Archaeology, chronology, and age‐diet insights of two late fourth millennium cal BC pit graves from central southern Iberia (Córdoba, Spain)

Abstract

This study presents the isotopic ratios, radiocarbon datings, and anthropological analyses of five (N = 5) Early Copper Age individuals from two archaeological sites (Arruzafa and Iglesia Antigua de Alcolea) of the Middle Guadalquivir Valley near the city of Córdoba (Spain). Four had been buried in the same grave, possibly in a single event or in a very short time lapse. The collagen residue analyses of the individuals offer δ13C values ranging between −20.08 and −18.4 and δ15N values between 8.57 and 11.15. The findings indicate that the infant and the elderly had, respectively, the richest and poorest animal protein diets, the first likely as a result of nursing. The combined study of these five individuals offers an interesting approach to a small segment of population of the farming communities occupying this territory at the beginning of the Copper Age (3200–3000 cal BC).

As above, so below: Deposition, modification, and reutilization of human remains at Marmoles cave (Cueva de los Marmoles: Southern Spain, 4000–1000 cal. BCE)

“…funerary, alimentary, symbolic, or practical), a large portion of human remains at CM show traces of manipulation. The tibia and fibula would therefore fit a pattern of interaction with human remains largely confirmed in the context at hand; (b) the post-mortem manipulation of human remains is a well-known phenomenon during prehistory in Andalusia [69]; (c) it is safe to assume that the prehistoric inhabitants of Andalusia were well-versed in human and animal skeletal anatomy as a result of their funerary practices, which often involved secondary depositions and daily economic interaction with the surrounding natural environment [85].…”