Roser Pou

[EN] At its origin, the expression "Sepulcros de Fosa" qualified all of the single, non-megalithic prehistoric buriaIs. In 1965, Ana M. Muñoz compiled all of the relevant sites then known, characterized this culture and proposed a first typology. Despite the small number of settlements discovered, the current data enable us to refine the Middle Neolithic chronology, and to define the diverse cultural forms, the latter being characterized based on standardized rituals. The published typologies of tombs dated to between the 5th and the middle of the 4th millennia BC have been summarized and we propase here a simplified typology of them, faci litating their cl assificat ion based on shared features. We also confront it with other variables, which enables us to propase hypotheses based on the origin and evolution of rituals and their geographic locations.[ES] La cultura de los Sepulcros de Fosa incluyó, en su origen, todas las sepulturas prehistóricas individuales no megalíticas. Ana M. Muñoz, en 1965, recopiló todos los yacimientos conocidos hasta entonces, caracterizó la cultura de los sepulcros de fosa y formuló la primera tipología. Con los datos actuales y, a falta de más hallazgos de poblados, se ha ido avanzando en la secuenciación del neolítico medio y en la definición de las diversas formas culturales, caracterizadas con ritos funerarios estandarizados. Hemos resumido las diversas tipologías publicadas de las tumbas neolíticas entre el V y mediados del IV milenio aC y ahora proponemos una tipología simplificada, que facilite la clasificación a partir de características comunes. El siguiente paso será cruzarla con otras variables que nos han de permitir plantear hipótesis sobre el origen y la evolución de los ritos y de su implantación territorial.[FR] A l'origine, l'expression «Sepulcres de Fosa» qualifie toutes les sépultures préhistoriques individuel les non mégalithiques. Ana M. Muñoz, en 1965, rassemble tous les sites concernés connus jusqu'alors, caractérise cette culture et en propase une premiere typologie. Malgré le peu de sites d'habitats découverts, les données actuelles ont permis de préciser le phasage du Néolithique moyen ainsi que la définition des diverses formes culturelles; celles-ci sont caractérisées par des rites standardisés. Les typologies publiées des tombes datées entre le Ve et la moitié du IVe millénaire av. J.-C. ont été résumées, et nous proposons ici une typologie simplifiée, qui facilite la classification a partir de caractéristiques communes. Nous la confronterons aussi a d'autres variables, ce qui nous permettra de proposer des hypotheses fondées sur l'origine et l'évolution des rites et leur implantation territoriale.Peer reviewe

One aspect that defines the Neolithic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula is its funeral register. The graves are so numerous that already in the early twentieth century Professor P. Bosch Gimpera considered that they had to belong to the same culture, the culture of « Sepulcres de Fossa ». Many studies have been conducted on the funerary practices of this group, but atypical graves or human remains deposits are generally unnoticed, whereas they exist. In this paper we present some of these structures and propose a first series of reflections on these non- normative deposits.

Abstract In this article, a zooarchaeological and isotopic analysis is presented for 26 dog exemplars (Canis familiaris). These dogs were deposited in burial and ceremonial structures in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Neolithic, within the Pit Grave cultural horizon (ca. 4200–3600 cal BC). Four archaeological sites of the Catalonian coastal strip are studied: Cami de Can Grau, La Serreta, Ca l'Arnella, and Bobila Madurell (one of the most important necropolises of the Iberian Peninsula). The presence of these dogs is interpreted as evidence of accompanying offerings and represents the most ancient use of this animal in the context of burials within the studied territory. Although it is a not a globally recorded gesture during this period, in light of the present results, it can be considered as a stereotyped ritual activity and evidence of the close relationship between these animals and the human communities. The diet of most of the dogs must be considered mixed and very similar to that of the humans, including consumption of herbivores and terrestrial plants.

One aspect that defines the Neolithic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula is its funeral register. The graves are so numerous that already in the early twentieth century Professor P. Bosch Gimpera considered that they had to belong to the same culture, the culture of « Sepulcres de Fossa ». Many studies have been conducted on the funerary practices of this group, but atypical graves or human remains deposits are generally unnoticed, whereas they exist. In this paper we present some of these structures and propose a first series of reflections on these non- normative deposits.