The Archaeology of the Matienzo Depression, North Spain 9781841711836, 9781407353265


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Table of contents :
Front Cover
Copyright
Acknowledgements
Contents
Part One
1. The Matienzo Enclosed Depression
2. The Matienzo Caves: exploration and documentation
3. The Archaeological Caves and Open-air Sites in Matienzo
Part Two
Cubio Redondo: A Mesolithic land snail shell-midden
Sima del Diente: a Late Bronze Age Burial Cave
Cueva de Rascavieja
Cueva de Cofresnedo
Cueva de las Grajas: a Bronze Age Pottery Deposit
Part Three
Palaeolithic Cave Art in Matienzo
Schematic-abstract art in Matienzo Caves
Ground stone implements from Matienzo
Storage Urns in Matienzo and their Regional Context
Pre-Roman Ard-shares in Cantabria
Observations on Protohistoric Metalworking in Cantabria with regard to two finds in the Caves of Cofresnedo and Molino (Matienzo)
Part Four
The Sequence of Human Occupation in Matienzo
Results: The Sequence of Human Occupation in Matienzo
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The Archaeology of the Matienzo Depression, North Spain Jesus Ruiz Cobo

Grupo de Exploraciones e Investigaciones Subterraneas Carballo/Raba

Peter Smith

British Caving Expedition to Matienzo With the collaboration of: Ma Teresa Aparicio Magdalena Barril Vicente Pedro Ma Castafios Ugarte Juan Corrin Carmelo Fernandez lbafiez Antxoka Martinez Velasco Antonio Sanchez Marco

BAR International Series 97 5 2001

Published in 2019 by BAR Publishing, Oxford BAR International Series 975 The Archaeology of the Matienzo Depression, North Spain © The authors and contributors individually and the Publisher 2001 The authors’ moral rights under the 1988 UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act are hereby expressly asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be copied, reproduced, stored, sold, distributed, scanned, saved in any form of digital format or transmitted in any form digitally, without the written permission of the Publisher. ISBN 9781841711836 paperback ISBN 9781407353265 e-book DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9781841711836 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library This book is available at www.barpublishing.com BAR Publishing is the trading name of British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Ltd. British Archaeological Reports was first incorporated in 1974 to publish the BAR Series, International and British. In 1992 Hadrian Books Ltd became part of the BAR group. This volume was originally published by John and Erica Hedges in conjunction with British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Ltd / Hadrian Books Ltd, the Series principal publisher, in 2001. This present volume is published by BAR Publishing, 2019.

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A cknow ledgemen t s We w ou ld l i ke t o e xp re s s o u r g ra t i tude t o a l o u r f r i end s w ho h ave t a ken p a r t i nt h e R ecen t P reh i s to ry o f Ma t ienzo P ro jec t , w ho se r e su l t s a r e r ef lec ted i nt h i s p ub l ica t ion . Among m any o the r s , o u r s p ec ia lt h ank st oA ndy Q u in , J av ie rT a lma , P a co Ma cho ,M igue l Q u i jano , Mano lo Mo f i ino , P ed ro R a s ine s , A l ix S e rna a nd A nge le s V a l le . A bove a l t o L ank M i l l s a nd Em i l io Mur ioz , who h ave i n sp i red t h e s t udy o ft h e c ave s a nd a r chaeo logy i n Ma t ienzo . P e rm i s s ion w a s g ran ted b y t h e Mu s eo R eg iona l d e A rqueo log ia y P r eh i s to r ia a nd t h e C on s e je r ia d e C u l tu ra yD epo r t es d e C an tab r ia f o rt h ep ho tog raph s o np age s2 2 , 2 5 , 2 9 , 1 23 , 1 47 , 2 14 a nd 2 21 . C ave p ho tog raph o np age 2 11 b yR amön Q u in tana . S an tande r , 3 1 J u ly 2 00 1 P e te r Sm i th & J e su sR u iz

C on t en t s p ag e P ar t One . I n t roduc t ion t o Ma t ienzo 1 .T h e Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep r e s s ion 2 .T h eM a t i enzo C av e s : e xp lo ra t ion a nd d ocum en t a t ion 3 .T h eA r cha eo log i ca lc av e sa nd o p en -a i rs i t e si n Ma t i enzo

1 1 1 9

P ar t Two . R epo r ts o nt h ee xcava ted c a ve s i t e s 1 .C ub io R edondo : aMe so l i th ic l a nd s n a i ls h e l l -m idd en 2 .S im ad e lD ien t e : aL a t eB ronz eA g eB u r ia lC av e 3 .C u ev ad eR a scav ie ja 4 .C uev ad eC of r e snedo

4 5 8 5 1 07 15

5 .C u ev ad eL a sG ra ja s : aB ronze A g eP o t t e ry D epo s i t

1 39

P ar t Three . T hema t ic s t ud ie s 1 .P a la eo l i t lüc C av eA r ti n Ma t ien z ,o 2 .S ch ema t ic -ab s t r ac ta r ti n Ma t i enzo C av e s 3 .G r ound s t one i m p lem en t sf r om M a t ienzo 4 .S t o r ag eU rn si n Ma t i enzo a nd t h e i rR eg iona lC on t ex t 5 .P r e -Roman A rd sha r e si nC an t ab r ia .

1 47 1 53 1 6 1 1 67 1 77

6 .O b se rv a t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic M e ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

1 99

P ar tF our . R e su l ts T he S equenc eo fH uman O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

2 13

P ar t One

V i ew o fM a t ien zo l o ok ing n or th -w e s t

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion T he Ma t ienzo C ave s : e xp lo ra t ion a nd d ocumen ta t ion T he A r cha eo log ica lc av e sa nd o pen -a i rs i t e si n Ma t ienzo

1 .T he Ma t ienzo Enc lo sed D epre s s ion 1 . 1 I n troduc t ion t o Ma t ienzo C an tab r ia i s ap r ov ince , n ow p ol i t ica l ly d e s igna t ed a n a u t onomou s c omm un i ty , o n t h e n o r th e rn c o a s t o f S p a in , s i tua ted b e tw een t h em oun ta in s , t h e C ord i l l e ra C an täbr ica , a nd t h e s e a . I t s c a p i ta l i sS an tand e r ; a p o r t , c omm e r c ia l c i ty a nd t o u r i s t c en t r e w i th a p opu la t ion o f 1 87 ,000 . O th e r t own s a l ong t h e c oa s t : S an V ic en t e d e l aB a rqu e ra , C om ila s , N o ja , L a r ed o a nd C a s t ro U rd ia le s a r e t o u r i s t r e so r t s b ecom ing i n c r ea s ing ly p opu la r a nd b u i l t u p . Y e t j u s t af ew k i lome t r e s i n land i ti se a sy t of i nd r e la t iv e ly u n spo i l t v i lag e s , i n ap ea c e f u l l a nd s cap eo fm eadow s , w ood s , v a l ley sa nd l im e s tone h i l l s .

T h e r e i sa l so ad o c to r ' s s u rg e ry , ab ak e ry a nd t h r ee b a r re s tau r an t s . T he v i l lag eo f Ma t ien zo i sp a r to ft h e mun i c ip a l i t y o fR u e sg a , e l e c t ing a May o r a nd e i gh t c oun c i l lo r s ;b u t Ma t ienzo a l so e l e c t s aC ha i rman o fi t s o wn v i l lag ej un ta , w i th a u tho r i t y o ve r l a rg e a moun t s o fc ommon l a nd . T h e n am e Ma t ienzo c om e s f r om a p r e -c e l t ic i n doeu ropean l a nguag e , c omp o sed o f t h e p a r t s : m a t t -e -n t i -o . T he m ean ing i su nknown , a l though t h e s u ff ix i s n o rma l ly a s so c ia ted w i th w a t e r -cou r s e s ( Gonza le zR od r igu e z 1 999 ) .

O f a l t h e s e , Ma t ienzo i sm o r e p eac e f u l t h an m o s t . T h e v i l lag e l i e s i s o la ted i nt h eb o t tom o fa n e n c lo s ed d ep r e s s ion ,a nd c an o n ly b er e a ch ed b yo ne o ro t he ro f t h em oun ta in r o ad sc ommun i ca t ing Ma t ienzo w i th t h e s u r r ound ing v a l ley s . S e en f r om o n e o f t h e p a s s e s , b r igh tg r e en m eadow sc a rp e tt h ev a l ley -bo t tom , a c ro s s w h i ch t h e r i v e r m eand e r s , i t s c o u r se m a rk ed b y t h e t r e e s l i n ing i t sb ank s . A nd o n a l s i d e s h i l l s r i s e u p s t e ep ly f r om t h e f l a t v a l ley f l oo r , s t r iped w i th b road w h i t eb and so fl im e s ton e .

Ma t i en zo a l so h a s t wo p i t ch e s f o r t h e g am e o f p a sabo lo ,t h et r ad i t iona ls p o r ti nt h i sp a r to fC an tab r ia a nd t h e a d jo in ing a r ea o ft h e B a squ e C oun t ry . I ti sa s k i t t le s l ik e g am e , b u t t h e a im i st oh i t t h r e e s k i t t l e s w i th ah e av yw ood en b al , s ot h a tt h ey f l yt h r ough t h e a i ra sf a ra sp o s s ib l e . Wh en t h e s p o r t o f c a v ing w a s p opu la r i sed i n C an tab r ia i nt h e 1 9 50 s , Ma t i enzo s o on a t t ra c ted b o th S p an i sh a nd f o r e ign c a ve r s , a s i t s o u t s tand ing k a r s t d ev e lopm en t h ad o bv iou s p o t en t ia l f o r c av e a nd p o t -ho l e e xp lo ra t ion . F o r ty y ea r s l a t e r t h e r e su l t h a s b een t h e d i s cov e ry o fu nd e rg round s y s t em s u p to 4 2 km l o ng a nd 3 00 m d e ep . T h i s d e ta i l ed k now ledg eo f t h ec av e s h a s l e dt ot h e d i s cov e ry o fs om e 4 1 s i t e s o f a r cha eo log ica li n te r e s t .

