Understanding neolithic leporid accumulations: the examples of Cadaval and Nossa Senhora das Lapas (Tomar, Middle Tagus, Portugal)

Abstract

The study of leporid accumulations has been widely developed in the last decades. Actualistic research allowed for a better understanding of accumulations by humans, different mammals and raptors. Western Europe archaeological records are rich in leporid accumulations of anthropogenic and other origins (intrusive and exogenous). Cadaval and Nossa Senhora das Lapas caves are located in the Portuguese Middle Tagus, near Tomar, central Portugal. Cadaval layer D corresponds to the regional initial Middle Neolithic while layer C is of Middle / Late Neolithic chronology. Nossa Senhora das Lapas presents disturbed deposits with Early and Middle Neolithic chronologies but also some bell beaker artifacts, which led to the necessity of studying the materials as if they corresponded to a single context. The archaeofaunal spectra are dominated by leporids, the majority of which are Oryctolagus cuniculus. Leporids representativeness is lower in Cadaval, both in layer D (NISP 57) and layer C (NISP 111) compared to Nossa Senhora das Lapas (NISP 425). Results indicate that leporids accumulations are a mixture of ingested and non-ingested remains mainly of exogenous origin, being human influence analytically invisible.