Baetica Portuguesa Workshop, University of Lisbon, 2018. (original) (raw)
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2008
This paper compiles the data regarding the Chalcolithic occupation of the Beira Interior known and published to date. We analyse the contexts, the models of spatial implantation, the most significant materials and the available radiocarbon dates. The absence of research projects specifically concerned with the study of the problematic of this period in this region is responsible for the weakness of much of the available information. With the exception of the megalithism of the South of the region, which has been studied over the past years, the Neolithic background is insufficiently known. For this reason, the chronological and cultural limits between the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic remain cloudy. Within the current state of the question, the Chalcolithic pottery of the region constitutes an important cultural indicator that reflects different influences from southern Beira or from the Meseta. We also analyse the situation of the Bell Beaker phenomenon, apparently little expressive in this region. The first metal productions, copper axes and weapons (some impure and others with arsenic), are also discussed.
The post-paleolithic rock art in Beira Alta (Center of Portugal)
Both the districts of Guarda and Viseu are part of Beira Alta’s region. Viseu’s district has some geographic and cultural traits of Atlantic kind. On the contrary, the geographic and cultural features of Guarda’s district are more of a continental type. Accordingly, Guarda’s district can be better defined as Beira Interior, forming a unity with Castelo Branco’s. This geographic and administrative dichotomy is also a reflection of what we find in the archaeological record. In Viseu’s district we find a lot more of megalithic tombs and other burial mounds. On the other hand, Viseu’s district has a very special “package” of rock art. In here we can distinguish two different traditions - an Atlantic one and second one corresponding to an engraved variant of the painted schematic art that we find in Portugal’s border and in all the Spanish country eastward. We’ve been collecting, since 1997, in Beira Alta, evidence showing us that this kind of engravings can be even older than those of Atlantic tradition. In synthesis, it is possible to define 4 artistic cycles in Beira Alta: one that corresponds to an engraved variant of schematic art dated from the end of the IV – beginning of the III millennium BC; a second one integrated in the Atlantic tradition that should be dated from Early Bronze Age; a third from Late Bronze Age characterized by footprints, horseshoes, phallic motifs and other figures; a fourth dated from Iron Age characterized by the use of incision.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ASSOCIATED WITH TAGUS MIDDLE VALLEY DEPOSITS (ALTO RIBATEJO – PORTUGAL)
ABSTRACT Alto Ribatejo is a region of Central Portugal that extends itself along the middle Tagus river valley, in Portugal. Its sedimentary basin is marked out by the "Estremenho" Limestone Massif, essentially Mesozoic, to the North and West, and by the Schist-metamorphic Complex, Pre-Cambrian and Palaeozoic, to the East, while to the South it's contiguous with the Tejo-Sado Basin. Throughout the last 10 years, within the compass of several national and European projects, a research was developed which aimed the chronological, typological and technological characterization of the Alto Ribatejo's macrolithic assemblages, as well as the clarification of the archaeological sites in relation with the quaternary deposits of Middle Tagus and its tributaries. The lithic implements are generally made from fluvial quartzite pebbles and they represented the majority of archaeological finds in this region. Faunal remains are rarely present because of the acidity degree of the soils, with the exception of limestone cave and burial sites. The Alto Ribatejo quaternary deposits are mostly represented by the recent fluvial sediments, by wide Pleistocenic fluvial terraces, by detritical coverings (sometimes relatively thick) and by karstic caves fillings. The problematic chronological interpretation of the surface lithic collections, based on technological and typological parameters, made evident the need of a geo-archaeological approach for a chrono-stratigraphic interpretation. It’s chaotic disposition caused by the erosion of the ancient fluvial terraces and subsequent replacement in the surface of more recent deposits, associated with an apparent general morphological homogeneity resulted on/induced the chronological attribution of some lithic collections to the so called «Languedocian». In the meanwhile, archaeological sites, presenting macrolithic implements, in holocenic and pleistocenic contexts, were excavated – such as Amoreira and Fonte da Moita sites, that here we present. Recent development of a GIS allowed us a more rigorous framing between archaeological sites and their respective geological deposits.
