- Neolithic Archaeology, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Ethnoarchaeology, Lithic Technology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Agricultural History, and 53 more14C dating (Archaeology), Burial Practices (Archaeology), Residue and Use-Wear Analysis, Final Paleolithic, Palaeolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Europe, Mortuary archaeology, Violence (Anthropology), Mesolithic/Epipalaeolithic Archaeology, Archaeology of the Iberian Peninsula, North African prehistory (Archaeology), Early Neolithic, Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic, Flint Technology, Archaeology of shell middens, Flintknapping, Projectile technology, Flint Technology Social Reproduction Archaeology Etnoarchaeology, Neolithic Transition, Funerary Practices, Funerary Customs, Obsidian, Archaeology and Anthropology, Burial Context, Use-wear analysis, Anthropology, Archaeology, Burial Customs, Culture, Ritual, Tradition, Traceologie, Traceology, Use Wear Analysis, Analyse Fonctionnelle, Mésolithique, Tracéologie Osseuse, Analyse Fonctionnelle. Mesolithic, Functional Analysis, Industrias Liticas, Gravettian, Necropolis, Neolithisation, Jean Guilaine, Archery, Coastal and Island Archaeology, Polished Stone Axes, Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, Balkan prehistory, 8.2 cal kyr BP climatic event, Mesolithic/Neolithic, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Pilar Zapatero Magdaleno, and Valencina de la Concepción (Seville, Spain)edit
is a crucial region for understanding the spread of agriculture into the Mediterranean and Central Europe. To date, however, the area has been subject to relatively limited archaeological research. Here, the authors present use-wear and... more
is a crucial region for understanding the spread of agriculture into the Mediterranean and Central Europe. To date, however, the area has been subject to relatively limited archaeological research. Here, the authors present use-wear and archaeobotanical analyses on material from two Neolithic sites, Govrelevo and Vrbjanska Cǔka, to investigate practices that were previously unstudied in this part of the Balkans, such as sowing, cultivation and harvesting techniques. The results suggest the presence of permanent crop fields located in wetlands, with autumn and spring sowing, and harvesting using curved sickles. The study illuminates early agricultural practices in North Macedonia and adds to our knowledge of the spread of the Neolithic package across Europe.
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Les Guixeres de Vilobí (Sant Martí Sarroca, Penedès, Barcelona) es un yacimiento al aire libre de unos 2500 m2 de extensión, excavados en un 10 % aproximadamente. Su estratigrafía tiene 4 fases documentadas del Neolítico Antiguo Cardial,... more
Les Guixeres de Vilobí (Sant Martí Sarroca, Penedès, Barcelona) es un yacimiento al aire libre de unos 2500 m2 de extensión, excavados en un 10 % aproximadamente. Su estratigrafía tiene 4 fases documentadas del Neolítico Antiguo Cardial, Neolítico Antiguo Epicardial, Neolítico Postcardial y Neolítico Final. Las ocupaciones se caracterizan por niveles arqueológicos más o menos extensos y por la presencia de numerosas estructuras negativas: agujeros de poste, cubetas, estructuras de combustión, fosas-contenedor y silos. En la fase del Neolítico Cardial, la que tiene más material, se han hallado tres ámbitos que proponemos como unidades habitacionales. Las 9 dataciones radiocarbónicas (7 inéditas) que se presentan permiten inferir que las ocupaciones han sido muy continuadas en el tiempo, entre 5600-5200 cal BC para la fase A, c. 5000-4700 cal BC para la fase B, c. 4650-4450 cal BC para la fase C y c. 3350-3100 cal BC para la fase D. Estos datos cronológicos se completan con los result...
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Vrbjanska Čuka is a tell site in the region of Pelagonia (Macedonia) established 8000 years ago by the Neolithic communities. Later it was used as an agricultural unit during the Roman era and the Middle Ages when it was also employed as... more
Vrbjanska Čuka is a tell site in the region of Pelagonia (Macedonia) established 8000 years ago by the Neolithic communities. Later it was used as an agricultural unit during the Roman era and the Middle Ages when it was also employed as a burial area. The excavations performed in the 1980s and during the last five years indicate a Neolithic farming society that constructed large buildings made of daub in a settlement enclosed by a circular ditch. The buildings had many clay structures, such as ovens, granaries, bins and grinding areas for processing cereals and bread production. The Neolithic communities used sophisticated fine pottery and modeled figurines and altars, while the stone tools were mainly used for cutting trees, harvesting and grinding. Apart from the cereal-based food (einkorn wheat, emmer wheat or barley), the inhabitants of Vrbjanska Čuka consumed lentils, peas and a variety of gathered wild fruits, while cattle, caprovine, mussels, fish and wild game meat was also...
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Balkan Prehistory (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 7 moreBalkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, Prehistory, Neolithic of the Balkans, Early Neolithic, and Neolithic & Chalcolithic enclosures
Since 2013 we built a working group formed by researchers, educators, social workers, communicators and educational psychologists to bring archaeological research to all types of audiences, especially those with limited access to... more
Since 2013 we built a working group formed by researchers, educators, social workers, communicators and educational psychologists to bring archaeological research to all types of audiences, especially those with limited access to scientific dissemination programmes. In particular, we refer to people with psychological disorders or physical disabilities, older adults, newcomers, social groups traditionally marginalized and people at risk of social exclusion. These groups are usually left out of scientific outreach projects. We regard this neglect as serious as we believe in an inclusive society and the neglect is exclusionary. This work covers archaeological outreach activities engaging with some groups that usually do not participate in, and enjoy, science, specifically with people with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses, recently arrived immigrants, the elderly and Romani people. Although initially, our activities began in the neighbourhoods of the city centre of Barcel...
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Archaeological research in the Dolmen of El Pendón (Reinoso, Burgos, Spain) has brought to light the complex biography of a megalithic monument used throughout the 4th millennium cal. BC. The ossuary of this burial holds the bones of... more
Archaeological research in the Dolmen of El Pendón (Reinoso, Burgos, Spain) has brought to light the complex biography of a megalithic monument used throughout the 4th millennium cal. BC. The ossuary of this burial holds the bones of nearly a hundred individuals who suffered from diverse pathologies and injuries. This study presents the discovery of a skull with two bilateral perforations on both mastoid bones. These evidences point to a mastoidectomy, a surgical procedure possibly performed to relieve the pain this prehistoric individual may have suffered as a result of otitis media and mastoiditis. The hypothesis of surgical intervention is also supported by the presence of cut marks at the anterior edge of the trepanation made in the left ear. Furthermore, the results of this paper demonstrate the survival of the individual to both interventions. Given the chronology of this dolmen, this find would be the earliest surgical ear intervention in the history of mankind.
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Cova Bonica has yielded one of the few assemblages of Cardial Neolithic records of directly dated human remains (c. 5470 and 5220 years cal. BC – unmodelled) in the Iberian Peninsula and has provided the first complete genome of an... more
Cova Bonica has yielded one of the few assemblages of Cardial Neolithic records of directly dated human remains (c. 5470 and 5220 years cal. BC – unmodelled) in the Iberian Peninsula and has provided the first complete genome of an Iberian farmer. A minimum of seven individuals and six age clusters have been ascribed on the basis of the disarticulated human bones. A large number of archaeological artifacts have likewise been identified in the same layer, preserved in a small number of remnants in different areas of the cave. This study presents the results of a multi-proxy archaeological analysis of the spatial distribution, human remains, small and large mammals, palaeobotanical remains, lithics, ceramics and radiocarbon dating, with the aim of reconstructing the cave's history and the context of the layer containing the human remains. The results suggest the cave was used for at least two distinct purposes: one related to its use for funerary practices, as documented by a smal...
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This paper discusses the current state of research on harvesting technologies of the first farming communities of the central and western Mediterranean area between ca. 6000–5900 cal BC and 4800–4700 cal BC. New data obtained from the... more
This paper discusses the current state of research on harvesting technologies of the first farming communities of the central and western Mediterranean area between ca. 6000–5900 cal BC and 4800–4700 cal BC. New data obtained from the analysis of almost 40 sites from the Italian Peninsula is compared with data previously collected from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France. Results indicate the existence of at least two different harvesting traditions, one characterized by curved sickles used for harvesting at a low or middle height; the other characterized by reaping knives with parallel hafted blades, probably mainly used for ear harvesting. Processes of innovation and change have been highlighted, suggesting that harvesting techniques changed and evolved through time. Besides, the mechanism and pace of diffusion of curved sickles have been explored, too.
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El proyecto de investigación del cual exponemos aquí una síntesis de los primeros resultados se ha desarrollado gracias a la financiación de la Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia de Portugal (PTDC/HAH/64548/2006). Su formulación... more
El proyecto de investigación del cual exponemos aquí una síntesis de los primeros resultados se ha desarrollado gracias a la financiación de la Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia de Portugal (PTDC/HAH/64548/2006). Su formulación radica en el hecho de que las diferentes teorías que pretenden explicar el neolítico desde posicionamientos migracionistas o indigenistas excluyentes no llegan a dar respuestas satisfactorias a la complejidad inherente al proceso de adquisición de la economía productora. Desde este marco conceptual era necesario plantear un proyecto, necesariamente internacional por su contexto geográfico y pluridisciplinar por los ámbitos de estudio abarcados, que a través de la colaboración con otros equipos e investigadores del sur peninsular y norte de África, avanzase en el estudio de registros novedosos o ya previamente conocidos mediante nuevos enfoques metodológicos que dieran contenido a determinadas lagunas de información empírica, cuyos resultados contribuyese...
The retouching and resharpening of lithic tools during their production and maintenance leads to the production of large numbers of small flakes and chips known as microdebitage. Standard analytical approaches to this material involves... more
The retouching and resharpening of lithic tools during their production and maintenance leads to the production of large numbers of small flakes and chips known as microdebitage. Standard analytical approaches to this material involves the mapping of microartefact densities to identify activity areas, and the creation of techno-typologies to characterise the form of retouch flakes from different types of tools. Whilst use-wear analysis is a common approach to the analysis of tools, it has been applied much less commonly to microdebitage. This paper contends that the use-wear analysis of microdebitage holds great potential for identifying activity areas on archaeological sites, representing a relatively unexplored analytical resource within microartefact assemblages. In order to test the range of factors that affect the identification of use-wear traces on small retouch flakes, a blind test consisting of 40 retouch flakes was conducted. The results show that wear traces can be identified with comparable levels of accuracy to those reported for historic blind tests of standard lithic tools suggesting that the use-wear analysis of retouch flakes can be a useful analytical tool in understanding site function, and in increasing sample sizes in cases where assemblages contain few tools.
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RESUMEN El Neolítico catalán se ha caracterizado especialmente por su excelente registro funerario. Tanto es así, que a principios del siglo XX Bosch Gimpera hablaba de la "Cultura de los Sepulcros de Fosa", denomi-nación que sigue... more
RESUMEN El Neolítico catalán se ha caracterizado especialmente por su excelente registro funerario. Tanto es así, que a principios del siglo XX Bosch Gimpera hablaba de la "Cultura de los Sepulcros de Fosa", denomi-nación que sigue usándose habitualmente en la actualidad para el Neolítico Medio. En el marco de este volumen monográfico, nos centramos en los enterramientos infantiles, deteniéndonos especialmente en todos los aspectos referentes a las cuestiones antropológicas pero sin obviar otros datos que considera-mos relevantes, como el ajuar asociado a los distintos individuos inhumados o la cronología de los con-textos funerarios establecida a partir de las dataciones absolutas obtenidas. ABSTRACT The Neolithic funeral record from Catalonia is particularly rich. At the beginning of the 20th century, P. Bosch Gimpera categorized the Catalonian Middle Neolithic as the "Sepulcros de Fosa" (pit burials) Culture, and this appellation is still in use. Within the framework of this monographic volume, this paper focus on the infantile burials, not only on its anthropological aspects, but also on other relevant information such as the grave goods associated to the reviewed burials, or the chronology of the funeral contexts established from the absolute dates available.
Au début des années 1980, sur un versant des vallées andorranes, un ensemble d'interventions archéolo-giques réalisées par l'ancien « Servei d'Investigacions Arqueológiques del Patrimoni Artístic Nacional d'Andorra » permit de documenter... more
Au début des années 1980, sur un versant des vallées andorranes, un ensemble d'interventions archéolo-giques réalisées par l'ancien « Servei d'Investigacions Arqueológiques del Patrimoni Artístic Nacional d'Andorra » permit de documenter le site de la Feixa del Moro. En contrebas de terrasses abandonnées, dans une zone de haute montagne, plusieurs structures d'habitat et d'inhumation furent découvertes, situées chronologiquement entre le Néo-lithique ancien et le Néolithique moyen (milieu du V e-début du IV e millénaire cal. BC). La singularité de la Feixa del Moro ne résidait pas uniquement dans son emplacement, ni dans la diversité typologique de ses constructions, mais aussi dans l'excellent état de conservation de ses vestiges et particulièrement de ses sépultures, faisant de cet ensemble un des sites archéo logiques de référence du Néolithique des Pyrénées en particulier, et de la Méditerranée occidentale en général. Encore aujourd'hui, les sites présentant des ensembles clos avec un tel degré de conservation de leurs structures sont rares. Il est insolite que dans une zone aussi réduite soient concentrés des structures sépulcrales, des foyers, des silos, etc. qui apparemment coexistent dans une même unité stratigraphique. C'est un site ayant peu de parallèles, et pas seulement dans la zone andorrane, mais également dans toutes les Pyrénées. En effet, en trois décennies fut découverte uniquement une autre sépulture de cette époque à Segudet (Andorre), et seuls quelques sites néolithiques ont été documentés à des altitudes élevées. Bien que les sépultures en ciste soient courantes dans le Nord-Est de la péninsule Ibérique et dans le Sud de la France, aucune n'a été découverte en contexte de haute montagne comme c'est le cas à la Feixa del Moro. L'intervention minutieuse réalisée entre 1983 et 1985 permit d'obtenir un instantané d'une communauté de la culture des « Sepulcros de fosa », établie en plein coeur des Pyrénées, et prouva l'occupation complexe des territoires de mon-tagne à cette période. Il faut ajouter à cela le pari réalisé par le directeur de l'intervention qui encouragea de nombreuses analyses, ce qui fit de la Feixa del Moro un site de référence pour la recherche, et ce encore aujourd'hui. Trente ans plus tard, les avancées techniques et méthodologiques ont entraîné la révision des anciennes interventions et la réalisation de nouvelles analyses permettant de rouvrir certains débats et en définitive de progresser sur les connais-sances du passé. À cet égard, depuis 2011 et dans le cadre du projet « Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolí-ticas del NE peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias » (HAR2011-23149), financé par le ministère espagnol de l'Économie et de la Compétitivité, une équipe de recherche pluridisciplinaire a repris l'étude de nombreux contextes sépulcraux du Néolithique du Nord-Est de la péninsule ibérique, parmi lesquels celui de la Feixa del Moro. Dans ce cas précis, nous avons décidé de reprendre les études, de revoir les mobiliers funéraires et de mener de nouvelles analyses biochimiques et de datations sur les restes humains issus des trois sépultures en ciste de la Feixa del Moro, dans l'objec-tif de mieux connaître les premières communautés d'agriculteurs et d'éleveurs qui peuplèrent les Pyrénées. Depuis l'ultime intervention sur le terrain aux débuts des années 1990 jusqu'à l'étude actuelle, de nombreuses données ont été perdues. Par conséquent, ces trente dernières années ont été marquées par des confusions et des contradictions continuelles qui se perpétuèrent dans de nombreuses publications et études réalisées a posteriori par d'autres cher-cheurs. Cet ensemble combiné de circonstances malchanceuses et malheureuses a très probablement eu des répercus-sions sur les interprétations qui ont pu être faites. Pour cette raison, le présent projet ne se contente pas de réaliser de nouvelles analyses, mais a aussi pour objectif de revoir toute l'information écrite et graphique conservée, tout comme l'état du matériel déposé. Le travail que nous présentons ici rassemble toutes les données disponibles sur la Feixa del Moro jusqu'à aujourd'hui, expose les confusions détectées dans les sources, actualise les registres archéologiques obtenus dans les années 1980 et présente les résultats des nouvelles analyses effectuées. Grâce à cette démarche nous souhaitons que ce site continue d'être une référence pour le Néolithique dans les Pyrénées et la Méditerranée occidentale. Nous souhaitons également attirer l'attention d'autres chercheurs afin qu'ils continuent d'analyser et d'apporter de nouveaux éléments et de nou-velles approches pour mieux comprendre les sociétés néolithiques. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française Tome 113, numéro 2, avril-juin 2016, p. 265-289
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This article explores the changes that occurred in harvesting technology during the dispersal of the Neolithic in the Mediterranean basin. It does so through technological and use-wear analysis of flaked stone tools from archaeological... more
This article explores the changes that occurred in harvesting technology during the dispersal of the Neolithic in the Mediterranean basin. It does so through technological and use-wear analysis of flaked stone tools from archaeological sites dated between ca. 7000 and 5000 cal BCE, from the Aegean Sea to the westernmost coasts of Portugal. The main goal is to analyse the transformations that occurred in the harvesting toolkit. Our study reveals dynamics of continuity and change in sickles at a Mediterranean scale, resulting from adaptations of the migrant groups to the newly occupied territories and from processes of technological innovation. Adaptations in the production system of the inserts and in their use-pattern occurred in relation to lithic raw material availability and knappers' skills, but also in relation to the scale of production and farming techniques. A major shift took place in the northwestern Mediterranean arc with the diffusion of parallel-hafted inserts, probably as a result of heterogeneous phenomena including the diffusion of new groups, technical transfers , establishment of new interaction networks and new systems of lithic production.
