Child burials of last hunter-gatherers offer insights into Mesolithic funerary behaviors
Sandee Oster
contributing writer
Sadie Harley
scientific editor
Robert Egan
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In a recent study by Dany Coutinho-Nogueira and his colleagues, the remains of three non-adults from Cabe莽o da Amoreira were analyzed. The work is in the journal Childhood in the Past.
Cabe莽o da Amoreira is one of the most significant Mesolithic sites in the Iberian Peninsula, having been occupied by the last western European hunter-gatherers from around 8000鈥�7100 cal. BP.
It forms part of a complex series of sites located at the Tagus River estuary. According to Coutinho-Nogueira, the sites were settled after the 8.2 climatic event, which resulted in a reduction of coastal sites.
"We observe a reduction of coastal sites and the emergence of new settlements around the brackish estuaries of the Tagus and the Sado, whose waters were rich in fish and shellfish," Coutinho-Nogueira explains.
The sites remained occupied until around 7100 BP. Coutinho-Nogueira continues, "鈥esolithic occupation in these estuaries came to an end around 7100 cal BP, when decreasing salinity in the Tagus and its tributaries led to a decline in aquatic resources. It was also at this time that Neolithic farmers and pastoralists expanded into the region, as demonstrated by the presence of ceramics at Cabe莽o da Amoreira.
"The Mesolithic鈥揘eolithic transition in Iberia thus remains one of the central research questions, particularly concerning the extent of population replacement, the processes of cultural transmission, and the degree of admixture between local hunter-gatherer-fishers and incoming farming groups."
Cabe莽o da Amoreira, in particular, was discovered in 1864 and has since undergone extensive surveys and excavations. However, the lack of detailed excavation notes and differences in the excavational approach have hindered some of our understanding of these hunter-gatherer populations, including how non-adult burials may have been treated in comparison to adult burials.
Additionally, large parts of the site remain unexcavated. The potential of these unexcavated areas has prompted the development of new research projects in the 2000s, with new systematic excavations taking place under the direction of Nuno Bicho and C茅lia Gon莽alves since 2008.
These excavations have revealed a near continuous occupation of the site from 8000 cal BP to 7400 cal BP.
Additionally, multiple burials have been uncovered, including three non-adult burials, which were the subject of the current study.
The three individuals found at Cabe莽o da Amoreira were CAM-2019-5, CAM 2022-6, and CAM 2023-7.
The non-adult burials were not all recovered from a restricted area and showed evidence of variation in mortuary practices.
The youngest individual was represented by CAM 2022-6. This was a perinatal individual around 38 weeks old, likely representing a stillborn or newborn who died shortly after birth. No burial feature was identified during excavation, nor was the child buried with any associated grave goods. In terms of limb positioning, its lower limbs were found hyperflexed, while the upper were flexed at 45-degree angles.
CAM 2019-5 was a few years older, likely having died between the ages of 7.5 and 11.5. The child had been placed on its back with its head oriented in a south-southwest position.
Though no burial feature could be determined, the identification of a single lithic piece near the skull, as well as one perforated shell, may have been associated with grave goods. At the time of burial, the child had likely been wrapped in a perishable material, as suggested by the tight positioning of the body.
Finally, CAM 2023-7 received a burial that was distinct from all other adult and non-adult burials alike.
"The burial of individual 2023-7 stands out from other burials due to the presence of a complex structure composed of layers of clay鈥攑ossibly with the addition of plants or other perishable material that left impressions on the clay鈥攁 layer of gray sand, and shells (Scrobicularia plana) beneath the head. Closed shells of common cockles (Cerastoderma edule), wild boar hemi-mandibles, and turtle shells were also associated with the burial," explains Coutinho-Nogueira.
Only one other structure is similar to CAM 2023-7, explains Coutinho-Nogueira, "So far, only one other structure has been described, for individual CAM 2011-2 (a young adult female). This burial was prepared by layering pebbles and selected shells and was associated with faunal remains, including two scapulae of cervids."
It was found that both adult and non-adult burials shared an emphasis on flexed limb positions, though they varied in body position and artifact association. The differences could reflect individual, cultural, or chronological variations.
"It remains difficult to determine whether these differences reflect variations in social status or chronological differences," explains Coutinho-Nogueira.
"To address this question, further investigations are needed, including precise dating of the burials (to assess their chronological proximity), isotopic studies (which could reveal possible differences in diet), and DNA analyses to examine potential close biological relationships among the individuals. All these analyses are currently in progress, and we hope to answer these questions soon."
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More information: Dany Coutinho-Nogueira et al, The Non-Adult Burials of Cabe莽o da Amoreira, Muge (Portugal): Recent Discoveries and New Insights into Mesolithic Funerary Practices, Childhood in the Past (2025).
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