N o . i nhab i tan ts

9 00 8 00 7 00 6 00

1 . 2 I n troduc t ion t o t h e " R ecen t P r eh i s tory o f Ma t ienzo" P ro je c t .

5 00 4 00

T h e d if e r en t c av ing c l ub s w o rk ing i n Ma t i enzo h ad m ad es e v e ra la r chaeo log i ca lf i nd s ,a nd p ub l i shed t h e se i n t h e i r e xp ed i t ion r e po r t s , b u t v e ry l i t t l e s y s t ema t ic a r chaeo log i ca l w o rk w a s c a r r i ed o u t i n Ma t i en zo f o r o v e r t h i r ty y ea r s . T h i s b e cam e p o s s ib le a f t e r c on ta c t s w e r e e s tab l i sh ed i n 1 994 b e tw e en t h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion t o Ma t i en zo a nd ag r oup o fa r chaeo log i s t s t r a ined a t t h e U n iv e r s i t y o f C an tab r ia . T he m a in p a r t ic ip an t s d u r ing t h e s e s i x y ea r s h av e b e en J . C o r r in , A . Q u in , S . O p en shaw , P . P apa rd , B . C aw thor n e a nd P .S m i th a mong t h e B r i t i sh ; a nd t h e a r chae o log i s t st a k ing p a r ta r eJ .R u iz C obo , F . Ma cho a nd M . Q u i jan o ; w i th t h e i n va lu ab le s upp o r t o f J . T a lma y M . Mor i ino . Memb e r s o f t h e A socac iön C än tabra p a ra l a D ef ensa d e l P a t r imon io S ub t er raneo ( A .C .D .P .S . )h av el e n tt h e i ra s s i s tanc eo n m any o c c a s ion s t o o , a nd an umb e r o fs p e c ia l i s t s h av e s t ud i ed t h em a t e r ia l sr e cov e r ed i nt h ed i g s .

3 00 1 930

1 950 1 940

1 970 1 960

1 998 1 983

P opu la t ion o fM a t ienzo . D a ta f r om I n s t i tu to N ac iona l d eE s tad i s t ica . T h e v i l lag e i sd i v id ed i n to a n umb e r o f b a r r io s o r n e ighbou rhood s : L a V ega , S e i d e S u to , H o zana , E l S ed o , C ub i l la s ,L aS e cada , a nd h ad 3 66 i n hab i tan t si n 1 998 , o n ly h a l f t h e n umb e r o ff i f t y y ea r s a go . T h e d r ama t ic d e cl in e i n t h e p opu l a t ion i ss hown i n t h e g r aph a bov e . D a i ry f a rm ing i st h e m a in e c onom i c a c t iv i ty , f o low ed b y t h e c on s t ru c t ion i n du s t ry a nd s e rv ic e s ; b u t m o s t y oung p eop l e , a nd n o t o n ly t h o s e w i th h i gh e r e du ca t ion q ua l if i ca t ion s , h ave t o f i nd w o rk o u t s id e Ma t i enzo . T h e r ei sac hu r ch , S t Ma r t in ' s , a nd t wo c hap e l s ; a nd a s c hoo l f o r y oung e r p r ima ry c h i ld r en . 1

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D epre s s ion

h av eb e en l o ca t ed . T he c omp i la t ion o fr e su l t so b ta in ed f o rm st h ec on ten t so ft h ep r e sen tv o lume .

T he C on s e j er ia d e C u l tura , o f t h e r e g iona l g ov e rnm en t o fC an tab r ia , h a s pun t ed t h e p e rm i t sf o r a l t h e a r cha eo log i ca l w o rk , a nd h a s s uppo r t ed i t f i nanc ia l ly . E a ch o f t h e d i g s h a s b e en c a r r ied o u t u nd e r t h e d i re c t ion o f J .R u iz C obo , a nd a l t h e a r chae o log i ca l m a t e r ia l h a s b e en d epo s i ted i n t h e R eg ion a l Mu seum o fP r eh i s to ry .

1 . 3G eo logy T h e Ma t ien zo d ep r e s s ion h a s d ev e lop ed i n r o ck s o f l ow e r C re ta c eou s a ge . T h e l ow e s t b ed s f o rm t h e Wea ld f a c ie s ;t h ick b ed so fs a nd s ton el a id d own a bou t 1 50 m i l l ion y e a r sa go i n ad e l t ao re s tua r yw h ich t h en e x i s t ed i nt h i s a r ea , d r a in ing ac on t in en t t ot h e s o u th ( IGME 1 978 ) . W i th t ime t h ea r ea w a s i n vad ed b yt h e s e a , a nd a bou t 1 0 0 m i l l ion y e a r sa go l a rg ec o ra lr e e f s b eg an t o g r ow . I n t h i s w a y l i m e s ton e b ed s w e re d epo s i t ed , t h e l ow e s ta nd t h i ck e s tl e v e lc o r re spond ing t o t h e Ap t ian ( Ra t 1 9 59 ) . T h i s c on ta in s f o s s i l s o f O rb i tol in id f o ram in i f e r a , w h ich i n d i ca t et h a tt h ew a t e r c ond i t ion s w e r e g en e ra l ly c a lm , w i th d ep th s o f3 0 t o 5 0m ,a nd t h es e at emp e r a tu r ew a sh i gh .