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Este artículo reúne las investigaciones realizadas durante más de 20 años alrededor de un tema muy específico: las primeras hoces neolíticas. Aunque podría pensarse que hacer una aproximación a las hoces no tiene más recorrido que el de... more
Este artículo reúne las investigaciones realizadas durante más de 20 años alrededor de un tema muy específico: las primeras hoces neolíticas. Aunque podría pensarse que hacer una aproximación a las hoces no tiene más recorrido que el de describir un útil genuinamente del Neolítíco, esta idea está muy lejos de la realidad. Nuestro objetivo al estudiar este instrumento es conocer a las poblaciones que lo usaron y especialmente los territorios qué ocuparon y los caminos por dónde se expandieron. La hoz en sí no es la finalidad del estudio, sino el medio con el que aproximarnos a esas cuestiones.
Research Interests: Mediterranean prehistory, Microscopy, Mediterranean Studies, Neolithic Archaeology, Use Wear Analysis, and 15 moreNeolithic Transition, The Neolithic Revolution, Residue and Use-Wear Analysis, Mediterranean archaeology, Neolithic, Holocene, Early Neolithic, Cereal, Traceologie, Lithic Use Wear Analysis, Neolitico, Traceología, Lustre, Ignacio Martín Lerma, and hoces
RESUMEN Uno de los elementos más representativos del Neolítico Final-Calcolítico en buen parte del oeste de la Península Ibérica son las piezas bifaciales elaboradas en sílex. En el territorio portugués, estas piezas, llamadas... more
RESUMEN Uno de los elementos más representativos del Neolítico Final-Calcolítico en buen parte del oeste de la Península Ibérica son las piezas bifaciales elaboradas en sílex. En el territorio portugués, estas piezas, llamadas tradicionalmente foicinhas, son ahora conocidas como "láminas foliáceas". Muchos yacimientos de este periodo son poblados fortifica-dos, siendo el de Leceia uno de los ejemplos más conocidos. Este trabajo se centra en dichas piezas que carecen de un análisis profundo. Ello es sorprendente pues son muchos los instrumentos líticos, en general, y las láminas foliáceas, en particular, documentadas en los yacimientos de esta crono-logía. A lo largo del texto abordamos la información relati-va a la materia prima, la tecnología, la morfología y la fun-ción de estos útiles. Ello nos ha permitido evaluar las zonas de aprovisionamiento de la población de Leceia, las posibles relaciones sociales que había establecido con otros grupos a partir del origen de ciertos tipos de sílex, su capacidad tec-nológica y la función a la que se destinaron algunas de esas láminas. ABSTRACT Bifacial tools made of flint are some of the most representative elements of the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic in much of the western Iberia. In Portugal these pieces, traditionally called foicinhas, are currently known as "foliaceous blades". Many sites of this period are fortified settlements, Leceia being one of the best-known examples. Surprisingly, in spite of their abundance the lithic instruments in general, and foliaceous blades in particular, in sites of this period have not been studied in detail. Here we address the raw material, technology, morphology, and function of these tools. This allows us to evaluate the supply areas, the possible social relations established with other groups (based on the origin of certain types of flint), the technological capacity of the inhabitants of Leceia, and the function of some of these blades . Palabras clave: Neolítico Final-Calcolítico; Occidente de la península ibérica; Tecnología lítica; Foicinhas; Láminas fo-liáceas.
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This study focuses on the role of faunal remains in funerary rituals in the Middle Neolithic necropolis of Bòbila Madurell (Sant Quirze del Vallès, Barcelona) (BMadurell Sur^ and BMadurell Ferrocarril^ sectors). Faunal remains recovered... more
This study focuses on the role of faunal remains in funerary rituals in the Middle Neolithic necropolis of Bòbila Madurell (Sant Quirze del Vallès, Barcelona) (BMadurell Sur^ and BMadurell Ferrocarril^ sectors). Faunal remains recovered in these burials a priori inform about the different uses of animals in funerary rituals. Complete and partial anatomical connections, isolated elements, and/or bone fragments were recovered. These may appear directly associated with human remains or scattered among the structures' fill. Animal remains were analyzed using zooarchaeological and taphonomic methods: anatomical and taxonom-ical composition, age of death, and human modifications. The data obtained were linked to burial type and human remains' sex and age. Results show that the economic importance of domestic animals for Middle Neolithic groups would also cover their symbolic and funerary world. In Bòbila Madurell, animals could be offerings and play a part in feasts. In addition, faunal data confirm the ritual diversity and the possible social differentiation of these groups previously proposed by other studies.
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Barremian-Bedoulian flint from the Vaucluse region (western Provence, SE France), is traditionally considered one of the most significant chrono-cultural markers of the Chassé en culture during the Middle Neolithic (end of the 5 th and... more
Barremian-Bedoulian flint from the Vaucluse region (western Provence, SE France), is traditionally considered one of the most significant chrono-cultural markers of the Chassé en culture during the Middle Neolithic (end of the 5 th and beginning of the 4 th millennium BC). Diffusion of Provençal flints became massive during the first half of the 4 th millennium BC, penetrating in several neighbouring cultural spheres such as the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in northeastern Iberia. The integrated study of the lithic assemblages from the variscite mines of Gavà (Barcelona) and its contextualization within the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in northeastern Iberia have revealed unexpected complexity in the modes of consumption, use and status of imported Barremian-Bedoulian industries in northeastern Iberia during the 5 th to 4 th millennia cal. BC transition. Local communities within this region, already controlling extraction and regional diffusion of variscite ornaments, exerted control over the fluxes of Vauclusian flint south of the Pyrenees, where it had a triple status (functional, symbolic and both). In addition, the results provide complementary data to better understand relevant aspects of the nature and organisation of Barremian-Bedoulian flint exploitation and early supply systems at the Provençal producing sites during the later phase of the Chas-sé en culture.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Neolithic Archaeology, Flint (Archaeology), and 14 moreNeolithic Europe, Neolithic flint procurement, Mediterranean archaeology, Neolithic, Prehistoric Trade Networks, Prehistoric exchange networks, Middle Neolithic, Chassey, Middle Neolithic Catalan, Variscita, Chassey culture, Néolithique Moyen Chasséen, Prehistoric Mines, and Middle European Neolithic
Scientific dissemination programs seem prepared for all types of audiences, but certain groups are often left out because specialists do not think about them when planning them. Those groups include people with physical and intellectual... more
Scientific dissemination programs seem prepared for all types of audiences, but certain groups are often left out because specialists do not think about them when planning them. Those groups include people with physical and intellectual disabilities, older adults, people at risk of social exclusion and newcomers. In this article, we present two outreach activities on Prehistory specifically designed for people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that the model used, the evaluation carried out and the results obtained can be useful for other research groups or educators who work with people with intellectual disabilities.
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Éxodo, las rutas del neolítico: vida y muerte en las primeras comunidades agricultoras y pastores del noreste de la Península Ibérica In recent years the signatories of this presentation have worked on two lines of research related to... more
Éxodo, las rutas del neolítico:
vida y muerte en las primeras comunidades agricultoras
y pastores del noreste de la Península Ibérica
In recent years the signatories of this presentation have worked on two lines of research related to the process of neolitization and the knowledge of the first farming and pastoral communities that occupied the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. In this respect, while the study of certain agricultural techniques allows us to hypothesize on the routes and territories occupied by the Neolithic societies during their expansion in the Mediterranean, the analysis of the funerary contexts brings us closer to their social and economic organization.
vida y muerte en las primeras comunidades agricultoras
y pastores del noreste de la Península Ibérica
In recent years the signatories of this presentation have worked on two lines of research related to the process of neolitization and the knowledge of the first farming and pastoral communities that occupied the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. In this respect, while the study of certain agricultural techniques allows us to hypothesize on the routes and territories occupied by the Neolithic societies during their expansion in the Mediterranean, the analysis of the funerary contexts brings us closer to their social and economic organization.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Classical Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Balkan prehistory, and 9 moreNeolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Mesolithic/Neolithic, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Neolithic, Neolithic of the Balkans, Early Neolithic, and Roman Archaeology
Resumo: Os artefactos em sílex dos dólmenes da Lapa da Meruje (Vouzela) e de Antelas (Oliveira de Frades), cuja construção se atribui aos inícios do IV milénio a.C., foram analisados por forma a providenciar uma primeira imagem abrangente... more
Resumo:
Os artefactos em sílex dos dólmenes da Lapa da Meruje (Vouzela) e de Antelas (Oliveira de Frades), cuja construção se atribui aos inícios do IV milénio a.C., foram analisados por forma a providenciar uma primeira imagem abrangente das estratégias de exploração, circulação e utilização do sílex no megalitismo da região de Lafões, uma das subáreas do importante núcleo megalítico da Beira Alta. Os conjuntos são formados sobretudo por geométricos trapezoidais, surgindo os segmentos em segundo plano. A origem do sílex pôde determinar-se para o primeiro caso (área de Rio Maior), sendo que em Antelas se observaram cinco possíveis áreas de aprovisionamento (por identificar). A análise traceológica revelou que a larga maioria das peças de Antelas não foi utilizada antes da sua deposição naqueles dólmenes; inversamente, os geométricos da Lapa da Meruje foram obtidos a partir lâminas previamente utilizadas e depois efetivamente usados como pontas de projétil. Nota-se, nestes casos, que as pontas foram encabadas transversalmente, uma técnica que já havia sido reconhecida na famosa pintura de arqueiro do dólmen de Juncais (Vila Nova de Paiva). No seu conjunto, estes primeiros resultados revelam uma elevada complexidade dos circuitos de abastecimento de sílex no megalitismo beirão. As diferentes intensidades observadas no seu uso significará também diferentes capacidades de aquisição de matérias-primas exógenas. A explicação para tais contrastes deverá radicar no quadro socioeconómico e na organização social destas comunidades.
Abstract:
The flint artefacts from the dolmens of Lapa da Meruje (Vouzela) and Antelas (Oliveira de Frades), which were built at the beginning of the fourth millennium BC, were analysed in order to provide a first comprehensive portrayal of its exploration, circulation and use in the megalithic region of Lafões, one of the subareas of the important megalithic clusters of Beira Alta. These assemblages are formed mainly by trapezoidal geometrics, followed by segments. The origin of the flint could be determined for the first case (Rio Maior area), with five possible supply areas (to be identified) being observed among the Antelas material. The analysis showed that the vast majority of the Antelas artefacts were not used before their deposition; conversely, the geometrics from Lapa of Meruje were obtained from previously used blades and later effectively used as projectile points. It should be noted in these latter cases that they were transversely hafted, a technique that had already been recognized in the famous painting of an archer at the dolmen of Juncais (Vila Nova de Paiva). Taken together, these preliminary results reveal a high complexity of the flint supply circuits in the Beira Alta megalithism. The different intensities observed in the use of flint artefacts will also mean different capacities for the acquisition of exogenous raw materials. An explanation for such contrasts should lie in the socioeconomic and social organization framework of these communities.
Os artefactos em sílex dos dólmenes da Lapa da Meruje (Vouzela) e de Antelas (Oliveira de Frades), cuja construção se atribui aos inícios do IV milénio a.C., foram analisados por forma a providenciar uma primeira imagem abrangente das estratégias de exploração, circulação e utilização do sílex no megalitismo da região de Lafões, uma das subáreas do importante núcleo megalítico da Beira Alta. Os conjuntos são formados sobretudo por geométricos trapezoidais, surgindo os segmentos em segundo plano. A origem do sílex pôde determinar-se para o primeiro caso (área de Rio Maior), sendo que em Antelas se observaram cinco possíveis áreas de aprovisionamento (por identificar). A análise traceológica revelou que a larga maioria das peças de Antelas não foi utilizada antes da sua deposição naqueles dólmenes; inversamente, os geométricos da Lapa da Meruje foram obtidos a partir lâminas previamente utilizadas e depois efetivamente usados como pontas de projétil. Nota-se, nestes casos, que as pontas foram encabadas transversalmente, uma técnica que já havia sido reconhecida na famosa pintura de arqueiro do dólmen de Juncais (Vila Nova de Paiva). No seu conjunto, estes primeiros resultados revelam uma elevada complexidade dos circuitos de abastecimento de sílex no megalitismo beirão. As diferentes intensidades observadas no seu uso significará também diferentes capacidades de aquisição de matérias-primas exógenas. A explicação para tais contrastes deverá radicar no quadro socioeconómico e na organização social destas comunidades.
Abstract:
The flint artefacts from the dolmens of Lapa da Meruje (Vouzela) and Antelas (Oliveira de Frades), which were built at the beginning of the fourth millennium BC, were analysed in order to provide a first comprehensive portrayal of its exploration, circulation and use in the megalithic region of Lafões, one of the subareas of the important megalithic clusters of Beira Alta. These assemblages are formed mainly by trapezoidal geometrics, followed by segments. The origin of the flint could be determined for the first case (Rio Maior area), with five possible supply areas (to be identified) being observed among the Antelas material. The analysis showed that the vast majority of the Antelas artefacts were not used before their deposition; conversely, the geometrics from Lapa of Meruje were obtained from previously used blades and later effectively used as projectile points. It should be noted in these latter cases that they were transversely hafted, a technique that had already been recognized in the famous painting of an archer at the dolmen of Juncais (Vila Nova de Paiva). Taken together, these preliminary results reveal a high complexity of the flint supply circuits in the Beira Alta megalithism. The different intensities observed in the use of flint artefacts will also mean different capacities for the acquisition of exogenous raw materials. An explanation for such contrasts should lie in the socioeconomic and social organization framework of these communities.
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Este trabajo nace como resultado del descubrimien-to de un tipo particular de instrumento lítico docu-mentado recientemente en dos de los yacimientos de Juberri, Camp del Colomer y Carrer Llinàs. Se trata de unos punzones, básicamente de... more
Este trabajo nace como resultado del descubrimien-to de un tipo particular de instrumento lítico docu-mentado recientemente en dos de los yacimientos de Juberri, Camp del Colomer y Carrer Llinàs. Se trata de unos punzones, básicamente de sección triangular o cuadrangular, elaborados con esquisto.
This paper reports the results of a series of recent experiments in which stone adzes and axes were used in woodworking, butchering, hide processing and hoeing activities. The aim of this work is to describe progress in the... more
This paper reports the results of a series of recent experiments in which stone adzes and axes were used in woodworking, butchering, hide processing and hoeing activities. The aim of this work is to describe progress in the differentiation between the various kinds of use-wear on polished stone surfaces. The ultimate objective is to create a reference collection suitable for performing the use-wear analysis on polished adzes and axes discovered in archaeological contexts. Particularly, we wish to contribute to the understanding of the role that these tools played in the different economic and ritual activities of the Neolithic communities living in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula around the middle of the 5th and 4th millennium cal. BC.
Entendemos que el reconocimiento de la función de los instrumentos líticos puede aproximarnos a las actividades que realizaban las primeras comunidades neolíticas que se asentaron en el noreste de la península ibérica. Uno de los... more
Entendemos que el reconocimiento de la función de los instrumentos líticos puede aproximarnos a las actividades que realizaban las primeras comunidades neolíticas que se asentaron en el noreste de la península ibérica. Uno de los contextos donde poder abordar tales cuestiones es el yacimiento al aire libre de Les Guixeres de Vilobí. Perteneciente al neolítico antiguo, es uno de los pocos asentamientos de este periodo con estructuras internas y un número relevante de útiles líticos. En este trabajo presentamos una primera aproximación a la morfología, la tecnología y la funcionalidad de dicho utillaje. Su localización en el área excavada nos permite evaluar si hay una organización del espacio con respecto al lugar dónde se efectuaron ciertas actividades. Aunque este artículo se centra en Les Guixeres de Vilobí, los resultados funcionales serán contextualizados y comparados con otros yacimientos contemporáneos o próximos cronológicamente.
