Charcoal Analyses From Muge Shellmidden (Portugal): Comparative Analyses From Cabeço Da Arruda And Cabeço Da Amoreira

Abstract

Cabeço da Arruda and Cabeço da Amoreira are shellmiddens that integrate the Mesolithic Muge shellmidden complex. Paleoenvironmental studies indicate that Muge valley was both rich in marine and terrestrial resources. The exploitation of diverse resources from the Muge landscape is a crucial issue to understand the economy, subsistence and social complexity of these Mesolithic societies. This paper aims to shed light on the exploitation and use of woodland resources through charcoal analyses. Results from new samples collected in Cabeço da Arruda are presented and compared with charcoal data from Cabeço da Amoreira in order to understand the acquisition modalities of both sites. The results demonstrate a prevalence of Pinus in Cabeço da Arruda as well as the presence of Quercus. The similar pattern of Pinus and Quercus occurs in the Cabeço da Amoreira assemblages, although in this case some minor taxa were also identified This seem to indicate that both sites were exploiting the same main wood resources and the main species in the environment. The meaning of the absence of minor taxa in Cabeço da Arruda assemblage is still uncertain, it might happen because of the different acquisition modalities of the wood or uses for fuel, or due to the size of the sample.