Texts, Contexts and Pretexts

AZORES MEGALITHIC STONES

INSULAR ATLANTIC EUROPE The oldest cave art known is of prehistoric origin, dating back to approximately 40,000 years ago in both Asia and Europe. The megalithic constructions in Western Europe and the Mediterranean Region took place mainly in the Neolithic and continued until the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. The Azores Islands did not seem to have been occupied before the arrival of the Portuguese navigators in the XVth century. Because of that, it was not expected that megalithic structures would be found, or structures that resembled megalithic tombs and rock art in the Azores Islands, geographically located in the Center of the North Atlantic, at 1500 km west of Lisbon (Portugal) and about 1900 km southeast of Newfoundland (Canada). These findings seem to be, historically, a paradox. In a first moment, an oral presentation was made about these findings by the author at the 16th Annual Mediterranean Studies Association Congress, and after that, a field trip took place with the archeologists present at the stated Congress. The perplexity was the dominant conduct of the guests, and some hypotheses that certain archaeologists mentioned were evolved versions which had not been empirically corroborated. Afterwards, new findings were registered at Grota do Medo site, helping to make clear that larger stones had been used to construct structures or monuments. The rock art surrounding the megalithic constructions in the Azores also has similarities with those found in Europe. If these findings belong to the Bronze Age or Iron Age, it can reopen new scientific questions about ancient mid-Atlantic crossings. The present article tries to establish ties among the megalith constructions found in the Azores with those known in Europe.

2008

This paper compiles the data regarding the Chalcolithic occupation of the Beira Interior known and published to date. We analyse the contexts, the models of spatial implantation, the most significant materials and the available radiocarbon dates. The absence of research projects specifically concerned with the study of the problematic of this period in this region is responsible for the weakness of much of the available information. With the exception of the megalithism of the South of the region, which has been studied over the past years, the Neolithic background is insufficiently known. For this reason, the chronological and cultural limits between the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic remain cloudy. Within the current state of the question, the Chalcolithic pottery of the region constitutes an important cultural indicator that reflects different influences from southern Beira or from the Meseta. We also analyse the situation of the Bell Beaker phenomenon, apparently little expressive in this region. The first metal productions, copper axes and weapons (some impure and others with arsenic), are also discussed.

Journal of Iberian …, 2003

The authors describe very briefly the main structures uncovered from 1998 to 2002 in the prehistoric settlement of Castanheiro do Vento (Horta do Douro, in the community of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, NE Portugal), and set out the main problems raised by these excavations. The report also underlines the importance of an archaeology of prehistoric structures, stressing that this kind of research goes far beyond a simple determination of the chronology/function of sites, or even of the 'styles' of their artefacts. Instead, it must be understood that these monumentalised spaces underwent successive transformations, aiming at constructing meaning (ordering the world) by imposing certain features on the natural environment. In stressing this we are moving away from the long-lasting tradition of generalist archaeology, concerned with 'settlements' and their 'occupation phases', to a more stimulating study of prehistoric spaces and their modes of structuration and re-structuration as meaningful acts in social and cognitive terms.