When t h e p ro je c t b egan , i tw a s a l r ead y c l ea r t h a t Ma t ienzo h ad n ok nown P a la eo l i th ic d epo s i t s o fg r ea t r e levanc e , w he r ea s s e ve ra l c av e s h ad q u i t e i mpo r tan t m a t e r ia l s , e sp e c ialy p o t t e ry , o f m o r e r e c en t d a te . T he r e f o r e t h e p r o jec t c onc en t ra t ed o n t h e R ec en t P r eh i s to ry o f Ma t ienzo , a im ing t ot h row s om el i gh to n t h i s p e r iod , g en e r a l ly n eg le c ted i n t h e r e s t o f C an tab r ia i nf a vou r o fs u ch n o tab le P a laeol i th ic s i te s a sC u eva d e l C a s t ilo , E lP end o , A l tam i ra , Mo r in a nd E lJ u yo . N eve r the le s s ,d u r ing t h ec ou r se o ft h ep r o je c t

A bov e t h e A p t ian , t h e h i ghe rb ed s c o r r e spond t ot h e A lb ian a nd C enoman ian , a nd h e r e t h inn e r s t r a ta o f l im e s tone a l t e rn a t e w i th s a nd s ton e . T h e A p t ian a nd l ow e r A lb ian a r e g r oup ed t o g e the r a s t h e U rg on ian C omp l ex , a nd f o rm m a s s iv e ly b edd ed p u r el ime s ton e s ( M i l l s a nd Wa l tham 1 981 ) . S om e a r ea s , h ow ev e r , w e r e a f e c t ed b y d o lont i t iza t ion , a nd t h i s i s p a r t icu la r ly n o t i c e ab l e o n t h e E a s t a nd Wes t s i d e s o f L a S e cada v a l l ey , w h e r et h er e dd i sh t o ne so ft h e r o ck h av e w ea th e r ed t o ad a rk g r ey , c on t r a s t ing w i th t h e w h i t e o ft h e p u r e l im e s ton e . T h e u pp e r A lb ian a nd l ow e r C enoman ian a r e k nown a st h e S up ra -u rgon ian C omp l ex . 6 03

S i tua t ion o fM a t ienzo i nC an tabr ia

6 04

6 05

6 06

6 07

6 08

6 09

6 10

6 11

a n i n te r e s t ing u pp e r P a laeo l i th i c d epo s i t h a s b een d i s cov e r ed i nt h e d ep r e s s ion . A s ar e su l t , t h e p e r iod s c ov e red h e r e a r e t h e l a te u pp e r P a laeo l i th ic a nd Me so l i th i c ,t h eC ha l co l i th ic a nd B ronz eA g e ,a nd l i on A g e . D u e t o al a ck o fw r i t t en h i s to r y f o r r u ra l a r ea s l i k e Ma t i en zo , t h e p r o toh i s to r i c p e r iod e f ec t iv e ly r e a ch e st h eM idd le A g e s . O ne o f t h e a dvan tag e s o f t h e p ro je c t h a s b een t h e o ppo r tun i ty t o s t ud y a n a r ea , w el k nown f r om t h e s p e l eo log ica l p o in t o fv i ew , y e tp r ac t ica l ly u n touched a r cha eo log ica l ly T h e o t h e ri st h e n a tu r e o ft h ev aley i t s e lf , i s o la t ed , w i th i t s o wn s c en ic a nd e c o log i ca l c ha r ac t e r . T h e p r o jec t i sl im i t ed e x c lu s iv e ly t o t h e Ma t ien zo d ep r e s s ion , i n o rd e r t o e xam in e t h e r e sou r ce s a va i lab le a nd t h eu s e s m ad e o ft h em w i th in ad e t e rm ined a r ea , e v en t h ough i ti sc l ea r t h a t , f o r e xamp l e , h un te r -g a th e r e r s e xp lo i t ed a l a rg e r t e r ra in t h an t h ed ep r e s s ion a l on e . A sw e l la st h ed if e r en td ig s c a r r ied o u t , m a t e r ia l s h av e b e en c o l l e c t ed f r om t h e f l oo r s u r f a c e o fo t h e r c ave s , b o th c a ve s a nd o p en -a i r s i t e s h av e b e en p ro sp e c t ed , a nd s o u r c e s o fl o ca l f l in t

Wea ld

EJ

U rgon ian

[Z ]

P os turgon ian

-

F au l t

Qua ternary

G eo l og ica lm ap T h e p roc e s s o fu p l i f t ing t h e C an tab r ian Moun ta in s d u r ing t h e A lp in e o r og eny w a s c omp l e t ed i n t h e M io cen e ( a b ou t 2 5 m i l l ion y e a r s a go ) , a f t e r w h i ch b eg an t h e e r o s ion w h ich r emoved a ny r o ck c ov e r y oung e r t h an t h e C enoman ian , l e ad ing e v en tua l ly t o t h e f o rma t ion o ft h e d ep r e s s ion . T h e f o ld ing w h i ch r e su l t ed f r om t h e u p l i f t w a s n o t t o o s e v e r e i n 2

