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PALAEO.WEST.IBERIA
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Human Evolution research, focusing on early humans’ interactions and adaptations, is pivotal to understanding the present. Atlantic Iberia is ideally placed to do that, due to its uninterrupted settlement and significant sites. PALAEO.WEST.IBERIA analyses the adaptive strategies of Modern Humans, Neanderthals and their precursors via archaeological excavation and multidisciplinary analyses of the finds.
The Almonda Karst System
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The Almonda karst system develops along a 70m-high escarpment and is characterised by a labyrinthic network of underground passages. Beginning in 1989, intensive speleo-archaeological work was conducted in this site complex, leading to the identification and excavation of several archaeological sites. The older occupations, dating to the Acheulean (e.g. Gruta da Aroeira), are at the top of the escarpment. The Middle Palaeolithic site of Gruta da Oliveira is at mid-elevation, whereas the Upper Palaeolithic caves of Lapa dos Coelhos and Galeria da Cisterna, as well as other recent prehistoric sites, are at the bottom of the escarpment. Gruta do Aderno is adjacent to Gruta da Aroeira and has the potential to reveal the transition phase between the Lower and the Middle Palaeolithic, bridging the gap between the Gruta da Aroeira, with its pre-Neanderthal skull, and the Gruta da Oliveira. It is, thus, paramount to continue excavation work at this site to obtain more archaeological materials and dating analyses to better define the chronology of the individual sites.
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The Limestone Canyon of the Nabão
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Gruta do Caldeirão is located in the limestone canyon of the Nabão. It was excavated between 1979 and 1988, exposing a 6m deep stratigraphic sequence with Upper Palaeolithic levels at the top, and basal levels of Middle Palaeolithic age. Excavation was resumed in 2021. The excavation area was extended towards the open-air cave deposit exposed on the slope in front of the cave entrance where older deposits from the Middle Pleistocene also exist. The dating of the 2021-2025 excavated deposits requires further clarification. The analysis of absolute dates integrated with a detailed study of the finds recovered is pivotal for a better understanding of the transition phases Early-to-Middle and Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic at a regional scale.
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Abrigo da Senhora das Lapas, an Upper Palaeolithic rockshelter discovered in 2021, is also located in the Nabão canyon. In 2022, the excavation of a test pit down to a depth of just 60cm yielded thousands of knapping debris with significant numbers of cores, blades, bladelets and retouched tools. Abundant burnt faunal remains were also recovered. A preliminary analysis of these finds indicates the presence of a residential occupation of Early Magdalenian age, whereas the site’s sedimentation and topography suggest that there is an underlying fill at least 3m deep. This site needs further investigation by enlarging the area of excavation and taking the open test pit to a greater depth to better understand site formation processes and stratigraphy, as well as to increase the sample of finds and to refine the chronology through absolute dating.
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Aims and Objectives
One of the primary objectives is to establish a refined chronological framework for human presence and activity in the region. By employing advanced dating techniques, the project aims to accurately place evolutionary milestones and cultural shifts within a clear temporal context. This chronological precision is crucial for understanding the pace and nature of human adaptation and technological variability.
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The project also focuses on examining the technological and cultural changes of the region’s early human populations. By analysing lithic, faunal, human and other archaeological materials, as well as their on-site spatial distributions, the study intends to chart the evolution of human technology and culture. This analysis is key to understanding how these early human populations interacted with their environment and each other.
PALAEO.WEST.IBERIA aims to investigate the adaptive strategies of these early humans, particularly their dietary habits. Using biological anthropology, zooarchaeology, dental wear, isotopy, geometric morphometrics and botanical analyses, the research will explore the varying dietary choices and their implications for human adaptation to changing environments. This will shed light on the resilience and versatility of early human populations in the face of climatic and ecological shifts.
Lastly, the project seeks to contribute to the scientific community and society by enhancing our understanding of human evolution, providing educational opportunities and influencing policy decisions related to heritage conservation.
