The last hunter-gatherers of Muge (Portugal): the origins of social complexity

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Perforation techniques and traces of use on the Mesolithic adornments of the Trench Area at Cabeco da Amoreira Shellmidden (Muge, central Portugal)

Publication . André, Lino; Bicho, Nuno Gonçalo Viana Pereira Ferreira

The opening of a new excavation area, in 2010, at the Mesolithic shell mound of Cabeco da Amoreira (Muge, central Portugal), known as Trench, uncovered a set of personal adornments made of gastropod shells (Theodoxus fluviatilis and Trivia arctica/monacha), a cervid tooth and a clay ring fragment. This paper reports the provenance, the description of the objects, their distribution in the archaeological context, the techno-typological analysis of the perforations and the presence of traces regarding their use as adornments. The perforation analysis was made by comparison to experimental actions performed on sets from other archaeological contexts, but with similar characteristics regarding the taxa and tools that were used to perform these actions. (C) 2016 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

2016-06Journal article

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The curious case of the Mesolithic Iberian dogs: An archaeogenetic study

Publication . Pires, Ana Elisabete; Detry, Cleia; Chikhi, Lounes; Rasteiro, Rita; Amorim, Isabel R.; Simoes, Fernanda; Matos, Jose; Petrucci-Fonseca, Francisco; Ollivier, Morgane; Hanni, Catherine; Cardoso, João CR; Arias, Pablo; Diniz, Mariana; Araujo, Ana Cristina; Bicho, Nuno Gonçalo Viana Pereira Ferreira; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Moreno-Garcia, Marta; Arruda, Ana Margarida; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Carlos; Porfirio, Eduardo; Arnaud, Jose Morais; Valente, Alexandra; Goncalves, David; Alves, Lara; Gotherstrom, Anders; Davis, Simon J. M.; Ginja, Catarina

We investigated the genetic composition of six Canis remains from western Iberia, directly radiocarbon dated to 7,903-7,570 years (cal BP). They were identified as dogs via their archaeological and depositional context, osteometry, and a high percentage of aquatic diet shared with humans. For comparison, genetic data were obtained from an additional 37 Iberian dog remains from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity, as well as two Palaeolithic and a Chalcolithic Canis identified as wolves. Previous data indicated that dog mtDNA haplogroup A (HgA) is prevalent in extant European dogs ( > 50%), in the Near East and Asia, but rare or absent ( < 10%) in European Canis older than 3,000 years (cal BP). We found a high frequency (83%) of dog HgA in Mesolithic Iberian dog remains. This is the first report of a high frequency of dog HgA in pre-Neolithic Europe. We show that, contrary to the current view, Canis with HgA did not necessarily arrive in Europe from East-Asia. This phylogeographical difference in HgA frequency demonstrates that genetic differentiation was high prior to, or as a consequence of, domestication which may be linked with pre-Neolithic local processes for Iberian wolf domestication. Our results emphasize that knowledge of both ancient wolves' and early dogs' genetic profiles from the European periphery should improve our understanding of the evolution of the European dog.

2019-05Journal article

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Mandibular morphology and the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in Westernmost Iberia

Publication . Godinho, Ricardo Miguel; Umbelino, Cláudia; Valera, António Carlos; Carvalho, António; Bicho, Nuno; Cascalheira, João; Gonçalves, Célia; Smith, Patricia

Neolithic farming and animal husbandry were first developed in the Near East similar to 10,000 BCE and expanded westwards, reaching westernmost Iberia no later than 5500 BCE. It resulted in major social, cultural, economic and dietary changes. Yet, the impact of this change on human mandibular morphology in Iberia is yet to be assessed, which is regrettable because mandible form is impacted by population history and diet. In this study we used Mesolithic to Chalcolithic Iberian samples to examine the impact of this transition on mandibular morphology. We also compared these samples with a Southern Levantine Chalcolithic population to assess their relationship. Lastly, we assessed dental wear to determine if the morphological differences identified were related to the material properties of the diet. We found differences between samples in mandibular shape but not size, which we attribute to contrasting population histories between Mesolithic and later populations. Some differences in the severity of dental wear were also found between Mesolithic and later Iberian samples, and smaller between the Mesolithic Iberians and southern Levantines. Little relationship was found between wear magnitude and mandibular shape. Altogether, our results show that the Mesolithic-Neolithic Iberian transition resulted in a meaningful change in mandibular morphology, which was likely driven more by population history than by dietary change.

2023Journal article

Open Access

Technology, use-wear and raw material sourcing analysis of a c. 7500 cal BP lithic assemblage from Cabeco da Amoreira shellmidden (Muge, Portugal)

Publication . Paixão, Eduardo; Marreiros, Joao; Pereira, Telmo; Gibaja Bao, Juan; Cascalheira, João; Bicho, Nuno

The onset of the Holocene is marked by new human ecological adaptations that are associated with the origins of the Mesolithic in the Atlantic Iberia coast. During the Mesolithic, shellmidden deposits become one of the most relevant and interesting prehistoric archeological contexts, interpreted has the result of intensive human ecological exploitation, and marked by new settlement and mobility patterns, and subsistence strategies. Based on techno-typological patterns and artifact density, each Muge shellmidden has been traditionally linked to a single and specific functionality, possibly reflecting the presence of different stylistic/ethnic groups in the territory. Therefore, characterizing settlement, mobility, site function, and technological patterns in each shellmidden is fundamental to understand the archeological record and answer major questions related to human ecological behavior during the onset of the new Holocene climatic setting. This paper presents new data on the Mesolithic from the Tagus valley, using the case study of the lithic assemblage from layer 2 of Cabeco da Amoreira shellmidden. From our interpretation, by combining lithic raw material characterization and sourcing, techno-typological and use-wear analysis, this study aims to represent an important step on understanding resource exploitation, technological systems and site function, in order to address intra and inter-site variability. In what concerns lithic raw materials, they can be found in the Pleistocene gravels that compose the upper section of the Cenozoic deposits of the River Tagus, including those underneath the site. Nevertheless, the geochemical results suggest that the chert used has correspondence with local, regional, and exogenous areas. In sum, by characterizing the Cabeco da Amoreira shellmidden lithic assemblage, results and data aim to contribute to the discussion and new interpretations on shellmiddens' function and settlement occupation patterns during the Mesolithic.

2019-02Journal article

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Fuel uses in Cabeco da Amoreira shellmidden: an insight from charcoal analyses

Publication . Monteiro, Patrícia Diogo; Zapata, Lydia; Bicho, Nuno Gonçalo Viana Pereira Ferreira

Wood charcoal is an important tool for inferring human use of fire and exploitation of woodland resources. Using Cabeco da Amoreira shellmidden as study case, this paper aims to understand fuelwood use in the site, identifying patterns of wood exploitation and combustion related to different activities. Pine wood and presence of oak are the most common and are present in almost every context. Minor taxa is present, but the relation with specific activities in the site is not conclusive. However, data seem to indicate a usage of deadwood and exploitation of the most abundant taxa in the Muge valley. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

2017-02Journal article

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