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D epre ss ion

s ub s t i tu ted b y i r on , w h ich f o rm s u p to 4o r 5% o ft h e

Ma t ien zo ,w he r et h ed i po ft h eb ed si sn eve rv e r ys t eep ( a bou t 50) .T he Ma t ienzo a n t ic l ine f o low s t h e l i n e o f

r o ck v o lum e ( Man tecön 2 000 ) .

t h ev aley o fL aV ega , w h ich d eve loped b yt h ep ro ce s s o f i n v e r s ion o f r e l i ef , a nd e nd s i n ah a l f -dome i n H oz ana ( F er nand e z G u t iä re z 1 966 ) . I tw a s t h ough t

F l in t n odu le s h ave b een l o ca t ed i n t h e l imes tone i n s e v e ra l p l a ce s i nt h e d ep re s s ion , a nd t h e i r s i ze v a r ie s f r om s ma l l , i r regu la r s hap ed n od u le s a bou t 1 0 c m

t h a t t h i s m igh t h o ld p e t ro leum . a nd w a s d r i l led , b u t n one w a s f ound T he a r ea h a s a l so s uf e red c on s id e r ab le f au l t ing , a l though t h e d i sp lacemen t s a r e u sua l ly s ma l l . T he m a jo r f au l t s , s u ch a st h e o n e s e en

l o ng , t o b a l l o r k idney shap ed n odu le s 2 0 c m i n d i ame te r . T he s e c ome f r om c o ra l f o s s i ls w i th s i l i ca s k e le ton s l a id d own i n t h e l ime s tone . T he i r g r ea te r

o n E l N a so h i l l , a bove t h e r e su rg ence o f C u eva d e l

r e s i s tance t o e r o s ion h a s l e f t t h em n ow s t and ing o u t p roud f r om t h e s u r f a ce o f t h e d if e ren t l ime s tone

Mo l ino , mu s t h av e o ccu r red d u r ing t h e o rog eny . B u t s ma l le r m ovem en t s m ay h a ve t a k en p l ac e q u i t e

o u t c rop s . T h ef l in t i sh ow eve ro fp oo rq ual i ty , a nd t h e n odu le sf r ac tu r er e ad i ly a l ong p l ane so fw eaknes se s .

r e cen t ly , a nd i n C ueva d e l o s T re s N ir io s ac av e p a s sag ea ppea r st oh av eb een b r ok en a nd d i sp la ced b y af r a c tu re a f te rt h ep a s sage w a sf o rm ed .

T h ick c l ay s o i l sa r ef ound a bove a l l o ccupy ing t h ef l a t v a l ley f l oo r si nL a V eg aa nd L aS e cada , a nd t h ey h ave g ene ra ted f r om t h e u n so lub le e l emen t s i n t h e l im e s tone . T h ey a r e t e r ra r o sa t y pe s o i l s ; t h e ir r ed

I ti so fi n t e r e s t t om en t ion t h e m ine ra l s i nt h e a r ea , w h ich w e re e xp lo i ted i n P r eh is to r y : i r on a nd f l in t . I r on i sf o und i n t h e f o rm o fn odu le s o fi r on o x id e s :

c o lou r c om ing f r om t h e p r es enc e o fi r on o x id e s , a nd t h e i rm a in u s et o day i sf o rm ead ow so rm a ize f i e ld s .

g oe t lü te , h ema t i te a nd l imon i t e , u sua l ly p r e s en t i nt h e r e d c l ay s o i l s . T he y a r e aw ea th e r ing p roduc t o ft h e l ime s tone , e sp e c ia l ly t h ev a r ie ty o fd o lom i te k nown a s a nk e r i te , w he r e p a r t o f t h e m angane se h a s b een

F uen te l a s V a ras

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C ruz d e U zaho L os T r i l los 5 00

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3

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T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion

d o lom i t iz ed r o ck i nL a S e cada a l so f o rm s o u t c rop s , b u t t h e k a r s t f e a tu re s t e nd t o b e s o f te r a nd m o r e r o und ed t h an i np u r el im e s ton e .

1 . 4G eomorpho logy Ma t ienzo i s ak a r s t d ep re s s ion , w h ich m ean s t h a t w h i le t h e v aley f l oo r i sa ta bou t 1 60 m a bov e s e a l e v e l , t h e l ow e s t p o in t o n t h e s u r round ing h i l l s i st h e p a s s o fC ru z U sar i oa t3 47 m . T h e o t h e ru s ua l a c c e s s t o Ma t ienzo i sb yt h ep a s so fF u en t eL a s V a ra s , i nt h e n o r th , a t4 50 m . T h eh i gh e s tp o in to nt h ep e r ime t e ro f h il s i s Mon t e Mu l l i r , t ot h e e a s t , a t8 39 m , a nd t h e l i n eo fh il st ot h es ou th , s e pa ra t ing Ma t ienzo f r om t h e A sön v a l ley , a r e a t a bou t 6 50 m . T h e r e i s s om e d i s cu s s ion a st ow he the r Ma t ienzo i s ap o l je , a nd o n e c on c lu s ion c ou ld b e t h a t i f ap o l je i sd ef ined i n i t s s t r i c t e s t Y ugo s lav ian t e rm s , i t p r ob ab ly i s n o t . N ev e r the le s s Ma t i enzo i so n e o ft h e l a rge s t e n c lo s ed d ep re s s ion si nS pa in .

