Neolithic ditched enclosures in southern Portugal (4th millennium BC): New data and new perspectives

Abstract

This paper presents some new contextual data on five Neolithic ditched sites located in Alentejo hinterland (Perdigões, Horta do Pinheiro 6, Horta Nova 4, Estácio 6 and Cortes 1). An inventory of the available radiocarbon dates for the Neolithic (with twelve new dates) is provided and several aspects on the arising and early developments of the regional ditched enclosures are debated, e.g. spatial distribution, construction procedures, social re-cutting practices, infilling and depositional processes, diversity and possible relation among megalithic structures and ditched enclosures.