Medieval Archaeology has grown significantly in Portugal since 1987. This results mainly from a twofold fact: the increasing number of archaeological excavations in the framework of salvage projects and the development of systematic research projects. Despite the recent appearance of Medieval Archaeology in Portuguese archaeological research, the present synthesis is however preceded by a few others that have been published in the last few years (CATARINO, 1995/97, 2002; FONTES, 2002; GOMES, 2002; FERNANDES, 2005a; FERNANDES, MACIAS, 2011). None of these was— or aimed to be —an exhaustive overview. And, once again, this contribution will not, nor could, approach all the works and publications made in the last 30 years. It is interesting to notice that somehow these syntheses reflect the bifocal tendency that can be observed on the subject. As in Spain, Medieval Archaeology in Portugal emerged and developed within two perspectives: the archaeology of Islamic spaces, where the topics of ceramic studies, urbanism and fortifications were the most relevant; and the archaeology of the Christian communities, that focused on the first built manifestations of Christianity (necropolises and temples) and settlement systems, whose approach is closely connected to the study of rock-cut graves, fortifications, and monasteries and churches dated to the beginnings of Portuguese nationality. In the latter, the research is still marked by studies within the History of Art. In my opinion, 1992 indelibly marks the destiny of Medieval Archaeology in the country. Several scientific and social events took place in that year, a fact that enhanced a greater investment in this domain and encouraged researchers. This year also featured the publication of the first volume of the Portuguese journal Arqueologia Medieval (“Medieval Archaeology”) by Mértola’s Archaeological Field. Again in 1992, the “Fourth Meeting of Peninsular Christian Archaeology” took place in Portugal, with the proceedings being published in 1995. Most of the contributions focused on excavation results from Portuguese sites, including an important collection of data on Paleo-Christian contexts. Indeed, the 1990’s marked an important turning point in Medieval Archaeology in the country. A number of factors can be put forward. One was the increasing number of archaeological fieldworks, mainly salvage excavations in urban contexts but also in the framework of the Alqueva Dam megaproject of salvage archaeology. The creation of the Portuguese Institute for Archaeology in 1997 pushed this tendency even further and allowed the funding of multiannual research projects aiming at the study of diverse topics, such as churches and monasteries, regional settlement systems, necropolises, cities and castles. The topic of Medieval fortifications resulted in many publications and archaeological excavations. Already focused by C. A. Ferreira de Almeida (1979), it was followed by M. J. Barroca, who published several relevant papers on the subject (1990/91, 1996/1997, 2003, 2004, 2008/2009). The increase in number of excavation works in Early Medieval churches and monasteries allowed new insights and interpretations on their architectonic and decorative evolutions, which in turn provided new bases for the enrichment of these monuments’ museological discourse. This growing trend in Medieval Archaeology can also be observed in projects focusing settlement systems of given geographical areas or centred in single archaeological sites. Systematic studies of necropolises and rock-cut graves were also carried out. Despite the fact that many researchers attempted to go further than record field data, the most recent theoretical leap is due to I. Martín Viso, who developed new perspectives on the analysis and interpretation of these Early Medieval funerary structures, that are very abundant in the Portuguese territory (MARTÍN VISO, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017; TENTE, 2015, 2017a). Regarding material culture studies, a substantial development also took place with the increase of publications and thematic meetings, in particular those focusing pottery collections. Unfortunately, the latter are not always accompanied by complete studies of their assemblages—relevance is often paid to exceptional pieces or partial assemblages, thus preventing systematic, comparative studies. Islamic productions have been retaining most of the researchers’ attention. Another topic with a remarkable growth in the last years has been the archaeology of architectures, mostly of religious buildings and castles. According to official regulations, the participation of bio-anthropologists in the excavation of funerary contexts is mandatory in Portugal since 1999. This legal obligation, which runs in parallel with the increasing number of excavations, decisively boosted bio-anthropological and mortuary studies from archaeological contexts. An important development is also noticeable in the study of subsistence strategies, namely based on palaeobotanic and zooarchaeological data. These, however, are still far from systematic. To a great extent, these studies have been limited by the employed field methodologies that often ignore the scientific value of such type of evidence. More than in the case of macrofaunal remains, the (almost) invisibility of botanic and microfaunal remains lies at the core of their (almost) absence in current research. Studies have been more abundant in the domain of zooarchaeology. Here too a stronger focus on Islamic contexts is noticeable, to some extent related to contrasting taphonomic conditions, that are more favourable to organic preservation in the southern half of the country where the presence of Muslim communities was longer and research has been more intensive. Despite the growing number of publications and scientific meetings in the last 30 years, the countless number of field works was not always accompanied by the respective publications. Some of the main published studies can be found in the Bibliography, where the main references are cited. It is also worth mentioning that syntheses, either general or regional, are still lacking. This fact converges into another limitation, which is the scarcity of theoretical reflection that would allow interpretative models to be put forward and the building of a problematizing historical knowledge. However, the future seems promising and it is hoped that the above limitations may be surpassed in the next decades as, in Portugal, we are presently witnessing an increase of academic training in this specific research area.

Journal of Iberian Archaeology, vol. 5, 2003

Abstract: The authors describe very briefly the main structures uncovered from 1998 to 2002 in the prehistoric settlement of Castanheiro do Vento (Horta do Douro, in the community of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, NE Portugal), and set out the main problems raised by these excavations. The report also underlines the importance of an archaeology of prehistoric structures, stressing that this kind of research goes far beyond a simple determination of the chronology/function of sites, or even of the ‘styles’ of their artefacts. Instead, it must be understood that these monumentalised spaces underwent successive transformations, aiming at constructing meaning (ordering the world) by imposing certain features on the natural environment. In stressing this we are moving away from the long-lasting tradition of generalist archaeology, concerned with ‘settlements’ and their ‘occupation phases’, to a more stimulating study of prehistoric spaces and their modes of structuration and re-structuration as meaningful acts in social and cognitive terms.

