Resumen de O povoado do Fumo (Almendra, Vila Nova de Foz Côa) e o início da Idade do Bronze no Baixo Côa (trabalhos do Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa)
The site of Fumo was under excavation between 1996 and 1999 in the context of the research carried out by the Cóa Valley Archaeological Park. It has revealed an important context for the understanding of the Early Bronze Age of the lower Côa Valley. The only prehistoric occupation layer includes various types of habitational structures(fireplaces, pits, post holes, and a dump area), but without any stone walls. Faunal remains are composed mainly by ovicaprids and domestic bovids alongside rabbit, wild boar and deer. The artefactual materials include objects made of ceramic (disc, loom weights, spoons, and a large number of pots), and knapped and polished stone tools.
Ceramic typology indicates the Early Bronze Age (pots with fiat bottoms, cords and knobs). Decorations are rare, but these include a large variety ofmotifs (incised triangles filled with impressions, "spined" motifs, etc.), aud also a few pot sherds of"Cogeces" type. This chronology has been confirmed by radiocarbon datings.
In the Lower Cóa Valley other archaeological sites dated to same period have been found. With the exception of Castelo Velho de Freixo de Numáo, these are usually small open air sites that demonstrate a relatively dense human occupation in the region. The available data concerning the palaeoeconomy of this settlement system or the modelling of the rise of these Bronze Age societies is still very scarce.
