Francisco Almeida
I have been a professional archaeologist since 1992. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I started an Archaeology PhD Project at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA, under the advice of Anthony Marks.
While conducting the research related to my PhD Dissertation, which involved both fieldwork and the technological study of lithic assemblages from Portuguese and French archaeological sites, I participated, as Co-PI., in several major archaeological projects related to the study of the Portuguese Upper Palaeolithic. Of particular mention is my membership on the research team which contributed, in 1995, to the salvation of the Unesco Heritage Foz Côa Palaeolithic rock art complex, back then threatened by the construction of a dam.
Three years later, I was appointed as the scientific responsible (for the Palaeolithic Period) of the largest salvage archaeological project ever undertaken in Portugal – the one related to the construction of the Alqueva dam. This work demanded the excavation of over 80 archaeological sites and the scientific coordination of a multidisciplinary team of more than 25 researchers over nine years (4 dedicated to field operations, and other 5 for the analysis, studies, and final publications – 2 monographs in press).
In February 2000 I defended my PhD Dissertation, and in June of the same year I was contracted as a Post-doc Researcher by the Portuguese Institute of Archaeology:
1 - to coordinate the archaeological research at the Lagar Velho rock shelter site, famous for the 1998 discovery of an infant burial – the “Lapedo Child” – from which the skeleton provided strong evidence for the hypothesis of admixture between the last European Neanderthals and Early Anatomical Modern Humans.
2 - to contribute, with my expertise in lithic analysis, to the Lithic Paleotechnology group of CIPA – the Research Centre in Human Paleoecology and Archaeosciences
In 2003, considering the public interest on the archaeological richness of Lagar Velho and the Lapedo Valley, I started to develop a long term project for the creation of a Natural and Archaeological Park in the area. The first visible result of this strategy is the recently (January 2008) inaugurated Lagar Velho Interpretation Centre, a small museum facility from which I was the mentor and scientific commissary. In its first two years, the small museum has had over 6000 visitors.
My main area of expertise is lithic technology, with an emphasis on the “châine operatoire” approach, and the stone refitting method. I have been specially focusing on the advantages brought by the method to technological analysis, dynamic spatial pattern recognition, and stratigraphic/taphonomic evaluation. I am currently exploring the application of inter site refitting as an approach to reconstruct prehistoric itineraries and mobility patterns. Some of the sites/contexts where I have undertaken successful refitting projects are:
1. In Portugal: Lapa do Anecrial (Terminal Gravettian), Gato Preto (Terminal Gravettian), Quartel Dos Bombeiros (Epipaleolithic), Cabeço de Porto Marinho II and III (Final and Terminal Gravettian), Quinta do Sanguinhal (Gravettian), Lapa dos Coelhos (Final Magdalenean), Abrigo do Lagar Velho EE15 (Final Gravettian), Barca do Xerez de Baixo (Epipaleolithic), Portela II (Proto-Solutrean),
Terra do Manuel (Terminal Gravettian)
2. Abroad: Laugerie-Haute East Aurignacian V and Lower Solutrean (France); Grotte Gazel Middle Magdalenean (France).
Address: Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Department of Planning and Community Development
Level1, 62 Ovens St.
Wangaratta
VIC 3677
Australia
While conducting the research related to my PhD Dissertation, which involved both fieldwork and the technological study of lithic assemblages from Portuguese and French archaeological sites, I participated, as Co-PI., in several major archaeological projects related to the study of the Portuguese Upper Palaeolithic. Of particular mention is my membership on the research team which contributed, in 1995, to the salvation of the Unesco Heritage Foz Côa Palaeolithic rock art complex, back then threatened by the construction of a dam.
Three years later, I was appointed as the scientific responsible (for the Palaeolithic Period) of the largest salvage archaeological project ever undertaken in Portugal – the one related to the construction of the Alqueva dam. This work demanded the excavation of over 80 archaeological sites and the scientific coordination of a multidisciplinary team of more than 25 researchers over nine years (4 dedicated to field operations, and other 5 for the analysis, studies, and final publications – 2 monographs in press).
In February 2000 I defended my PhD Dissertation, and in June of the same year I was contracted as a Post-doc Researcher by the Portuguese Institute of Archaeology:
1 - to coordinate the archaeological research at the Lagar Velho rock shelter site, famous for the 1998 discovery of an infant burial – the “Lapedo Child” – from which the skeleton provided strong evidence for the hypothesis of admixture between the last European Neanderthals and Early Anatomical Modern Humans.
2 - to contribute, with my expertise in lithic analysis, to the Lithic Paleotechnology group of CIPA – the Research Centre in Human Paleoecology and Archaeosciences
In 2003, considering the public interest on the archaeological richness of Lagar Velho and the Lapedo Valley, I started to develop a long term project for the creation of a Natural and Archaeological Park in the area. The first visible result of this strategy is the recently (January 2008) inaugurated Lagar Velho Interpretation Centre, a small museum facility from which I was the mentor and scientific commissary. In its first two years, the small museum has had over 6000 visitors.
My main area of expertise is lithic technology, with an emphasis on the “châine operatoire” approach, and the stone refitting method. I have been specially focusing on the advantages brought by the method to technological analysis, dynamic spatial pattern recognition, and stratigraphic/taphonomic evaluation. I am currently exploring the application of inter site refitting as an approach to reconstruct prehistoric itineraries and mobility patterns. Some of the sites/contexts where I have undertaken successful refitting projects are:
1. In Portugal: Lapa do Anecrial (Terminal Gravettian), Gato Preto (Terminal Gravettian), Quartel Dos Bombeiros (Epipaleolithic), Cabeço de Porto Marinho II and III (Final and Terminal Gravettian), Quinta do Sanguinhal (Gravettian), Lapa dos Coelhos (Final Magdalenean), Abrigo do Lagar Velho EE15 (Final Gravettian), Barca do Xerez de Baixo (Epipaleolithic), Portela II (Proto-Solutrean),
Terra do Manuel (Terminal Gravettian)
2. Abroad: Laugerie-Haute East Aurignacian V and Lower Solutrean (France); Grotte Gazel Middle Magdalenean (France).
Address: Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Department of Planning and Community Development
Level1, 62 Ovens St.
Wangaratta
VIC 3677
Australia
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recently, this Aurignacian V was only known at one site. Recent research in France and Portugal has yielded assemblages the chronology and typological characteristics of which parallel the ones from the Laugerie’ Aurignacian V. In Portugal, they are characterized by a dominance of carinated lithic elements, and absolute dates that place them in the
temporal transition from the Gravettian to the Solutrean, that is, c. 21,500 BP. However, the presence of carinated elements in the Portuguese Paleolithic now has no chronological meaning, since this types of implement are found in almost all Upper Paleolithic complexes.
This dissertation provides a definition of the technological variability of Portuguese Estremadura assemblages dating to the period - the Terminal Gravettian. Such a definition is essential to clearly differentiate them from other assemblages with similar typological characteristics, but different chronologies. A technological study wasconducted of three Terminal Gravettian assemblages. For comparative purposes, four other assemblages were studied: Laugerie-Haute East Aurignacian V and Proto-Magdalenian, Quartel dos Bombeiros (Epipaleolithic), and Quinta do Sanguinhal(Gravettian). The methodology implied a combined use of attribute analysis and
refitting, within the theoretical framework of the Châine Opératoire.
The results suggest that in Portuguese Estremadura, the “Aurignacian V” or Terminal Gravettian assemblages are characterized by a varied set of reduction strategies,
dominated by carinated reduction, possibly for barb production. Also, quartz exploitation is almost as important as flint, and parallels its reduction strategies. The technological
variability of these assemblages, when compared with that of the earlier Final Gravettian, does not parallel the apparent typological differences. Thus the “Aurignacian V-like”
Terminal Gravettian seems to be a clear continuity from the Final Gravettian of Portugal. The technological disparities between the two periods seem to be of degree and not of kind. A re-analysis of the Laugerie-Haute sequence suggests a similar pattern. The attribution of these assemblages to the Aurignacian Complex, thus, should be discarded.They probably represent a late chronological facies of the Gravettian.
