Work

Escoural cave and neolithic mortuary chronology: radiocarbon evidence for funerary diversity in Southern Portugal

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Escoural Cave, in Portugal’s Alentejo region, provides pivotal chronological evidence for Neolithic mortuary activity in southwestern Iberia. We present new radiocarbon dates on human bone from Escoural alongside published dates from other funerary monuments, establishing a robust framework that situates cave burials within a diverse mortuary landscape. Results show that Escoural was used contemporaneously with dolmens, tholoi, hypogea, burial pits, and other caves, underscoring the coexistence of multiple forms of mortuary expression. Beyond refining the Neolithic timeline, reassessment of Escoural highlights the interpretive potential of legacy collections: the richness of its ceramic assemblage, associated bone tools, and environmental context raise new questions about craft specialization, gendered roles, and the interplay of ritual and technology. Together, these findings demonstrate both the importance of absolute dating and the broader value of revisiting older collections to illuminate social and cultural dynamics in the Neolithic.

Source: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

DOI: 10.1007/s12520-026-02443-3

Authors: Rita Peyroteo-Stjerna, César Neves, Raquel Granja, David Gonçalves, Ana Cristina Araújo

Institutions: Uppsala University, University of Lisbon, Centro de Arqueologia, University of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Archaeological and Geological Studies

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990

Funder: Uppsala Universitet