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The perceptibility of a prehistoric monument (the property of being perceptible from its surrounding landscape) can be quite difficult to analyse by means of traditional static models. Such difficulty lies in the fact that perceptibility depends upon many other factors beyond simple topographical position, such as size, colour, contrast with the surroundings or even the specific circumstances of the audience, many such circumstances being of an immaterial nature. In this paper, we explore the potential use of Agent-Based Modelling for the analysis of archaeological perceptibility, La perceptibilidad de un monumento prehistórico (la propiedad que este tiene de ser divisado desde el paisaje circundante) puede resultar bastante difícil de analizar a partir de modelos estáticos tradicionales. Tal dificultad reside en el hecho de que la perceptibilidad depende de muchos otros factores además de la posición topográfica, como el tamaño, color, contraste con el entorno o incluso las circunstancias específicas de la audiencia, muchas de ellas de naturaleza inmaterial. En este trabajo, exploraremos el potencial uso del Modelado Basado en Agentes para el análisis de la perceptibilidad arqueológica., Programa Emergia (Junta de Andalucía, Spain) (EMERGIA20_00349)

International audience; The Vilapedre axe (Lugo, Northwest Iberia) has been traditionally considered by archaeologists as evidence of prehistoric long-distance contacts along the Atlantic Coast of France and Spain. This artefact - as other “Tumiac type” axes (long polished blades, generally butt-perforated) - would have been produced in Brittany during the Neolithic (5th millennium BCE) using jadeitite as raw material, a green-coloured rock for which there are sources in the western Italian Alps. In this paper, we have traced the possible archaeological origin of this artefact back by examining the personal files of one of its first owners, Santiago de la Iglesia. Furthermore, we have conducted a mineralogical (X-Ray Diffraction, XRD) and an elemental analysis (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Detection, SEM-EDX) of both the Vilapedre axe and geological samples from several places at the Alps where prehistoric quarrying of greenstones has been reported. The aims were physicochemically characterizing the axe to provide information about its possible geological source. During our analyses, we have found significant compositional similarities between the Vilapedre axe and one of the geological samples coming from the Alps (Alp06). The results are therefore consistent with the alleged Alpine origin of this artefact. The presence of this axe in Northwest Spain, together with other evidence, such as the presence of objects of Iberian origin in Breton monuments, strongly suggests the existence of contacts between both regions of the Atlantic façade during the Neolithic onwards in which seafaring would undoubtedly have played an important role.

The existence of a fire event at the Iron Age hillfort of Nabás, which is located on the southern bank of the Ría de Vigo (Galicia, NW of the Iberian Peninsula), favoured an extraordinary preservation of carbonised plant remains and offered an unusual opportunity to focus our research on the study of the final episode of a house life-cycle. The archaeobotanical approach focused on perishable materials combining charcoal, with carpology and pollen analysis, in tandem with a taphonomic assessment. The charcoal assemblage includes charcoal without signs of working, and wooden manufactures although the former group was probably related to the roof and timber of the round-house. This interpretation is based on the size and concentration of charcoal fragments, as well as the short taxonomic list (deciduous and evergreen Quercus sp., Fabaceae, Corylus avellana, Rosaceae/Maloideae, Salix/Populus, Alnus sp., Frangula alnus, Betula sp., Phragmites/Arundo and Ulmus sp.), and the recurrence of biological alterations such as xylophages’ galleries and hyphae. Aggregated grains and chaff of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) were found in several samples suggesting their storage, probably inside an organic container. Finally, pollen analysis offered clues about the uses of plants such as Ericaceae during the occupation phase of the round-house., María Martín-Seijo was funded by a Post-Doc Grant Plan I2C mod. B with the project “MATERIAL-Materiality and Material Culture: Wood and Other Plant-based Materials in Archaeological Contexts” and Andrés Currás was funded by the Xunta de Galicia under the GAIN Postdoctoral Program. The excavation of Nabás, led by MMS in 2006, was funded by the Consellería de Cultura-Xunta de Galicia (2006-CP035). Charcoal and carpological analyses were undertaken at the Laboratory of the Study Group for the Prehistory of NW Iberia-Archaeology, Antiquity and Territory (GEPN-AAT) and pollen analysis at the SERP-Universitat de Barcelona.