Based on a specific case from a classic Old World Upper Paleolithic site – Laugerie Haute – this contribution addresses the potential of lithic refitting for the enlargement of the scientific value of long forgotten assemblages, which often result of our presumptions about past archaeological work.
While lithic refitting is presently applied in response to questions regarding mobility, site formation processes, technology and spatial analysis, it is quite rare to see it being used as a tool for studying the history of our field, as well as to make some sense out of collections that are often considered as “lost for science” In this contribution, we try to close part of this gap.
well preserved Final Magdalenian levels. Both sites have been interpreted as temporary camps, repeatedly occupied over relative short periods. The technological study undertaken on the lithic assemblages followed the «chaîne operatoire» concept, and lithological groups were established through macroscopic observation of the knapped raw materials. The comparison between such groups and the available geological reference collection allowed for the identification of raw material sources and thus, the definition of exploited territories.
has been an essential pattern recognition technique for the clear definition of stratigraphic and spatial units, and yielded an
important dynamic perspective for grounding our paleoethnographic interpretations of the site.
inland in Southern Portugal, in one of the main valleys (Guadiana River) and it seems to document a different settlement and subsistence system as well as a distinct technological tradition from the Estremadura examples. Recent studies and analyses carried out on its archaeological
components, especially on the lithic technology, allow us to consider the hypothesis of the presence of human communities with specific adaptive patterns related to the nature of the exploited territories, site function, raw-material availability and economy. Distinctive social and technological traditions may also play an important role in such patterns.
recently, this Aurignacian V was only known at one site. Recent research in France and Portugal has yielded assemblages the chronology and typological characteristics of which parallel the ones from the Laugerie’ Aurignacian V. In Portugal, they are characterized by a dominance of carinated lithic elements, and absolute dates that place them in the
temporal transition from the Gravettian to the Solutrean, that is, c. 21,500 BP. However, the presence of carinated elements in the Portuguese Paleolithic now has no chronological meaning, since this types of implement are found in almost all Upper Paleolithic complexes.
This dissertation provides a definition of the technological variability of Portuguese Estremadura assemblages dating to the period - the Terminal Gravettian. Such a definition is essential to clearly differentiate them from other assemblages with similar typological characteristics, but different chronologies. A technological study wasconducted of three Terminal Gravettian assemblages. For comparative purposes, four other assemblages were studied: Laugerie-Haute East Aurignacian V and Proto-Magdalenian, Quartel dos Bombeiros (Epipaleolithic), and Quinta do Sanguinhal(Gravettian). The methodology implied a combined use of attribute analysis and
refitting, within the theoretical framework of the Châine Opératoire.
The results suggest that in Portuguese Estremadura, the “Aurignacian V” or Terminal Gravettian assemblages are characterized by a varied set of reduction strategies,
dominated by carinated reduction, possibly for barb production. Also, quartz exploitation is almost as important as flint, and parallels its reduction strategies. The technological
variability of these assemblages, when compared with that of the earlier Final Gravettian, does not parallel the apparent typological differences. Thus the “Aurignacian V-like”
Terminal Gravettian seems to be a clear continuity from the Final Gravettian of Portugal. The technological disparities between the two periods seem to be of degree and not of kind. A re-analysis of the Laugerie-Haute sequence suggests a similar pattern. The attribution of these assemblages to the Aurignacian Complex, thus, should be discarded.They probably represent a late chronological facies of the Gravettian.
Based on a specific case from a classic Old World Upper Paleolithic site – Laugerie Haute – this contribution addresses the potential of lithic refitting for the enlargement of the scientific value of long forgotten assemblages, which often result of our presumptions about past archaeological work.
