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- Novos dados sobre a proveniência do cobre de LeceiaPublication . Valério, Pedro; Cardoso, João Luis; Alves, Luís Cerqueira; Soares, António M. Monge; Araújo, Maria FátimaThe archaeological site of Leceia is a Chalcolithic settlement with one of the largest amounts of metal artefacts in the Lisbon peninsula, although the absence of ores and smelting remains suggests that local metallurgical operations were essentially related to the last stages of the chaine opératoire, namely the casting and forging of artefacts. In fact, the local archaeological record shows several ingots including axe‑ingots, some of which bear clear traces of sectioning. Five of these ingots were analysed to establish their elemental compositions and Pb isotope signatures in order to identify the possible sources of copper used in their manufacture. Elemental results identified copper with variable contents of arsenic (up to 2.94 wt%) and very low amounts of other impurities, which compares well with the composition of local objects. Pb isotope ratios are also in line with the values previously obtained for copper prills and objects from Leceia, supporting the likely use of these ingots for the casting of local artefacts. Moreover, the most likely candidates for supplying the metal based on in the ingots analysed are copper deposits located in the Linares‑La Carolina mine district and also, but to a lesser extent, in mines located in the Los Pedroches Batholith and the South Portuguese Zone. This evidences a long‑distance copper trade between the Portuguese Estremadura and the Southern Iberian Peninsula and implies multiple trade connections of Chalcolithic communities inhabiting this region.
- Os dois episódios de utilização da anta do Alto da Feteira (Pombal, Leiria) e o Megalitismo no litoral‑centro do território português, entre o Neolítico Médio e o Neolítico FinalPublication . Cardoso, João Luis; Andrade, Marco AntónioThe dolmen of Alto da Feteira (municipality of Pombal, district of Leiria) corresponds to a megalithic tomb built using local limestone slabs, identified and excavated in the 1960s by Luís de Albuquerque e Castro and Octávio da Veiga Ferreira, having provided a votive set indicating two probable use phases: a first one, relating to the Middle Neolithic, characterized by the presence of geometric armatures, small unretouched flint blades and bladelets, bracelets on Glycymeris valve and probably polished stone tools in sillimanite; a second one, already related to the Late Neolithic (which may extend to the Early Chalcolithic), characterized by the presence of arrowheads, halberds, large retouched flint blades, pottery (including carinated bowls), sandstone and greywacke plaques and adornment elements (including bone pins with channelled head and «green stone» and lignite beads). For this last phase, radiocarbon dating is available, centred on the last third of the 4th millennium BC (median probability: 3210 cal BCE 2σ; mean: 3243 cal BCE 2σ). This paper intends to present the integrated study of this monument, describing two use moments immediately succeeding in Time, framing it in the context of Megalithism in the coastal centre of the Portuguese territory (between the northern edges of the Estremadura Limestone Massif and the lower course of the Mondego River), and in the evolutionary levels of the megalithic phenomenon in Western Iberia, between the Middle Neolithic and the Late Neolithic.
- Gruta artificial de S. Paulo II (Almada)Publication . Cardoso, João Luis; Martins, Filipe; Soares, António M. MongeExcavations carried out under the auspices of the Almada City Council, between 1989 and 1991 in the churchyard of S. Paulo, within the urban area of the city of Almada, led to the identification of what remains of an artificial cave, excavated in carbonate sediments of the Miocene, of which the burial chamber and a small section of the corridor adjacent to it were completely explored. The excavations led to the collection of a copious archaeological collection, associated with around 250 burials, carried out there throughout almost the entire 3rd millennium BC, whose broad diachrony is confirmed by the radiocarbon dating carried out and by the typology of the archaeological materials, which remained to be studied. Unfortunately, the intense disturbances produced in the cave at different times, which reached its totality, since perhaps the Iron Age, and which saw notable additions in the modern and contemporary periods through the installation of a cemetery on the site, made the discussion of the results based on stratigraphy unfeasible. Based on the cross-referencing of information from the 22 radiocarbon dates carried out within the scope of this work on human left calcaneums, with the results of the study of the archaeological remains, preserved in the Museum of Almada, it was possible to conclude that the funerary use of the cave knew three distinct and well-characterized chrono-cultural phases. The first phase dates back to the end of the Late Neolithic, in the transition from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC, being represented by only a unique deposition. The second phase of the cave’s funerary use covers the entire first half of the 3rd millennium BC, and includes an important set of vessels (cups and bowls), of excellent finish, displaying the typical fluted decoration, characteristic of the Early Chalcolithic of Estremadura. Finally, the third phase of prehistoric use of the cave, in clear continuity with the previous one, corresponds to almost the entire second half of the 3rd millennium BC, and is illustrated by the magnificent bell‑shaped ceramic productions recovered, which constitute one of the most remarkable sets published from Portuguese territory to date, both in terms of quantity and diversity and quality of productions.
- Estruturas de combustão identificadas no povoado pré-histórico de Leceia (Oeiras)Publication . Cardoso, João LuisAll combustion structures identified in the prehistoric settlement of Leceia (Oeiras) are inventoried, distributed across a vast chronology corresponding to the Late Neolithic (ca. 3400-2900 BC), the Early Chalcolithic (ca. 2800-2500 BC) and the Full/Late Chalcolithic. (ca. 2500-2000 BC). The remarkable number of identified combustion structures, which reaches twenty-five, despite the general analogy between them, which is explained by the similarity of functions, allowed the identification of eight variants, duly characterized. This is the first contribution dedicated to the systematic study of combustion structures existing in a large prehistoric settlement in Portuguese territory.