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Mesolithic to Neolithic transitions: new results from shell-middens in the western Algarve, Portugal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Mary C. Stiner ,
Nuno F. Bicho ,
John Lindly  and
Reid Ferring
Mary C. Stiner
Affiliation:
Dept. of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721–0030, USA. [email protected]
Nuno F. Bicho
Affiliation:
Dept. de História, Arqueologia e Património, FCHS, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000 Faro, Portugal. [email protected]
John Lindly
Affiliation:
SWCA, Phoenix Office, 2120 North Central Ave., Suite 130, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA. [email protected]
Reid Ferring
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 13078, Denton, TX 76203–3078, USA. [email protected]
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Abstract

New research on shell middens in the Algarve region of southern Portugal shows continuity of marine exploitation from the Mesolithic into the early Neolithic periods, where the Neolithic period is defined by the appearance of pottery in c 5500BC. The authors propose that either shellfish remained important to Neolithic people in Portugal or that Mesolithic and Neolithic subsistence strategies co-existed in this area for a relatively long time.

Keywords

AlgarveMesolithicearly Neolithicshell middensseafoodtaphonomy
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 77 , Issue 295 , March 2003 , pp. 75 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2003

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