Macrobotanical remains and shell-midden formation processes, are they related? The case of Poças de São Bento (Portugal)

The analysis of plant macroremains from Pocas de Sao Bento, a shell-midden in the Sado Valley (Portugal), has provided interesting insights into the shell-midden formation processes and the presence of resources which are often “invisible” in this kind of sites. Preservation and representation issues are discussed in a bidirectional way. Potential complementary explanations for the presence of such plant remains in hunter-gatherer open-air sites are offered. The understanding of plant exploitation patterns by these last hunter-gatherers in Portugal is crucial for the comprehension of the multifaceted phenomena of Neolithisations, in this case, characterised by a long availability phase and ultimate adoption of domesticates.