T he r e a r e f ew s u r f ac e s t r eam s o n t h e l i m e s ton e , a nd c on s equ en t ly f ew s t r eam s ink s , o r s w ale t h o l e s . I n s t ead , m o s to ft h er a in f al p e r co la t e sd i r e c t ly i n to t h e l im e s tone . O n ly a tt im e so fh eavy r a in i st h e re e nough s u r f ac er un -of t of o rm s t r eam s , a nd o n e o ft h e se t h en s p i l l ss p e c ta cu la r ly o v e rt h ec a scad eE lR i sco ,a bou t5 0 mh igh . T he d ep r e s s ion c an o n ly h av e f o rm ed b y s t re am s c a r ry ing a wa y t h e d i s so lv ed l ime s tone t h r ough c a v e o u t le t s . M il sa nd Wa l tham ( 1 98 1 ) c a l cu la t ed t h a tt h e d ep r e s s ion b e low t h e c u r r en t l ow p o in t o n t h e s u r round ing h i l l s , w h ich i sC ruz U sar io a t3 47 m , h a s am in imum a g e o f 1 . 6 m i ll ion y ea r s , b u t c ou ld r e a s onab ly b e d a t ed b a ck b e twe en 2 a nd 3 m i ll i on y ea r s . B e s id e s , t h e d ep r e s s ion mu s t h av e b egun t o f o rm mu ch f u r th e r i n t h e p a s t , a nd c a v e p a s sag e s a bov e 3 47 m a l t i tude m ay b e c on s id e r ab ly o l de r t h an t h a t a g e . U n f o r tuna te ly , a s Ma t ienzo 's f o rma t ion i s l i nk ed t o t h e c av e s , a ny e xp lana t ion f o r t h i s i s d ep end en to nt h e k now ledg eo ft h e c av e s a tt h et im e . A nd e a ch y e a r 's n ew e xp lo r a t ion s how s h ow c omp lex t h e y a r e i nr e a l i ty , d eve lop ed o n d if e r en t l e ve l s a nd f o rm ing t h r e e -d im en s iona l m az e s , s u ch a st h e S ou th V eg a S y s t em . I tw il n o t b e e a sy t ou n r av e l t h e f u l l e vo lu t ion a r yp r o c e s so ft h ed ep r e s s ion .

T he d ep r e s s ion i su sua l ly d e s c r ibed a s b e ing i n t h e s hap e o f a" Y " , i t st h r ee " a rm s " b e ing L a S ecada i n t h e n o r th , L a V eg a i nt h e w e s t , a nd H ozana i n t h e s ou th ea s t . O f t h e s e , L a S e cada a nd L a V eg a a r e v aley s w i th f l a t f l oo r s , w h i ch f l ood i n v e ry w e t w ea th e r . H ozana o n t h e o t he r h and i s ac o l le c t ion o f d o l ine sa nd s ma l lh i l l s , w h e r es e v e ra l s t r ea m sr i se a nd s i nk i n an e two rk o fa c t iv ec ave s . T h e r i ng o f h i l s s u r round ing Ma t ien zo s e p a ra te s i t f r om t h e f o l low ing v a l ley s : t h e A sön t ot h e s ou th , a n a r ea o f h ighe r m oun ta in s a nd i mpo r tan t k a r s t a nd c av ed ev e lopm en t ,L aC avad av aley t ot h en o r th -we s t , R iar i o t ot h e n o r th , a nd L lu eva t ot h en o r th ea s t . T h e l a t t e r t wo a r e c onne c t ed t o Ma t ienzo b y al a rg e c av e k nown a st h e F ou r V a l ley s S y s t em . T h i s i sa n a c t iv e s y s t em , t a k ing t h e Ma t ienzo r i v e r , a nd s t r eam s f r om R iar i o ,t ot h er e su rgen ce i nt h ev a l ley o fS ecadu ra . T h e f a c t t h a t a l t h e w a t e r e n te r ing o r l e av ing Ma t ienzo h a s a lway s b e en u nd e rg round i st h e c au se f o r t h e e x t rao rd ina ry c av e d ev e lopm en t i n a nd a r ound t h e d ep r e s s ion , a sd e s c r ib ed i n as ep a ra te p ap e r b y J u an C o r r in .

1 . 5C l ima te Ma t ienzo l i e sw i th in t h es o ca l l ed " G re en S p a in " ,w i th am a rk ed ly A t lan t ic c l ima t e . T h i s s t r ip a l ong t h e n o r the rn S pan i sh c o a s ts h a r e sw i th n o r th -w e s tE u rop e h igh r a in f a l l , a nd r e la t ive ly m i ld w in t e r s a nd c oo l s umm e r s , e sp e c ia l ly i fc ompa r ed w i th t h e c on t in en ta l c l ima t ef o und i nt h e S pan i sh m e s e ta , s t a r t ing o n ly 2 0 km t ot h es o u th o f Ma t ienzo .