En este artículo se describen los resultados del análisis preliminar de la pintura y de la excavación arqueológica del abrigo de Cova dos Mouros (Baleira, Lugo). En esta pequeña cavidad se han identificado varios paneles de arte esquemático representando motivos tanto geométricos (zigzags, chevrons,…) como naturalistas (antropomorfos) realizados con pintura roja. Esto convierte a Cova dos Mouros en el primer ejemplo de este tipo de arte detectado y excavado en la comunidad gallega. La intervención realizada en el interior de este abrigo ha evidenciado la presencia de ocupaciones humanas episódicas que se habrían prolongado entre, al menos, el IV y el II Milenios cal a.C. Fueron identificadas varias estructuras (un muro a base de tierra y piedras y una zanja conteniendo restos carbonizados de pequeños postes o estacas) así como señales reiteradas de la presencia de fuego intenso en el interior de la cavidad que habrían tenido lugar a lo largo de varios milenios In this paper, we deal with the archaeological excavation carried out in Cova dos Mouros rock-shelter (Baleira, Lugo) and a preliminary analysis of its results. This is a small cavity where Schematic Art consisting of red paintings displaying both geometric (zig-zags, chevrons…) and naturalistic (anthropomorphs) motifs have been detected. Cova dos Mouros constitutes the first example of this type of art ever detected and excavated in Galician territory. The archaeological excavation inside the rock-shelter has uncovered evidences of episodic human activity along, at least, the IVth and IInd Millennia cal. BC. These included the identification of several structures (a low wall made of earth and stones and a ditch containing the burned remains of several small posts or stakes) and also repeated signs of intense fire inside the cave that would have spanned over several millennia Artikulu honetan daude jasota Cova dos Mouros-eko (Baleira, Lugo) harpeko indusketa arkeologikoaren eta pinturaren aurretiazko azterketaren emaitzak. Barrunbe txiki horretan pintura gorriz egindako arte eskematikoko hainbat panel identifikatu da eta irudi geometrikoak (sigi-sagak, chevron izenekoak...) zein naturalistak (antropomorfoak) ikus ditzakegu. Hori guztia dela eta, Cova dos Mouros da Galizia komunitatean detektatutako eta induskatutako arte mota horren lehen adibidea. Harpe honen barruan egindako lanetan agerian geratu da gizakia bertan bizi izan zela noizean behin gutxienez K.a. IV eta II. milurtekoen artean. Hainbat egitura (lurrarekin eta harriekin egindako horma eta zutoin edo hesola txikien ikaztutako hondarrak zituen zanga bat) eta hainbat milurtez, barrunbearen barruan su bizia izan zutela behin eta berriro erakusten duten zantzuak identifikatu zituzten SI

Procédese á revisión dos traballos de prospección previa na serra do Barbanza e ampliados aos montes de Macenda e Bealo na procura de asentamentos gandeiros/pastorís, no curso deses traballos localizáronse ademáis un interesante xacemento de cronoloxía calcolítca e un castro inédito. Asemade, dáse conta dos resultados das intervencións en dous xacementos, un de carácter gandeiro que presenta un palimpsesto estrutural e cronolóxico (Río Barbanza), e outro relacionado con sistemas de control territorial (Outeiro da Torre). We review the survey works carried through in the district of Barbanza, now extended to the parishes of Macenda and Bealo in search of livestock / pastoral settlements. In the course of these explorations a Copper Age site was discovered and, nearby, a previously unknown hillfort. An account is given of the results of the digging in two sites; one related to husbandry tasks, that presents a structural and chronological palimpsest (Rio Barbanza); and another more, related to territorial control systems (Outeiro da Torre).