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The lakeshore settlement of ‘La Marmotta’ represents one of the earliest evidence for seafaring farmers in Italy (ca. 5900-5600 cal BC) and one of the earliest wetland sites of the entire Central Mediterranean Basin. The site is unique... more
The lakeshore settlement of ‘La Marmotta’ represents one of the earliest evidence for seafaring farmers in Italy (ca. 5900-5600 cal BC) and one of the earliest wetland sites of the entire Central Mediterranean Basin. The site is unique for the richness and variety of organic materials preserved (i.e. foodstuff, wood and plant crafts, house remains, pirogues, etc.), especially if compared with the rest of Early Neolithic sites in the Italian Peninsula. Nevertheless, due to several reasons, the site has still been little integrated within the debate on the Neolithization process. How can the huge amount of data obtained from ‘La Marmotta’ be transposed to the surroundings, contemporaneous, dryland sites? This is a compelling challenge, especially considering that often no comparable records exist in sites characterized by drier preservation conditions. In this presentation we will focus on the lithic assemblage and on the several wooden sickles recovered from this site. The integration of both records can help us understanding the harvesting techniques adopted during Early Neolithic and provide a fundamental reference for the rest of Impressed Ware sites of the Central and Western Mediterranean.
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En este artículo presentamos parte de la divulgación científica que venimos realizando en Barcelona desde el año 2013. El objetivo no ha sido tanto explicar las actividades realizadas, sino la forma cómo este proyecto ha llegado a los... more
En este artículo presentamos parte de la divulgación científica que venimos realizando en Barcelona desde el año 2013. El objetivo no ha sido tanto explicar las actividades realizadas, sino la forma cómo este proyecto ha llegado a los ciudadanos. Poder construir divulgación científica fuera de los centros habitualmente dedicados a ello, como
por ejemplo los museos, las universidades o los campos arqueológicos, sólo es posible a través de la implicación de las asociaciones que trabajan en el territorio y los vecinos que allí viven. Pretendemos que la relación que se ha establecido entre investigadores, asociaciones y ciudadanos pueda servir de modelo para otros proyectos similares que se organicen en cualquier ciudad o pueblo.
por ejemplo los museos, las universidades o los campos arqueológicos, sólo es posible a través de la implicación de las asociaciones que trabajan en el territorio y los vecinos que allí viven. Pretendemos que la relación que se ha establecido entre investigadores, asociaciones y ciudadanos pueda servir de modelo para otros proyectos similares que se organicen en cualquier ciudad o pueblo.
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La Cova de l'Avellaner es uno de los contextos arqueológicos del noreste peninsular más conocidos perteneciente cronológicamente a los inicios del neolítico. La presencia de tres cavidades con numerosos restos humanos y su cronología... more
La Cova de l'Avellaner es uno de los contextos arqueológicos del noreste peninsular más conocidos perteneciente cronológicamente a los inicios del neolítico. La presencia de tres cavidades con numerosos restos humanos y su cronología neolítica tan antigua, ha hecho de este yacimiento un lugar de referencia sobre las prácticas funerarias realizadas por aquellas primigenias comunidades agricultoras y pastoras. Las primeras dataciones que se realizaron a inicios de los 90 ofrecieron resultados con márgenes de incertidumbre demasiado altos, que generaban ciertas dudas sobre su validez. Por ello, recientemente decidimos iniciar un programa de dataciones para concretar la cronología de los tres espacios funerarios documentados. Se fecharon tres individuos, uno de cada espacio. Los resultados de esas dataciones y su contextualización en el marco de las primeras prácticas funerarias del noreste peninsular constituyen el objetivo del presente artículo. LABURPENA Neolitiko garaiko hasieran kokatu daitezkeen kontextu arkeologikoetatik hoberen ezagutzen denetako bat dugu Cova de l'Avellaner. Izan ere, haitzulo honek dituen hiru geletan topatzen diren giza aztarna ugari eta aintzineko kronologiak, lehen nekazal eta artzainei buruzko ikerke-tarako erreferentzi bilakatu dute. Dena den, lortu ziren lehen datazioek zeukaten ziurgarritasun marjin altuek beraien baliozkotazunari buruzko kezkak sortu zituzten. Hori dela eta, datazio programa berri bat hastea erabaki genuen, haitzuloaren hiru eremuen kronologia zehaztu ahal iza-teko. Helburu honekin, gela bakoitzeko gizabanako baten laginak datatu ziren. Artikulu honen helburuak datazio hauen emaitzak eta hauekin, Iberiar Penintsulako lehen ehortze praktiken testuinguru barruan, egindako interpretazioak azaltzea dira. ABSTRACT Until a few years ago, the available information regarding the funerary practices of the first Neolithic communities was negligible. Currently, this has changed significantly, thanks, particularly, to the works carried out in sites such as Cova Bonica or Can Sadurní. In this context, the Cova de l'Avellaner, the addressed site of this paper, was one of the best-known Early-Neolithic archaeological contexts from the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The site has three cavities with numerous human remains. This exceptional archaeological record and its old chronology have made this cave a reference site of the funerary practices of the first farming societies. The information provided, both by contexts such as Cova de l'Avellaner, and those currently being excavated, seem to show that the caves were selected during this time as burial sites. Different individuals were buried in those cavities, probably accompanied by different tools, containers and ornaments as grave goods. The problem is that it is practically impossible to assign such elements to each of the dead and even to recognize others who could be part of the sediment that covered the bodies. In any case, in this paper a description of the discovered materials are presented, since their characteristics can help to recognize which type of artefacts could accompany the buried and because they also have an added value as a chronological marker; this is what has helped us to define better the moment in which the burials were practiced. The first radiocarbon dates from Cova de l'Avellaner were made during the nineties and provided too wide margins, so their validity is doubtful For this reason we have recently started a radiocarbon dating programme, in order to determine the chronology of the three funerary spaces
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We propose 017 methodological interdisciplinary approach regarding the study ofthe graves, based on a theory ofsocial relations of production reproduction. The funerary examples used here comesfrom rhe neolithic period in Catalonia. The... more
We propose 017 methodological interdisciplinary approach regarding the study ofthe graves, based on a theory ofsocial relations
of production reproduction. The funerary examples used here comesfrom rhe neolithic period in Catalonia. The main concept concerns
the funerary unir, that is explained by the relationship between the container (structural morphology) and the contents (burial J. All {he
disciplines related with {he excavation and the study of a burial, make up the archaeo-anthropological analysis. We focused our approach on
anthropological, archaeozoological, archaeopetrological, lithic implements and micro-spatial studies.
Key words: Archaeoanthropology, Funerary unit, Grave-structural morphology, Burial, Neolithic.
of production reproduction. The funerary examples used here comesfrom rhe neolithic period in Catalonia. The main concept concerns
the funerary unir, that is explained by the relationship between the container (structural morphology) and the contents (burial J. All {he
disciplines related with {he excavation and the study of a burial, make up the archaeo-anthropological analysis. We focused our approach on
anthropological, archaeozoological, archaeopetrological, lithic implements and micro-spatial studies.
Key words: Archaeoanthropology, Funerary unit, Grave-structural morphology, Burial, Neolithic.
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The reconstruction of the economy of an archaeological site is a matter of major importance within prehistoric research. In this paper, this issue is tackled from the perspective of the Traceological, or Use-Wear, analysis, showing how... more
The reconstruction of the economy of an archaeological site is a matter of major importance within prehistoric research. In this paper, this issue is tackled from the perspective of the Traceological, or Use-Wear, analysis, showing how the lithic record can be used to approach a palaeoeconomic approximation. The principles, perspectives and limits of such method are detailed discussed into the text. As a case-study, a sample of Early Neolithic sites of the NeNE of the Iberian Peninsula has been considered, all of them ranging between the mid-Sixth and mid-Fifth millennium cal BC. As result of the analysis, sites with different status have been identified; more stable and larger settlements have been differentiated from temporary and more specialized occupations on the basis of the economic process inferred through the microscopic observation. Several subsistence and craft processes, such as wood and plant crafting tasks or hide working activities, that otherwise would be difficult to detect in the archaeological record have been highlighted. Obtained results provide fresh data on the Neolithic economic organization, integrating zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical and palaeoenvironmental studies.
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Since its excavation, in the late 1980s, El Collado has been considered a Mesolithic funerary site. Nevertheless, recent studies of the site chronology and other material evidence - excluding the human remains - have indicated more... more
Since its excavation, in the late 1980s, El Collado has been considered a Mesolithic funerary site. Nevertheless, recent studies of the site chronology and other material evidence - excluding the human remains - have indicated more complex dynamics of this site, combining both funerary and habitation uses by Mesolithic communities.
First, a Bayesian model of the available radiocarbon dates provides information about the chronological dynamics in the human uses of the site. The model reveals that data are not representative of a single event but rather show the existence of several chronostratigraphic phases. Second, a noteworthy lithic assemblage from the site, which does not appear to be linked to the Mesolithic burials, can be attributed to the Notches and Denticulates Mesolithic facies in Mediterranean Iberia and the Ebro Basin. Technological and use-wear analyses of the lithic tools have been carried out in order to seek new data concerning the subsistence and craft activities performed by the communities that occupied the site. It must be noted that only in few cases similar studies had been applied previously on Mesolithic sites in the area of study. The first results show intense work on hard materials, such as wood, bone or antler, which a priori could lead to this site being considered a not specialized one from the functional point of view. These results are discussed taking into account all the inputs and possible biases due to the nature of the site and sampling carried out in the fieldwork.
First, a Bayesian model of the available radiocarbon dates provides information about the chronological dynamics in the human uses of the site. The model reveals that data are not representative of a single event but rather show the existence of several chronostratigraphic phases. Second, a noteworthy lithic assemblage from the site, which does not appear to be linked to the Mesolithic burials, can be attributed to the Notches and Denticulates Mesolithic facies in Mediterranean Iberia and the Ebro Basin. Technological and use-wear analyses of the lithic tools have been carried out in order to seek new data concerning the subsistence and craft activities performed by the communities that occupied the site. It must be noted that only in few cases similar studies had been applied previously on Mesolithic sites in the area of study. The first results show intense work on hard materials, such as wood, bone or antler, which a priori could lead to this site being considered a not specialized one from the functional point of view. These results are discussed taking into account all the inputs and possible biases due to the nature of the site and sampling carried out in the fieldwork.
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The functionality of Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500 m 2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of... more
The functionality of Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500 m 2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of occupation. The absolute chronology indicates a majority occupation of the second half of the 8th millennium cal BCE (Early Mesolithic) and a second phase towards the end of the 7th millennium (Late Mesolithic). Despite the excellent state of conservation of the site, the osteological remains are practically absent, possibly due to taphonomic factors. Cova da Baleia is clearly a distinctive site of the reference framework known of the Early Mesolithic times in Portugal, given the large size of the site (about 1 ha) and its structural complexity. It was clear that an interdisciplinary approach was mandatory in order to fully guarantee the site interpretation , namely regarding its functionality. The results of the use-wear and archaeobotanical studies show the relevance of wood and other hard materials, whereas the need for fire for these activities remains to be understood .
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The functionality of Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500 m 2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of... more
The functionality of Cova da Baleia (Mafra, Portugal) is hereby presented and discussed in this paper. In an excavated area of 500 m 2 was identified a large concentration of structures (128), of which 104 were in clay, with two phases of occupation. The absolute chronology indicates a majority occupation of the second half of the 8th millennium cal BCE (Early Mesolithic) and a second phase towards the end of the 7th millennium (Late Mesolithic). Despite the excellent state of conservation of the site, the osteological remains are practically absent, possibly due to taphonomic factors. Cova da Baleia is clearly a distinctive site of the reference framework known of the Early Mesolithic times in Portugal, given the large size of the site (about 1 ha) and its structural complexity. It was clear that an interdisciplinary approach was mandatory in order to fully guarantee the site interpretation , namely regarding its functionality. The results of the use-wear and archaeobotanical studies show the relevance of wood and other hard materials, whereas the need for fire for these activities remains to be understood .
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The number of prehistoric ceramic studies in Catalonia has increased since the beginning of this century. Most of these studies regard pottery as the result of a technological process and focus on raw material procurement, modifications... more
The number of prehistoric ceramic studies in Catalonia has increased since the beginning of this century. Most of these studies regard pottery as the result of a technological process and focus on raw material procurement, modifications of clay and technological aspects of manufacture. The application of these approaches allows us to distinguish different technological
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Funerary practices in the Neolithic show great variability, both within and between different regions of Europe, including inhumations, cremations, collective burials and disarticulation. Yet, there are also many similarities of practice... more
Funerary practices in the Neolithic show great variability, both within and between different regions of Europe, including inhumations, cremations, collective burials and disarticulation. Yet, there are also many similarities of practice shared across the continent. While the collective burials of the Atlantic façade and Northern Europe have been considered alongside each other as a cohesive phenomenon, practices of inhumation in single (or multiple) graves in cemeteries are rarely compared between broader regions at this time. This may be because of their familiarity, as inhumation in cemeteries is widely practiced in modern Europe. We would like to problematize the assumption that inhumation in cemeteries can be taken for granted. In addition, recent developments in archaeological science (e.g. a DNA, isotopes, dental calculus, radiocarbon dating, material culture studies), have meant that our ability to shed light on Neolithic social identity and organisation through inhumations and cemeteries has dramatically increased. This is particularly the case when large cemeteries can be compared and the results of scientific data integrated with the burial practices, such as orientation, body position and accompanying grave goods. In this session, we take a comparative approach to the inhumation burials found in Neolithic Europe, with a particular focus on those from central and southern regions. We invite submissions focused on Neolithic inhumation burial practices across Europe. Those with a focus on interdisciplinary research or bringing together multiple lines of different evidence are particularly welcome.
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Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to invite you to participate to our recently accepted session called: "Approaches to Early Farming Systems: diffusion and development of agricultural practices into the Mediterranean-SESSION #285" within... more
Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to invite you to participate to our recently accepted session called: "Approaches to Early Farming Systems: diffusion and development of agricultural practices into the Mediterranean-SESSION #285" within the "23th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists" which will be held in Maastricht (The Netherlands), 30 August-3 September 2017. We invite you to submit your participation abstract on http://www.eaa2017maastricht.nl from 31st of January 2017. All contributions approaching ancient farming system from different perspectives and methodological points of view will be welcomed. Our aim is to organize an interdisciplinary session of a half-day duration (about 4 hours) with a maximum of 14/15 15-minute presentations. A space of discussion and exchange, with contributions from different disciplines. Our best efforts will be made to ensure a high quality publication of all the session's contributions.
SESSION ABSTRACT The emergence of agricultural economies is a defining factor in Neolithic societies not only because a relevant part of subsistence depended on domesticated plants, but also because crop-husbandry practices strongly affected the lifestyle of farming groups in many different aspects.. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the study of farming systems can be addressed from a variety of angles using different approaches, eg. by directly analysing seeds and fruits or, indirectly, by assessing its impact on the environment and the subsequent landscape modifications. It is also possible to explore the influence of crop-husbandry practices in the technological system; new knowledge and novel tools were developed while existing technologies were adapted to new tasks. In this session, we aim at bringing together scientists working on different issues related to Neolithic farming systems of the Mediterranean: crop and weed assemblages, agricultural tools and techniques, field manuring, animal feeding practices, storage techniques, by-product uses, dietary patterns, social aspects of agricultural production and its environmental impact, etc. Our objective is to approach agriculture as a non-divisible system, in which domesticated plants and animals, environment, human techniques and cultural practices continuously and reciprocally interact. To that end, we invite contributions focusing on the origins, diffusion and development of agricultural systems from an array of viewpoints, trying to integrate discipline-specific knowledge into an interdisciplinary framework. Comparative studies about interregional dynamics between different areas of the Mediterranean are welcome as well.
SESSION ABSTRACT The emergence of agricultural economies is a defining factor in Neolithic societies not only because a relevant part of subsistence depended on domesticated plants, but also because crop-husbandry practices strongly affected the lifestyle of farming groups in many different aspects.. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the study of farming systems can be addressed from a variety of angles using different approaches, eg. by directly analysing seeds and fruits or, indirectly, by assessing its impact on the environment and the subsequent landscape modifications. It is also possible to explore the influence of crop-husbandry practices in the technological system; new knowledge and novel tools were developed while existing technologies were adapted to new tasks. In this session, we aim at bringing together scientists working on different issues related to Neolithic farming systems of the Mediterranean: crop and weed assemblages, agricultural tools and techniques, field manuring, animal feeding practices, storage techniques, by-product uses, dietary patterns, social aspects of agricultural production and its environmental impact, etc. Our objective is to approach agriculture as a non-divisible system, in which domesticated plants and animals, environment, human techniques and cultural practices continuously and reciprocally interact. To that end, we invite contributions focusing on the origins, diffusion and development of agricultural systems from an array of viewpoints, trying to integrate discipline-specific knowledge into an interdisciplinary framework. Comparative studies about interregional dynamics between different areas of the Mediterranean are welcome as well.
