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- The Gravettian-Solutrean transition in westernmost Iberia: new data from the sites of Vale Boi and Lapa do PicareiroPublication . Belmiro, Joana; Bicho, Nuno; Haws, Jonathan; Cascalheira, JoãoThis study presents the analysis of the lithic assemblages from Layers 5 and 4E (Terrace) of the site of Vale Boi (southern Portugal) and Levels U and T from Lapa do Picareiro (central Portugal). We aimed to understand the technological patterns and raw material exploitation during the Gravettian-Solutrean transition in westernmost Iberia and test the traditional models with assemblages from recently excavated sites, while expanding the geographic range. Results show the existence of two discrete phases in each site. The first, with high frequency of quartz use for bladelet production, seems to reflect the presence of a Terminal Gravettian horizon, as defined by Almeida (2000). The second, with some significant differences between sites, attests the presence of Vale Comprido technology and lower quartz frequencies at Vale Boi, representing a Proto-Solutrean occupation; and the presence of a blade component in Lapa do Picareiro that, together with the respective absolute chronology, may be attributed to a Proto-Solutrean or an Early Solutrean horizon. In general terms, this study allowed to confirm that the Terminal Gravettian and the Proto-Solutrean are discrete phases across the transition, in agreement with the Three-Phase model presented by Zilh˜ao (1997). It further consolidates the expansion of similar techno-cultural patterns to southern Portugal, which may be explained by the significant changes in the dynamic of social networks (Cascalheira and Bicho, 2013).
- Proto-Solutrean lithic technology of western Iberia: the sites of Vale Boi and Lapa do PicareiroPublication . Belmiro, Joana Filipa Neto; Cascalheira, JoãoThe present study aims to answer the question: what impact did the Heinrich event 2 have on the technological organization of human communities, at the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum, in south western Iberia? The impact of this event on the Gravettian-Solutrean transition has been previously suggested (Bradtmöller et al. 2012). However, the existing models do not consider the Proto-Solutrean technocomplex as an individual phase for this transition (Cascalheira & Bicho 2013). To address this question, this study analysed the lithic assemblages from Layers 5 and 4E of the site of Vale Boi (southern Portugal) and Levels U and T from Lapa do Picareiro (central Portugal). We aimed to understand the technological patterns and raw material exploitation during the Proto-Solutrean, and test the existing models with assemblages from recently excavated sites, while expanding the geographic range. The analysis followed a technological attributes approach. The retrieved data was fully analysed in R environment. Results show the existence of two discrete phases in each site. The first, with high frequency of quartz use for bladelet production, seems to reflect the presence, in both sites, of a Terminal Gravettian horizon, as defined by Almeida (2000). The second, with some significant differences between sites, attests the presence of Vale Comprido technology and lower quartz frequencies at Vale Boi, representing a Proto-Solutrean occupation; and the presence of a blade component in Lapa do Picareiro that, together with the respective absolute chronology, may attributed to a Proto-Solutrean or an Early Solutrean horizon. In general terms, this study allowed to confirm that the Terminal Gravettian and the Proto-Solutrean are discrete phases across the transiton, in concordance with the Three-Phase model presented by Zilhão (1997a). It further consolidates the expansion of similar techno-cultural patterns to southern Portugal, that may be explained by the expansion of social networks (Cascalheira & Bicho 2013). Associated with the dominance of different technological patterns and intensive use of quartz, we may understand these horizons as a moment of cultural reorganization, onset by environmental pressures.
- Within and beyond: chert pocurement patterns during the upper palaeolithic in Southwesternmost IberiaPublication . Belmiro, Joana; Terradas, Xavier; Dominguez-Bella, Salvador; Cascalheira, JoãoAnalyses of raw materials and the distinction between local/regional and long-distance sources have proven invaluable for understanding the extensive movements, interactions, and social networks during the Upper Palaeolithic in the Iberian Peninsula. However, unlike other parts of Iberia, research on the management and acquisition of raw materials in the south and west of Iberia remains relatively underdeveloped. Despite significant knowledge about the technological practices of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers from southern Portugal, particularly from studies conducted at the site of Vale Boi, there is a noticeable lack of focus on raw materials management. This paper presents the first comprehensive characterisation of chert raw materials from the Gravettian, Proto-Solutrean, and Solutrean occupations at Vale Boi, using both macroscopic and petrographic techniques. Our study reveals that the majority of chert found at Vale Boi originates locally, within a 20 km radius. However, a non-negligible portion of the chert comes from non-local sources, indicating > 200 km raw material circulation from central Portugal and southern Spain.