The Equotip Hardness Tester is applied to different types of quartz and other lithic raw materials in order to determine if variations in the rebound hardness measured by this device may serve as a proxy for detecting the levels of continuity and isotropy of toolstones. Continuity, the amount of cracks and other internal defects; and isotropy, the measure of the directional properties of a raw material, are known to have important effects on the level of consistency and predictability of fractures, which in turn is traditionally considered a main factor for defining the flaking quality of a given raw material. The results demonstrate the existence of differences among the raw materials analysed in both the average value and the variability of the rebound hardness. While cryptocrystalline samples show the most homogeneous results, quartz and metamorphic rocks display a comparatively higher variance. In the specific case of quartz, such variability seems to be mainly caused by the presence of internal planes and discontinuities, while anisotropy, although also active, had played a comparatively modest role. The results achieved by the Equotip Hardness Tester suggest that this device could be successfully used for a basic or preliminary estimating of some of the physical and mechanical properties of stone raw materials. Therefore, it is a potential index test for complementing other, more accurate, laboratory methods.

As anywhere else around the world, GIS is an essential tool in Galician Archaeology (NW Spain) when examining and analysing spatial data. This is also true for the study of mounds in that area, since spatial analysis and statistics have become increasingly used for contrasting hypotheses regarding the locational preferences of these monuments, usually inferred from observations made during fieldwork or taken from studies conducted elsewhere. Drawing on this basis, in this paper, we have analysed the locational patterns of the tumuli of the upper tracts of the Serra do Barbanza (Galicia, NW Spain). Using a site-predictive modelling approach, several environmental covariates were analysed in order to explore their potential role in explaining the distribution of prehistoric mounds in the area. Subsequently, we studied the clustering of these monuments via second-order modelling. Our results suggest that tumuli in the Serra do Barbanza tended to cluster on a very local scale, a trend that can only be explained by intended site spacing strategies that may have taken place over millennia. Finally, by using significance testing via Monte Carlo Simulation, we have modelled both the effect of possible preferences regarding the location of mounds and the potential impact of tradition, with pre-existent megaliths possibly fostering the construction of more monuments in the nearby areas.

O fenómeno tumular, é un dos temas máis tratados nos estudos da Prehistoria do Noroeste Ibérico, e concretamente da Península do Barbanza. A devandita cuestión está condicionada aínda a día de hoxe por toda unha serie de interrogantes que se van mantendo no tempo, a pesar desa produción historiográfica. Para contribuír modestamente a resolver algunha delas, levamos a cabo unha análise da distribución espacial dos túmulos da área de estudo, comparando as súas características, mediante o uso conxunto de Sistemas de Información Xeográfica (fundamentalmente GRASS GIS) e de ferramentas estatísticas (R). Os resultados amosan que a distribución dos túmulos na Península do Barbanza está moi condicionada polas fortes encostas da Serra, e que estes están ubicados en espazos abertos, pero en puntos en puntos non especialmente prominentes.

Neste traballo preténdese estudar algunhas das evidencias estruturais e gran parte da cultura material documentadas durante a escavación do asentamento prehistórico de Monte dos Remedios (Moaña, Pontevedra) por medio do uso de Sistemas de Información Xeográfica (GRASS-GIS, Quantum GIS, etc.) e de programas de análise estatístico de código aberto (R). De esta forma, abórdanse as problemáticas do asentamento e prantéxanse as relacións entre os propios materiais arqueolóxicos recuperados (cerámica, artefactos líticos…) e as principais estruturas identificadas (buratos de poste, pavimentos…) co fin de intentar achegar datos sobre a natureza e finalidade de ditos restos estruturais.

With the aim of offering a first approach to issues of such importance as the number of sites that make up the Galician rock art, their iconographic variability or geographical distribution, we have analysed the official archaeological inventory of the Galician autonomous government (Servizo de Arqueoloxía da la Dirección Xeral do Patrimonio Cultural de la Xunta de Galicia). The database obtained was subsequently analyzed by using Geographic Information System and statistical software. The results show how, nowadays, there is a total of 3,374 known petroglyphs unevenly distributed across the Galician territory. Our analysis shows an absolute predominance of geometric motifs over the naturalists, but it also hints at the existence of a remarkable heterogeneity, which becomes patent not only in the density of petroglyphs, but also in the relative frequency of motifs and their tendency to appear or not together on the same panels or with respect to the location of rock art sites on the landscape., Con el objetivo de ofrecer una primera aproximación a cuestiones tan fundamentales como el número de estaciones que conforman el fenómeno rupestre gallego, su composición temática o su distribución geográfica, hemos llevado a cabo un vaciado del Preinventario del Servizo de Arqueoloxía de la Dirección Xeral do Patrimonio Cultural de la Xunta de Galicia. La base de datos obtenida ha sido analizada posteriormente por medio de sistemas de información geográfica y software estadístico. En la actualidad, se conocen un total de 3.374 estaciones rupestres distribuidas de modo desigual a lo largo del territorio gallego. Su análisis evidencia el dominio absoluto de las figuras geométricas frente a las naturalistas, pero también la existencia de una considerable heterogeneidad que se manifiesta no sólo en la densidad de petroglifos, sino también en la frecuencia relativa de motivos, en su tendencia a comparecer o no de modo conjunto en los mismos paneles o en la propia implantación de las rocas grabadas en el paisaje.

