Conimbriga

The Statue-Menhir of Nave 1 (Moimenta da Beira, Viseu, Central Portugal): preliminary results from the 2023 archaeological campaign

Ralph Araque Gonzalez — 2024-11-25

Prehistoric statue-menhirs and stelae are amongst the most interesting and at the same time problematic monuments in Iberia. Almost none of these self-standing pieces of rock art have been found within an archaeological context, and chronologies are often based on iconography alone. The statue-menhir of Nave 1 appeared to be in situ and thus offered the unique possibility for the investigation of chronological, technological, and contextual issues. The monument has been excavated and its pit could be recorded; C14 samples were obtained from a stratigraphic unit cut by this pit and a nearby fireplace. This paper presents the strati4 PhD student. Conimbriga, 63 (2024) 5-46 graphic sequence, illustrated with graphic materials from the excavation. It also addresses the protocol applied to the process of lichen removal from the granite slab. Following an analysis of the archaeological contexts and discussion of the data gathered in our fieldwork, it highlights the future perspectives for research on this notable site.

Horse breaking in Pre-roman Iberian Peninsula. On the discovery of a “taming scene” on rock 80 of Vale de José Esteves (Côa Valley, Portugal)

Luís Luís — 2024-11-25

Following tracing and recording works of the Côa Valley rock art, we present a new motif identified on rock 80 of Vale de José Esteves (Vila Nova de Foz Côa). The scene is interpreted as portraying the act of training a horse on the lunge, in the context of horse breaking. This type of representation is generally identified as a “taming scene”, present in several examples of pre-roman Iberian iconography. By integrating all these scenes with others presente at the Côa Valley rock art, we try to define a sequence of the process of horse training in pre-roman societies, framing it in their ideological context.

The Roman army in Central Portugal: Reassessing the archaeological evidence of two possible military sites

Gil Vilarinho — 2024-11-25

Following a complementary non-invasive analysis including satellite and aerial imagery, as well as UAV-based photogrammetric and LiDAR surveys, this paper presents and discusses the Roman military evidence identified at Alto do Golado (São Pedro do Sul) and Modedufe (Lamego). Though the archaeological remains of these sites have been partly noticed before, undetected relevant aspects resulted in misinterpretations, which are now reassessed in this study. Constituting the first known evidence of the Roman army in the region located between the Vouga and Douro rivers, further analysis of computed GIS models resulted in some hypotheses regarding mobility, visibility and territorial control. Ultimately, this paper also stresses the importance and the need for additional, invasive archaeological research to validate these hypotheses and, consequently, contribute to a better understanding not only of the sites here discussed but also of the Roman military presence in Western Iberia.

On the trail of Hercules? A new perspective about a controversial bas-relief

Gonçalo Cruz — 2024-11-25

A stone element, decorated with a bas-relief, identified in Citânia de Briteiros (Guimarães, Portugal) in the 18th century is the central subject of this study. The representation of two human figures in this piece gave it some prominence, with its interpretation diverging between those who consider its sexual nature, and those who see it as a representation of a fight or a work scene. Less evidently, the chronological attribution of this out-of-context find is also controversial, between its inclusion in Roman sculpture, or among the artistic features of the local Iron Age.

A more detailed observation of the piece and the search for iconographic parallels, gave way to the interpretation presented here, that is partially in line with some previous proposals that consider it generically as a roman sculpture. However, we propose the herculean theme of the depicted scene, analysing the possible context underneath the use of this classical iconography.

Thin-walled pottery from Augusta Emerita: new typological data from one of its production contexts

André Gadanho — 2024-11-25

This article discusses a collection of thin-walled pottery produced in Augusta Emerita, originating from a production context in the present-day city of Mérida (Badajoz, Spain), which was the provincial capital of Lusitania during the Roman period. These ceramics have not received an in-depth typological and chronological study since 1975 when Les céramiques à parois fines dans la Péninsule Ibérique by F. Mayet was published. This article aims to contribute to the review of some of the recurring forms within that publication, as well to introduce new morphologies that have been identified throughout the artefactual analysis of this same context.

The use of coins as a figural iconographic resource: Concercning on some lychnological finds in Augusta Emerita

Alejandro González Blas — 2024-11-25

We present two ceramic fragments of decorated lamps from the old site of Augusta Emerita. Their interest lies in presenting a decoration based on the printing of two Roman Imperial coins and in appearing contextualized so that we can provide chronological data of final use. This work allows us to approach, without claiming to be an exegesis, the phenomenon of coin impressions on various supports and delve into other craft practices.

Between fantasy and reality: luso-roman epigraphy in the neighboring region of São Martinho do Porto

Vasco Gil Mantas — 2024-11-25

Although in São Martinho do Porto there is no known epigraphic monument from the Roman period, in a small surrounding area there is no shortage of them, currently counting sixteen, including lost, preserved and fake, which we also discuss here, seeking to jointly analyze a small but diverse epigraphic corpus, testimony of a region fully integrated into the Roman sociocultural world.

Radiocarbon dating for the carvalhais site (Vila Nova de Paiva, Viseu): rural settlement in the Early Middle Ages

Marina Afonso Vieira — 2024-11-25

The Carvalhais site belongs to the framework of rural settlement at the end of the Western Roman Empire and the Early Middle Ages, and is located in the Paiva river basin, more specifically in its upper course. This article presents the results of seven radiocarbon dates from the Groningen Laboratory, with the respective calibration and intervals, covering a period from the 4th to the 8th century. The data is contextualised within the stratigraphy and building phases.

[Review of] Morais, Rui; Arezes, Andreia (2019) – Minoicos: os guardiões da primeira civilização europeia, Coimbra: Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 113 pp., ISBN 978-989-26-1817-3

Rafaela Freire de Abreu e Souza — 2024-11-25

[Review of] Campos, Ricardo (2023) – Um tipo de monumento funerário romano: as cupae líticas do Municipium Olisponense, Huelva: UHU.ES Publicaciones, (Onoba Monografías, 15), 386 pp., ISBN: 978-84-19397-39-3

José d'Encarnação — 2024-11-25

[Review of] Barata, Filomena (2024) – Flora e fauna de Miróbriga: referências literárias, arqueológicas e mitológicas, Carviçais (TMC): Lema d’Origem, Editora, Ld.ª, 348 pp., ISBN: 978-989-9114-81-4

José d'Encarnação — 2024-11-25

[Review of] Dopico Cainzos, Dolores; Villanueva Acuña, Manuel, eds. – Specula Populi Romani?: “revisitando” o papel da cidade, Ed. Servicio de Publicaciones de la Diputación de Lugo, (Philtáte, 6), 410 pp., ISBN: 978-84-8192- 602-6, 2024

Patricia Arguelles — 2024-11-25