LIFE AND DEATH IN LAGAR VELHO

Life...

Abundant and diverse remains have been recovered from the Lagar Velho rockshelter. These remains reveal the daily life of the human communities that explored the Lapedo Valley and surrounding areas during the Upper Palaeolithic. Animal bones, flaked stones, rocks broken and altered by fire or charcoal are some of the remains that document activities such as hunting, fishing, the manufacture of utensils and ornaments and the construction of hearths that heated humans and cooked their food.
The recurring presence of red deer (Cervus elaphus) bones and teeth in all the occupation surfaces indicates that this species was not only abundant but probably chosen by human groups as their main source of subsistence. Deer were also exploited for other purposes, as evidenced by the ornaments made from their canines.