The faunal assemblage of Cerro dos Castelos de São Brás (Serpa, Portugal) in the 3rd millennium BCE: between the anthroposphere and the zoosphere

Abstract

The present article aims to study the faunal assemblage of the Cerro dos Castelos de São Brás (Serpa) (3rd millennium BCE). The remnants of wild fauna compose the majority of the osteological collection studied, from which an unusual situation of deer overhunting stands out – only comparable to what is attested to the Mesolithic. The age of death allows to infer the use of animal traction for agriculture. Finally, we will discuss and theorise the role of the zoosphere in its interaction with the anthroposphere in the concept of Culture, by briefly discussing the ontology of the animal/animality. From an archaeological point of view, we will start from São Brás, being anchored on the theoretical reflection already mentioned, for a reflection on the concept of Revolution of the Secondary Products and on the biotic management attested during the 3rd millennium BCE, while articulating the site with the known data for the Southwest Iberia in general and the Center and South of Portugal in particular.