Papers by Frederico Tátá Regala
During a speleological survey preformed by the AESDA at the Manga Larga Cave, in the year 2001, t... more During a speleological survey preformed by the AESDA at the Manga Larga Cave, in the year 2001, the bone remains of a carnivore were photographed, laying in a gallery nearly 95 meters below the entrance of the cave. A latter observation of the photographs revealed the remarkable palaeontological significance of the remains. The morphology and size of the skull indicated a large felid, over-sizing the European-lynx, therefore consigning to a species already extinct from Europe. This identification was subsequently confirmed by the osteometric data obtained from the analysis of the specimen. After it was retrieved from the site and studied, the skull showed some uncommon morphological features. The complete palaeontological study was carried out under the scientific supervision of J. L. Cardoso. It is briefly described in this paper and will be the subject of a detailed forthcoming edition (CARDOSO & REGALA in press). The presence of this and other palaeontological remains, namely from wildcat, in a profound and hard reaching area of the cave, reveals the existence of unreferenced galleries that are or have been open to the exterior. Comprehensive considerations concerning the taphonomic processes determining the deposition of the remains are therefore discussed.
The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex soc... more The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex social, palaeoeconomic, and population scenario. With isotope, aDNA, and provenance, analyses of raw materials coupled with stylistic variability of material culture items and palaeogeographical data, light is shed on the territory and social organization of a population dated to 3800–3400 cal BC, i.e. the Middle Neolithic. Results indicate an itinerant farming, segmentary society, where exogamic practices
were the norm. Its lifeway may be that of the earliest megalithic builders of the region, but further research is needed to correctly evaluate the degree of this community’s participation in such a phenomenon.
Espacio Tiempo y Forma. Serie I, Prehistoria y Arqueología, 2013
The very rich and well preserved assemblages proved that the site was treated, throughout, as a s... more The very rich and well preserved assemblages proved that the site was treated, throughout, as a seasonal residential camp and although a striking combination of exogenous cultural traits has been identified, regional adaptive idiosyncrasies are quite evident. This paper focuses on the results of the lithics, fauna, beads and portable art analysis from Vale Boi, and their impact on the comprehension of the LGM ecodynamics in Southwestern Iberia.
Durante uma acção de reconhecimento, promovida pela Associação de Estudos Subterrâneos e Defesa d... more Durante uma acção de reconhecimento, promovida pela Associação de Estudos Subterrâneos e Defesa do Ambiente (AESDA), no Algar da Manga Larga, foi realizado um levantamento fotográfico sumário da cavidade, que incluiu imagens de um conjunto de restos osteológicos, jacentes a cerca de 95m de profundidade em relação à entrada do Algar.
A análise posterior das características morfológicas do crânio, possibilitada pelo registo fotográfico obtido, levou à conclusão de que se trataria de um exemplar de grande felideo, presumivelmente um leopardo, Phantera pardus (L., 1758). Em visita ulteriormente realizada, procedeu-se à recolha das peças ósseas. O respectivo estudo biométrico, com base em diversas comparações com exemplares actuais e do Plistocénico europeu, permitiu evidenciar, neste exemplar algumas características particulares, especialmente no respeitante à região craniana.
Estes aspectos são de tal modo marcantes que obrigaram à comparação com outras duas espécies menos prováveis de grandes felideos, Uncia uncia, cuja presença na Europa ocidental não foi confirmada (TESTU, 2006: 205), e Puma pardoídes, espécie identificada no Plistocénico inferior europeu.
Discutem-se também alguns aspectos tafonómicos que determinaram o posicionamento destes restos numa zona profunda da cavidade e de difícil acesso.
Conference Presentations by Frederico Tátá Regala
Southwestern Iberia is often considered a privileged region for the study of what are considered ... more Southwestern Iberia is often considered a privileged region for the study of what are considered the last Neanderthals. However, unlike most other European and even Iberian regions, there is a clear lack of information available on this subject, especially if we consider behaviour changes through time. For this poster we present a summary of what little is known about Neanderthals in this region, as well as provide new data from the recently discovered Gruta da Companheira site.
The current available data on Neanderthals in this region has simply provided us with means to infer answers to important questions such as resource selection and exploitation, technology and settlement patterns [1]. Recently, during construction work in its vicinity, the Gruta da Companheira site was discovered, two test pits of one squared meter each revealed several Mousterian artifacts as well as faunal remains. With the addition of Gruta da Companheira, around 18 Mousterian sites have been identified south to the Tagus, however, only 5 (Mina do Paço, Gruta da Figueira Brava, Gruta do Escoural, Gruta de Ibn Amar and Sapateiros 2) have been excavated.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of a clear chronological picture for this area, and aside from the caves of Escoural (c. 50k cal BP) and Figueira Brava (c. 30.9k cal BP), no other sites have been dated [2]. Considering this region is marked at north by late Mousterian occupations (30k cal BP) including the Foz do Enxarique site, and on the east by Southern Spain where other late Mousterian sites have been identified, published and excavated (e.g. Gorham’s Cave, Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya and Cueva del Bajondillo), it is quite likely that late Mousterian sites can be found in the region.