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The field of Bioarchaeology offers different analytical possibilities to investigate the populations of the past. Although there have been important advances in the field in recent years, such as the application of stable isotopes and... more
The field of Bioarchaeology offers different analytical possibilities to investigate the populations of the past. Although there have been important advances in the field in recent years, such as the application of stable isotopes and ancient DNA, new initiatives that increase our knowledge of past societies emerge every day. These provide new avenues of study and interpretation of the human past, focusing on aspects like subsistence strategies, environmental reconstruction, kinship, mobility or biogeographic origin.
The aim of this session is to compile different case studies on human Neolithic populations that make use of bioarchaeological analytical approaches. Presentations should be able to show how the results integrate and complement the hypotheses set up from archaeology.
We invite researchers using bioarchaeological techniques such as physical anthropology, stable isotopes or ancient DNA to investigate the Neolithic funerary world in Iberia to present their works in this monographic session.
The aim of this session is to compile different case studies on human Neolithic populations that make use of bioarchaeological analytical approaches. Presentations should be able to show how the results integrate and complement the hypotheses set up from archaeology.
We invite researchers using bioarchaeological techniques such as physical anthropology, stable isotopes or ancient DNA to investigate the Neolithic funerary world in Iberia to present their works in this monographic session.
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O Penedo Gordo or Penedo da Moura is located close to the hamlet of Feilas, in the parish of Fumaces e A Trepa, in the municipality of Vilardevós. It is an isolated rocky outcrop where B. Rúa resident in Verín, and J. L. Lozano, from... more
O Penedo Gordo or Penedo da Moura is located close to the hamlet of Feilas, in the parish of Fumaces e A Trepa, in the municipality of Vilardevós. It is an isolated rocky outcrop where B. Rúa resident in Verín, and J. L. Lozano, from Castrelo do Val, discovered remains of paintings on one of its surfaces, in 2017. Soon after, B. Comendador visited the site and news of the findings were formally sent to the Dirección Xeral de
Patrimonio da Xunta de Galicia on October 28, 2017, in the form of a report containing a brief description and first assessment of the site. In the face of the evidence, the Directorate General of Heritage invited the University of Vigo, to elaborate a research proposal aimed essentially at rock art recording and small-scale excavation to assess the archaeological potential of O Penedo Gordo.
Field research was conducted at this prehistoric rock art site, in 2018, and allowed to document stratified deposits dated to the Late Neolithic / Copper Age, and, at least, at its lower stratigraphical levels, to the Middle Neolithic. It was, therefore, possible to attest the presence of rock paintings of the Schematic Art tradition, which can be potentially
dated to a period between the Early Neolithic and the Late Neolithic/Copper Age, yet not ruling out an earlier chronology, as well as the existence of various levels of occupation, both historical and prehistoric, beneath the painted surfaces, having even been identified, in stratigraphical context, remains of the colorant matter used
to produce the paintings.
Patrimonio da Xunta de Galicia on October 28, 2017, in the form of a report containing a brief description and first assessment of the site. In the face of the evidence, the Directorate General of Heritage invited the University of Vigo, to elaborate a research proposal aimed essentially at rock art recording and small-scale excavation to assess the archaeological potential of O Penedo Gordo.
Field research was conducted at this prehistoric rock art site, in 2018, and allowed to document stratified deposits dated to the Late Neolithic / Copper Age, and, at least, at its lower stratigraphical levels, to the Middle Neolithic. It was, therefore, possible to attest the presence of rock paintings of the Schematic Art tradition, which can be potentially
dated to a period between the Early Neolithic and the Late Neolithic/Copper Age, yet not ruling out an earlier chronology, as well as the existence of various levels of occupation, both historical and prehistoric, beneath the painted surfaces, having even been identified, in stratigraphical context, remains of the colorant matter used
to produce the paintings.
Research Interests:
Vista previa de esta guía de divulgación científica creada desde una perspectiva eminentemente práctica y de aplicación a acciones, herramientas, proyectos y evaluación crítica de resultados.
Research Interests:
El Neolítico ha sido considerado uno de los momentos claves de la historia de la humanidad. El paso de una economía basada en la caza y la recolección, que había pervivido durante centenares de miles de años, a otra fundamentada en la... more
El Neolítico ha sido considerado uno de los momentos claves de la historia de la humanidad. El paso de una economía basada en la caza y la recolección, que había pervivido durante centenares de miles de años, a otra fundamentada en la domesticación animal y vegetal, produjo cambios revolucionarios que no solo afectaron a los productos consumidos, sino también a nuestra forma de organizarnos socialmente, a los modos de vida y sus efectos sobre el paisaje, a la tecnología, a las creencias, etc. Este libro ahonda en aquellas primeras comunidades neolíticas, que surgieron en Próximo Oriente y que se expandieron por toda Europa en pocos siglos, de las que somos sus directos herederos.
Research Interests:
Este segundo volumen, un libro de gran formato (279 x 216 mm) con 340 páginas y 380 ilustraciones, bajo la coordinación de Juan Francisco Gibaja (CSIC), Millán Mozota (CSIC), María Eulàlia Subirà (UAB), Araceli Martín (SAPGC), y Jordi... more
Este segundo volumen, un libro de gran formato (279 x 216 mm) con 340 páginas y 380 ilustraciones, bajo la coordinación de Juan Francisco Gibaja (CSIC), Millán Mozota (CSIC), María Eulàlia Subirà (UAB), Araceli Martín (SAPGC), y Jordi Roig (UPV/EHU), aborda las prácticas funerarias de los grupos de agricultores y pastores del Neolítico entre inicios del V y mediados del IV milenio a. de C. para los enterramientos de la Cova del Toll, el Pla del Riu de les Marcetes, la Plaça Major de Castellar del Vallès, Horts de Can Torras, el Camí de Can Grau, la Bòbila d’en Joca, la Cova dels Lladres, Ca n’Arnella, Can Roqueta/Can Revella, Can Marcet, Can Fatjó dels Aurons, la Bòbila del Ravalet, el Carrer del Pi y la sepultura de Plaça Gardunya. Os dejo el enlace de Amazon.com. Los museos, bibliotecas y centros de investigación que no puedan adquirir el libro directamente a través de Amazon, pueden solicitarlo a través de la página de contacto de nuestra página web o mediante correo electrónico a editarx@editarx.es
Para solicitar la obra os dejamos el siguiente enlace: https://www.amazon.com/Mirando-muerte-vol-funerarias-peninsular/dp/8494690256/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528457480&sr=8-1&keywords=mirando+a+la+muerte+los+enterramientos
Para solicitar la obra os dejamos el siguiente enlace: https://www.amazon.com/Mirando-muerte-vol-funerarias-peninsular/dp/8494690256/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528457480&sr=8-1&keywords=mirando+a+la+muerte+los+enterramientos
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Primer volumen de una obra que nace como resultado de cuatro años de investigación desarrollados bajo el proyecto «Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas del NE peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias» (HAR2011-23149),... more
Primer volumen de una obra que nace como resultado de cuatro años de investigación desarrollados bajo el proyecto «Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas del NE peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias» (HAR2011-23149), financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Un amplio equipo, formado por 95 investigadores procedentes de diversas universidades, empresas privadas de arqueología y centros de investigación, abordan de manera conjunta las prácticas funerarias de los grupos de agricultores y pastores del Neolítico que habitaron el noreste de la península ibérica entre inicios del v y mediados del iv milenio a. de C. analizando el registro de 40 yacimientos y aportando abundante información inédita acompañado de una amplio número de ilustraciones (541 solo en el primer volumen). Así, el presente volumen, en el que participan 33 autores, arranca con los cuatro yacimientos estudiados para la provincia de Girona (Puig d’enRoca, Sant Julià de Ramis, Can Gelats y Cova de l’Avellaner) y recoge el gran núcleo formado por la Bòbila de Madurell-Can Gambús-Mas Duran en la provincia de Barcelona.
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Research Interests:
In 1989, the first national symposium on the Chasséen, the focal and emblematic culture of the French Middle Neolithic, was held in Nemours, and the proceedings of the symposium were published in 1991. After about forty presentations, the... more
In 1989, the first national symposium on the Chasséen, the focal and emblematic culture of the French Middle Neolithic, was held in Nemours, and the proceedings of the symposium were published in 1991. After about forty presentations, the authors of the symposium concluded that new approaches were needed to address this culture in order to go beyond micro-regional studies and segmented analyses by types of materials. Unfortunately, twenty-five years later, the situation does not seem to have evolved much: overviews are still rare or mostly limited to a specific aspect of material production, and our overall understanding of the Chasséen on a wider scale has made little headway. This somewhat pessimistic and undoubtedly debatable observation incited us to organize a second international symposium on this topic. It seemed important to us to review the situation and to attempt to pinpoint new avenues of research in order to renew approaches to the Chasséen. This second symposium was held at the INHA (Institut national d’histoire de l’art – National Institute of Art History), in the centre of Paris, from 18-20 November 2014, and brought together 150 participants from France and neighbouring countries. All those attending the symposium had ample opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue. These proceedings are a compilation of the texts from most of the presentations, organized around six main themes: the variability and coherence of regional expressions, the factors of unity during the Chasséen in time and space, exploitation strategies of food and resources in the environment, funerary rituals and practices, and lastly the chronology of the Chasséen in a European framework.
All these contributions promote reflections on the significance of the term Chasséen today, twenty-five years after Nemours.
En 1989, se tenait à Nemours le premier colloque national consacré au Chasséen, culture phare et emblématique du Néolithique moyen français, dont le volume des actes fut publié en 1991. À l’issue de la quarantaine de communications, les auteurs de ce colloque concluaient au renouveau nécessaire des approches pour aborder cette culture afin de pouvoir dépasser études microrégionales et analyses segmentées par types de matériaux. Vingt-cinq ans plus tard, la situation ne semble malheureusement guère avoir évolué : les synthèses restent rares ou limitées à un aspect particulier des productions matérielles pour l’essentiel, et la compréhension générale du phénomène chasséen à large échelle n’a de fait guère progressé. C’est ce constat, certes un peu pessimiste et sans doute discutable, qui nous a amenés à organiser un second colloque international consacré à cette question. Il nous semblait en effet important de refaire un point et de tenter, une fois encore, de proposer un bilan des acquis et de tenter de dégager quelques pistes permettant de renouveler les approches sur le Chasséen. Tenu à l’INHA (Institut national d’histoire de l’art), dans le centre de Paris, du 18 au 20 novembre 2014, il a rassemblé plus de 150 participants provenant de toute la France et des pays limitrophes. Communicants et auditeurs ont ainsi pu dialoguer à de nombreuses reprises lors d’échanges constructifs. Les présents actes rassemblent les textes issus de l’essentiel des communications, autour de six thématiques principales : la variabilité et la cohérence des expressions régionales, les facteurs d’unité du Chasséen à travers le temps et l’espace, l’alimentation et les stratégies d’exploitation des ressources du milieu, l’habitat dans son territoire, les pratiques et rituelles funéraires et enfin, la chronologie de ce Chasséen dans son contexte européen.
Toutes ces contributions permettent alors de réfléchir à ce que signifie ce terme de « chasséen » aujourd’hui, vingt-cinq ans après Nemours.
All these contributions promote reflections on the significance of the term Chasséen today, twenty-five years after Nemours.
En 1989, se tenait à Nemours le premier colloque national consacré au Chasséen, culture phare et emblématique du Néolithique moyen français, dont le volume des actes fut publié en 1991. À l’issue de la quarantaine de communications, les auteurs de ce colloque concluaient au renouveau nécessaire des approches pour aborder cette culture afin de pouvoir dépasser études microrégionales et analyses segmentées par types de matériaux. Vingt-cinq ans plus tard, la situation ne semble malheureusement guère avoir évolué : les synthèses restent rares ou limitées à un aspect particulier des productions matérielles pour l’essentiel, et la compréhension générale du phénomène chasséen à large échelle n’a de fait guère progressé. C’est ce constat, certes un peu pessimiste et sans doute discutable, qui nous a amenés à organiser un second colloque international consacré à cette question. Il nous semblait en effet important de refaire un point et de tenter, une fois encore, de proposer un bilan des acquis et de tenter de dégager quelques pistes permettant de renouveler les approches sur le Chasséen. Tenu à l’INHA (Institut national d’histoire de l’art), dans le centre de Paris, du 18 au 20 novembre 2014, il a rassemblé plus de 150 participants provenant de toute la France et des pays limitrophes. Communicants et auditeurs ont ainsi pu dialoguer à de nombreuses reprises lors d’échanges constructifs. Les présents actes rassemblent les textes issus de l’essentiel des communications, autour de six thématiques principales : la variabilité et la cohérence des expressions régionales, les facteurs d’unité du Chasséen à travers le temps et l’espace, l’alimentation et les stratégies d’exploitation des ressources du milieu, l’habitat dans son territoire, les pratiques et rituelles funéraires et enfin, la chronologie de ce Chasséen dans son contexte européen.
Toutes ces contributions permettent alors de réfléchir à ce que signifie ce terme de « chasséen » aujourd’hui, vingt-cinq ans après Nemours.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis, Land Snails, Funerary Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, and 16 moreUse Wear Analysis, Lithic Technology, Radiocarbon Dating (Earth Sciences), Ancient DNA (Archaeology), Iberian Prehistory (Archaeology), Ancient DNA Research, Ceramic Petrography, Funerary Practices, Strontium Isotope Analysis, Early Neolithic pottery technology, Prehistoric polished stone tools, Early Neolithic, Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic, Megalithism, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Anthracology, and Land snails as food in prehistory
Funerary practices have always attracted archaeologists and anthropologists. To approach primary archaeological contexts in which anthropic modifications have been scarce or inexistent for hundreds or thousands of years is a dream coming... more
Funerary practices have always attracted archaeologists and anthropologists. To approach primary archaeological contexts in which anthropic modifications have been scarce or inexistent for hundreds or thousands of years is a dream coming true. In that sense, such contexts are a "theoretically" unchanged archaeological reality.
Archaeologists have in front of their eyes not the residues—that is, the refuse left behind by daily activities of a given community (food processing, handicraft works, building of houses)—but the individuals, tools and ornaments deposited next to him or her as result of a set of symbolic and ideological activities related to social reproduction.
Container and content of graves have been the corner stone upon which numerous questions related to the group's social and economic organization were based on. Synchronic and diachronic inferences after estimates on expended labour and time at the tomb's construction, as well as associated grave goods analysis, have been the means with which some inferences of social inequality, access to prestige items, individual roles, etc., were made.
However, we are in front of bone remains of some to the actors of those communities and of our own History. Anthropological studies have witnessed a major leap in this regard. Classic analysis on sex and age, pathologies, usually dental, etc., are now completed by a multiplicity of work aiming the recognition of how people died, how they fed themselves, what parental relations they established, how they were buried, what degree of mobility they possessed…
Funerary practices tell us about people's attitudes facing death. In M. Mauss's words, the death of an individual is a total social fact. To study these practices is to approach society, its organization and, probably, its hierarchy, but also allows to know—this is may be the most touching aspect of Prehistory studies—an expression of feelings.
With this book we intend to offer a state of the question on the study of funerary practices from the Mesolithic to the Chalcolithic in the Western Mediterranean, more specifically, in this first volume, on modern day Spain, Andorra, and Portugal. A second volume will focus those periods in Southern France and the Italian Peninsula.
This state of the question does not aim a more or less detailed description of the funerary contexts and their contents, such funerary architecture, formal disposal of the dead, or grave goods typology. In spite the relevance of such research topics, we asked the authors instead to present the threshold of current research of what in being made to answer to various questions, such as: when did burials take place, how did individuals die, what relation may have existed with neighbouring or distant communities, what relation were established with "habitation" sites, what social organization existed, what was the role of individuals in their societies, what kind of hierarchies existed, what inferences can be made on ideologies, etc.
Obviously, many such questions are still to be solved for many reasons: a) many sites were excavated a long time ago, namely during the end of the 19th century or early 20th century, having their records been lost; b) many analysis being carried out nowadays have been only recently presented to archaeologist (it is of mention that radiocarbon dating was introduced in archaeological research only the 1960s or that ancient DNA research was unthinkable until very recently); c) many of these are not accessible to archaeologists due to lack of funding; and d) research has traditionally focused on formal analysis of funerary architectures and typological classification of grave goods.
In Iberia, for example, most Mesolithic and Neolithic funerary structures are located specially in two areas: the Muge Mesolithic shell middens and the burial caves from central Portugal, and the graves and necropolises from northeast Spain. In all these cases most of the material was recovered in late 19th / early 20th centuries; we have thus only short accounts of stratigraphies, grave goods and human remains, sometimes published in local journals or as short references in broader synthesis. Photos are also scarce and often materials were lost or missed their original field reference.
