The earliest basketry in southern Europe: Hunter-gatherer and farmer plant-based technology in Cueva de los Murciélagos (Albuñol).

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Martínez-Sevilla, Francisco; Herrero-Otal, Maria; Martín-Seijo, María; Santana, Jonathan; Lozano Rodríguez, José A; Maicas Ramos, Ruth; Cubas, Miriam; Homs, Anna; Martínez Sánchez, Rafael M; Bertin, Ingrid; Barroso Bermejo, Rosa; Bueno Ramírez, Primitiva; de Balbín Behrmann, Rodrigo; Palomo Pérez, Antoni; Álvarez-Valero, Antonio M; Peña-Chocarro, Leonor; Murillo-Barroso, Mercedes; Fernández-Domínguez, Eva; Altamirano García, Manuel; Pardo Martínez, Rubén; Iriarte Cela, Mercedes; Carrasco Rus, Javier L; Alfaro Giner, Carmen; Piqué Huerta, Raquel
Year of Publication: 2023
Journal: Sci Adv
Volume: 9
Issue: 39
Pagination: eadi3055
Date Published: 2023 Sep 29
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 2375-2548
Abstract:

Plant material culture can offer unique insights into the ways of life of prehistoric societies; however, its perishable nature has prevented a thorough understanding of its diverse and complex uses. Sites with exceptional preservation of organic materials provide a unique opportunity for further research. The burial site of Cueva de los Murciélagos in southern Iberia, uncovered during 19th-century mining activities, contained the best-preserved hunter-gatherer basketry in southern Europe, together with other unique organic artifacts associated with the first farming communities, such as sandals and a wooden hammer. We present 14 C dates for the perishable artifacts ( = 76), situating the assemblage between the Early and Middle Holocene (c. 7500 to 4200 cal BCE). Our integrated analysis includes raw material determination and technological and chrono-cultural contextualization of this unique and important set of materials.

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi3055
Alternate Journal: Sci Adv