<p>Within the scope of construction work conducted within an urban context for the ... more <p>Within the scope of construction work conducted within an urban context for the creation of new buildings located in Rua das Olarias in Leiria, a selection of historical and archaeological remains attributable to different time periods were found. Such findings include; Levallois chips, ovens and modern or sub-modern ceramics, and a burial zone. Due to the presence of Palaeolithic evidence, the DGPC (Direção-Geral do Património Cultural) has requested a more in-depth analysis of the sedimentary deposits.</p><p>Geomorphologically, the area of intervention is located in the zone of the Typhonic Valley associated with the diapiric structure of Leiria-Parceiros, which is in the proximity of the Doleritic outcrop, where the Castle of Leiria was constructed. Concerning the stratigraphic-sedimentary component, from what was so far observed in the intervention carried out in the 3 sections researchers were able to identify that the sedimentary deposits of the area are composed, at the base, by marly and clayey layers (probably corresponding to the formations of the Dagorda Margas, from the Mesozoic), these are apparently "in situ" and are identified in the Geological Map (23C -Leiria).</p><p>It was not possible to identify layers of Neogene however, unconsolidated deposits were observed throughout the area with sedimentological characteristics which appear to be deposits of overburdening and flattening due to actions which took place in recent times. Most of the surface area of interest corresponds to the landform surface of the anthropic formation, where the deposits are thought to result from pottery activities (there is presence of clays and ceramics).</p><p>In the area of active archaeological intervention, coarser sediments were noted, but the more clastic deposits do not appear to have associated structures. So far it has not been possible to confirm the presence of a geological level to which the origin of the prehistoric archaeological material could be attributed.</p><p>Thus, the sampling program (sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental) will be oriented towards the recognition of possible natural Pleistocene layers (alluvial and fluvial deposits), the distinction between these, Mesozoic layers and layers of anthropic deposits. The methodology of sediment collection for geoarchaeological and palaeoclimatic purposes (in particular for sedimentological and palynological analyses) will follow established scientific procedures.  These analyses and further information about the terrain will only be possible with the help of sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental studies.</p>
<p>Cadaval cave is located in a karstic canyon of the Nabão River, in ... more <p>Cadaval cave is located in a karstic canyon of the Nabão River, in the right margin of the Tagus River basin, municipality of Tomar, Centre of Portugal. The site encompasses a long stratigraphic sequence from present days to, at least, the Middle Palaeolithic. Major excavations were made during the 1980’s and restarted in 2019 under the scope of the FCT funded project - Moving tasks across shapes: the agro-pastoralists spread from and into the Alto Ribatejo (MTAS), (PTDC/EPH-ARQ/4356/2014).The Holocene sequence has three main sedimentary units: Layer E (without human occupation), Layer D (with Late early to Middle Neolithic necropolis) and Layer C (with a Late Neolithic necropolis). Because of the lack of detailed geoarchaeological studies, the process of deposition and modification of sedimentary layers remains in question, this being very important to better interpret natural vs human dynamics, including site formation processes. For instance, Layer E is supposed to correspond to an earlier Holocene stage (Greenlandian), a period in which other caves from the region have dwelling and funerary occupations. This can be related to the low demographic density at the time, but also to the roof collapse event, an idea reinforced by the presence of some Middle Neolithic burials on the top of some large slabs. Nevertheless, a better characterization of its formation and the degree of anthropic impact in the diagenetic process will allow for a clearer interpretation of this and other situations.The main objective of the first author`s ongoing PhD project is to characterize the Late Pleistocene and Holocene sedimentary processes and the site formation processes of the archaeological record in the basin of the Tagus River, namely assessing its anthropic component.  For this, a detailed geoarchaeological investigation is being carried out in several sites, including Cadaval cave, giving particular emphasis to the use of micromorphology.</p><p>Keywords: Micromorphology, Cave sediments, Neolithic, Stratigraphy, Holocene.</p>
caratterizzazione delle aree con potenziale presenza di contesti archeologici preistorici nelle B... more caratterizzazione delle aree con potenziale presenza di contesti archeologici preistorici nelle Baragge della Provincia di Biella (Piemonte), tra la Serra d’Ivrea e il fiume Sesia .
Abstract Uruguai 1 is a recently discovered site in the Foz do Chapeco Archaeological Area, which... more Abstract Uruguai 1 is a recently discovered site in the Foz do Chapeco Archaeological Area, which contains an exceptional archaeological record, documenting the expansion of Homo sapiens in southern Brazil, within the Rio de la Plata basin. The aim of this paper is to present the results of field investigations within sector 1 of the site, providing a detailed description of the entire stratigraphic sequence that spans the Pleistocene-Holocene transition to the present day. The site comprises a variety of archaeological evidence including six archaeological levels (palaeosurfaces), evidenced by lithic tools, charcoal horizons, combustion features, small faunal remains and, for the youngest one, ceramic fragments. The overlapping of six archaeological levels in an open-air stratigraphic context is unprecedented in inland of southern Brazil and provides evidence for a long-term human presence in the area, which is of great archaeological importance in the southern part of South America..
