The lithic assemblage from Lapa da Galinha (Alcanena, Portuguese Estremadura) and the “Cave Megalithism” phenomenon in the 4th and 3rd millennium BCE

Daniel Van Calker

doi:10.2218/jls.2857

Abstract

The present work proposes to present the analysis results of the flaked stone artefacts from Lapa da Galinha, a cave necropolis, located in the Estremadura Limestone Massif, that is a classic example of the funerary practices of the 4th and 3rd millennium BCE. The excavation dates back to 1908, and it was performed by members of the current National Museum of Archaeology, resulting in an extensive votive ensemble, associated with a minimum number of 70 burials. The evident collective nature of the burials, the votive ensemble and the rituals there identified emphasise its “Cave Megalithism” character, an expression that invokes only one of the many facets of the complex phenomenon that is Megalithism. Since the Megalithic funerary structures, such as natural caves, are utilized over a long period of time, it’s not easy- but not impossible- to reclaim in full, the events that took place. Focusing on the flaked stone artefacts, the main goal of this text is to contribute to the reconstruction of the belief system that characterizes the Neolithic and Chalcolithic communities from this region. Hence, the morpho-technological criteria, that followed previously established standards, and raw material analysis of the artefactual categories, even on a macroscopic level, were absolutely essential for us to suggest an extensive diachrony of the funerary use of the natural cave With that in mind, we reflected on the importance of the transformations that occur within the material culture exposed throughout the text and their chronological meaning, but also on the true potential of this artefactual category as a tool to build a solid perspective regarding the symbolism inherent to these funeral practices.

Highlights

Excavated in 1908, this important funerary context, whose extensive votive ensemble reflects the diversity and the richness that portray the Megalithic phenomenon, had almost fallen into oblivion
For reasons that will be discussed throughout the text, the study of the knapped stone tools, the largest artefactual category that composes the votive ensemble, proved to be a keyelement on the revitalization of the cave itself as a case study for the understanding of the funerary practices and the flaked stone industries of the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic in the Estremadura Limestone Massif
The collective character and importance of Lapa da Galinha as a funerary space is well established in the extensive votive ensemble that was recovered in the early days of Portuguese Archaeology- which, at times, can be an obstacle, especially due to the recording techniques employed

Summary

Introduction

Excavated in 1908, this important funerary context, whose extensive votive ensemble reflects the diversity and the richness that portray the Megalithic phenomenon, had almost fallen into oblivion. The importance of reviewing the material culture and other data from old excavations is something that has profoundly marked the archaeological fora during the past decades. If it wasn’t for the recent work on the votive plaques (Gonçalves et al 2014), this cave-necropolis would still be referenced based only on an inadequate note, presented in Journal of Lithic Studies (2019) vol 6, nr. A question arises: Is it possible to differentiate the multiple episodes of occupation that characterize this funerary space, even if this lithic assemblage presents a high degree of variability and has no stratigraphic allocation? This is a question that doesn’t have an easy answer, and it is an exercise that must be understood with the appropriate reservations

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion