Profile

Email

josemaiamoreira@outlook.com

Science ID

B71C-89B7-549C

Ciênciavitae

ORCID

Lab2PT Group

LandS - Landscapes and Societies

Scientific Area

History and Archaeology; Archaeology

Supervision

Ana M. S. Bettencourt

Project Title

Podomorphs from Northern Portugal in the Context of Post-Paleolithic Art

Abstract

The main objective of this dissertation is to increase knowledge about footprints in the Northern Portugal. In order to carry out this investigation it was necessary to delineate and resort to several methodologies, among them, the preparatory work in the office; the bibliographic analysis; the archaeological prospection and the study and discussion of the obtained results. So far there is only complete data for the Northwest. In this region of the country, 219 footprints were engraved, which are distributed on 34 outcrops in 30 different sites. These engravings are mostly located between 200 and 700 m, in well-irrigated and easily accessible areas. Usually, the scope of vision over the landscape is ample from the outcrops with footprints. These outcrops are, for the most part, of considerable proportions, but not very striking in the surroundings. Two large groups of footprints were individualized, barefoot and shod, with some differentiating details within the footwear, which led to the creation of some subgroups. It is also known that most footprints in the northwest represent small feet, that is, under 23 cm in maximum length. These are organized in pairs as well as isolated. They assume different orientations, although there is a clear tendency towards the northwest. As for the techniques used, these were basically the low relief, per percussion followed of abrasion. The engraving of these rock art motifs in the portuguese northwest may have arisen at the end of the Chalcolithic period, beginning of the Bronze Age, reaching its peak during the latter period and ending at the beginning of the Iron Age. It is also hypothesized that these places might had been related to rituals of passage to the adult state, associated with the ""journey"" or ""pilgrimage"", performed at certain times of the year, especially during the summer solstice, which also materializes the importance of celestial cults associated with these rites.

Keywords

North Portugal, footprints, contexts, chronologies, meanings

FCT Reference

2020.04732.BD

Organic Unit

Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho