Middle Neolithic Zooarchaeology at the Pena dgua Rock-shelter

(Portuguese Estremadura)
Sofia Lus

Francisco Correia

sofialuisarq@gmail.com

Pedro Valente Fernandes

franciscomrcorreia@gmail.com

pd-valentefernandes@hotmail.com
Faunistic results

Presentation
The faunal remains analyzed in this poster come from the rock-shelter site
of Pena dgua dgua, located in the Portuguese Estremadura (district of Santarm, municipality of Torres Novas), at the NE sector of the Limestone Massif
of Estremadura, near the Pena Stream.(Fig.1).
These remains were collected in so-called layer Db during the excavation
campaigns that took place at the site between1992 and 2000 under the direction of A. F. Carvalho.
Archaeological work performed at the site revealed six main stratigraphic
layers (designated by A to F), subsequently divided by the analysis of the materials, giving rise to nine cultural levels (Carvalho, 1998). As mentioned above,
the data presented here is related to the layer Db, which corresponds chronologically to the early Middle Neolithic according to its material culture (Fig.2) .

In layer Db 260 remains (= TNR) were collected and analyzed, of these, 163
remains (= NISP) were determined.
Taxonomically, 133 remains were identified as belonging to Oryctolagus cuniculus, the most abundant taxon in the assemblage. We have identified 24 remains belonging to Ovis aries and/or Capra hircus. We could also classify two
remains belonging to Vulpes vulpes and three belonging to an undetermined
cervid, possibly Cervus elaphus (red deer). We also identified one remain belonging to an indeterminate bird. In addition to the above, we have classified
nine remains belonging to SSA, 40 to MSA, and 48 to IND (Tab. 1).

Tab. 1 Quantitative data of the fauna remains recovered in layer Db.

Fig. 1 Localization of the rock-shelter site of Pena dgua (based on map and
picture from Antnio F. Carvalho).

Fig. 2 - Stratigraphic layers of Pena dgua

(image from Antnio F. Carvalho).

Discussions and Conclusions

The presence of rabbit in this context is not exempt from discussion: did played an important role in the Neolithic subsistence strategy or is there presence in the
archaeological layers intrusive? We suggest that the presence of rabbit is not the result of intrusions, but that rabbit was part of the human diet in the Middle Neolithic of Pena dgua.
As in the case of the rabbit, the presence of fox remains may also raise doubts as to the meaning of their presence in the context under study. If its presence is
the result of intrusions (i.e. the animal doing a den and then perishing in the site), it would be expectable a higher number of anatomical elements (only two teeth
were found). May foxes have been used for their fur by the Neolithic group that camp here? It is a strong probability, but until further evidence is recovered this will
be an open question.
The presence of (red) deer in this Neolithic context seems to match the idea of hunting, even if its reduced the presence (only three teeth) debilitates this claim.
On the other hand, the sure presence of goat and/or sheep substantiates an already well-established herding practice by the Middle Neolithic communities of the
current Portuguese Estremadura.
Following previous inferences on the subject, we suggest, with some reservations, that during the Middle Neolithic the rock-shelter of Pena dgua may have
been a hunting and shepherd temporary camp, a satellite site of permanent settlements located in the Tagus Valley. These Middle Neolithic groups of the Limestone
Massif of Estremadura may have been, indeed, "hunter-herders" rather than real farmers.

Bibliography
CARVALHO, Antnio Faustino (1998) O Abrigo da Pena dgua (Rexaldia, Torres Novas): resultados dos trabalhos de 19921997. Revista Portuguesa de Arqueologia. Lisboa. 1:2, p. 39-72.
VALENTE, Maria Joo (1998) Anlise preliminar da fauna mamalgica do Abrigo da Pena dgua (Torres Novas): campanhas de
1992-1994. Revista Portuguesa de Arqueologia. Lisboa. 1:2, p. 85-96.

Aknowledgements
This work was made possible thanks to several people, so we give a special thanks to Antnio Faustino
Carvalho and Maria Joo Valente for their availability and help.