In recent years, very notable methodological advances have been taking place in several disciplines, specially in those related to bioanthropology, funerary taphonomy, chemistry of human bones, provenance studies of raw materials used in architecture and grave goods, etc. But also new sites and burial were discovered in previously known sites, which are now being re-excavated according to modern, updated methodologies of recovery and preservation. The most paradigmatic case is found in Portugal, where systematic excavations are taking place in several of the Sado and Muge shell middens. Preliminary results are already available (Bicho et al. 2010; Diniz, 2010).
However, the path is still long. In this sense, this book—which results of a join effort of Spanish and Portuguese research projects, respectively: "Approach to the earliest farming communities of Northeast Iberia through their funerary practices" (directed by J.F. Gibaja) and "Bom Santo cave and the Neolithic societies of Portuguese Estremadura, 6th-4th millennia BC" (directed by A.F. Carvalho)—intends to present to the scientific community the state of the art on the research about Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic funerary practices in several regions of Iberia, as well as employed methodologies and theoretical frameworks, and future perspectives.
Archaeologists have in front of their eyes not the residues—that is, the refuse left behind by daily activities of a given community (food processing, handicraft works, building of houses)—but the individuals, tools and ornaments deposited next to him or her as result of a set of symbolic and ideological activities related to social reproduction.
Container and content of graves have been the corner stone upon which numerous questions related to the group's social and economic organization were based on. Synchronic and diachronic inferences after estimates on expended labour and time at the tomb's construction, as well as associated grave goods analysis, have been the means with which some inferences of social inequality, access to prestige items, individual roles, etc., were made.
However, we are in front of bone remains of some to the actors of those communities and of our own History. Anthropological studies have witnessed a major leap in this regard. Classic analysis on sex and age, pathologies, usually dental, etc., are now completed by a multiplicity of work aiming the recognition of how people died, how they fed themselves, what parental relations they established, how they were buried, what degree of mobility they possessed…
Funerary practices tell us about people's attitudes facing death. In M. Mauss's words, the death of an individual is a total social fact. To study these practices is to approach society, its organization and, probably, its hierarchy, but also allows to know—this is may be the most touching aspect of Prehistory studies—an expression of feelings.
With this book we intend to offer a state of the question on the study of funerary practices from the Mesolithic to the Chalcolithic in the Western Mediterranean, more specifically, in this first volume, on modern day Spain, Andorra, and Portugal. A second volume will focus those periods in Southern France and the Italian Peninsula.
This state of the question does not aim a more or less detailed description of the funerary contexts and their contents, such funerary architecture, formal disposal of the dead, or grave goods typology. In spite the relevance of such research topics, we asked the authors instead to present the threshold of current research of what in being made to answer to various questions, such as: when did burials take place, how did individuals die, what relation may have existed with neighbouring or distant communities, what relation were established with "habitation" sites, what social organization existed, what was the role of individuals in their societies, what kind of hierarchies existed, what inferences can be made on ideologies, etc.
Obviously, many such questions are still to be solved for many reasons: a) many sites were excavated a long time ago, namely during the end of the 19th century or early 20th century, having their records been lost; b) many analysis being carried out nowadays have been only recently presented to archaeologist (it is of mention that radiocarbon dating was introduced in archaeological research only the 1960s or that ancient DNA research was unthinkable until very recently); c) many of these are not accessible to archaeologists due to lack of funding; and d) research has traditionally focused on formal analysis of funerary architectures and typological classification of grave goods.
In Iberia, for example, most Mesolithic and Neolithic funerary structures are located specially in two areas: the Muge Mesolithic shell middens and the burial caves from central Portugal, and the graves and necropolises from northeast Spain. In all these cases most of the material was recovered in late 19th / early 20th centuries; we have thus only short accounts of stratigraphies, grave goods and human remains, sometimes published in local journals or as short references in broader synthesis. Photos are also scarce and often materials were lost or missed their original field reference.
In recent years, very notable methodological advances have been taking place in several disciplines, specially in those related to bioanthropology, funerary taphonomy, chemistry of human bones, provenance studies of raw materials used in architecture and grave goods, etc. But also new sites and burial were discovered in previously known sites, which are now being re-excavated according to modern, updated methodologies of recovery and preservation. The most paradigmatic case is found in Portugal, where systematic excavations are taking place in several of the Sado and Muge shell middens. Preliminary results are already available (Bicho et al. 2010; Diniz, 2010).
However, the path is still long. In this sense, this book—which results of a join effort of Spanish and Portuguese research projects, respectively: "Approach to the earliest farming communities of Northeast Iberia through their funerary practices" (directed by J.F. Gibaja) and "Bom Santo cave and the Neolithic societies of Portuguese Estremadura, 6th-4th millennia BC" (directed by A.F. Carvalho)—intends to present to the scientific community the state of the art on the research about Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic funerary practices in several regions of Iberia, as well as employed methodologies and theoretical frameworks, and future perspectives.
Research Interests:
Embora levado a cabo nas universidades portuguesas desde há muito — seja integrado em disciplinas mais generalistas, seja como disciplina autónoma —, os estudos de pedra lascada têm recorrido unicamente a manuais redigidos em língua... more
Embora levado a cabo nas universidades portuguesas desde há muito — seja integrado em disciplinas mais generalistas, seja como disciplina autónoma —, os estudos de pedra lascada têm recorrido unicamente a manuais redigidos em língua estrangeira. Com efeito, são poucos os trabalhos publicados em Portugal que contêm introduções a estes estudos e que se apresentem, simultaneamente, com um enquadramento teórico-metodológico e com o objetivo declarado de fornecer ensinamentos práticos. Os trabalhos de F. Almeida, A.C. Araújo e T. Aubry (2003), de N.F. Bicho (2006) e de A.F. Carvalho (2008), por exemplo, constituem exceções, mas ainda assim revestem-se de âmbitos, contextos e objetivos no entanto distintos, e nenhum deles forma por si mesmo, como é óbvio, um manual prático para o efeito.
É certo que alguns outros trabalhos de fundo, como por exemplo monografias de sítios arqueológicos ou dissertações académicas, contêm capítulos onde se apresenta o enquadramento teórico, os princípios metodológicos e os critérios analíticos aí utilizados no estudo de coleções de pedra lascada. Porém, estes trabalhos estão deliberadamente orientados para uma problemática, uma região ou uma fase concreta da Pré-História, o que dificulta a sua extrapolação imediata para outras realidades.
Por via de todos estes fatos, muitos de nós tivemos o nosso contacto inicial com a análise de pedra lascada a partir de bibliografia redigida noutras línguas, com as dificuldades daí inerentes no que respeita a aspetos de terminologia (o que acarretou, como se denota na nossa bibliografia arqueológica, alguma falta de uniformidade na terminologia utilizada em língua portuguesa, e mesmo, por vezes, de erros de facto). Os livros sucessivamente publicados na série francesa “Pré-Histoire de la Pierre Taillée” (Tixier et al., 1980; AA.VV., 1984; Inizan et al., 1995) terão porventura constituído os substitutos óbvios daquela carência. E, se assim foi, ainda bem. Trata-se, com efeito, de obras muito bem conseguidas, de fácil leitura e consulta, excelentemente ilustradas de forma didática, e que este manual não pretende (nem podia) substituir. Aliás, um daqueles livros contém mesmo uma utilíssima proposta de tradução para português do principal léxico terminológico empregue nestes estudos, elaborada por L. Raposo (ver Inizan et al., 1995, p. 197-199).
O presente manual nasce das referidas lacunas e da sua constatação por parte dos docentes e investigadores das universidades integrantes do Instituto de Arqueologia e Paleociências das Universidades Nova de Lisboa e do Algarve. Mas nasce também da verificação do interesse suscitado pelos dois workshops sobre o tema organizados pela Universidade do Algarve: o primeiro em Maio de 2004 (“Estudos Integrados de Indústrias Líticas”), organizado em colaboração com a Associação Profissional de Arqueólogos, o segundo em Dezembro de 2010, organizado pelo Núcleo de Arqueologia e Paleoecologia daquela universidade (“Curso Livre de Análise de Indústrias Líticas”).
Tudo somado, justificou-se plenamente a redação e publicação do presente manual, que se constitui, assim, como o primeiro da série “Manuais de Arqueologia do IAP”.
Este, como se pode verificar, encontra-se organizado em duas partes. A primeira assume um pendor explicitamente teórico-metodológico, contando com a colaboração de X. Terradas, A. Palomo, F. Almeida e J.F. Gibaja para a apresentação e discussão de quatro disciplinas específicas da análise lítica: respetivamente, o aprovisionamento de matérias-primas, o talhe experimental, o método das remontagens, e a análise funcional ou traceológica. A segunda parte contém sínteses que abordam as sucessivas realidades pré-históricas do atual território português, desde o Paleolítico Inferior à Idade do Bronze, sendo constituída por três capítulos que tratam, respetivamente, das indústrias macrolíticas (T. Pereira e N.F. Bicho), do Paleolítico Superior e Mesolítico (J. Marreiros e J. Cascalheira) e da Pré-História recente (A.F. Carvalho).
A bibliografia de cada um daqueles sete capítulos deve ser entendida, não apenas como aquela que serviu de apoio aos autores dos mesmos, mas também — precisamente por essa razão — como sugestões de leitura para o desenvolvimento dos temas tratados.
Como editores, temos consciência de que o caráter sumário e necessariamente abreviado do manual obrigou ao não tratamento aprofundado de muitas questões, que terão sido apenas afloradas. É uma limitação que não podemos ignorar. Temos a certeza que no futuro outras instituições ou outros autores procurarão e conseguirão fazer melhor. Mas temos também a certeza que é esta obra a que abre esse desejado caminho.
A terminar, não nos esquecemos — e queremos homenagear com este trabalho — os últimos “talhadores” portugueses, cujo trabalho está ainda totalmente por estudar nas suas múltiplas vertentes (conceptuais, técnicas, estilísticas, socioeconómicas, etc.). Referimo-nos aos calceteiros, representantes de uma arte tipicamente portuguesa espalhada por vários continentes, e aos últimos talhadores de “pedras de fúsil”, de Rio Maior principalmente, cujo labor cessou só no século XX. Que o seu trabalho mereça também estudos como os que se citarão nas páginas que se seguem.
É certo que alguns outros trabalhos de fundo, como por exemplo monografias de sítios arqueológicos ou dissertações académicas, contêm capítulos onde se apresenta o enquadramento teórico, os princípios metodológicos e os critérios analíticos aí utilizados no estudo de coleções de pedra lascada. Porém, estes trabalhos estão deliberadamente orientados para uma problemática, uma região ou uma fase concreta da Pré-História, o que dificulta a sua extrapolação imediata para outras realidades.
Por via de todos estes fatos, muitos de nós tivemos o nosso contacto inicial com a análise de pedra lascada a partir de bibliografia redigida noutras línguas, com as dificuldades daí inerentes no que respeita a aspetos de terminologia (o que acarretou, como se denota na nossa bibliografia arqueológica, alguma falta de uniformidade na terminologia utilizada em língua portuguesa, e mesmo, por vezes, de erros de facto). Os livros sucessivamente publicados na série francesa “Pré-Histoire de la Pierre Taillée” (Tixier et al., 1980; AA.VV., 1984; Inizan et al., 1995) terão porventura constituído os substitutos óbvios daquela carência. E, se assim foi, ainda bem. Trata-se, com efeito, de obras muito bem conseguidas, de fácil leitura e consulta, excelentemente ilustradas de forma didática, e que este manual não pretende (nem podia) substituir. Aliás, um daqueles livros contém mesmo uma utilíssima proposta de tradução para português do principal léxico terminológico empregue nestes estudos, elaborada por L. Raposo (ver Inizan et al., 1995, p. 197-199).
O presente manual nasce das referidas lacunas e da sua constatação por parte dos docentes e investigadores das universidades integrantes do Instituto de Arqueologia e Paleociências das Universidades Nova de Lisboa e do Algarve. Mas nasce também da verificação do interesse suscitado pelos dois workshops sobre o tema organizados pela Universidade do Algarve: o primeiro em Maio de 2004 (“Estudos Integrados de Indústrias Líticas”), organizado em colaboração com a Associação Profissional de Arqueólogos, o segundo em Dezembro de 2010, organizado pelo Núcleo de Arqueologia e Paleoecologia daquela universidade (“Curso Livre de Análise de Indústrias Líticas”).
Tudo somado, justificou-se plenamente a redação e publicação do presente manual, que se constitui, assim, como o primeiro da série “Manuais de Arqueologia do IAP”.
Este, como se pode verificar, encontra-se organizado em duas partes. A primeira assume um pendor explicitamente teórico-metodológico, contando com a colaboração de X. Terradas, A. Palomo, F. Almeida e J.F. Gibaja para a apresentação e discussão de quatro disciplinas específicas da análise lítica: respetivamente, o aprovisionamento de matérias-primas, o talhe experimental, o método das remontagens, e a análise funcional ou traceológica. A segunda parte contém sínteses que abordam as sucessivas realidades pré-históricas do atual território português, desde o Paleolítico Inferior à Idade do Bronze, sendo constituída por três capítulos que tratam, respetivamente, das indústrias macrolíticas (T. Pereira e N.F. Bicho), do Paleolítico Superior e Mesolítico (J. Marreiros e J. Cascalheira) e da Pré-História recente (A.F. Carvalho).
A bibliografia de cada um daqueles sete capítulos deve ser entendida, não apenas como aquela que serviu de apoio aos autores dos mesmos, mas também — precisamente por essa razão — como sugestões de leitura para o desenvolvimento dos temas tratados.
Como editores, temos consciência de que o caráter sumário e necessariamente abreviado do manual obrigou ao não tratamento aprofundado de muitas questões, que terão sido apenas afloradas. É uma limitação que não podemos ignorar. Temos a certeza que no futuro outras instituições ou outros autores procurarão e conseguirão fazer melhor. Mas temos também a certeza que é esta obra a que abre esse desejado caminho.
A terminar, não nos esquecemos — e queremos homenagear com este trabalho — os últimos “talhadores” portugueses, cujo trabalho está ainda totalmente por estudar nas suas múltiplas vertentes (conceptuais, técnicas, estilísticas, socioeconómicas, etc.). Referimo-nos aos calceteiros, representantes de uma arte tipicamente portuguesa espalhada por vários continentes, e aos últimos talhadores de “pedras de fúsil”, de Rio Maior principalmente, cujo labor cessou só no século XX. Que o seu trabalho mereça também estudos como os que se citarão nas páginas que se seguem.
Research Interests: Experimental Archaeology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 9 moreUse Wear Analysis, Lithic Technology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Paleolithic, Lower Palaeolithic, Paleolithic Archaeology, Upper Palaeolithic, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, and Lithic Typology
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The discovery of the Muge shellmiddens date back to the mid nineteenth century. Located in the Tagus valley, in central Portugal, this complex has provided high quality Mesolithic sets of faunal remains, anthropological remains and... more
The discovery of the Muge shellmiddens date back to the mid nineteenth century. Located in the Tagus valley, in central Portugal, this complex has provided high quality Mesolithic sets of faunal remains, anthropological remains and lithics. This study will focus on the presentation of the technological analysis of chert artifacts, from Layer 2 of Cabeço da Amoreira one of the most important site from the Muge Mesolithic complex. Chert has been extensively used in the production of tools, and this fact shows the high importance of this raw material in those communities. This study seeks to advance the knowledge on aspects such as economic, functional and stylistic elements, with the main objective of understanding the complexity of the Muge Mesolithic communities.
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El análisis de la industria tallada de Minferri, muestra una ausencia de núcleos y restos de talla diagnósticos de la producción laminar, hecho que fundamenta la hipótesis de que los conjuntos laminares documentados se produjeron fuera... more
El análisis de la industria tallada de Minferri, muestra una ausencia de núcleos y restos de talla diagnósticos de la producción laminar, hecho que fundamenta la hipótesis de que los conjuntos laminares documentados se produjeron fuera del asentamiento, posiblemente en su área de captación. Ello nos permite deducir que fueron transportados al asentamiento, donde a tenor de los datos que el análisis traceológico ha proporcionado, hemos podido comprobar la utilización intensa de las láminas en diferentes actividades, destacando el proceso agrícola.
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During the 7th and 6th millenniums BC, major changes occurred over a widespread area in the lithic industries of the late Mesolithic. We focused our research on notched blades and bladelets knapped by pressure or indirect percussion. We... more
During the 7th and 6th millenniums BC, major changes occurred over a widespread area in the lithic industries of the late Mesolithic. We focused our research on notched blades and bladelets knapped by pressure or indirect percussion. We managed to define this technical process by Late Mesolithic Notched Blades from Western Europe and North Africa showing that these notches result from voluntary retouch, with variability in retouch modes and in uses (different operating processes and worked materials). It is a simple technical concept, connected to the recurring mode of operation, but with varied functional purposes that comes out as a result of this survey carried out in France, Belgium, Spain, Morocco and Tunisia.