What we do know is that since at least 150k BP, Neanderthals showed particular behaviors that can be considered unique compared to other European regions, such as a high variability of resource exploitation, including marine resources [1]. At Gruta da Figueira Brava, high frequencies of Patella shells were found associated with lithics, as well as great auk and seal remains [3]. Likewise, in Gruta de Ibn Amar tortoise remains were found, and on smaller amounts Patella, Clam and Mussel shells were found in mixed frequencies with terrestrial fauna, such as, Rabbit, Wild Ass and Red Deer. In the Southernmost sites, these distinct behavioral patterns are quite evident. All of these sites are located exclusively near seasonal lakes [1], coastal areas or rivers. Gruta da Companheira is no exception, located next to the Arade River estuary.
In Central and Northern Portugal, the Mousterian between 200k and 100k is marked by low frequencies of Levallois and discoidal flake debitage, however, in Southern Portugal the Mousterian is marked by an abundance of discoidal and Levallois flake debitage, most of it done on local raw materials [4,5]. At Gruta da Companheira 85 lithics were found so far, a preliminary analysis shows us that the raw material exploitation was a bit distinct from the one identified in Ibn Amar (which is located around 600m from Gruta da Companheira). While the same raw materials are present, limestone shows the highest frequencies opposed to quartz in Ibn Amar. The artifacts are clearly Mousterian with the presence of Levallois flakes, together with a notch and a couple of hammerstones.
While for the time being we have limited information on Neanderthals in this region it is quite clear that sites like Gruta da Companheira may provide us with important data on what may have been the Last Neanderthals and what made them last longer in these areas.
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Papers by Frederico Tátá Regala
were the norm. Its lifeway may be that of the earliest megalithic builders of the region, but further research is needed to correctly evaluate the degree of this community’s participation in such a phenomenon.
A análise posterior das características morfológicas do crânio, possibilitada pelo registo fotográfico obtido, levou à conclusão de que se trataria de um exemplar de grande felideo, presumivelmente um leopardo, Phantera pardus (L., 1758). Em visita ulteriormente realizada, procedeu-se à recolha das peças ósseas. O respectivo estudo biométrico, com base em diversas comparações com exemplares actuais e do Plistocénico europeu, permitiu evidenciar, neste exemplar algumas características particulares, especialmente no respeitante à região craniana.
Estes aspectos são de tal modo marcantes que obrigaram à comparação com outras duas espécies menos prováveis de grandes felideos, Uncia uncia, cuja presença na Europa ocidental não foi confirmada (TESTU, 2006: 205), e Puma pardoídes, espécie identificada no Plistocénico inferior europeu.
Discutem-se também alguns aspectos tafonómicos que determinaram o posicionamento destes restos numa zona profunda da cavidade e de difícil acesso.
Conference Presentations by Frederico Tátá Regala
The current available data on Neanderthals in this region has simply provided us with means to infer answers to important questions such as resource selection and exploitation, technology and settlement patterns [1]. Recently, during construction work in its vicinity, the Gruta da Companheira site was discovered, two test pits of one squared meter each revealed several Mousterian artifacts as well as faunal remains. With the addition of Gruta da Companheira, around 18 Mousterian sites have been identified south to the Tagus, however, only 5 (Mina do Paço, Gruta da Figueira Brava, Gruta do Escoural, Gruta de Ibn Amar and Sapateiros 2) have been excavated.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of a clear chronological picture for this area, and aside from the caves of Escoural (c. 50k cal BP) and Figueira Brava (c. 30.9k cal BP), no other sites have been dated [2]. Considering this region is marked at north by late Mousterian occupations (30k cal BP) including the Foz do Enxarique site, and on the east by Southern Spain where other late Mousterian sites have been identified, published and excavated (e.g. Gorham’s Cave, Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya and Cueva del Bajondillo), it is quite likely that late Mousterian sites can be found in the region.
What we do know is that since at least 150k BP, Neanderthals showed particular behaviors that can be considered unique compared to other European regions, such as a high variability of resource exploitation, including marine resources [1]. At Gruta da Figueira Brava, high frequencies of Patella shells were found associated with lithics, as well as great auk and seal remains [3]. Likewise, in Gruta de Ibn Amar tortoise remains were found, and on smaller amounts Patella, Clam and Mussel shells were found in mixed frequencies with terrestrial fauna, such as, Rabbit, Wild Ass and Red Deer. In the Southernmost sites, these distinct behavioral patterns are quite evident. All of these sites are located exclusively near seasonal lakes [1], coastal areas or rivers. Gruta da Companheira is no exception, located next to the Arade River estuary.
