Sepulcres de fossa culture
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 | |
| Geographical range | Catalonia, Andorra |
|---|---|
| Period | Later Neolithic |
| Dates | 4200-3600 BC |
| Preceded by | Cardial culture, Montbolo culture |
| Followed by | Véraza culture |
| Defined by | Pere Bosch-Gimpera |
The Sepulcres de Fossa culture (Spanish "Cultura de los Sepulcros de Fosa"), was established in Catalonia in the Middle Neolithic and remained there until the beginning of the third millennium BC. Although initially this culture was linked to the Almeria culture, nowadays it is believed that it was related to the Cortaillod culture of Switzerland, the Lagozza culture of northern Italy, and the Chasseen culture found in French territory.[1]
Its name derives from its characteristic burial tradition: from Catalan "Sepulcres de Fossa" which could be translated as "Pit Graves" or "Pit Burials".
Subdivisions
Geographic-related burial typologies provide three main regional facies:
- Vallesian (southern half of Barcelona province), with simple pits.
- Solsonian (between the Llobregat river and the Segre river), with buried cists.
- Empordanian (northeastern Girona province), with cists under tumulus and dolmens with corridor.
Dwellings
Domestic structures were found in archaeological sites like La Serreta (Vilafranca del Penedès), Bòbila Madurell (Sant Quirze del Vallès), Can Roqueta/Torre Romeu (Sabadell), Ca n’Isach (Palau-saverdera), etc. Some caves were used as residence also (Cova Gran per example).
Artifacts
The pottery is generally smooth, being usually carenated. Decoration is not usual, but when it is documented it can be linked with the Chasséen types.[2] Several sites have a synchronous presence of Sepulcres de Fosses' pots with ceramics of the Molinot and Montoboló post-Cardial styles. [3]
The so-called Gavà Venus is an incomplete figure-vessel with sun-shaped eyes, relief nose, comb-shaped necklace, relief breasts and relief arms resting over a swollen belly. It has been interpreted as a fertility goddess.[4]