The Pedrogão Complex in the Context of the First Producing Societies: Short Notes Regarding the Neolithic Population of the Municipality of Avis

Abstract

Avis is a territory with a wide range and diversity of natural resources. In this context, the first producing communities emerged. Recently identified evidence regarding the early stages of the Neolithic period documents new strategies of territorial occupation and use of resources, with the introduction and development of newly domesticated species. This work forms part of the research project “Territory and spaces of death in recent prehistory. Contribution to a new reading of the megalithic settlement in the municipality of Avis – TEMPH”. The results obtained in 2016 and 2017 proved to be decisive, not only in the discovery of potential archaeological sites, but, in particular, by generating a typology and chronological  framework. Evidence of those moments, crucial for the study of the occupation of land during prehistory, have been encountered in the Pedrogão Complex and identified in other areas with similar natural features. The preliminary results of these works are now presented.