Duration: 3/1/2011 – 2/28/2014
Abstract: This project deals with the study of funerary practices in the recent Prehistory of the Baixo Alentejo and the construction of models of optimization of the knowledge produced in the context of archaeological rescue works for sites that are not (or cannot) be open to public. It gathers the scientific approach and the problematic involving heritage promotion and public access to it. Archaeological contexts included in the project were subjected to intervention during works of minimization of construction impact on archaeological sites promoted by Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) and Empresa de Desenvolvimento de Infra-estruturas do Alqueva (EDIA). Archaeological evidences related to funerary practices in the Prehistory of Baixo Alentejo have undergone serious empirical revolution as the result of the implementation of large construction works in that territory. Resulting scientific investigation will allow a deep review on our knowledge on social strategies of the management of death in what it concerns the architecture, rituals, social organization, cosmologic conceptions and paleodemography. Eight relevant sites will be included in the study aiming at investigating funerary solutions employed from Late Neolithic to Bronze Age.
Coordinator: António Valera, Núcleo de Investigação Arqueológica, Era Arqueologia, Lda.
Participants: Ana Maria Silva, Ricardo Miguel Godinho
Partner institutions: CIAS, Department of Life Sciences, Universidade de Coimbra
Financial support: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, PTDC/HIS ‐ ARQ/114077/2009