The lithic assemblage of Ribeira da Ponte da Pedra site (OIS8-9) was produced, almost exclusively... more The lithic assemblage of Ribeira da Ponte da Pedra site (OIS8-9) was produced, almost exclusively, through the exploitation of good quality quartzite fluvial pebbles with a regular morphology. Quartzite fluvial pebbles are the most common raw material found in the Middle Pleistocene occupation sites in Portugal. Such feature results from the easy availability of these pebbles in the valleys where the great majority of the archaeological sites within this chronology are located, and also because of the quartzite’s physical properties and suitability for knapping. In a techno-typological point of view, its lithic assemblage is characterized by the application of two main reduction sequences that result in abundant worked pebbles, retouched pebbles, cortical and semi-cortical flakes, retouched flakes, a few cores and rare bifacial artefacts. Some artefacts present irregular and variable edge modifications described as ‘atypical’ edge modifications that could edge damage resultant from ...
Os estudos arqueológicos sugerem padrões tecnológicos e de liquidação de recorrências e/ou conver... more Os estudos arqueológicos sugerem padrões tecnológicos e de liquidação de recorrências e/ou convergências durante a transição do Pleistoceno-Holoceno. A fim de compreender melhor a sequência de ocupações humanas na região do Alto Ribatejo do Tejo inferior, um estudo geoarqueológico foi realizado, incluindo a caracterização sedimentológica de depósitos, a análise estratigráfica e a sua ligação com os contextos arqueológicos. O estudo sedimentar envolveu trabalhos de campo e de laboratório (análises de tamanho de grão e difração de raios X de agregados orientados para a identificação de minerais de argila). Um amplo espaço de tempo foi considerado, à procura de possíveis tendências dentro de uma determinada região de Portugal, o Alto Ribatejo. A fim de resolver esta questão, foram realizados estudos em diferentes depósitos: fluviais, coluviais, eólicos, eluviais e de origem antrópica. Este artigo apresenta os resultados de um estudo com base principalmente em sítios arqueológicos de ar...
<p>Within the scope of construction work conducted within an urban context for the ... more <p>Within the scope of construction work conducted within an urban context for the creation of new buildings located in Rua das Olarias in Leiria, a selection of historical and archaeological remains attributable to different time periods were found. Such findings include; Levallois chips, ovens and modern or sub-modern ceramics, and a burial zone. Due to the presence of Palaeolithic evidence, the DGPC (Direção-Geral do Património Cultural) has requested a more in-depth analysis of the sedimentary deposits.</p><p>Geomorphologically, the area of intervention is located in the zone of the Typhonic Valley associated with the diapiric structure of Leiria-Parceiros, which is in the proximity of the Doleritic outcrop, where the Castle of Leiria was constructed. Concerning the stratigraphic-sedimentary component, from what was so far observed in the intervention carried out in the 3 sections researchers were able to identify that the sedimentary deposits of the area are composed, at the base, by marly and clayey layers (probably corresponding to the formations of the Dagorda Margas, from the Mesozoic), these are apparently "in situ" and are identified in the Geological Map (23C -Leiria).</p><p>It was not possible to identify layers of Neogene however, unconsolidated deposits were observed throughout the area with sedimentological characteristics which appear to be deposits of overburdening and flattening due to actions which took place in recent times. Most of the surface area of interest corresponds to the landform surface of the anthropic formation, where the deposits are thought to result from pottery activities (there is presence of clays and ceramics).</p><p>In the area of active archaeological intervention, coarser sediments were noted, but the more clastic deposits do not appear to have associated structures. So far it has not been possible to confirm the presence of a geological level to which the origin of the prehistoric archaeological material could be attributed.</p><p>Thus, the sampling program (sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental) will be oriented towards the recognition of possible natural Pleistocene layers (alluvial and fluvial deposits), the distinction between these, Mesozoic layers and layers of anthropic deposits. The methodology of sediment collection for geoarchaeological and palaeoclimatic purposes (in particular for sedimentological and palynological analyses) will follow established scientific procedures.  These analyses and further information about the terrain will only be possible with the help of sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental studies.</p>