This work reports the data which has been recovered from the excavation of Sector II of Pego. Among other kinds of evidence, that area encompasses traces of funerary practices dating back to the Bronze Age. Based upon the local's choice, the structures' architectonic features, their interrelations, materials associated and stratigraphy and in the carbon dating results available we have proposed different uses and occupation phases. Although certain materials reflect human presence during later periods, the frequency of that area denounce three occupation moments datable from between the Middle Bronze Age and the Late Bronze Age. These moments are consistent with the construction of a plain grave's necropolis, probably forming familiar clusters, a hypothetic pits' necropolis and, prior to the abandonment of the area, an "enclosure". Given the interpretations presented we have discussed the possible relation between the local, certain physical characteristics and the presence of funerary practices. As a work hypothesis we consider those relations as fundamental for the places' choice. Alongside with other evidence of difficult interpretation and, perhaps, in the context of new senses meanwhile acquired by this place, these data form part of this place's biography.
Medieval Archaeology has grown significantly in Portugal since 1987. This results mainly from a twofold fact: the increasing number of archaeological excavations in the framework of salvage projects and the development of systematic research projects. Despite the recent appearance of Medieval Archaeology in Portuguese archaeological research, the present synthesis is however preceded by a few others that have been published in the last few years (CATARINO, 1995/97, 2002; FONTES, 2002; GOMES, 2002; FERNANDES, 2005a; FERNANDES, MACIAS, 2011). None of these was— or aimed to be —an exhaustive overview. And, once again, this contribution will not, nor could, approach all the works and publications made in the last 30 years. It is interesting to notice that somehow these syntheses reflect the bifocal tendency that can be observed on the subject. As in Spain, Medieval Archaeology in Portugal emerged and developed within two perspectives: the archaeology of Islamic spaces, where the topics of ceramic studies, urbanism and fortifications were the most relevant; and the archaeology of the Christian communities, that focused on the first built manifestations of Christianity (necropolises and temples) and settlement systems, whose approach is closely connected to the study of rock-cut graves, fortifications, and monasteries and churches dated to the beginnings of Portuguese nationality. In the latter, the research is still marked by studies within the History of Art. In my opinion, 1992 indelibly marks the destiny of Medieval Archaeology in the country. Several scientific and social events took place in that year, a fact that enhanced a greater investment in this domain and encouraged researchers. This year also featured the publication of the first volume of the Portuguese journal Arqueologia Medieval (“Medieval Archaeology”) by Mértola’s Archaeological Field. Again in 1992, the “Fourth Meeting of Peninsular Christian Archaeology” took place in Portugal, with the proceedings being published in 1995. Most of the contributions focused on excavation results from Portuguese sites, including an important collection of data on Paleo-Christian contexts. Indeed, the 1990’s marked an important turning point in Medieval Archaeology in the country. A number of factors can be put forward. One was the increasing number of archaeological fieldworks, mainly salvage excavations in urban contexts but also in the framework of the Alqueva Dam megaproject of salvage archaeology. The creation of the Portuguese Institute for Archaeology in 1997 pushed this tendency even further and allowed the funding of multiannual research projects aiming at the study of diverse topics, such as churches and monasteries, regional settlement systems, necropolises, cities and castles. The topic of Medieval fortifications resulted in many publications and archaeological excavations. Already focused by C. A. Ferreira de Almeida (1979), it was followed by M. J. Barroca, who published several relevant papers on the subject (1990/91, 1996/1997, 2003, 2004, 2008/2009). The increase in number of excavation works in Early Medieval churches and monasteries allowed new insights and interpretations on their architectonic and decorative evolutions, which in turn provided new bases for the enrichment of these monuments’ museological discourse. This growing trend in Medieval Archaeology can also be observed in projects focusing settlement systems of given geographical areas or centred in single archaeological sites. Systematic studies of necropolises and rock-cut graves were also carried out. Despite the fact that many researchers attempted to go further than record field data, the most recent theoretical leap is due to I. Martín Viso, who developed new perspectives on the analysis and interpretation of these Early Medieval funerary structures, that are very abundant in the Portuguese territory (MARTÍN VISO, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017; TENTE, 2015, 2017a). Regarding material culture studies, a substantial development also took place with the increase of publications and thematic meetings, in particular those focusing pottery collections. Unfortunately, the latter are not always accompanied by complete studies of their assemblages—relevance is often paid to exceptional pieces or partial assemblages, thus preventing systematic, comparative studies. Islamic productions have been retaining most of the researchers’ attention. Another topic with a