In Central and Northern Portugal, the Mousterian between 200k and 100k is marked by low frequencies of Levallois and discoidal flake debitage, however, in Southern Portugal the Mousterian is marked by an abundance of discoidal and Levallois flake debitage, most of it done on local raw materials [4,5]. At Gruta da Companheira 85 lithics were found so far, a preliminary analysis shows us that the raw material exploitation was a bit distinct from the one identified in Ibn Amar (which is located around 600m from Gruta da Companheira). While the same raw materials are present, limestone shows the highest frequencies opposed to quartz in Ibn Amar. The artifacts are clearly Mousterian with the presence of Levallois flakes, together with a notch and a couple of hammerstones.
While for the time being we have limited information on Neanderthals in this region it is quite clear that sites like Gruta da Companheira may provide us with important data on what may have been the Last Neanderthals and what made them last longer in these areas.
were the norm. Its lifeway may be that of the earliest megalithic builders of the region, but further research is needed to correctly evaluate the degree of this community’s participation in such a phenomenon.
A análise posterior das características morfológicas do crânio, possibilitada pelo registo fotográfico obtido, levou à conclusão de que se trataria de um exemplar de grande felideo, presumivelmente um leopardo, Phantera pardus (L., 1758). Em visita ulteriormente realizada, procedeu-se à recolha das peças ósseas. O respectivo estudo biométrico, com base em diversas comparações com exemplares actuais e do Plistocénico europeu, permitiu evidenciar, neste exemplar algumas características particulares, especialmente no respeitante à região craniana.
Estes aspectos são de tal modo marcantes que obrigaram à comparação com outras duas espécies menos prováveis de grandes felideos, Uncia uncia, cuja presença na Europa ocidental não foi confirmada (TESTU, 2006: 205), e Puma pardoídes, espécie identificada no Plistocénico inferior europeu.
Discutem-se também alguns aspectos tafonómicos que determinaram o posicionamento destes restos numa zona profunda da cavidade e de difícil acesso.
The current available data on Neanderthals in this region has simply provided us with means to infer answers to important questions such as resource selection and exploitation, technology and settlement patterns [1]. Recently, during construction work in its vicinity, the Gruta da Companheira site was discovered, two test pits of one squared meter each revealed several Mousterian artifacts as well as faunal remains. With the addition of Gruta da Companheira, around 18 Mousterian sites have been identified south to the Tagus, however, only 5 (Mina do Paço, Gruta da Figueira Brava, Gruta do Escoural, Gruta de Ibn Amar and Sapateiros 2) have been excavated.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of a clear chronological picture for this area, and aside from the caves of Escoural (c. 50k cal BP) and Figueira Brava (c. 30.9k cal BP), no other sites have been dated [2]. Considering this region is marked at north by late Mousterian occupations (30k cal BP) including the Foz do Enxarique site, and on the east by Southern Spain where other late Mousterian sites have been identified, published and excavated (e.g. Gorham’s Cave, Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya and Cueva del Bajondillo), it is quite likely that late Mousterian sites can be found in the region.
What we do know is that since at least 150k BP, Neanderthals showed particular behaviors that can be considered unique compared to other European regions, such as a high variability of resource exploitation, including marine resources [1]. At Gruta da Figueira Brava, high frequencies of Patella shells were found associated with lithics, as well as great auk and seal remains [3]. Likewise, in Gruta de Ibn Amar tortoise remains were found, and on smaller amounts Patella, Clam and Mussel shells were found in mixed frequencies with terrestrial fauna, such as, Rabbit, Wild Ass and Red Deer. In the Southernmost sites, these distinct behavioral patterns are quite evident. All of these sites are located exclusively near seasonal lakes [1], coastal areas or rivers. Gruta da Companheira is no exception, located next to the Arade River estuary.
In Central and Northern Portugal, the Mousterian between 200k and 100k is marked by low frequencies of Levallois and discoidal flake debitage, however, in Southern Portugal the Mousterian is marked by an abundance of discoidal and Levallois flake debitage, most of it done on local raw materials [4,5]. At Gruta da Companheira 85 lithics were found so far, a preliminary analysis shows us that the raw material exploitation was a bit distinct from the one identified in Ibn Amar (which is located around 600m from Gruta da Companheira). While the same raw materials are present, limestone shows the highest frequencies opposed to quartz in Ibn Amar. The artifacts are clearly Mousterian with the presence of Levallois flakes, together with a notch and a couple of hammerstones.
While for the time being we have limited information on Neanderthals in this region it is quite clear that sites like Gruta da Companheira may provide us with important data on what may have been the Last Neanderthals and what made them last longer in these areas.