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The reconstruction of the economy of an archaeological site is a matter of major importance within prehistoric research. In this paper, this issue is tackled from the perspective of the Traceological, or Use-Wear, analysis, showing how... more
The reconstruction of the economy of an archaeological site is a matter of major importance within prehistoric research. In this paper, this issue is tackled from the perspective of the Traceological, or Use-Wear, analysis, showing how the lithic record can be used to approach a palaeoeconomic approximation. The principles, perspectives and limits of such method are detailed discussed into the text. As a case-study, a sample of Early Neolithic sites of the N–NE of the Iberian Peninsula has been considered, all of them ranging between the mid-Sixth and mid-Fifth millennium cal BC. As result of the analysis, sites with different status have been identified; more stable and larger settlements have been differentiated from temporary and more specialized occupations on the basis of the economic process inferred through the microscopic observation. Several subsistence and craft processes, such as wood and plant crafting tasks or hide working activities, that otherwise would be difficult to detect in the archaeological record have been highlighted. Obtained results provide fresh data on the Neolithic economic organization, integrating zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical and palaeoenvironmental studies.
Research Interests: European History, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Neolithic Archaeology, and 23 moreNeolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Origins of Agriculture, Archaeometry, Use Wear Analysis, Archaeology of the Iberian Peninsula, Neolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, Paleoeconomy, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Lithic Technology (Archaeology), Arqueología, Neolithic, Archaeology, Lithic analysis and organization of technology, Flaked stone technologies, Early Neolithic, Stone tools, Lithic Analysis, Prehistory Iberian Peninsula, Lithic Use Wear Analysis, History of Agriculture, Prehistòria de Catalunya, and Economy (Archaeology)
Cueva de Chaves represents a paradigmof a fully Neolithic ex-novo occupation. However, despite its importance within the chrono-cultural framework of the Iberian Prehistory, there is a lack of empirical evidences about the site's economic... more
Cueva de Chaves represents a paradigmof a fully Neolithic ex-novo occupation. However, despite its importance within the chrono-cultural framework of the Iberian Prehistory, there is a lack of empirical evidences about the site's economic organization.While the herding of domesticated animals has been well-documented, agricultural and crafting activities have not been fully characterized. In this paper, we advance a socioeconomic interpretation of the flaked stone assemblage to identify the production processes in which lithic tools were involved. The results of the traceological analysis indicate that both animal and vegetal resources were exploited; food and craft production activities, which could not otherwise have emerged from the archaeological record, have been recognized. A mixed farming economy was practised at Cueva de Chaves, the ‘functional spectrum’ of which can be compared to the one of other open-air stable settlements of the western Mediterranean.
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La imagen de las mujeres en (los estudios de) la Prehistoria. Women as shown in the (studies about) Prehistory. Material educativo. Imágenes de múltiples autores incluidas como Uso Legítimo. La PI y/o copyright son propiedad de cada... more
La imagen de las mujeres en (los estudios de) la Prehistoria. Women as shown in the (studies about) Prehistory.
Material educativo. Imágenes de múltiples autores incluidas como Uso Legítimo. La PI y/o copyright son propiedad de cada autor/a individual y/o quienes ostentan el copyright. Esta presentación educativa no supone ninguna declaración sobre esa cuestión. Teaching material. Multiple author's images included under Fair Use. IP and/or copyright is property of each individual author and/or copyright holder. This educational presentation makes no statement on this aspect. Check https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sobre_el_uso_legítimo about Fair Use.
Material educativo. Imágenes de múltiples autores incluidas como Uso Legítimo. La PI y/o copyright son propiedad de cada autor/a individual y/o quienes ostentan el copyright. Esta presentación educativa no supone ninguna declaración sobre esa cuestión. Teaching material. Multiple author's images included under Fair Use. IP and/or copyright is property of each individual author and/or copyright holder. This educational presentation makes no statement on this aspect. Check https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sobre_el_uso_legítimo about Fair Use.
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Les sépultures à dalles néolithiques sont connues depuis le début du xx e siècle, tout particulièrement grâce au travail débuté par J. Vilaró et poursuivi par M. Cura, J. Castany et Ll. Guerrero. Cependant, elles ont reçu de la part des... more
Les sépultures à dalles néolithiques sont connues depuis le début du xx e siècle, tout particulièrement grâce au travail débuté par J. Vilaró et poursuivi par M. Cura, J. Castany et Ll. Guerrero. Cependant, elles ont reçu de la part des archéologues moins d'attention que d'autres structures funéraires (même si elles sont souvent mentionnées dans la littérature archéologique), ce qui est surprenant. En effet, les tombes découvertes sont nombreuses, ainsi que les parallèles avec d'autres manifestations néolithiques contemporaines ou proches dans le temps du sud de la France, du nord de l'Italie ou de la Suisse. Il s'est donc avéré nécessaire d'effectuer une série d'analyses pour améliorer nos connaissances à leur sujet. La faible visibilité de ces tombes (ou l'absence de visibilité), leur mauvais état de conservation, le manque de prospections et les dégradations dues aux remaniements des sols des zones agropastorales dans lesquels elles se trouvent, peuvent être les causes du nombre peu élevé de découvertes réalisées ces dernières décennies. L'objectif de cet article est de présenter les derniers résultats obtenus par notre équipe de chercheurs réunie autour de l'étude de ces tombes. Nous présenterons l'état de la question sur leur historiographie, ainsi que les caractéristiques qui les définissent, en partant des structures pour arriver aux personnes inhumées et au mobilier funéraire associé. Il est important d'insister sur l'existence de nouvelles datations radiocarbone et sur les analyses statistiques effectuées, car elles nous ont permis d'évaluer la distribution chronologique des tombes et leur durée d'utilisation. Jusqu'à la réa-lisation de ce programme de datation, la chronologie des sépultures à dalles était assez incertaine en raison du nombre restreint de dates, dont certaines obtenues à partir d'échantillons de longue durée de vie. Ces données ont servi de trait d'union pour établir des liens avec d'autres manifestations funéraires du néolithique d'Europe centrale et occidentale.
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En este trabajo abordamos el estudio del utillaje óseo desde un punto de vista funcional, a partir de la obtención y uso de una serie de utensilios experimentales (punzones y espátulas). Dichos materiales forman una creciente colección de... more
En este trabajo abordamos el estudio del utillaje óseo desde un punto de vista funcional, a partir de la obtención y uso de una serie de utensilios experimentales (punzones y espátulas). Dichos materiales forman una creciente colección de referencia funcional y se utilizan en el análisis de utillaje procedente de varios yacimientos neolíticos del Noreste de la Península Ibérica. Nuestro objetivo es contrastar las hipótesis que hemos formulado sobre los materiales arqueológicos, mediante la comprobación de los datos de forma empírica, gracias a la experimentación. Este tipo de estudios están dirigidos a entender mejor el papel funcional y técnico del utillaje óseo.
In this paper we study the bone tools from a functional point of view, through the collection and use of a series of experimental tools (awls and spatulas). These materials form a growing functional reference library, and are used in the analysis of tools from several Neolithic sites in the N-E of the Iberian Peninsula. Our aim is to test the hypotheses we have made on archaeological materials, by checking the data empirically through experimentation. Such studies are aimed to better understand the functional and technical paper bone tools.
In this paper we study the bone tools from a functional point of view, through the collection and use of a series of experimental tools (awls and spatulas). These materials form a growing functional reference library, and are used in the analysis of tools from several Neolithic sites in the N-E of the Iberian Peninsula. Our aim is to test the hypotheses we have made on archaeological materials, by checking the data empirically through experimentation. Such studies are aimed to better understand the functional and technical paper bone tools.
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La parte descriptiva de este trabajo se basa en un resumen de los dos trabajos que Imma Guitart Perarnau (1987, 1988)1 efectuó en relación a la necrópolis del Pla del Riu de les Marcetes: - Un artículo presentado en Tribuna d’Arqueologia... more
La parte descriptiva de este trabajo se basa en un resumen de los dos trabajos que Imma Guitart Perarnau (1987, 1988)1 efectuó en relación a la necrópolis del Pla del Riu de les Marcetes:
- Un artículo presentado en Tribuna d’Arqueologia y publicado en 1987, con el título: «La necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu de Les Marcetes (Manresa, Bages)».
- Memòria d’excavacións de la necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu (Les Marcetes, Bages). Presentada en 1988 en el Departament de Cultura i Mitjans de Comunicació de la Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultura [En línea] <http://calaix.gencat.cat/bitstream/handle/10687/8440/qmem237_web.pdf?sequence=2> [Consulta: 11 de marzo de 2018].
Por ello, los lectores deben acudir a tales obras para consultar con mayor profundidad los detalles referidos a este yacimiento. En nuestro caso, haremos una descripción general de los enterramientos y de los materiales documentados como ajuar. El estudio antropológico realizado por el Dr. Lluis Guerrero (1988) se encuentra adjunto en la memoria anteriormente citada. En el marco del proyecto que estamos dirigiendo, El Pla del Riu de les Marcetes era uno de los yacimientos de obligado estudio por varios motivos: era una excavación relativamente reciente, había una buena documentación, gracias especialmente al hecho de existir una memoria de excavación, se habían realizado los análisis antropológicos y el material estaba bien conservado. Sin embargo, siendo para nosotros y otros investigadores un referente continuo en nuestras publicaciones (Gibaja 2003, 2004; Gibaja et al., 2010), era una de esas necrópolis prácticamente olvidadas. Tanto es así, que cuando requerimos al Museu de Manresa, y en concreto a su director Francesc Vila, el poder estudiar los materiales de esta necrópolis, su sorpresa fue enorme, puesto que desde su depósito en el Museu nadie había solicitado su consulta.
En este capítulo dedicado al Pla del Riu de les Marcetes queremos de alguna manera reivindicar su importancia en el marco de los contextos funerarios de este periodo. El grupo de investigadores que estuvimos trabajando los materiales de este yacimiento presentamos en las próximas páginas los resultados de nuestros estudios.
- Un artículo presentado en Tribuna d’Arqueologia y publicado en 1987, con el título: «La necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu de Les Marcetes (Manresa, Bages)».
- Memòria d’excavacións de la necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu (Les Marcetes, Bages). Presentada en 1988 en el Departament de Cultura i Mitjans de Comunicació de la Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultura [En línea] <http://calaix.gencat.cat/bitstream/handle/10687/8440/qmem237_web.pdf?sequence=2> [Consulta: 11 de marzo de 2018].
Por ello, los lectores deben acudir a tales obras para consultar con mayor profundidad los detalles referidos a este yacimiento. En nuestro caso, haremos una descripción general de los enterramientos y de los materiales documentados como ajuar. El estudio antropológico realizado por el Dr. Lluis Guerrero (1988) se encuentra adjunto en la memoria anteriormente citada. En el marco del proyecto que estamos dirigiendo, El Pla del Riu de les Marcetes era uno de los yacimientos de obligado estudio por varios motivos: era una excavación relativamente reciente, había una buena documentación, gracias especialmente al hecho de existir una memoria de excavación, se habían realizado los análisis antropológicos y el material estaba bien conservado. Sin embargo, siendo para nosotros y otros investigadores un referente continuo en nuestras publicaciones (Gibaja 2003, 2004; Gibaja et al., 2010), era una de esas necrópolis prácticamente olvidadas. Tanto es así, que cuando requerimos al Museu de Manresa, y en concreto a su director Francesc Vila, el poder estudiar los materiales de esta necrópolis, su sorpresa fue enorme, puesto que desde su depósito en el Museu nadie había solicitado su consulta.
En este capítulo dedicado al Pla del Riu de les Marcetes queremos de alguna manera reivindicar su importancia en el marco de los contextos funerarios de este periodo. El grupo de investigadores que estuvimos trabajando los materiales de este yacimiento presentamos en las próximas páginas los resultados de nuestros estudios.
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One of the elements that defines the so-called "Pit Burial Horizon" is the presence within certain burials of a set of tools and ornaments which were made of exogenous materials or which their acquisition and processing required an... more
One of the elements that defines the so-called "Pit Burial Horizon" is the presence within certain burials of a set of tools and ornaments which were made of exogenous materials or which their acquisition and processing required an enormous investment effort Chronologically, we stand at end of the 5th and beginning of the 4th millennium cat. BC, a period that stands out due to the relevance of its funerary structures, usually burial chambers containing a single individual.
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Siguiendo la monografía que publicaron Francesc Riuró y Miquel Fusté en 1980 en la Associació Arqueològica de Girona sobre los yacimientos del Puig d’en Roca y Sant Julià de Ramis, hemos realizado el presente capítulo dedicado a la... more
Siguiendo la monografía que publicaron Francesc Riuró y Miquel Fusté en 1980 en la Associació Arqueològica de Girona sobre los yacimientos del Puig d’en Roca y Sant Julià de Ramis, hemos realizado el presente capítulo dedicado a la necrópolis del Puig d’en Roca.
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El presente trabajo se sustenta especialmente en la monografía que sobre los yacimientos del Puig d’en Roca y Sant Julià de Ramis publicaron en 1980 Francesc Riuró y Miquel Fusté en la Associació Arqueològica de Girona. En este catálogo... more
El presente trabajo se sustenta especialmente en la monografía que sobre los yacimientos del Puig d’en Roca y Sant Julià de Ramis publicaron en 1980 Francesc Riuró y Miquel Fusté en la Associació Arqueològica de Girona. En este catálogo mostramos los datos arqueológicos más relevantes. Los aspectos más específicos
relacionados con su descubrimiento, quién llevó la gestión inicial de los yacimientos, etc., pueden consultarse en dicho monográfico.En el marco del proyecto de investigación que estamos llevando a cabo, hemos realizado una serie de estudios y análisis cuyos resultados mostraremos a continuación. Acompañaremos la descripción de las tumbas y de los materiales con las fotografías que nosotros hemos realizado en el Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya (sede Girona). Tales fotos se complementan con los magníficos dibujos que en su momento ya publicaron F. Riuró y M. Fusté en la citada monografía.
relacionados con su descubrimiento, quién llevó la gestión inicial de los yacimientos, etc., pueden consultarse en dicho monográfico.En el marco del proyecto de investigación que estamos llevando a cabo, hemos realizado una serie de estudios y análisis cuyos resultados mostraremos a continuación. Acompañaremos la descripción de las tumbas y de los materiales con las fotografías que nosotros hemos realizado en el Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya (sede Girona). Tales fotos se complementan con los magníficos dibujos que en su momento ya publicaron F. Riuró y M. Fusté en la citada monografía.
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We present the results of an experimental program designed for studying the tools found in Middle Neolithic funerary contexts in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The program addressed the manufacture and use of awls and spatulas... more
We present the results of an experimental program designed for studying the tools found in Middle Neolithic funerary contexts in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The program addressed the manufacture and use of awls and spatulas made from goat metapods, and their analysis and documentation. It sheds light on significant aspects of the bone tool assemblages placed in the graves of the " Pit Burial Culture ". We present preliminary findings from Middle Neolithic necropolis in Catalonia, northwestern Iberia. Despite the heavy disturbance (due to natural processes but also consolidation, restoration and storage) we were able to determine the manufacturing process for these materials, as well as the use of some tools. Moreover, in some cases we found that the materials were not used, or were refitted before being deposited in the graves.
Citation: MOZOTA, M., PALOMO, A., CLEMENTE, I., GIBAJA, J. F. (2017 in press): "Experimental program: Neolithic awls and spatulas". In "Playing with the time. Experimental archeology and the study of the past", Rodrigo Alonso, David Canales, Javier Baena (Eds.), Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 2017 in press.
Citation: MOZOTA, M., PALOMO, A., CLEMENTE, I., GIBAJA, J. F. (2017 in press): "Experimental program: Neolithic awls and spatulas". In "Playing with the time. Experimental archeology and the study of the past", Rodrigo Alonso, David Canales, Javier Baena (Eds.), Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 2017 in press.
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In this paper, we present the latest results and current on-going analysis of the Neolithic grave godos associated with the communities that lived in the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula between the 5th and 4th millennia cal BC. Aspects... more
In this paper, we present the latest results and current on-going analysis of the Neolithic grave godos associated with the communities that lived in the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula between the 5th and 4th millennia cal BC. Aspects such as raw materials, tool morphologies, artefact distributions, production techniques and the degree of tool degree are addressed from a multidisciplinary point of view.
