New Evidence from Galeria da Cisterna (Almonda) and Gruta do Caldeirão on the Phasing of Central Portugal’s Early Neolithic

Abstract Funerary usage of Galeria da Cisterna (Almonda) and Gruta do Caldeirão began at the onset Neolithic continued until Early Medieval times. At Cisterna, thin Holocene deposit was unstratified; Caldeirão, stratigraphic sequence underwent post-depositional disturbance. Using radiocarbon dating, typological considerations, spatial distribution patterns, physical anthropological data, these palimpsests can be disentangled to a significant extent. both sites, earliest depositions fall in c. 5250–5500 cal BC interval are associated with large numbers beads. Wares extensively decorated shell comb impressions likely belong this phase. Another style decoration – forming bands below rim garlands between prehension knobs probably dates slightly later time. Burial sites through 5000–5250 time range, but which decorative styles were then fashion remains difficult ascertain; it is that irregular arrangements seen some vessels among them. non-Cardial impressed incised wares date 4500–5000 BC, while undecorated human bone samples demonstrating two different periods burial during 3500–4000 interval. Most if not all nine Cardial individuals directly dated died coevally more recent Mesolithic interments found shell-midden Tagus estuary.