The stone of Saint-Samson is a Neolithic stele of 70 tons and 10 m of probable length. Its intriguing leaning position and its very regular morphology have aroused curiosity since medieval times. Three of its four faces—oriented towards the cardinal points—display engravings that were discovered in the 1970s. Now, a new recording protocol has combined 2D techniques for emphasizing the contrast of the engravings (oblique rotating lights) and 3D methods for restoring the volumes of the support (photogrammetry, structured-light scanner). The results obtained have made it possible to implement the first structural analysis of the stone. The north and west faces show an opposition between domestic (cattle, goats) and wild animals (suidae, cervidae, birds, cetaceans), depicted confronted and with their horns or tusks clearly visible. The south face was reserved for the human figure and for iconic artefacts (polished axe, throwing stick, ring disk, steering oar). The four faces have in common the presence of boats. The relationship linking the monument to waterways and the sea is approached by analysing both local legends and the phenomenon of the tidal wave.

This paper explores the basic characteristics affecting the mechanical behavior of non-flint rocks, such as quartz and slate, during knapping. The impact of some of these features, such as anisotropy, cleavage, and the morphostructure on the selection and exploitation processes of quartz and slate is addressed through the analysis of the flaked assemblages of five Late Prehistory sites from NW Iberia. We suggest that the presence of characteristics providing a more homogeneous and controllable mechanical behavior would have had a significant role on the selection and exploitation of these raw materials. Also, certain traits a priori considered as non-suitable might be contemplated as rather advantageous for the knapping.

Pits are the most common archaeological features in late prehistoric Europe, yet their function and formation dynamics remain obscure. This paper draws on stratigraphy, contextual observations, and a novel analytical protocol to address such topics. The article presents an interdisciplinary and comparative post-excavation procedure to evaluate some of the most abundant items found in prehistoric pits, combining a taphonomical approach to the analysis of ceramics, charcoal, and carpology. This procedure provided new insights into the use-lives of a selection of five pits from an open-air site in Galicia (NW Iberia), which was occupied intermittently during the second millennium cal. BCE. An early use as silos is posited, and their final closure entailed cultural practices and preferences whose material fingerprint has been identified via multivariate analysis., One of the radiocarbon dates of Monte das Cabanas was financed by GEPN-AAT and the other two by the Environmental Archaeology (ENVARCH) group of the CIBIO/InBio. María Martín-Seijo was funded by a Post-Doc Grant Plan I2Cmod. A with the project “Alén do bosque na Idade do Bronce do Noroeste da Ibéria. Estudo dos combustibles e das manufacturas en madeira a partir da cadea técnico-operativa”. Ana MS Bettencourt developed this work under the project Funerary and ceremonial practices between the Neolithic to the Bronze Age approached by Archaeometry (ARQUEOM Project Lab2PT Sept 2014)., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Ever since first published in 1970, Palazuelo de las Cuevas (Zamora) became known as “the va- riscite source” for nw Iberia. Later geological surveys and casual finds have shown this mineral to be much more widespread, including other localities in Zamora, Northern Portugal (Tras-os-Montes), Western León (Bierzo) and Eastern and Southwest Galicia (Ourense and Pontevedra). Still, the evidence of prehistoric mining is little known, perhaps due to the small size of the veins that otherwise are widely scattered, both circumstances possibly having a strong influence on the nature of the quarrying works and their archaeological visibility. With the aim of assessing the basic characteristics, regarding both the nature and intensity of the extractive works at Las Cercas / Teso del Diablo area, we have made use of high-resolution lidar data and gis tools for obtaining a sharper image of the present surface and revealing the sheer importance of the excavations carried on in earlier times. Also, some brief remarks are made on the chronology and distribution of this commodity across Western Iberia., Desde que se dio a conocer en 1970, Palazuelo de las Cuevas (Zamora) se convirtió en ‘la fuente de variscita’ para el no ibérico. Estudios geológicos posteriores y hallazgos casuales han demostrado que este mineral posee una distribución mucho más amplia, incluyendo otras localidades de Zamora, Norte de Portugal (Tras-os-Montes), el o de León (Bierzo) y del e y so de Galicia (Ourense y Pontevedra). Sin embargo, nuestro conocimiento sobre la minería prehistórica de este mineral es escaso todavía, tal vez debido al pequeño tamaño de las venas que, además, se encuentran ampliamente dispersas, lo que probablemente ha tenido una fuerte influencia en la naturaleza de las labores de extracción y su visibilidad arqueológica. Con el objetivo de evaluar los rasgos básicos, en cuanto a naturaleza e intensidad, de los trabajos de extracción en el área de Las Cercas/ Teso del Diablo, hemos hecho uso de datos lidar de alta resolución y herramientas sig para obtener una imagen más nítida de la superficie del terreno, lo que nos ha permitido identificar la enorme entidad de las excavaciones llevadas a cabo en el pasado. Finalmente, hacemos unas breves consideraciones sobre la cronología y pautas de distribución de la variscita en el área occidental de la Península Ibérica.