remarkable growth in the last years has been the archaeology of architectures, mostly of religious buildings and castles. According to official regulations, the participation of bio-anthropologists in the excavation of funerary contexts is mandatory in Portugal since 1999. This legal obligation, which runs in parallel with the increasing number of excavations, decisively boosted bio-anthropological and mortuary studies from archaeological contexts. An important development is also noticeable in the study of subsistence strategies, namely based on palaeobotanic and zooarchaeological data. These, however, are still far from systematic. To a great extent, these studies have been limited by the employed field methodologies that often ignore the scientific value of such type of evidence. More than in the case of macrofaunal remains, the (almost) invisibility of botanic and microfaunal remains lies at the core of their (almost) absence in current research. Studies have been more abundant in the domain of zooarchaeology. Here too a stronger focus on Islamic contexts is noticeable, to some extent related to contrasting taphonomic conditions, that are more favourable to organic preservation in the southern half of the country where the presence of Muslim communities was longer and research has been more intensive. Despite the growing number of publications and scientific meetings in the last 30 years, the countless number of field works was not always accompanied by the respective publications. Some of the main published studies can be found in the Bibliography, where the main references are cited. It is also worth mentioning that syntheses, either general or regional, are still lacking. This fact converges into another limitation, which is the scarcity of theoretical reflection that would allow interpretative models to be put forward and the building of a problematizing historical knowledge. However, the future seems promising and it is hoped that the above limitations may be surpassed in the next decades as, in Portugal, we are presently witnessing an increase of academic training in this specific research area.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE ROCK ART FROM BURACAS DA SERRA, ALVAIÁZERE (PORTUGAL)
This article aims to make public the archaeological site Buracas da Serra (municipality of Alvaiázere), which reveals the presence of a possible engraving of astral character, contributing to the understanding of Late Prehistory and Protohistory in the region. The first archaeological information mentioning the existence of rock art in this area was presented by Alexandra Figueiredo, on a report regarding archaeological work in the dolmen Anta I de Rego da Murta (Rego da Murta, Alvaiázere), in 2003 (Figueiredo, 2003), and developed in a deeper way during the presentation of a PhD thesis, in 2007 (Figueiredo, 2007), mentioning the existence of prehistoric art in the municipality of Alvaiázere, namely engravings and possible paintings on Anta I do Rego da Murta and engravings on the menhir of the same megalithic complex. After this work, archaeological interventions carried out in Alvaiázere and visits to new sites have enabled to reference more traces observed in cave context or on horizontal outcrops located in open spaces, connected with the mentioned megalithic complex or with the Alvaiázere Sierra. These discoveries have led to the proposal of a research project directed to the cavities of the Nabão river (2010-2011), integrated in the project PNTA ANTROPE – Anthropization of spaces – forms of adaptation of the natural resources and continuity of human occupations in Prehistory-and Protohistory in Extremadura (Portugal). One of the recorded sites was an engraving of astral typology, in the site Buracas da Serra. This figure appears isolated, in a cavity oriented to the East. The present symbolism, the carving technique and the proximity to some archaeological sites allows assigning it, chronologically, to a period between Late Prehistory and Protohistory.
The archaeological survey that are taking place in the North-eastern Alentejo, under the project PHANA (Ancient Prehistory in the North-eastern Alentejo), has revealed a considerable number of Palaeolithic sites. The area discussed in this paper is located in the North of this territory, on the left margin of the Tagus River, near the village of Arneiro. Here, thirteen Palaeolithic settlements have been identified, two of which, Pegos do Tejo 2 and Azinhal, have been subjected to archaeological excavations. The first results of these interventions, as well as the absolute dating of these two sites, the data obtained in the site of Tapada do Montinho and the geomorphological and geoarchaeological research done in this area are presented in this article
[BAR International Series 2878], Oxford: BAR Publishing, p. 63-76 ISBN 978 1 4073 1484 6
Focused on a rather unknown, far as rock art is concerned, region of central northwest Portugal, this chapter presents a first critical inventory of rock art sites and findings within the area of the Gralheira Massif, including a part of the basin of the River Paiva. The discussion focuses on a dozen sites, showing remarkable diversity in their supports and representations, as well as a significant chronological range, from Neolithic to historical periods. The simplicity of most of the motifs recorded on the rocks does not allow a clear integration of these petroglyphs into the main ‘style’ of Portuguese Atlantic rock art, as Schematic manifestations are largely predominant over Atlantic ones. Amongst the recorded sites and findings, almost entirely unpublished so far, it is worth highlighting Cando’s engraved stone, a unique schist slab profusely engraved with schematic motifs.