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Funerary structures recorded in Catalonia from the end of the 5th to the middle of the 4th millennia most often consist of inhumations of a single individual accompanied by various grave goods. Though animal remains and objects made from... more
Funerary structures recorded in Catalonia from the end of the 5th to the middle of the 4th millennia most often consist of inhumations of a single individual accompanied by various grave goods. Though animal remains and objects made from them are not especially abundant, the large number of excavated funerary structures has provided vertebrate faunal assemblages that enable us to make updated observations. In this paper, we present a compilation of these elements, employing data from the literature, as well as data obtained by our own studies. These animal materials consist of tools and ornamental objects. Complete animal burials and partial elements of these animals (especially from domestic species) were also recorded.
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Les dades radiocarbòniques i la seva anàlisi durant el Neolític a les Valls d'Andorra Monografies del MAC 2, Barcelona 2018, ISBN: 978-84-393-9811-0 (PÀG. 91-100) INTRODUCCIÓ Andorra, tot i les reduïdes dimensions del seu terri-tori,... more
Les dades radiocarbòniques i la seva anàlisi durant el Neolític a les Valls d'Andorra Monografies del MAC 2, Barcelona 2018, ISBN: 978-84-393-9811-0 (PÀG. 91-100) INTRODUCCIÓ Andorra, tot i les reduïdes dimensions del seu terri-tori, compta amb un conjunt de jaciments neolítics que han esdevingut transcendents per a l'estudi de diferents fases del període, tant al territori català com al francès. Aquesta tradició en la recerca ha anat acompanyada de nombrosos estudis i anàli-sis interdisciplinaris. Alguns dels jaciments més ben coneguts, com la Balma de la Margineda i la Feixa del Moro, ja comptaven amb datacions radiocarbò-niques durant els anys vuitanta del segle XX, molt abans que altres territoris veïns. No obstant això, els avanços tècnics (sobretot l'aparició dels mètodes radiocarbònics accelerats, AMS) varen provocar que aquelles velles datacions, d'antuvi molt útils, hagin estat considerades com desfasades en els darrers anys. Recentment, diversos projectes de recerca han ob-tingut noves datacions en jaciments andorrans. Per una banda, des de l'arqueologia preventiva s'han datat els jaciments del Camp del Colomer i la Tom-ba de Segudet, i per una altra, tres projectes de recerca han obtingut noves datacions de la Balma de la Margineda, de la Feixa del Moro i de diverses estructures antròpiques a la vall de Madriu-Perafi-ta-Claror. En aquest treball, doncs, es presenten les datacions disponibles fins al moment als jaciments neolítics d'Andorra, des de les més antigues i problemàtiques fins a les més recents, algunes d'elles presentades aquí per primer cop. METODOLOGIA I REPRESENTATIVITAT DE LES DATACIONS RADIOCARBÒNIQUES Per tal de destriar quines són les datacions radiocar-bòniques vàlides dels jaciments andorrans, s›ha em-prat un mètode ja aplicat recentment per nosaltres (Morales et al. 2012; Oms 2014) basat en treballs anteriors de Bernabéu (2006) i Zilhão (2001, 2011). Aquest sistema analitza la qualitat de les datacions des de dos prismes: la qualitat del nivell de proce-dència i el tipus de material utilitzat per datar. Pel que fa als nivells arqueològics i la seva datació, són un tema d'extrema dificultat donada la feblesa del mètode emprat fins al moment pels arqueòlegs. Quan es data un nivell o estructura, el que realment es fa és obtenir una dada radiocarbònica del bio-material datat, no del nivell ni de la seva represen-tativitat. Depenent de la relació que aquest efectiu tingui amb el nivell i també depenent de la naturalesa i fiabilitat de l'estrat, la datació serà vàlida i represen
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Este trabajo se centra en la divulgación científi ca que hemos realizado en uno de los barrios con mayores problemas sociales del centro de Barcelona: El Raval. Desde el año 2013 venimos realizando en distintos espacios de este barrio un... more
Este trabajo se centra en la divulgación científi ca que hemos realizado
en uno de los barrios con mayores problemas sociales del centro de Barcelona: El Raval. Desde el año 2013 venimos realizando en distintos espacios de este barrio un conjunto de actividades divulgativas dirigidas a llevar a la calle los conocimientos que los investigadores del CSIC y de otras universidades catalanas tenemos sobre las comunidades que allí vivieron en la Prehistoria. La forma de divulgación se basa en la colaboración e implicación de las instituciones, asociaciones, entidades y vecinos en la organización, desarrollo, elaboración y difusión de las actividades. Esa implicación activa de todos esos agentes es la que le da cuerpo a una forma de divulgar la ciencia muy diferente a la que podemos encontrar en otros contextos como los museos, parques científi cos o exposiciones.
en uno de los barrios con mayores problemas sociales del centro de Barcelona: El Raval. Desde el año 2013 venimos realizando en distintos espacios de este barrio un conjunto de actividades divulgativas dirigidas a llevar a la calle los conocimientos que los investigadores del CSIC y de otras universidades catalanas tenemos sobre las comunidades que allí vivieron en la Prehistoria. La forma de divulgación se basa en la colaboración e implicación de las instituciones, asociaciones, entidades y vecinos en la organización, desarrollo, elaboración y difusión de las actividades. Esa implicación activa de todos esos agentes es la que le da cuerpo a una forma de divulgar la ciencia muy diferente a la que podemos encontrar en otros contextos como los museos, parques científi cos o exposiciones.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Sepulcros de Fosa is a historical period which has an extensive bibliographical record for northeastern Iberia. It has been attributed to the Middle Neolithic and dated to c.4000-3600 cal. BC. However, recent archaeological research... more
The Sepulcros de Fosa is a historical period which has an extensive bibliographical record for northeastern
Iberia. It has been attributed to the Middle Neolithic and dated to c.4000-3600 cal. BC. However, recent
archaeological research and several new radiocarbon dates indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa culture
emerged earlier, during the Postcardial Neolithic period for nearly 800 years until the middle of 4th millennium
cal. BC. These dates were obtained as part of the project «Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas
del NE Peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias». The data indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa began
first in the Penedès region and then moved to the Vallès region, where it reached its peak at c. 3500-3450
cal. BC.
Iberia. It has been attributed to the Middle Neolithic and dated to c.4000-3600 cal. BC. However, recent
archaeological research and several new radiocarbon dates indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa culture
emerged earlier, during the Postcardial Neolithic period for nearly 800 years until the middle of 4th millennium
cal. BC. These dates were obtained as part of the project «Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas
del NE Peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias». The data indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa began
first in the Penedès region and then moved to the Vallès region, where it reached its peak at c. 3500-3450
cal. BC.
Research Interests:
During the last decades we have gained a considerable amount of data about the Mesolithic lithic toolkit in the Western Mediterranean. A large set of instruments probably existed for a variety of purposes: foraging practices (both hunting... more
During the last decades we have gained a considerable amount of data about the Mesolithic lithic toolkit in the Western Mediterranean. A large set of instruments probably existed for a variety of purposes: foraging practices (both hunting and fishing), food processing, crafting activities, etc. Disposable tools, scarcely elaborated, coexisted with formal and more complex instruments, often composed of multiple parts and realized on a variety of raw-materials (e.g. stone, shell or bone inserts; bone or wood hafts, etc.). In this paper we will consider one particular type of tool that appears in the Western Mediterranean starting from the Seventh-Sixth millennia BC: the notched and denticulated blades. We will consider and interpret from a functional viewpoint materials from five different Late Mesolithic contexts: the Cocina Cave and Vallmayor IX in the NE of the Peninsula, Artusia rock-shelters in Navarre and Atxoste and Mendandia rock-shelters in the Basque country.
Riassunto Durante l'ultimo decennio, la nostra conoscenza dello strumentario litico Mesolitico nel Mediterraneo Oc-cidentale si è considerabilmente arricchita. Sappiamo che esistevano una varietà di strumenti utilizzati per scopi diversi: l'ottenimento di alimenti (sia attraverso la caccia, che la pesca), l'elaborazione di tali alimenti, la produzione di artefatti, etc. Strumenti di natura speditiva, scarsamente elaborati, coesisterono con strumenti formali, più complessi, spesso costituiti di più parti e di materie prime diverse (es. inserti in pietra, conchiglia, osso, manici in legno od osso, etc.). In questo articolo ci concentriamo su un particolare tipo di strumento che compare nel Mediterraneo Occidentale tra il VII-VI millennio a.C.: le lame a incavi e dentico-late. Consideriamo i materiali provenienti da cinque diverse siti del Mesolitico recente: la Grotta Cocina e il sito di Vallmayor IX nel nord-est della Penisola Iberica, il riparo sottoroccia di Artusia in Navarra e i siti di Atxoste e Mendandia nei Paesi Baschi e ne proponiamo un'interpretazione funzionale.
Riassunto Durante l'ultimo decennio, la nostra conoscenza dello strumentario litico Mesolitico nel Mediterraneo Oc-cidentale si è considerabilmente arricchita. Sappiamo che esistevano una varietà di strumenti utilizzati per scopi diversi: l'ottenimento di alimenti (sia attraverso la caccia, che la pesca), l'elaborazione di tali alimenti, la produzione di artefatti, etc. Strumenti di natura speditiva, scarsamente elaborati, coesisterono con strumenti formali, più complessi, spesso costituiti di più parti e di materie prime diverse (es. inserti in pietra, conchiglia, osso, manici in legno od osso, etc.). In questo articolo ci concentriamo su un particolare tipo di strumento che compare nel Mediterraneo Occidentale tra il VII-VI millennio a.C.: le lame a incavi e dentico-late. Consideriamo i materiali provenienti da cinque diverse siti del Mesolitico recente: la Grotta Cocina e il sito di Vallmayor IX nel nord-est della Penisola Iberica, il riparo sottoroccia di Artusia in Navarra e i siti di Atxoste e Mendandia nei Paesi Baschi e ne proponiamo un'interpretazione funzionale.
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RESUMEN En este trabajo se presentan y evalúan las 10 datacio-nes disponibles para los niveles neolíticos de la Balma Margineda (Andorra). Después de analizar la naturaleza de las muestras y sus contextos arqueoestratigráficos de... more
RESUMEN En este trabajo se presentan y evalúan las 10 datacio-nes disponibles para los niveles neolíticos de la Balma Margineda (Andorra). Después de analizar la naturaleza de las muestras y sus contextos arqueoestratigráficos de procedencia, consideramos que únicamente tres de ellas, realizadas recientemente, son aceptables. Éstas confieren una horquilla mucho más rejuvenecida de la ocupación de la que se proponía en base a las dataciones antiguas. En este nuevo escenario se analiza el material cerámico y lítico de los niveles in situ, para situar adecuadamente el yacimiento en el marco actual del conocimiento del Neolítico antiguo en esta región pirenaica. ABSTRACT This work discusses the radiocarbon evidence from the Neolithic layers of the Balma Margineda (Andorra). Since the last excavation campaigns during the '90s, a total of ten 14C dates has been obtained. We discuss their stratigraphic provenance and suggest that only three of the ten 14C dates should be considered reliable. The new dates assign the Neolithic occupations to a more recent chronology. Moreover, we also present a brief revision of the ceramic and lithic materials from the in situ Neolithic layers, in order reinterpret the site using the most recent data on the Early Neolithic of Pyrenean region.
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Funerary practices in the Neolithic show great variability, both within and between different regions of Europe, including inhumations, cremations, collective burials and disarticulation. Yet, there are also many similarities of practice... more
Funerary practices in the Neolithic show great variability, both within and between different regions of Europe, including inhumations, cremations, collective burials and disarticulation. Yet, there are also many similarities of practice shared across the continent. While the collective burials of the Atlantic façade and Northern Europe have been considered alongside each other as a cohesive phenomenon, practices of inhumation in single (or multiple) graves in cemeteries are rarely compared between broader regions at this time. This may be because of their familiarity, as inhumation in cemeteries is widely practiced in modern Europe. We would like to problematize the assumption that inhumation in cemeteries can be taken for granted. In addition, recent developments in archaeological science (e.g. a DNA, isotopes, dental calculus, radiocarbon dating, material culture studies), have meant that our ability to shed light on Neolithic social identity and organisation through inhumations and cemeteries has dramatically increased. This is particularly the case when large cemeteries can be compared and the results of scientific data integrated with the burial practices, such as orientation, body position and accompanying grave goods. In this session, we take a comparative approach to the inhumation burials found in Neolithic Europe, with a particular focus on those from central and southern regions. We invite submissions focused on Neolithic inhumation burial practices across Europe. Those with a focus on interdisciplinary research or bringing together multiple lines of different evidence are particularly welcome.
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The Archaeology of Social Dynamics Group of the IMF-CSIC has among its objectives to explain the social dynamics of human groups in Prehistory, starting from the detailed study of the productive and reproductive processes. With this... more
The Archaeology of Social Dynamics Group of the IMF-CSIC has among its objectives to explain the social dynamics of human groups in Prehistory, starting from the detailed study of the productive and reproductive processes. With this perspective, a series of reference collections have been created, and these materials have contributed to significant advances in the archaeological questions of our research projects. Besides, these reference materials have become relevant collections in global terms for archaeological research, attracting specialists and researchers in training who have been using them for years through agreements and institutional cooperation. All the collections are in permanent formation, increasing their scope and updating both from a methodological perspective and the one that refers to the application of new technologies. RESUMEN El Grupo de Arqueología de las Dinámicas Sociales de la IMF-CSIC tiene entre sus objetivos ex-plicar la dinámica social de los grupos humanos en la Prehistoria, a partir del estudio detallado de los procesos productivos y reproductivos. Con esta perspectiva se ha creado una serie de colecciones de referencia, y esos materiales han contribuido a avances significativos en las problemáticas arqueológi-cas de nuestros proyectos de investigación. Además, los materiales de referencia se han convertido en colecciones relevantes en términos globales para la investigación arqueológica, atrayendo a especialistas e investigadores en formación que los han estado utilizando durante años (a través de acuerdos y cooperación institucional). Todas nuestras colecciones están en formación permanente, aumentando su alcance y actualizándose tanto desde la perspectiva metodológica como en cuanto a la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías.
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El CSIC disposa en l’actualitat de més de 15.000 treballadors (1.654 d’ells a Catalunya), dels quals més de 3.000 són investigadors en plantilla i altres tants doctors i científics en formació. A Catalunya el CSIC disposa de 23 centres,... more
El CSIC disposa en l’actualitat de més de 15.000 treballadors (1.654 d’ells a Catalunya), dels quals més de 3.000 són investigadors en plantilla i altres tants doctors i científics en formació. A Catalunya el CSIC disposa de 23 centres, propis i mixtos, on també participa a diferents fundacions, consorcis de recerca i parcs científics. La recerca arqueològica realitzada a Catalunya des del CSIC té una llarga història tot i que s’ha dut a terme amb una certa discontinuïtat.
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1st Conference on EARLY NEOLITHIC of EUROPE (Barcelona, 6-8 November, 2019) This conference aims to be a meeting of researchers studying the early Neolithic in Europe and surroundings areas, in relation with the neolithisation process in... more
1st Conference on EARLY NEOLITHIC of EUROPE (Barcelona, 6-8 November, 2019)
This conference aims to be a meeting of researchers studying the early Neolithic in Europe and surroundings areas, in relation with the neolithisation process in the continent.
This process followed different rhythms and presented singularities in each geographic area, and was therefore a very complex phenomenon.
In order to address this scientific challenge, the conference is organised in nine thematic sessions:
1. Neolithic spread and supraregional interactions;
2. Chronology and modelling;
3. Human–environment interaction;
4. Population characteristics and dynamics;
5. Territory and settlement;
6. Subsistence;
7. Technological processes;
8. Funerary practices;
9. Symbolism.
We positively welcome multidisciplinary approaches, regional syntheses and/or contextualised case studies.
This conference aims to be a meeting of researchers studying the early Neolithic in Europe and surroundings areas, in relation with the neolithisation process in the continent.
This process followed different rhythms and presented singularities in each geographic area, and was therefore a very complex phenomenon.
In order to address this scientific challenge, the conference is organised in nine thematic sessions:
1. Neolithic spread and supraregional interactions;
2. Chronology and modelling;
3. Human–environment interaction;
4. Population characteristics and dynamics;
5. Territory and settlement;
6. Subsistence;
7. Technological processes;
8. Funerary practices;
9. Symbolism.
We positively welcome multidisciplinary approaches, regional syntheses and/or contextualised case studies.
Research Interests:
Traditionally, the debate concerning the Neolithisation process has been focused on the study of both technical and cultural aspects, the origin and exploitation of domestic plants and animals as well as their chronological context.... more
Traditionally, the debate concerning the Neolithisation process has been focused on the study of both technical and cultural aspects, the origin and exploitation of domestic plants and animals as well as their chronological context. Although these aspects have still an important role within this debate, new topics and the application of brand-new techniques are contributing with relevant data in the last years. Among them, genetic and isotopic analyses, chronological and simulation models are some of the most relevant. These studies are reinforcing some hypothesis linked to the spread model, territorial patterns of these farming communities and the rhythm and chronology of the phenomena.
