| Summary: | This article presents some thoughts on the nature of the resources of the Chalcolithic farm of Cabeço do Pé da Erra (Coruche, Portugal), an archaeological site first identified and excavated in the 80s of the 20th cent. and intensively investigated between 2012 and 2015. On the right bank of the Sorraia River near the Tagus River the Chalcolithic farm of Cabeço do Pé da Erra (CPE) was an island deeply affected by the Flandrian Transgression, currently an area with Quercus suber. The site is bounded by a ditch with U configuration – corresponding to two construction phases – in partial overlap. In the inner area surrounded by the ditch domestic contexts have been identified highlighting the presence of a set of at least nine huts with bedrock and clay walls. Cooking areas were identified as well as knapping activity of schist and flint, cheese production, weaving and grinding activities. Absolute dating and stratigraphical analysis show three phases of occupation: Phase 1 (2817–2665 calBCE 2 σ), with sparse occupation and the presence of a workshop, producing engraved schist plaques. Phase 2 (2633–2474 calBCE 2 σ), with the construction of the ditch and the huts. Phase 3 (2382–2139 calBCE 2 σ) is the time of abandonment, in which we found traces of a violent fire. A detailed reconstruction of the ditch of Cabeço do Pé da Erra is unfortunately limited by the bad conditions for the preservation of organic matter on the site. Resources related to the construction of domestic structures (wood, sandstone, clay) could be raised in the near vicinity (5km). Most of the lithic resources (schist, jaspoide schist, granite) could be exploited at regional level at distances of about 20km. Clearly the raw materials of extra-regional origin are represented in small numbers in the archaeological record of CPE: flint, variscite and copper. Most likely exchange networks in the 3rd mill. also reflect social and symbolic aspects. Set in a passing zone, CPE is located between two areas with a marked cultural identity: the Portuguese Estremadura and the Peninsular Southwest.
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