This paper focuses on the relationship between human communities and wood resources in the Sabor valley (Tras-os-Montes region, northeast Portugal) during the Early and Middle Bronze Age. Charcoal from three archaeological sites—Terraco das Laranjeiras, Foz do Medal and Quinta de Crestelos—was analysed. As in other Early-Middle Bronze Age sites in Western Iberia, the majority of the samples were recovered from pits, which complicates charcoal debris interpretation. The charcoal analysis suggests that the formation processes of the archaeobotanical record involved both natural and anthropic factors. The charcoal assemblages studied showed that taxonomic variability was strongly conditioned by the number of fragments produced per feature. Hearths, pits and post-holes provided information about the consumption of wood resources, highlighting the importance of taxa such as Fraxinus sp. and Quercus spp. combined with shrubby species including small trees (Juniperus sp., Arbutus unedo, Fabaceae, Cistus sp. and Erica spp.) and attesting the presence of Olea europaea within Middle Bronze Age contexts.

A Serra do Barbanza espertou especial interese entre os investigadores galegos para o estudo do fenómeno tumular dada a gran concentración que presenta, contrastando coa total ausencia de xacementos domésticos; pero nos últimos anos están aflorando un conxunto de xacementos arqueolóxicos extraordinarios, tanto pola densidade dos mesmos como polas súas características, que modifica substancialmente a imaxe que se tiña da Serra como unha área marxinal cara un espazo intensamente ocupado e explotado. A escavación de varios destes novos xacementos permitiron constatar a presenza de hábitats domésticos e de ocupacións reiteradas no tempo dende o Bronce Final ou Idade do Ferro ata a Alta Idade Media.

Although there are many archaeological and ethnographic evidences for the use of slate and similar rocks for flaking purpose, they raised little interest among specialists, leading to a general ignorance of specific problems associated with these raw materials. Starting from the study of several Neolithic and Chalcolithic slate collections of the Western Iberia, the mechanical properties of slate and its impact on knapping process has been defined; subsequently, manufacturing and use of slate and phyllite projectiles have been undertaken. The results show that the ease with which these materials break into sheets of uniform thickness and morphology would provide an ideal basis for a fast and easy manufacture of arrowheads. In addition, these projectiles have shown a penetration capability and resistance statistically equivalent to those made on more standard materials (i.e. chalcedony or rock crystal). Therefore, slate and other rocks with a high degree of fissility would have been very attractive to prehistoric knappers endeavouring to make arrowheads.