This paper focuses on the ephemeral and cosmological expressions of monumentality, by rejecting the construction of monuments as a simple by-product of economic and social change. In the context of the emergence of a productive system and development of social complexification, monumentality may have played an active role in framing social change. An unusual set of ditched enclosures, with sinuous and well patterned ditches characteristic of the Guadiana basin (South Portugal), is used to discuss how monumentality, imbedded in cosmological principals, may have been displayed through ephemeral practices of building and dwelling.

From the Origins: The Prehistory of the Inner Tagus Region Edited by P. Bueno Ramirez E. Cerrillo Cuenca A. Gonzalez Cordero, 2011

The small funerary monument – Neolithic – of Eira da Vinha (Perais, Vila Velha de Ródão), was identifyed, and intervencioned, in the course of an archaeological emergency work lead through during the construction of Coutada/Tamujais dam, in the year of 2007. With other archaeological sites, it was entirely excavated, during the actions taken place in the enterprise, a small pre-historical tumulus. The monument, itself, it´s a small funerary tomb formed by a low tumulus, central orthostatic closed chamber, formed by several small stone slabs. The short archaeological finds, as well as the analysis of the monument´s architecture doesn´t allow us a fine chronological integration for this funerary construction. If we can be facing a pre-megalithic structure, we cannot exclude the possibility of being in the presence of a architectural solution contemporary of big megalithic monuments. The importance of this tomb, by the contrast that it represents with other funerary Neolithic tombs known in this region, dictate, first of all, it´s revelation. It is this revelation, on a short time, that we intend to do here. Keywords: Portugal, Beira Interior, Neolithic, Pre-Megalitic (?), Tomb

Portugal is a country with a secular strategy in overseas expansion, a cultural identity linked to the sea and of a cultural heritage spawning four continents. Thus maritime archaeology has become an essential field to understand the country. Presented here is an overview of the current state of maritime archaeology in Portugal in regard to several projects presently underway in Portugal and their contribution towards Portuguese history and maritime history in general. These occur in diverse fields as coastal knowledge, maritime cultural landscape, coastal archaeology, port studies associated with river and estuary research, ship's studies and history of shipbuilding. Portugal's ties to the sea have a secular origin. The geographic shoreline configuration (800 km of shoreline in a border of 1800 km) and abundant waterways and ports, led to an intense riverside settlement, to the development of maritime related economic activities, to a secular navigation knowledge and, of course, the cognitive construction of an entire magico-religious maritime tradition in the territory of present day Portugal. A country with very early defined borders in the late 13th century, Portugal secularly adopted overseas expansion as a main strategy. Its interventions in Africa, America and Asia tried to balance a lack of European expression, enabling a fragile political, economic and even cultural independence. Thus, Portuguese historiography has always privileged the discoveries and overseas expansion historic period, focusing on it in search of answers to the national successes and failures in either nationalistic or unnationalistic spectrum. After the revolution on 25 April 1974 (starting democracy) research in Portugal's maritime dimension had a more serene environment and began to study other periods of Portuguese history. At this time also an entire range of unexplored sources were utilized in a consistent manner. This process led to the institution of archaeology in Portugal. Maritime archaeology was also belatedly institutionalized. Its progress has occurred principally in the latest decades. However it, made an undeniable contribution to several never before fully explored problematic, only addressed by traditional historiography, based upon written documents. This new field was important for the modern age studies, especially the overseas expansion period, but also added new data related to the roman period and others. In this text we sketch an abbreviated picture of the introduction period of this discipline in Portugal, characterizing mainly the currently ongoing collective projects in Portugal. Omissions or lapses are possible in a text that represents a group vision with largely diverse experiences in this field, but we hope presently to build a common approach, always in diversity.

This work reports the data which has been recovered from the excavation of Sector II of Pego. Among other kinds of evidence, that area encompasses traces of funerary practices dating back to the Bronze Age. Based upon the local's choice, the structures' architectonic features, their interrelations, materials associated and stratigraphy and in the carbon dating results available we have proposed different uses and occupation phases. Although certain materials reflect human presence during later periods, the frequency of that area denounce three occupation moments datable from between the Middle Bronze Age and the Late Bronze Age. These moments are consistent with the construction of a plain grave's necropolis, probably forming familiar clusters, a hypothetic pits' necropolis and, prior to the abandonment of the area, an "enclosure". Given the interpretations presented we have discussed the possible relation between the local, certain physical characteristics and the presence of funerary practices. As a work hypothesis we consider those relations as fundamental for the places' choice. Alongside with other evidence of difficult interpretation and, perhaps, in the context of new senses meanwhile acquired by this place, these data form part of this place's biography.