While lithic refitting is presently applied in response to questions regarding mobility, site formation processes, technology and spatial analysis, it is quite rare to see it being used as a tool for studying the history of our field, as well as to make some sense out of collections that are often considered as “lost for science” In this contribution, we try to close part of this gap.
well preserved Final Magdalenian levels. Both sites have been interpreted as temporary camps, repeatedly occupied over relative short periods. The technological study undertaken on the lithic assemblages followed the «chaîne operatoire» concept, and lithological groups were established through macroscopic observation of the knapped raw materials. The comparison between such groups and the available geological reference collection allowed for the identification of raw material sources and thus, the definition of exploited territories.
has been an essential pattern recognition technique for the clear definition of stratigraphic and spatial units, and yielded an
important dynamic perspective for grounding our paleoethnographic interpretations of the site.
inland in Southern Portugal, in one of the main valleys (Guadiana River) and it seems to document a different settlement and subsistence system as well as a distinct technological tradition from the Estremadura examples. Recent studies and analyses carried out on its archaeological
components, especially on the lithic technology, allow us to consider the hypothesis of the presence of human communities with specific adaptive patterns related to the nature of the exploited territories, site function, raw-material availability and economy. Distinctive social and technological traditions may also play an important role in such patterns.
input), the more extensively excavated, two Gravettian occupations were detected. The last of these (Terminal Gravettian – dated to ~21,500 BP) shows excellent post-depositional preservation, with several clusters of lithic artifacts and fauna (massively dominated by rabbit) organized
around a hearth en cuvette. The lithic refitting studies, already concluded, reaffirm the excellent preservation of this occupation: almost 50% (92% in weight) of the assemblage was refitted, making possible an almost complete view of the reduction sequences and strategies applied to the lithics. This paper presents the results from the combined study of both faunal remains and lithic technology, with special focus on the
advantages of multidisciplinary approaches to the study of short term occupations, including: taphonomic problems, spatial analysis of habitat organization, subsistence choices and the role of small prey, and lithic resources economy.
The combination of both methods results in a more complete view of the period’s technological spectrum: while refitting provides a dynamic view of the production techniques but can only be applied to appropriate samples, attribute analysis can be applied to any assemblage, thus allowing the evaluation of technology variability at a wider scale.
Archaeological excavations undertaken between 1997 and 2010 at Lapa dos Coelhos – a small cavity in the Almonda River karst system near Torres Novas, Portugal, indicated intermittent occupation by humans during the Upper Pleistocene. During the Magdalenian the site served as a specialized temporary camp, probably related to hunting and fishing activities. A ‘laurel leaf’ fragment suggests human occupation during the Solutrean. The Mousterian artefacts identified in the lowest layers may correspond to runoff from other galleries of the same karstic system. Interpretation of the faunal remains shows that during the earlier periods the site also served as a hyaena den. We also note an important increase of small animals, especially rabbits, during the Tardiglacial period which probably reflects the ‘Mesolithic Crisis’. The Capra was considerably larger than modern ibex from Andalucia and modern domestic goats. A difference that may reflect climate change at the end of the Pleistocene.
Resumo
Os trabalhos arqueológicos, empreendidos entre 1997 e 2010, nesta pequena cavidade do sistema cársico do rio Almonda (Torres Novas, Portugal), permitiram identificar a ocupação humana intermitente da cavidade durante o pleistocénico superior. Durante o Magdalenense o local terá funcionado como acampamento temporário especializado, provavelmente relacionado com apoio a actividades cinegéticas. A recolha de um fragmento de folha de loureiro documenta a ocupação humana do local durante o Solutrense. Os materiais líticos atribuíveis
ao Moustierense, podem corresponder a escorrências provenientes de outras galerias, do mesmo sistema cársico. O estudo da fauna permitiu concluir que durante os períodos mais antigos o sítio serviu, igualmente,
como covil de hiena e constatar o aumento de consumo de animais de pequeno porte, sobretudo coelho, durante o Tardiglaciar.