The goal of this paper is to make known the first results of the excavations in Valdavara Cave (Becerreá, Lugo), paying special attention to the radiometric dating that places this cave among the few Galician sites with Upper Palaeolithic dates. During the excavation carried out in 2007, two archaeological locations were documented in the same karstic system (Valdavara 1 and Valdavara 2). The test pit initiated in Valdavara 1 allowed us to identify so far two stratigraphic units: an upper unit corresponding to Recent Prehistory and a lower unit (level 4) that yielded the Upper Palaeolithic dates. An assemblage of human remains from the Bronze Age was found in Valdavara 2., El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer los primeros resultados de las excavaciones en la cueva de Valdavara (Becerreá, Lugo), prestando especial atención a las dataciones radiométricas que la sitúan entre los pocos yacimientos gallegos que han arrojado fechas correspondientes al Paleolítico Superior. La excavación realizada en el año 2007 permitió documentar dos localizaciones arqueológicas en el marco del mismo sistema cárstico (Valdavara 1 y Valdavara 2). El sondeo iniciado en Valdavara 1 ha permitido identificar hasta el momento dos conjuntos estratigráficos: un conjunto superior correspondiente a la Prehistoria reciente y un conjunto inferior (nivel 4) en el que se han obtenido las fechas del Paleolítico Superior final. En Valdavara 2 se encontró un conjunto de restos humanos de la Edad del Bronce.

The analysis of the lithic artifacts from the “Santuario” sector of El Pedroso has allowed us to determine a strategy of exploitation of the local raw materials, mainly quartz and slate. The specific mechanical properties of those materials led the prehistoric people to the adoption of technical solutions such as bipolar flaking, with the aim of overcoming the structural difficulties posed by this type of rocks.

La investigación realizada en el área de Porto do Son (Península do Barbanza, A Coruña) se ha basado en una intensiva labor de campo y en el análisis reiterado de las estaciones, incluyendo revisiones diurnas y nocturnas. Esta aproximación ha permitido incrementar el conocimiento sobre el emplazamiento del arte rupestre al aire libre, mostrando que las mayores concentraciones de petroglifos se sitúan en las alturas medias de las estribaciones serranas. A su vez, el descubrimiento de estaciones en las proximidades de la costa y, sobre todo, de grabados en el interior de abrigos rocosos, enriquece la casuística sobre la distribución espacial de este fenómeno. Por otra parte, la revisión de estaciones ya catalogadas permitió documentar nuevos motivos, muchos de los cuales, como armas o laberintos, eran prácticamente desconocidos en esta área.The research carried out about the rock art in the Northern side of the Barbanza Peninsula (Porto do Son, A Coruña) has been based on an intensive survey, together with a thorough review of the carved surfaces under natural and artificial light conditions. This approach has allowed us to increase both the number of the sites and also the iconographic variety of those previously known. As to the spatial distribution, we have found that the densest clusters of petroglyphs occur in the intermediate slopes between the coastal plain and the sierra. Some exceptions to this trend are noticeable, either in carved rocks found close to the sea or others near the highest points of the study area. Other findings worth noting are the petroglyphs retrieved inside two rock shelters (a very rare feature indeed in the Galician prehistoric art), the increase in the number of representations ofmetallic weapons and the first occurrence of a labyrinth.

Abordamos el estudio de un interesante petroglifo prehistórico registrado recientemente, que muestra las habituales combinaciones circulares pero también motivos menos usuales como espirales o un posible ídolo. Por otra parte, no es frecuente que una estación rupestre, situada lejos de la costa, posea un número relativamente alto de representaciones zoomorfas (en su mayoría ciervos), algunas de ellas aparentemente en estrecha asociación con el motivo idoliforme. Hemos hecho uso de la cartografía LIDAR y aplicamos análisis SIG para determinar los patrones espaciales básicos de ubicación de los petroglifos y su eventual relación con otros monumentos cercanos, específicamente túmulos.We deal with an interesting prehistoric petroglyph recently recorded, displaying the common circular combinations and also less usual motifs such as spirals or a possible idol. Otherwise, it is by no means frequent that a decorated stone, located away from the coastline, should show a relatively high number of zoomorphic representations (mostly deer), a number of them apparently in close association with the idol-like motif. We have made use of LIDAR cartography and applied GIS techniques to ascertain the basic spatial patterns of location of the petroglyph and its eventual relationship with other monuments found nearby, namely funerary mounds.

International audience