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The Team
Researchers
Alexandre Varanda (UNIARQ)
Alistair Pike (Universidade de Southampton)
Carmen M. Martínez Varea (Universidade de Valência)
Diego Angelucci (Universidade de Trento)
Dirk Ludwig Hoffmann (Max Planck Institute)
Ernestina Badal (Universidade de Valência)
Filipa Rodrigues (UNIARQ)
Henrique Matias (UNIARQ)
Jean-Philip Brugal (CNRS)
Joan Daura Lujan (Universidade de Barcelona)
João Zilhão (UNIARQ)
John Willman (Universidade de Coimbra)
Lee Arnold (Universidade de Adelaide)
Luis Gomes (UNIARQ)
Maria Melo (UNIARQ)
Marianne Deschamps (CNRS)
Martina Demuro (Universidade de Adelaide)
Maurizio Zambaldi (Universidade de Trento)
Montserrat Sanz (Universidade de Barcelona)
Ruth Blasco (IPHES)
Thierry Aubry (Fundação Côa Parque)
Alexandre Varanda (UNIARQ)
Alistair Pike (Universidade de Southampton)
Carmen M. Martínez Varea (Universidade de Valência)
Diego Angelucci (Universidade de Trento)
Dirk Ludwig Hoffmann (Max Planck Institute)
Ernestina Badal (Universidade de Valência)
Filipa Rodrigues (UNIARQ)
Henrique Matias (UNIARQ)
Jean-Philip Brugal (CNRS)
Joan Daura Lujan (Universidade de Barcelona)
João Zilhão (UNIARQ)
John Willman (Universidade de Coimbra)
Lee Arnold (Universidade de Adelaide)
Luis Gomes (UNIARQ)
Maria Melo (UNIARQ)
Marianne Deschamps (CNRS)
Martina Demuro (Universidade de Adelaide)
Maurizio Zambaldi (Universidade de Trento)
Montserrat Sanz (Universidade de Barcelona)
Ruth Blasco (IPHES)
Thierry Aubry (Fundação Côa Parque)
Funding Bodies and Collaborations
Supported by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of the project 2023.16301.ICDT (https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.16301.ICDT)
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Selected References
Angelucci, D., Nabais, M., Zilhão, J., 2023. Formation processes, fire use, and patterns of human occupation across the Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 5a-5b) of Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal) PLoS ONE, 18(10): e0292075 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292075
Aubry, T., Dimuccio, L., Almeida, M., Neves, M., Angelucci, D., Cunha, L., 2011. Palaeoenvironmental forcing during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in central-western Portugal. Quaternary research, 75, 66-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2010.11.002
Daura, J., Sanz, M., Arsuaga, JL., Hoffmann, D., Quam, R., Cruz Ortega, M., Santos, E., Gómez, S., Rubio, A., Villaescusa, L., Souto, P., Maurício, J., Rodrigues, F., Ferreira, A., Godinho, P., Trinkaus, E., Zilhão, J., 2017. New Middle Pleistocene hominin cranium from Gruta da Aroeira (Portugal). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114: 3397-3402. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1619040114
Deschamps, M., Zilhão, J., 2018. Assessing site formation and assemblage integrity through stone tool refitting at Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal): A Middle Paleolithic case study. PLoS ONE, 13: e0192423. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192423
Deschamps, M., Martín-Lerma, I., Linares-Matás, G., Zilhão, J., 2022. Organization of residential space, site function variability, and seasonality of activities among MIS 5 Iberian Neandertals. Scientific Reports, 12: 20221https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24430-z
Linscott, B., Pike, A., Angelucci, D.E, Zilhão, J., 2023. Reconstructing Middle and Upper Paleolithic human mobility in Portuguese Estremadura through laser ablation strontium isotope analysis. PNAS 120 (20): e2204501120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204501120
López-García, J.M., Póvoas, L., Zilhão, J., 2020. Note on the taxonomy of the Microtus (Iberomys) (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from the Late Pleistocene of Gruta do Caldeirão (Tomar, Portugal) and paleoclimatic interpretation of the rodent assemblage. Estudios Geológicos, 76: e128. https://doi.org/10.3989/egeol.43622.542
López-García, JM, Fagoaga, A., Nabais, M., Póvoas, L., Zilhão, J., 2022. Late Quaternary (MIS 5a-5b) climate and environments of western Iberia inferred from the small-mammal assemblage of Gruta da Oliveira, Torres Novas, Portugal. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 603: 111194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111194
Melo, M., Deschamos, M., Zilhão, J., 2025. The Middle palaeolithic quartz assemblage from Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Comptes Rendus Palevol, 24: 563-585. https://doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2025v24a28
Nabais, M., Zilhão, J., 2019. The consumption of tortoise among Last Interglacial Iberian Neanderthals. Quaternary Science Reviews, 217: 225-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.03.024
Nabais, M., Zilhão, J., 2025. Ungulate exploitation and procurement strategies in the late MIS-5 Neanderthal occupation sequence of Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, 4. DOI:10.3389/fearc.2025.1564495
