The beginning of the Neolithic in Andalusia

Socas, Dimas Martín; Massieu, María Dolores Cámalich; Herrero, José Luís Caro; Santos, Francisco Javier Rodríguez

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2017.06.057

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…The archeological record indicates a scarcity of human occupation from the end of the Early Neolithic to the beginning of the Late Neolithic (ca. 4,500–4,200 BC, Martín‐Socas et al, ). It represents a decline in both the density of archeological sites and the number of radiocarbon dates, as well as the abandonment at sites with stratigraphic sequences, as at El Toro, Los Murciélagos at Zuheros and Los Castillejos (Camalich & Martín‐Socas, ; Cámara, Afonso, & Molina, ; Martín‐Socas et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Access is difficult due to its dimensions: 0.50 m on the NS axis and 1 m on the WE axis, reaching a depth of 1.5 m. In Sector 2, a stratigraphic sequence 2.40 m in depth was identified, with four chrono‐cultural phases. The two lower levels correspond to Neolithic occupation, Phases IV (Early Neolithic, 6,200–5,980 BP, 5,280–4,780 cal BC 2σ) and IIIB (Late Neolithic, 5,320–5,170 BP, 4,250–3,950 cal BC 2σ) (Martín‐Socas et al, ). Between the two phases, a sterile deposit points to a period of abandonment of the site (Figure ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, micromorphological analysis has identified ovicaprid coprolites from undisturbed sedimentological samples, suggesting that goats or sheep were stabled there (Égüez et al, ). Therefore, human occupation has been interpreted as seasonal/periodic with a pastoral emphasis in this phase (Camalich & Martín‐Socas, ; Égüez et al, ; Martín‐Socas et al, , ). The Early Neolithic phase also includes human remains that were found scattered in two assemblages.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Assemblage A was located in Sector 1 and consisted of one skull‐cup, a non‐manipulated adult human mandible, and four ceramic vessels (Figure ). Assemblage B contains most of the human remains, mingled with domestic waste in Sector 2 (Égüez et al, ; Martín‐Socas et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bone modifications include cut marks, intentional breakage of long bones, and skull‐cup manufacture. These cups have been associated with the Late Neolithic although they have not been directly dated and some of these archeological sites preserve levels from the Early Neolithic (Martín‐Socas, Camalich Massieu, Caro Herrero, & Rodríguez‐Santos, ). Evidence of cannibalism and six skull‐cups were also found at the Late Neolithic levels of El Mirador cave (Sierra de Atapuerca, northern Spain) (Cáceres et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Aggressive or funerary cannibalism? Skull‐cup and human bone manipulation in Cueva de El Toro (Early Neolithic, southern Iberia)

Santana

Santos

Camalich-Massieu

et al. 2019

American J Phys Anthropol

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Objective: We analyze the processing sequence involved in the manufacture of a skull-cup and the manipulation of human bones from the Early Neolithic of Cueva de El Toro (Málaga, Spain). Materials and methods:The Early Neolithic material studied includes human remains found in two separate assemblages. Assemblage A consists of one skull-cup, a non-manipulated adult human mandible, and four ceramic vessels. Assemblage B contains manipulated and nonmanipulated human remains that appeared mingled with domestic waste. Using a taphonomic approach, we evaluate the skull-cup processing and the anthropogenic alteration of human bones.Results: The skull-cup was processed by careful paring away of skin, fragmentation of the facial skeleton and base of the skull, and controlled percussion of the edges of the calotte to achieve a regular shape. It was later boiled for some time in a container that caused pot polish in a specific area. The other human bones appeared scattered throughout the living area, mixed with other remains of domestic activity. Some of these bones show cut marks, percussion damage for marrow extraction, and tooth/chewing marks.Discussion: Evidence from Cueva de El Toro suggests that cannibalism was conducted in the domestic sphere, likely following ritualized practices where the skull-cup could have played a part. Interpretation of this evidence suggests two hypotheses: (a) aggressive cannibalism relates to extreme inter-group violence; and (b) funerary cannibalism is a facet of multi-stage burial practices. Similar evidence has been found in other Neolithic sites of this region and suggests that cannibalism and skull-cups were elements widespread in these communities. These practices may be linked to significant transformations associated with the end of the Early Neolithic in southern Iberia. K E Y W O R D SAndalusia, funerary practice, human skull-cup, Neolithic, prehistoric cannibalism

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%