The Late Mesolithic of southwest Portugal : a zooarchaeological approach to resource exploitation and settlement patterns.

Zooarchaeological analyses are presented of Late Mesolithic assemblages from a variety of sites in Southwest Portugal. Red deer predominate, followed by wild boar. Rabbits are common. Seasonality and logistic movement of resources are tentatively identified. A baseline model for settlement in the Muge, Sado, and Mira valleys is put forward, with summer base camps on the estuaries, winter base camps inland. Both seasons also saw radial logistic patterns of resource exploitation from seasonal camps. A stable and territorial settlement system is suggested. Society and economy was probably organised as a delayed return system