Bell Beaker Footed Bowls in the Iberian Peninsula

The Lapa do Fumo cave (Sesimbra, Estremadura, Portugal) features a funerary context that has been extensively used since the Early Neolithic. A recent review of the votive assemblages revealed the presence of a vessel sherd belonging to a Bell Beaker footed bowl, featuring part of the base and the start of the foot, with incised decoration on the outer surface. This type of vessel, although quite rare, is known from various Bell Beaker complexes of the Iberian Peninsula throughout the entire time span of the Beaker phenomenon, mostly corresponding to the second half of the 3rd millennium BCE. Its geographical distribution in Iberia is equally widespread, occurring both in funerary and residential contexts. Starting from the Lapa do Fumo sherd presented herein, the authors will present an inventory of all known examples, integrating them into their respective chronological and cultural contexts. A technical and functional discussion is also included, based on an estimate of these items’ capacities.