Nabais, M., Blasco, R., Boneta, I., Gonçalves, D., Igreja, M., Lubrano, V., Rufà, A., 2026. Raw vs Roasted: Experimental Approaches to Turtle Butchery and Their Implications for Early Human Cognition and Behaviour. Scientific Reports, 16: 1913. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31738-z
Nabais, M., Dupont, C., Zilhão, J., 2023. The exploitation of crabs by Last Interglacial Iberian Neanderthals: the evidence from Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, 2: 1097815. https://doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2023.1097815
Nabais, M., Pimenta, C., Zilhão, J., 2023. Human-bird interaction in last Interglacial Iberia: A combined approach using skeletal part analysis, bone surface modification, bird ethology and ethnography. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 49, 104023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104023
Nabais, M., Rufà, A., Igreja, M., 2024. Experimental replication of early human behaviour in bird preparation: a pilot-study focusing on bone surface modification and breakage patterns. Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 3: 1411853. https://doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2024.1411853
Sanz, M., Daura, J., Cabanes, D., Éguez, N., Carrancho, A., Badal, E., Souto, P., Rodrigues, F., Zilhão, J., 2020. Early evidence of fire in south-western Europe: the Acheulean site of Gruta da Aroeira (Torres Novas, Portugal). Scientific Reports, 10: 12053. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68839-w
Sanz, M., Sala, N., Daura, J., Pantoja-Pérez, A., Santos, E., Zilhão, J., 2018. Taphonomic inferences about Middle Pleistocene hominins: The human cranium of Gruta da Aroeira (Portugal). American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 167: 615-627 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23689
Willman, J., Maki, J., Bayle, P., Trinkaus, E., Zilhão, J., 2012. Middle Paleolithic Human Remains from the Gruta da Oliveira (Torres Novas), Portugal. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 149: 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22091
Zilhão, J., 2021. The late persistence of the Middle Palaeolithic and Neandertals in Iberia: A review of the evidence for and against the "Ebro Frontier” model. Quaternary Science Reviews, 270: 107098. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107098
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D.E., Arnold, L.J., Demuro, M., Hoffmann, D.L., Pike, A.W.G., 2021. A revised, Last Interglacial chronology for the Middle Palaeolithic sequence of Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal). Quaternary Science Reviews, 258: 106885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106885
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D., Araújo-igreja, M., Arnold, L., Badal, E., Callapez, P., Cardoso, J., D’Errico, F., Daura, J., Demuro, M., Deschamps, M., Dupont, C., Gabriel, S., Hoffmann, D., Legoinha, P., Matias, H., Monge soares, A., NabaiS, M., Rodrigues, A., Souto, P., Wainer, K., 2020. Last Interglacial Iberian Neandertals as Fisher-Hunter-Gatherers. Science, 367: eaaz7943. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz7943
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D., Arnold, L., D’Errico, F., Dayet, L., Demuro, M., Deschamps, M., Fewlass, H., Gomes, L., Linscott, B., Matias, H., Pike, A., Steier, P., Talamo, S., Wild, E., 2021. Revisiting the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic archaeology of Gruta do Caldeirão (Tomar, Portugal). PLoS One, 16: e0259089. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259089
Aubry, T., Dimuccio, L., Almeida, M., Neves, M., Angelucci, D., Cunha, L., 2011. Palaeoenvironmental forcing during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in central-western Portugal. Quaternary research, 75, 66-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2010.11.002
Daura, J., Sanz, M., Arsuaga, JL., Hoffmann, D., Quam, R., Cruz Ortega, M., Santos, E., Gómez, S., Rubio, A., Villaescusa, L., Souto, P., Maurício, J., Rodrigues, F., Ferreira, A., Godinho, P., Trinkaus, E., Zilhão, J., 2017. New Middle Pleistocene hominin cranium from Gruta da Aroeira (Portugal). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114: 3397-3402. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1619040114
Deschamps, M., Zilhão, J., 2018. Assessing site formation and assemblage integrity through stone tool refitting at Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal): A Middle Paleolithic case study. PLoS ONE, 13: e0192423. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192423
Deschamps, M., Martín-Lerma, I., Linares-Matás, G., Zilhão, J., 2022. Organization of residential space, site function variability, and seasonality of activities among MIS 5 Iberian Neandertals. Scientific Reports, 12: 20221https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24430-z
Linscott, B., Pike, A., Angelucci, D.E, Zilhão, J., 2023. Reconstructing Middle and Upper Paleolithic human mobility in Portuguese Estremadura through laser ablation strontium isotope analysis. PNAS 120 (20): e2204501120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204501120