<p>Cadaval cave is located in a karstic canyon of the Nabão River, in ... more <p>Cadaval cave is located in a karstic canyon of the Nabão River, in the right margin of the Tagus River basin, municipality of Tomar, Centre of Portugal. The site encompasses a long stratigraphic sequence from present days to, at least, the Middle Palaeolithic. Major excavations were made during the 1980’s and restarted in 2019 under the scope of the FCT funded project - Moving tasks across shapes: the agro-pastoralists spread from and into the Alto Ribatejo (MTAS), (PTDC/EPH-ARQ/4356/2014).The Holocene sequence has three main sedimentary units: Layer E (without human occupation), Layer D (with Late early to Middle Neolithic necropolis) and Layer C (with a Late Neolithic necropolis). Because of the lack of detailed geoarchaeological studies, the process of deposition and modification of sedimentary layers remains in question, this being very important to better interpret natural vs human dynamics, including site formation processes. For instance, Layer E is supposed to correspond to an earlier Holocene stage (Greenlandian), a period in which other caves from the region have dwelling and funerary occupations. This can be related to the low demographic density at the time, but also to the roof collapse event, an idea reinforced by the presence of some Middle Neolithic burials on the top of some large slabs. Nevertheless, a better characterization of its formation and the degree of anthropic impact in the diagenetic process will allow for a clearer interpretation of this and other situations.The main objective of the first author`s ongoing PhD project is to characterize the Late Pleistocene and Holocene sedimentary processes and the site formation processes of the archaeological record in the basin of the Tagus River, namely assessing its anthropic component.  For this, a detailed geoarchaeological investigation is being carried out in several sites, including Cadaval cave, giving particular emphasis to the use of micromorphology.</p><p>Keywords: Micromorphology, Cave sediments, Neolithic, Stratigraphy, Holocene.</p>
caratterizzazione delle aree con potenziale presenza di contesti archeologici preistorici nelle B... more caratterizzazione delle aree con potenziale presenza di contesti archeologici preistorici nelle Baragge della Provincia di Biella (Piemonte), tra la Serra d’Ivrea e il fiume Sesia .
Abstract Uruguai 1 is a recently discovered site in the Foz do Chapeco Archaeological Area, which... more Abstract Uruguai 1 is a recently discovered site in the Foz do Chapeco Archaeological Area, which contains an exceptional archaeological record, documenting the expansion of Homo sapiens in southern Brazil, within the Rio de la Plata basin. The aim of this paper is to present the results of field investigations within sector 1 of the site, providing a detailed description of the entire stratigraphic sequence that spans the Pleistocene-Holocene transition to the present day. The site comprises a variety of archaeological evidence including six archaeological levels (palaeosurfaces), evidenced by lithic tools, charcoal horizons, combustion features, small faunal remains and, for the youngest one, ceramic fragments. The overlapping of six archaeological levels in an open-air stratigraphic context is unprecedented in inland of southern Brazil and provides evidence for a long-term human presence in the area, which is of great archaeological importance in the southern part of South America..
The lithic assemblage of Ribeira da Ponte da Pedra site (OIS8-9) was produced, almost exclusively... more The lithic assemblage of Ribeira da Ponte da Pedra site (OIS8-9) was produced, almost exclusively, through the exploitation of good quality quartzite fluvial pebbles with a regular morphology. Quartzite fluvial pebbles are the most common raw material found in the Middle Pleistocene occupation sites in Portugal. Such feature results from the easy availability of these pebbles in the valleys where the great majority of the archaeological sites within this chronology are located, and also because of the quartzite’s physical properties and suitability for knapping. In a techno-typological point of view, its lithic assemblage is characterized by the application of two main reduction sequences that result in abundant worked pebbles, retouched pebbles, cortical and semi-cortical flakes, retouched flakes, a few cores and rare bifacial artefacts. Some artefacts present irregular and variable edge modifications described as ‘atypical’ edge modifications that could edge damage resultant from ...
Os estudos arqueológicos sugerem padrões tecnológicos e de liquidação de recorrências e/ou conver... more Os estudos arqueológicos sugerem padrões tecnológicos e de liquidação de recorrências e/ou convergências durante a transição do Pleistoceno-Holoceno. A fim de compreender melhor a sequência de ocupações humanas na região do Alto Ribatejo do Tejo inferior, um estudo geoarqueológico foi realizado, incluindo a caracterização sedimentológica de depósitos, a análise estratigráfica e a sua ligação com os contextos arqueológicos. O estudo sedimentar envolveu trabalhos de campo e de laboratório (análises de tamanho de grão e difração de raios X de agregados orientados para a identificação de minerais de argila). Um amplo espaço de tempo foi considerado, à procura de possíveis tendências dentro de uma determinada região de Portugal, o Alto Ribatejo. A fim de resolver esta questão, foram realizados estudos em diferentes depósitos: fluviais, coluviais, eólicos, eluviais e de origem antrópica. Este artigo apresenta os resultados de um estudo com base principalmente em sítios arqueológicos de ar...
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