T he t o ta l s u r f a c e a r ea o ft h e d ep r e s s ion i sa bou t 2 6 s q ua r e k i lom e t r e s , o f w h ich a l i t t le m o re t h an o n e t e n th c o r r e spond st ot h ef l a ta luv i a lv a l ley f l oo r s . T h e r e s t i sh i l l s id e s a nd s umm i t s , w i th v e ry l i t t l e l e ve l g r ound .

V i l laca r r iedo

t( °C )

2 50

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2 00

3 0

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I nm o s tp l a ce sw e c an f i nd t y p ica l k a r s tf e a tu r e s s u ch a s d o l in e s a nd l a p iaz ; t h e H oyo d e L lu sa , o n Mon t e Mu l l i r , i st h e l a rg e s t d o l in e , 5 00 m i nd i am e te r a nd 1 00 m d e ep . T he l a p i az u sua l ly f o rm s s ha rp k a r r en , e sp e c ia l ly o n t h e g en t le r s l op e s n ea rt h e c r e s t s o ft h e h i l l sl i k eE lN a so a nd Mu l l i r .

1 00 1 0 5 0

0

0 M

T he l im e s ton e c l if s a r e o f ten u nd e r cu t a tt h e i r b a se , a nd B r az i e r ( 1 994 ) c on c lud ed t h a t t h i s u nd e r cu t t ing w a s t h e r e su l t o fp r e f e r en t ia l c h em ica l w ea th e r ing o f t h ew eak e rb edd ing p l an e sa tt h eb a se o ft h ec l if s . T h e

MY

J L

T empe ra tur e a nd p r ec ip i ta t ion g raph ( Gu l l /an e ta l i i 1 985 ) . 4

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion

T he d ep r e s s ion f i l l ed w i th m is t T h ea ve rag ea nnua l t emp e r a tu r eo nt h ec oa s ti s1 4 °C a nd i n Ma t ien zo i tm u s tb eo n eo rt wo d eg r e e s l ow e r , a l though i tg ene r aly s ha r e s w i th t h e c oa s t t h e l ow v a r ia t ion b e tw een s umm e r a nd w in t e r t emp e ra tu r e s ( o n ly 1 0 ° o n t h e c oa s t ) . T h e r a in f a l l i sd i s t r ibu ted u n ev en ly t h roughou t t h e y ea r , f r om a bou t 1 00 mm . p e r s qua r e m e t r e b e twe en J u n e a nd A ugu s t , t o a n a v e r ag e o f2 40 mm . i nD ec emb e r . S now f a l l s e v e ry w in t e r , b u t u sua l ly l a s t s f o r av e ry s h o r t t im e i nt h e v a l l ey , a nd i nf a c t i sn o t p a r t i cu la r ly i mpo r tan t e v en o n t h e h i gh e s t h i l l , Mu l l in T h e t o ta l a nnua l p r e c ip i ta t ion i sb e tw e en 1 8 00 a nd 2 000 mm . p e r s q ua r em e t r e .

c ommon a r et h em o rn ing m i s t sw h i ch f i l lt h ev a l ley t o a n a l t i tud e o fa bou t 3 00 m , a nd u s ua l ly p e r s i s t u n t i l 1 .00 a mo rl a t e r , w h i l ea l t h e s u r r ound ing a r e ai si n b r igh t s un sh in e . O n e m ay s p e cu la t e o n w h a t t h e c ond i t ion s mu s th av eb e en l i k ed u r ing t h eP l e i s to cen e , w h en g l a c ie r sf o rmed a tt h eh ead o ft h eA sön , o n ly 1 2 km t ot h e s ou th -p e rhap s t h e f r o s t a nd m i s t w e r e a lmo s tp e rman en tf e a tu r e s . 1 . 6V ege ta t ion 1 . 6 .1 I t sE vo lu t ion D e sp i t e t h e l a ck o f ap o l l en c o lumn f r om Ma t ien zo i t s e l f , w e m a y r e a sonab ly e x t rapo la t e f r om s t ud i e s c a r r ied o u ti nt h es u r r ound ing a r ea ,i n c lud ing c o lumn s b o th f r om p ea t b og s a nd f r om c a v e s e d im en t s . O n e r e c en t s t udy b a sed o n p ea t c o lumn s ( Ra tn i l 8 4o t h e r s 1 998 ) d e s c r ib e s t h ev eg e ta t ion o fN o r th S p a in d u r ing t h e Magda len ian a nd t h e H o lo cen e . S t ud ie s c a r r i ed o u ti nC u eva d e lR e s caf t o , i nM i e ra V a l l e yt ot h ew e s t o f Ma t i enzo , b u ti n as im i la rk a r s tl a nd s cap e , a r ea l so u se f u l i n d ica to r s ; b o th t h e s e d im en ta log ic a l s t ud y ( Lav il e -Hoyo s 1 98 1 ) a nd p o l l en a na ly s i s ( Boy e r -K le in 1 98 1 ) .