López-García, J.M., Póvoas, L., Zilhão, J., 2020. Note on the taxonomy of the Microtus (Iberomys) (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from the Late Pleistocene of Gruta do Caldeirão (Tomar, Portugal) and paleoclimatic interpretation of the rodent assemblage. Estudios Geológicos, 76: e128. https://doi.org/10.3989/egeol.43622.542
López-García, JM, Fagoaga, A., Nabais, M., Póvoas, L., Zilhão, J., 2022. Late Quaternary (MIS 5a-5b) climate and environments of western Iberia inferred from the small-mammal assemblage of Gruta da Oliveira, Torres Novas, Portugal. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 603: 111194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111194
Melo, M., Deschamos, M., Zilhão, J., 2025. The Middle palaeolithic quartz assemblage from Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Comptes Rendus Palevol, 24: 563-585. https://doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2025v24a28
Nabais, M., Zilhão, J., 2019. The consumption of tortoise among Last Interglacial Iberian Neanderthals. Quaternary Science Reviews, 217: 225-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.03.024
Nabais, M., Zilhão, J., 2025. Ungulate exploitation and procurement strategies in the late MIS-5 Neanderthal occupation sequence of Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, 4. DOI:10.3389/fearc.2025.1564495
Nabais, M., Blasco, R., Boneta, I., Gonçalves, D., Igreja, M., Lubrano, V., Rufà, A., 2026. Raw vs Roasted: Experimental Approaches to Turtle Butchery and Their Implications for Early Human Cognition and Behaviour. Scientific Reports, 16: 1913. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31738-z
Nabais, M., Dupont, C., Zilhão, J., 2023. The exploitation of crabs by Last Interglacial Iberian Neanderthals: the evidence from Gruta da Figueira Brava (Portugal). Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, 2: 1097815. https://doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2023.1097815
Nabais, M., Pimenta, C., Zilhão, J., 2023. Human-bird interaction in last Interglacial Iberia: A combined approach using skeletal part analysis, bone surface modification, bird ethology and ethnography. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 49, 104023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104023
Nabais, M., Rufà, A., Igreja, M., 2024. Experimental replication of early human behaviour in bird preparation: a pilot-study focusing on bone surface modification and breakage patterns. Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 3: 1411853. https://doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2024.1411853
Sanz, M., Daura, J., Cabanes, D., Éguez, N., Carrancho, A., Badal, E., Souto, P., Rodrigues, F., Zilhão, J., 2020. Early evidence of fire in south-western Europe: the Acheulean site of Gruta da Aroeira (Torres Novas, Portugal). Scientific Reports, 10: 12053. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68839-w
Sanz, M., Sala, N., Daura, J., Pantoja-Pérez, A., Santos, E., Zilhão, J., 2018. Taphonomic inferences about Middle Pleistocene hominins: The human cranium of Gruta da Aroeira (Portugal). American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 167: 615-627 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23689
Willman, J., Maki, J., Bayle, P., Trinkaus, E., Zilhão, J., 2012. Middle Paleolithic Human Remains from the Gruta da Oliveira (Torres Novas), Portugal. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 149: 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22091
Zilhão, J., 2021. The late persistence of the Middle Palaeolithic and Neandertals in Iberia: A review of the evidence for and against the "Ebro Frontier” model. Quaternary Science Reviews, 270: 107098. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107098
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D.E., Arnold, L.J., Demuro, M., Hoffmann, D.L., Pike, A.W.G., 2021. A revised, Last Interglacial chronology for the Middle Palaeolithic sequence of Gruta da Oliveira (Almonda karst system, Torres Novas, Portugal). Quaternary Science Reviews, 258: 106885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106885
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D., Araújo-igreja, M., Arnold, L., Badal, E., Callapez, P., Cardoso, J., D’Errico, F., Daura, J., Demuro, M., Deschamps, M., Dupont, C., Gabriel, S., Hoffmann, D., Legoinha, P., Matias, H., Monge soares, A., NabaiS, M., Rodrigues, A., Souto, P., Wainer, K., 2020. Last Interglacial Iberian Neandertals as Fisher-Hunter-Gatherers. Science, 367: eaaz7943. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz7943
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D., Arnold, L., D’Errico, F., Dayet, L., Demuro, M., Deschamps, M., Fewlass, H., Gomes, L., Linscott, B., Matias, H., Pike, A., Steier, P., Talamo, S., Wild, E., 2021. Revisiting the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic archaeology of Gruta do Caldeirão (Tomar, Portugal). PLoS One, 16: e0259089. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259089
