The Middle Neolithic at the open-air site of Costa do Pereiro (Torres Novas)

Abstract

The excavation and laboratory data from the Middle Neolithic at Costa do Pereiro (excavated in 1995-2000) remains largely unpublished. Its formation process (layer 1b) show a number of limitations (bioturbation factors, small layer thickness, previous Mesolithic occupations, recurrence of Neolithic occupations) but shows preservation of organic materials (botanic, mainly cork oak; faunal, dominated by red deer; and human: a non-adult inhumation and other skeletal remains), various artefactual categories (ceramic, bone, and lithic) along with anthropic structures (hearth). These data suggest recurrent occupations in the 3900–3100 cal BC time period, which is in line with the material culture (dominance of plain potteries). Thus, this open-air site bears witness to a still poorly documented facet of the Middle Neolithic: habitation contexts.