- From stone to tool: how raw materials influenced upper palaeolithic technology in southwestern Iberia (Vale Boi)Publication . Belmiro, Joana; Bicho, Nuno; Terradas, Xavier; Cascalheira, JoãoThe Upper Palaeolithic (UP) of westernmost Europe was marked by technological and cultural transformations and abrupt climatic shifts. The Iberian Peninsula, particularly southwestern Iberia, served as a refugia and key eco-cultural niche, making it a key region for UP studies. Vale Boi, the only site in southwestern Iberia with a nearly complete UP sequence, provides critical insights into technological, economical and mobility patterns over time. This study examines lithic raw material procurement and technological organisation at Vale Boi, focusing on the differences between local and non-local cherts. We analysed chert assemblages from Gravettian, Proto-Solutrean, and Solutrean levels, integrating previously published techno-typological and raw material macroscopic and petrographic data. Our results indicate that non-local cherts were intensively reduced. The presence of varied techno-typological classes suggests that non-local cherts were not exclusively transported as finished tools, instead highlighting their role as versatile, transportable raw material volumes. Gravettian occupations exhibited greater reliance on non-local cherts, suggesting short-term occupations and higher mobility, while Proto-Solutrean and Solutrean occupations showed increased dependence on local materials, suggesting long-term occupations. These findings expand our understanding of UP technological adaptations in southwestern Iberia, emphasising the complex role of lithic resources in mobility, settlement, and social networks.
- The exploitation of siliceous raw materials during the Upper Paleolithic in the southwest of the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Belmiro, Joana; Cascalheira, João; Terradas, XavierThe Late Pleistocene was characterised by cyclical, abrupt climatic events that had significant regional environmental impacts. These environmental shifts are often associated with processes of cultural and demographic reorganisation across time and space. This project aims to investigate the economic and social adaptations of human groups during the Upper Palaeolithic (UP) in southwestern Iberia and their relationship to millennial-scale climatic events. To this end, we analysed chert raw materials from the UP archaeological sequence at Vale Boi (Portugal). Vale Boi presents ideal conditions for a comprehensive study of raw material procurement, use, and management: it has been extensively excavated over nearly two decades using state-of-the-art methods, yet only preliminary studies of its raw materials exist. Lithic raw material exploitation, processing, and use are essential to understanding such adaptations, as raw materials are central to the technological and cultural organisation of hunter-gatherers. For this analysis, we employed a multi-method approach that combined macroscopic, petrographic, geochemical and technological analyses. Our results indicate the consistent use of both local and non-local chert resources throughout the UP sequence. Some non-local cherts were sourced from as far as central Portugal and southern Spain, over 250 km from the site. The proportion of non-local materials was highest during the Gravettian period and decreased in subsequent occupations, which relied more heavily on local resources. We interpret this shift as reflecting changes in mobility and settlement patterns—from short-term to longer-term occupations—likely in response to the harsh climatic conditions of Heinrich Event 2 and the Last Glacial Maximum. Despite these changes, the continued presence of non-local materials suggests that long-distance social networks were maintained throughout the UP sequence at Vale Boi, revealing resilient social connections among Iberian hunter-gatherers over more than 10,000 years.
- Early evidence of earthquake management through mobility and social network adjustments at Vale Boi (SW Iberia)Publication . Barbieri, Alvise; Sánchez-Martínez, Javier; Belmiro, Joana; Fernandes, Paulo; Galfi, Jovan; Horta, Pedro; Cascalheira, João; Bicho, NunoTectonic processes profoundly influenced the dispersal, evolution, and archaeological record of our Paleolithic ancestors. However, in-depth reconstructions of human resilience against seismic events come mostly from contexts dating to the last 13,000 years. Here, we present geophysical, geological, geochronological, and archaeological data from the openair site of Vale Boy in southwestern Iberia, revealing how foragers mitigated earthquake impacts between ~30,000 and 24,000 years ago. At Vale Boi, faulting formed sedimentary traps that were recurrently exploited by hunter-gatherers and periodically buried by rockfalls, likely triggered by ≥5.7 Mw earthquakes. Despite seismic destruction, hunter-gatherers repeatedly returned to the site, drawn by its strategic access to key resources. They mitigated seismic risks by increasing their mobility and even abandoning Vale Boi, as seen during the Gravettian and at the early/late Proto-Solutrean transition. When seismic and climatic stressors co-occurred (Heinrich Event 2), they did not abandon the site. Instead, they adopted strategies to limit their exposure to rockfall hazard while securing access to increasingly vital coastal and estuarine resources. Until the early Proto-Solutrean, tightly knit social networks supported the survival of Vale Boi foragers during periods of high stress, such as the aftermath of seismic rockfalls. During the late Proto-Solutrean, an expansion of super-regional connections might have functioned as a proactive buffer against future tectonic shocks. Our findings demonstrate that forager resilience to seismic events relied on flexible adjustments in mobility and social connectivity. Despite limitations deriving from its single-site focus, this study underscores the value of deep archaeological sequences for disentangling human responses to intertwined geological and ecological pressures.