Documentation on schematic rock paintings in cascata rock shelter in Lousã, Central Portugal

• Autor(a) principal: Nega, Negasi Awetehey
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/49945
• topic: Cascata Rock Shelter; Schematic Art; Digitizing Rock Art; Lousã Pre-History; Domínio/Área Científica::Humanidades

This dissertation primarily aims at the documentation of the Schematic Rock Paintings in Cascata Rock Shelter in Lousã (Central Portugal) with a systematic and updated approach using digital techniques. The main rationale for choosing this site is the presence of post-Paleolithic art, which is ascertained as ‘Schematic Art’ in the Rock Shelter. The work includes using digital technology for the recording techniques on-field and off-field for these paintings. As these sites contain paintings, they encompass the use of digital photography accompanied by software known as DStretch® which is a plugin for ImageJ application. The images are then processed in the lab with the use of Adobe Photoshop® to create digital decals. Methodologically, the work also includes planimetry work to locate and identify the surface collections, and the panels as well as delimit the floor contours and settings. The study in the shelter came up with surface archaeological material (lithics, ceramics, beadlike stones, and one iron piece) and three schematic rock art figures in the ceiling of the shelter. Chronologically, due to the lack of elements for direct dating and bearing in mind that we can only make a chronological approximation through stylistic comparison, a chronology between the Neolithic to the Iron Age is suggested. The presence of art and diachronic materials in the rock shelter of schematic art could be the result of the intensive humanization of the landscape by prehistoric (Holocene Period) communities. The rock shelter and its art are in very bad conservation condition that needs urgent measure. Finally, a multidisciplinary led archaeological excavation is recommended to fully understand and reconstruct the chronology and function of the shelter and its art