Papers by Maria Jesus Sanches
Connecting stories of the Neolithic in north-eastern Portugal
Monumentalising Life in the Neolithic, 2020
In this chapter we aim to approach two walled enclosures, Crasto de Palheiros and Castanheiro do ... more In this chapter we aim to approach two walled enclosures, Crasto de Palheiros and Castanheiro do Vento (northeast Portugal) that we define here as monumentalised hills, justifying and discussing such terminological option. Even though they are geographically close to each other, being in general terms contemporary (3rd millennium BC), with similar archaeological materials, including Bell Beaker ceramics, they seem to exhibit different processes of monumentalisation and of its surrounding landscape. Bearing in mind these premises and the presence or absence of a previous monumentalisation of the territories, we will inquire about the monumentalisation process of its neighbouring landscape during the 3rd millennium BC, considering the interpretative possibilities of these sites.
Quaternary Studies-Estudos do Quaternario, 2025
Two AMS dates are published here, one on Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) and another on Trit... more Two AMS dates are published here, one on Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) and another on Triticum spelta. The first confirms that Panicum cultivation at Crasto de Palheiros occurred only during the Iron Age, remaining unconfirmed its possible Late Bronze Age origins. The second provides the first direct dating of this wheat species at this archaeological site. Attention to post‑depositional processes and sample infiltration has led to a contextual reassessment of previously published dates from nearly two decades ago, particularly those of Panicum miliaceum, warranting a more detailed publication of these and other related contexts. Given the difficulty in recovering broomcorn millet grains without employing bulk sediment sampling, this study revisits the significance of storage and consumption of both this cereal and Triticum spelta within the agro‑pastoral economy of Crasto de Palheiros.
Keywords: Crasto de Palheiros; Iron Age; Archaeobotany; Panicum miliaceum; Triticum spelta; pastoralism
Resumo Publicam-se duas datações por AMS, uma realizada a partir de Panicum miliaceum (milho miúdo) e outra a partir de Triticum spelta. A primeira vem confirmar que os cultivos de Panicum se realizaram no Crasto de Palheiros somente durante a Idade do Ferro, estando por confirmar se terão começado no Bronze Final. A segunda expõe pela primeira vez uma datação direta sobre este tipo de trigo neste sítio arqueológico. A atenção dada aos fenómenos pós-deposicionais e de infiltração destas amostras conduziu a uma reavaliação contextual das restantes datações publicadas há perto de duas décadas, particularmente as de Panicum miliaceum, sendo motivo para a publicação mais pormenorizada dos contextos destas e de algumas das restantes. Em consequência da dificuldade de obter sementes de milho miúdo a não ser que se usem recolhas de sedimento íntegro, é reavaliada a importância do armazenamento e consumo deste cereal e do Triticum spelta, no contexto da economia agro-pastoril do Crasto de Palheiros.
Portugalia, nova série, nº 46, 2025
This article focuses the occupation of Crasto de Palheiros (Murça, Portugal) during the 1st mille... more This article focuses the occupation of Crasto de Palheiros (Murça, Portugal) during the 1st millennium BCE, reassessing phases II (Late Bronze Age) and III (Iron Age). Based primarily on radiocarbon dates, stratigraphic analyses, and ceramic studies, it discusses the Late Bronze Age occupation of this settlement, which serves as the foundation for a reevaluation of the settlement patterns in "interior" Trás-os-Montes during the same chronological-cultural period (12th to 5th centuries BCE). Of particular signifi cance in this discussion is the comparison with the Fraga dos Corvos site, especially regarding the problematic transition from Late Bronze Age to Iron Age and, within this context, the establishment of continuities and changes in material culture. The article highlights the idiosyncratic cultural dynamics within broader cultural relationships with the Iberian coastal regions and the Meseta
Bell beaker contexts in Portugal: the northern and the Douro region basin
Este texto realizará a síntese dos sítios com cerâmica campaniforme na região norte de Portugal e... more Este texto realizará a síntese dos sítios com cerâmica campaniforme na região norte de Portugal e bacia do Douro, discutindo sumariamente as bases sobre as quais assentam as propostas interpretativas anteriores. Dando particular realce a dois contextos – o do Crasto de Palheiros e o da Pastoria–, bem como a outros que têm datas de C14, defenderemos que o fabrico, circulação e uso da cerâmica campaniforme corresponde não a um fenómeno unitário, temporalmente curto, mas antes plurifacetado na sua longa duração de c. de 8 séculos (entre c. de 2700 e 2000/1900 a.C.), e, bem assim, das implicações inerentes a essa longa cronologia. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: campaniforme; Norte e Centro de Portugal; cerâmica; estilísticas locais e regionais.This paper will perform the analytical synthesis of the set of sites that have bell beaker ceramics (campaniforme) in northern Portugal and the Douro basin region, briefly discussing the bases on which the previous interpretative proposals rests. With particular emphasis on two contexts – Crasto de Palheiros and Pastoria – as well as others that have C14 dates, we will argue that the manufacture, circulation, and use of bell beaker ceramics corresponds not to a unitary temporally short phenomenon, but rather a mutifaceted one given its long duration of about eight centuries (between about 2700 and 2000/1900 BC). So, our discussion would focus on the interpretative implications that may stem from this long term use. KEYWORDS: bell-baker; Northern and Central Portugal; local and regional ceramic stylistics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Relatório dos Trabalhos Arqueológicos Realizados em Picote-Miranda do Douro em 2001
Results from excavation work carried out at Mamoa d'Alagoa (Trás-os-Montes, Northeastern Portugal... more Results from excavation work carried out at Mamoa d'Alagoa (Trás-os-Montes, Northeastern Portugal) in 2000-2001, are presented here. This is a megalithic monument, with chamber and other access structures-megalithic corridor, corridor opened directly in the clayey sediments, antechamber-in connexion with a covering sub-circular mound. Special emphasis is given to the different phases of construction / use / "closure" during the first half of the 4 th millennium BC. The intentional and constant use of fire is also pointed out. This may have a ritual significance.
Al-Madan, 2022
This article divulges the ESCARPARTE and PIPA Projects, in Serra de Passos/Santa Comba (Mirandela... more This article divulges the ESCARPARTE and PIPA Projects, in Serra de Passos/Santa Comba (Mirandela, Valpaços e Murça-Trás-os-Montes-Portugal), in their archaeological research relative to the study of a group of prehistoric schematic paintings, exceptional in their concentration and stylistic specificity. It focuses on the ancient and innovative methods of registration and alerts to the risk that the implementation, in this mountain, of a wind turbine park (already approved, but not yet built) will pose to the cultural heritage.
O abrigo da Foz do rio Tua – Alijó (Trás-os-Montes, Portugal). Identificação e estudo preliminar [The shelter of the mouth of the river Tua – Alijó (Trás-os-Montes, Portugal). Identification and preliminary study]
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Papers by Maria Jesus Sanches
Keywords: Crasto de Palheiros; Iron Age; Archaeobotany; Panicum miliaceum; Triticum spelta; pastoralism
Resumo Publicam-se duas datações por AMS, uma realizada a partir de Panicum miliaceum (milho miúdo) e outra a partir de Triticum spelta. A primeira vem confirmar que os cultivos de Panicum se realizaram no Crasto de Palheiros somente durante a Idade do Ferro, estando por confirmar se terão começado no Bronze Final. A segunda expõe pela primeira vez uma datação direta sobre este tipo de trigo neste sítio arqueológico. A atenção dada aos fenómenos pós-deposicionais e de infiltração destas amostras conduziu a uma reavaliação contextual das restantes datações publicadas há perto de duas décadas, particularmente as de Panicum miliaceum, sendo motivo para a publicação mais pormenorizada dos contextos destas e de algumas das restantes. Em consequência da dificuldade de obter sementes de milho miúdo a não ser que se usem recolhas de sedimento íntegro, é reavaliada a importância do armazenamento e consumo deste cereal e do Triticum spelta, no contexto da economia agro-pastoril do Crasto de Palheiros.