This session aims to encourage debate among researchers who focus their research on new studies and proposals related to the spread of the Neolithic, the tempo of the phenomena and the role of the hunter-gatherers communities in this process. Although this session is focused on the European region, it welcomes proposals from the origin and spread areas, such as the Near East or North of Africa.
This session aims to encourage debate among researchers who focus their research on new studies and proposals related to the spread of the Neolithic, the tempo of the phenomena and the role of the hunter-gatherers communities in this process. Although this session is focused on the European region, it welcomes proposals from the origin and spread areas, such as the Near East or North of Africa.
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Archaeology has a great potential to motivate feelings of attachment and belonging. The materiality of remains, which can be seen and felt, creates deep connexions with those people of the past who contributed to create the world in which... more
Archaeology has a great potential to motivate feelings of attachment and belonging. The materiality of remains, which can be seen and felt, creates deep connexions with those people of the past who contributed to create the world in which we live today. This sense of place – which we all need to avoid loneliness and depression ‐, is even more important to people with social and special needs, as well as newcomers. This includes people with physical or mental disabilities and the elderly. Recent studies demonstrate the big impact and benefits that engagement with archaeological heritage can have on those sectors of society. With this session, we aim to connect researchers engaged with this social dimension of archaeology, and disseminate case studies in which archaeological heritage helped social inclusion and health.
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Every academic discipline is concerned in some way or other with the human being, but among the great variety of branches of knowledge there are some that focus more closely on the human condition and its capacity for cultural creation:... more
Every academic discipline is concerned in some way or other with the human being, but among the great variety of branches of knowledge there are some that focus more closely on the human condition and its capacity for cultural creation: as a whole these are referred to as the humanities.
Today reference is made, with some justification, to a ‘crisis in the humanities’, a problematic situation increasingly confronted by intellectuals and one that may have major consequences well beyond the cultural field as such. Are the humanities necessary? We believe they are; indeed, we are absolutely convinced they are. It would be difficult to learn to live together, not only amongst each other as human beings but also with the environment which we inhabit, if we do not do so on the basis of knowledge and values inherent to and offered by the humanities.
One of the characteristic traits of humanities studies is critical thinking, not only as regards what is necessary in order to deepen knowledge, but also as regards academic practice in the disciplines. This means that continual re-thinking is required since not to do so would imply lack of awareness of the profound changes—and so needs—experienced by society, changes that without a doubt are already taking place in a process of constant acceleration.
What direction, then, should the humanities follow given the changes and social challenges that confront us today? What should their role be in the highly critical anthropocene moment in which we are living? To what extent do the humanities need reformulation, reconsideration or even overturning of the very humanist mode of thinking from which they derive?
These are some of the questions to be tackled by specialists in the field throughout the international conference ‘Humanities in Transition’ organized by the Institution Milà i Fontanals of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 23-26 October 2018, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Institute’s foundation.
Information: http://humanitiesconference.imf.csic.es/
Scientific Committee:
Ivan Armenteros Martínez
Oliver Hochadel
Tess Knighton
Josep Martí
Débora Zurro Hernández
Organizational Committee:
Secretary: Carmen Losada Fernández, Marta Manso Rubio
Administration: Pilar Sánchez, Ana Jiménez, José Fructuoso
Publicity: Maria Gil, Álvaro Rodríguez de la Fuente
General organization: Ivan Armenteros Martínez
Coordination: Josep Martí
Today reference is made, with some justification, to a ‘crisis in the humanities’, a problematic situation increasingly confronted by intellectuals and one that may have major consequences well beyond the cultural field as such. Are the humanities necessary? We believe they are; indeed, we are absolutely convinced they are. It would be difficult to learn to live together, not only amongst each other as human beings but also with the environment which we inhabit, if we do not do so on the basis of knowledge and values inherent to and offered by the humanities.
One of the characteristic traits of humanities studies is critical thinking, not only as regards what is necessary in order to deepen knowledge, but also as regards academic practice in the disciplines. This means that continual re-thinking is required since not to do so would imply lack of awareness of the profound changes—and so needs—experienced by society, changes that without a doubt are already taking place in a process of constant acceleration.
What direction, then, should the humanities follow given the changes and social challenges that confront us today? What should their role be in the highly critical anthropocene moment in which we are living? To what extent do the humanities need reformulation, reconsideration or even overturning of the very humanist mode of thinking from which they derive?
These are some of the questions to be tackled by specialists in the field throughout the international conference ‘Humanities in Transition’ organized by the Institution Milà i Fontanals of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 23-26 October 2018, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Institute’s foundation.
Information: http://humanitiesconference.imf.csic.es/
Scientific Committee:
Ivan Armenteros Martínez
Oliver Hochadel
Tess Knighton
Josep Martí
Débora Zurro Hernández
Organizational Committee:
Secretary: Carmen Losada Fernández, Marta Manso Rubio
Administration: Pilar Sánchez, Ana Jiménez, José Fructuoso
Publicity: Maria Gil, Álvaro Rodríguez de la Fuente
General organization: Ivan Armenteros Martínez
Coordination: Josep Martí
Research Interests:
This conference aims to be a meeting of researchers studying the early Neolithic in Europe and surroundings areas, in relation with the neolithisation process in the continent. This process followed different rhythms and presented... more
This conference aims to be a meeting of researchers studying the early Neolithic in Europe and surroundings areas, in relation with the neolithisation process in the continent.
This process followed different rhythms and presented singularities in each geographic area, and was therefore a very complex phenomenon.
In order to address this scientific challenge, the conference is organised in nine thematic sessions:
1. Neolithic spread and supraregional interactions;
2. Chronology and modelling;
3. Human–environment interaction;
4. Population characteristics and dynamics;
5. Territory and settlement;
6. Subsistence;
7. Technological processes;
8. Funerary practices;
9. Symbolism.
We positively welcome multidisciplinary approaches, regional syntheses and/or contextualised case studies.
This process followed different rhythms and presented singularities in each geographic area, and was therefore a very complex phenomenon.
In order to address this scientific challenge, the conference is organised in nine thematic sessions:
1. Neolithic spread and supraregional interactions;
2. Chronology and modelling;
3. Human–environment interaction;
4. Population characteristics and dynamics;
5. Territory and settlement;
6. Subsistence;
7. Technological processes;
8. Funerary practices;
9. Symbolism.
We positively welcome multidisciplinary approaches, regional syntheses and/or contextualised case studies.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This paper aims to explore the existence of a sexual division of labour and possible gender inequalities. In the framework of the research project entitled “Approach to the first North-Eastern Iberian Neolithic communities through their... more
This paper aims to explore the existence of a sexual division of labour and possible gender inequalities. In the framework of the research project entitled “Approach to the first North-Eastern Iberian Neolithic communities through their funerary practices”, a series of analyses have been performed, as well as a review of the characteristics that define the social relationships of the so-called “Pit Burials” sepulchres, comprising the structures, the buried individuals and their grave goods. In the present paper, our aim is to cross-reference the results of the lithic use-wear and raw material determination analyses with those performed by other researchers such as isotopic determinations, radiocarbon dating, taphonomical studies, bone industry, use-wear analysis and osteoarchaeological analysis of skeletal remains. Through statistical analysis, a contribution will be made to our understanding of Neolithic people's methods of producing, distributing and consuming goods, as well as their traditions regarding the symbolic ritualisation of those patterns.
Research Interests:
This paper reports the results of a series of recent experiments in which stone adzes and axes were used in woodworking, butchering, hide processing and hoeing activities. The aim of this work is to describe progress in the... more
This paper reports the results of a series of recent experiments in which stone adzes and axes were used in woodworking, butchering, hide processing and hoeing activities. The aim of this work is to describe progress in the differentiation between the various kinds of use-wear on polished stone surfaces. The ultimate objective is to create a reference collection suitable for performing the use-wear analysis on polished adzes and axes discovered in archaeological contexts. Particularly, we wish to contribute to the understanding of the role that these tools played in the different economic and ritual activities of the Neolithic communities living in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula around the middle of the 5th and 4th millennium cal. BC.
Research Interests:
Oviedo: Del 1 a 10 de abril de 2019
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geology, Mediterranean prehistory, Archaeometry, and 14 moreUse Wear Analysis, Megalithic Monuments, Lithic Technology, Prehistoric Technology, Iberian Prehistory (Archaeology), Lithics, Megaliths (Archaeology), European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Lithic Technology (Archaeology), Geoarchaeology and Lithic Studies, Lithic Analysis, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, and Megaliths
El presente artículo se muestra como un modelo de encuesta para analizar y evaluar las actividades divulgativas. Esta sencilla guía está orientada a las acciones realizadas con públicos muy variados, pues su carácter abierto permite... more
El presente artículo se muestra como un modelo de encuesta para analizar y evaluar las actividades divulgativas. Esta sencilla guía está orientada a las acciones realizadas con públicos muy variados, pues su carácter abierto permite editarla y adaptarla según el colectivo al que se vaya a proporcionar. Las pautas y propuestas que incluye hacen que la creación de cuestionarios sea fácil y genere importantes resultados. Con su análisis se obtendrán una serie de visiones y críticas necesarias de tener en cuenta para mejorar en futuros proyectos.
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El Neolítico fue un período clave de cambio para la humanidad. Hace unos 12.000 años en Próximo Oriente, por primera vez, una sociedad cazadora y recolectora se convirtió en sedentaria basada en la domesticación vegetal y animal. Los... more
El Neolítico fue un período clave de cambio para la humanidad. Hace unos 12.000 años en Próximo Oriente, por primera vez, una sociedad cazadora y recolectora se convirtió en sedentaria basada en la domesticación vegetal y animal. Los cambios que se produjeron en todos los ámbitos fueron tan extraordinarios como irreversibles. Y aunque el desarrollo y la expansión de las comunidades neolíticas duró varios miles de años, el proceso de neolitización fue muy rápido y apareció en momentos distintos en diferentes áreas del mundo de forma independiente. Pero, ¿por qué sucedió? ¿Qué llevó a aquellas sociedades a dar el salto y convertirse en neolíticas?
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En este trabajo presentamos una serie de elementos metodológicos y unas herramientas didácticas que nacieron y se desarrollaron en el marco de nuestros proyectos y acciones de divulgación inclusiva. Ello incluye reflexiones generales... more
En este trabajo presentamos una serie de elementos metodológicos y unas herramientas didácticas que nacieron y se desarrollaron en el marco de nuestros proyectos y acciones de divulgación inclusiva. Ello incluye reflexiones generales sobre cómo estructurar proyectos y programas divulgativos, pautas metodológicas para la colaboración interdisciplinar y el trabajo con diferentes grupos y colectivos, indicaciones sobre la evaluación crítica de las actividades y varios ejemplos de tales herramientas divulgativas específicas.
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In this paper, we present the genesis, development and results of a set of inclusive outreach activities developed through a puppet theatre play about the Neolithic. We present our methodology and techniques for outreach activities,... more
In this paper, we present the genesis, development and results of a set of inclusive outreach activities developed through a puppet theatre play about the Neolithic. We present our methodology and techniques for outreach activities, showing the advantages of collaborative work and bottom-up approaches. The text also explains how the initiative was born and how the contacts for its realization were consolidated. All the activities were carried out with the utmost care for the scientific content, since it is essential that the public comes to understand the archaeological information presented and is able to differentiate it from the entertaining and dramatic elements.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In this work, we present some of the science dissemination activities that we are developing in the fields of archaeology and heritage and within the framework of our current research projects. These activities aim to promote social... more
In this work, we present some of the science dissemination activities that we are developing in the fields of archaeology and heritage and within the framework of our current research projects. These activities aim to promote social inclusion and employment of workers especially from certain collectives that do not usually approach science. For this, the collaboration of researchers, teachers, museum curators, educators and social agents has been essential. Here we present the bases of the projects from which this initiative was born, as well as some of the activities that we have recently developed.
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La difusió en arqueologia ha estat organitzada per museus, parcs arqueològics i, en menor mesura, centres educatius i d'investigació. El públic al qual van dirigides tals activitats són habitualment joves, xiquets i famílies de classe... more
La difusió en arqueologia ha estat organitzada per museus, parcs arqueològics i, en menor mesura, centres educatius i d'investigació. El públic al qual van dirigides tals activitats són habitualment joves, xiquets i famílies de classe mitjana/alta. Des de 2013 un grup d'investigadors, educadors, agents socials, comunicadors i psicopedagogs treballem per a portar l'arqueologia a tota mena de públics, fins i tot aquells que cataloguem com a «oblidats» per la difusió. Ens referim, especialment, a les persones amb diversitat funcional, de la tercera edat, les afectades per certes patologies psíquiques o físiques, els immigrants nouvinguts, les que estan en risc d'exclusió social o aquelles que d'alguna manera sempre han quedat al marge, cas del col·lectiu gitano. Això ha estat possible gràcies a la col·laboració amb múltiples grups i associacions culturals, empresarials i polítiques, així com a l'ús d'un conjunt d'eines metodològiques adaptades a aqueixes persones.
Research Interests:
We often have the feeling that everything we do in the field of scientific dissemination is correct, that the expected results are usually positive and that the public is usually satisfied with the activities carried out. This causes us... more
We often have the feeling that everything we do in the field of scientific dissemination is correct, that the expected results are usually positive and that the public is usually satisfied with the activities carried out. This causes us to "relax"; and be uncritical with what we explain and how we do it. In our particular case, since we began our journey in the field of scientific dissemination in 2013, we had barely collected the opinion of the public in detail or made a self-critical diagnosis of our activities. In this way, we only based our assessments on what the attendees explained to us personally. Being aware of our error and the need to deepen into the public's opinion, we decided to establish a collaboration with a psycho-pedagogue. The collaboration had the following objectives: to evaluate our science dissemination model, to examine how we explain the concepts and which are the didactic tools used, to know and understand the answers of the assistants and to understand the difficulties that the disseminators have encountered. This work, therefore, includes the methodology used and the results obtained with the psycho-pedagogical evaluation in relation to the activities we have carried out with two groups: adolescents, the majority immigrants, and people with intellectual disabilities.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Des de l’any 2011, un grup d’investigadors/es de diferents institucions nacionals i estrangeres treballen en l’estudi de les pràctiques funeràries neolítiques del nord-est de la Península Ibèrica. Les investigacions s’han dut a terme en... more
Des de l’any 2011, un grup d’investigadors/es de diferents institucions nacionals i estrangeres treballen en l’estudi de les pràctiques
funeràries neolítiques del nord-est de la Península Ibèrica. Les investigacions s’han dut a terme en el marc de varis projectes d’investigació finançats per el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad: HAR2011-23149, HAR2015-67323-C2, HAR2016-75201-P y HAR2016-75201-P. Una part dels projectes gira entorn dels enterraments en cista documentats en comarques de l’interior: Berguedà, Bages, i Solsonès, així com Andorra.
funeràries neolítiques del nord-est de la Península Ibèrica. Les investigacions s’han dut a terme en el marc de varis projectes d’investigació finançats per el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad: HAR2011-23149, HAR2015-67323-C2, HAR2016-75201-P y HAR2016-75201-P. Una part dels projectes gira entorn dels enterraments en cista documentats en comarques de l’interior: Berguedà, Bages, i Solsonès, així com Andorra.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Archaeometallurgy, Stone axes (Archaeology), Economic archaeology, and 13 moreBronze Age (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Neolithic flint procurement, European Prehistory (Archaeology), European Archaeology, European Bronze Age, Early Neolithic, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, Bronze Age Amber Trade, Prehistoric amber, Ivory, copper oxhide ingots LBA Cyprus Crete lead isotopes, and Grand Pressigny
Dec 02, 2021 to Dec 04, 2021 Hybrid: Audimax CAP2 – Hörsaal C at Kiel University and on ZOOM Exchange networks structure and development are essential for explaining social and economic inequalities. The conference aims to detect... more
Dec 02, 2021 to Dec 04, 2021
Hybrid: Audimax CAP2 – Hörsaal C at Kiel University and on ZOOM
Exchange networks structure and development are essential for explaining social and economic inequalities. The conference aims to detect those inequalities within the distribution of sourced raw materials over time and space. It centres on large-scale exchange networks from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
For access to the zoom conference please contact:
Linda Seifert stu227208@mail.uni-kiel.de
Hybrid: Audimax CAP2 – Hörsaal C at Kiel University and on ZOOM
Exchange networks structure and development are essential for explaining social and economic inequalities. The conference aims to detect those inequalities within the distribution of sourced raw materials over time and space. It centres on large-scale exchange networks from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
For access to the zoom conference please contact:
Linda Seifert stu227208@mail.uni-kiel.de