Prehistoric objects in transition: Cultural transformation in material record

Abstract

The 3rd millennium BCE socio-cultural, ideological and environmental dynamics in Southwestern Iberian Peninsula have been a research hot topic for several decades. During the last years, with the identification of many new ditched enclosures, the debate as resurfaced by looking comparatively at ditched and walled enclosures. Different questions regarding chronology and associated material records and other dynamics of these societies have regained impetus with the analysis of the material record still remaining among the best ways of cross-referencing information between these different types of architectures. Monte da Ponte is one of the few known enclosures for this large area that combines positive and negative features. Hence, it has been considered paradigmatic to the analysis of SW Iberia Chalcolithic. The site is located in the Évora district, in the inland Alentejo region (Southern Portugal), and while it has been subjected to archaeological research during the 90’s it had a large interregnum period with a new research program only starting recently. Some information from these studies, including geophysics and archaeological excavations has been obtained. In this paper, we present the current data of the site focusing on the material record recovered. We aim to discuss how this enclosure contributes to ongoing questions on changes and transitions during the 3rd millennium BCE in SW Iberia, especially considering the strong socio-cultural, economic and social transformations that these communities faced. Our objective is to reflect upon the reality that we have on the site of Monte da Ponte by comparing it with other assemblages that compose the broader picture of the Chalcolithic on the surrounding Central Alentejo territory.