Restos faunísticos em contexto funerário: fossas 7 e 11 dos Perdigões (Reguengos de Monsaraz)

Abstract

During the archaeological survey carried out in 2008 in Sector I at Perdigões enclosure’s complex several human funerary depositions were identified in pits 7 and 11. Associated with them two suid feet were recovered. Their archaeozoological study is presented here.

The bones of pig (Sus domesticus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are difficult to identify specifically. For this reason, even after consulting the reference collection of the Archaeozoology Lab at IGESPAR they remain as suid (Sus sp.). The age-at-death was estimated from the epiphyseal fusion stages. In addition, they were carefully observed to detect cut marks, signs of burning or modifications of animal origin.

In pit 7, we identified part of the bone elements that constitute the hind foot: metatarsal 3, metatarsal 4, two first phalanges, two second phalanges and two third phalanges. They were all from the left side.

In pit 11, skeletal elements from a front foot were recovered still articulated. They included five carpal bones (scaphoide, semilunar, pyramidal, os crochu e capitatum), three sesamoids, metacarpals 2, 3 and 4, two first phalanges, two second phalanges and two third phalanges. They were also from the left side.

Since none of the distal epiphyses of these metapodials were fused but most of the first and second phalanges presented proximal epiphyses fused it was estimated that the feet belonged to an animal or animals of between 18-24 months.

The archaeological evidence suggests that pit 7 was cut by pit 11 and that the human remains deposited there were partially removed. Thus, the hypothesis that these feet were not placed here as isolated elements cannot be excluded. They could have been part of whole posterior and anterior limbs of one or two animals that were removed simultaneously with the human skeletons from pit 7.

More finds of this nature will help to interpret their role in the funerary rituals undertaken in the Perdigões complex.