologists unearth British General's 19th century command post in Portugal

Lisbon, August 24 (ANI): A team of archeologists has unearthed what is believed to have been the headquarters of Luso-British troop commander General Wellington in the early 19th century, in a dig inside the Alqueidao Forte in Portugal.

Located between Mafra and Torres Vedras, the fort is thought to have sheltered General Wellington's troops serving the Torres Vedras line during the French invasions, between 1807 and 1814.

According to a report in The Portugal News Online, the General's private quarters, a store room, a warehouse and a weapons locker were defined during the excavation.

The division had been previously outlined in maps, but this is the first time excavations were attempted to unearth them.

Of the weaponry storeroom, archeologist Artur Rocha said that "strategically, it is one of the most important points within the fort as it offered privileged views in comparison to other war weaponry storerooms and the cannons positioned on the Torres Vedras line."

"That is why we believe the room was General Wellington's command post," he said.

The 'Torres Vedras Line' was made up of 152 forts built between Torres Verdras and Vila Franca de Xira, between 1809 and 1812, with the intention of defending Lisbon from invading troops.

The weaponry storeroom that was recently uncovered is said to be one of the largest identified to date.

The good state of conservation that the storeroom was found in has allowed the archeologists to study construction techniques and materials that were used for construction at that time. (ANI)