E a ch w ind d i r ec t ion b r ing s i t s o wn t y p i ca l w ea th e r . T h e n o r th -w e s t w ind , c al ed E l G a l l ego , b r ing s r a in a nd d r izz l e . T h en o r th w ind b r ing sw in t e rs t o rm sa nd s now , w h i l e t h e n o r th - e a s t i su sua l ly c o ld a nd d r y . H ow ev e r , i ti st h e s o u th w ind , E l S u r , w h i ch i st h e m o s t f e a r ed i n Ma t ienzo . I to f t en r e a ch e s g a le f o r c e , a nd t h e a i r t emp e r a tu r e r i s e s a si td e s c end s f r om t h e Me s e ta . T h e o t h e r c ha ra c t e r i s t i c w ea th e r p henomon en i n Ma t i enzo i sd u et oi t sf o rm a sa ne n c lo s ed d ep r e s s ion . I ta c t s a s ac o ld a i r t r ap , a s c o ld e r a i r s i nk s t ot h e v al ey a t n i gh t . T h i s m e an s t h a t n i gh t f r o s t s a r e c ommon i n a u tumn a nd w in te r , a nd e v en m o r e

T h e R a s caf i o s e qu en c e b eg in s i n t h e L a sc aux i n t e r s tad ia l , w i th ad a t e o f 1 6 ,433 B P . T h e c l im a t e 5

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion

w a sc oo la nd h um id ,a nd w h i le t r e ep o l len i sb e low 1 7

a bou t 1 4 .5 °C ,a tt h e s t a r to ft h eA t lan t ic ,w h ich h es e t s

% o ft h e t o ta l , p ine ,j un ipe r , a nd h aze l w e r e p r e sen t . T he h um id i ty o f t h e c l ima te i s i nd ica ted b y t h e i mpo r tance o fw a te rp l an t s , C ype ra cea e ,F i l ica le s , e t c .

a t7 000 B P . H e c l a im s t h a t d u r ing t h i s p e r iod t h e h ab i tua lw ea th e rp a t te rn c on s i s ted o fa na n t icyc lone t o t h e w e s t o f t h e B r i t i sh I s le s , w h i le t h e d ep re s s ion s

D u r ing t h e c o ld e r , d r ie r p ha se o f t h e O ld es t D rya s t h e r ew a s ac omp le te d om inance o fn on -a rbo rea lf l o ra : P oa cea e , C a ryophy l laceae a nd A r t im is ia . D u r ing t h e

a s soc ia ted w i th t h e p o la r f r on t u sua l ly c r o s sed l a t i tud e so fa bou t6 5 °N . T h i sm ean tt h a tt h ed om inan t w ind s a c ro s s N o r th S pa in c ame f r om t h e s ou th o r s ou th ea s t , a nd a s ar e su l t i tw a s aw a rm ( 1 7 °C ) a nd d r y( 6 00 -8 00 mm )p e r iod .

f o l low ing i n t e r e s tad ia l ( Bö l l ing -Ale röd ) h aze l , p ine , o ak a nd b i r ch e xpand ed al i t t le , t ob e r ep laced a ga in

A tt h ee nd o ft h eA t lan t ic , a bou t 5 000 B P , t h e c l ima te

b y g r a s se s i n t h e Y oung e r D rya s . T h e p ha se o ft r ee e xpan s ion b egan a bou t 1 0 ,000 B P , w i th p ine , b i r ch

b ecame c oo le r a nd w e t te r , b u t t h e c hange s t h a t o ccu r ed t o t h e v ege ta t ion w e r e p robab ly a n th ropog en ic . P o l len c u rve s s how a d e c l ine i n C or y /us , a nd a s l igh t ly l e s se r o ne i n d ec iduou s Q ue rcus , w h i le a t t h e s ame t im e F ag us b egan t o

a nd t h en Q ue rcus r obur , a nd b y 8 , 500 B Pm ix ed o ak f o r e s t s h ad b ecom e t h e d om inan t v eg e ta t ion t y p e . A cco rd ing t oP e r ia lba ( 1 994 ) b o th e ve rg re en ( Q . i l ex ) a nd d e c iduou s o ak f olowed t h e s ame p a t t e rn o f e xpan s ion , a l though t h e r ep r e sen ta t ion o f e ve rg re en

e xpand T h eN eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge c l ea r ing o ft h e

Y ear s BP

P er iod

C l ima te

Ma in f l ora ,o rf l ora i ne xpan s ion

2 000 -3000

S ub -A t lan t ic

T emp e ra tu re sr e cove r

C as tanea

3 000 -5000

S ub -Bo rea l

S l igh t ly c oo le r ,w e t

F agus

5 000 -7000

A t lan t ic

Wa rm , d ry

Q uercu si l ex , C o ry lus , Q uercus r obur

7 000 -10 ,000

B o rea l

S t eady r i se i n

Q uercu sr obu r , G ory /u s ,A lnus

t empe ra tu r e Mod e ra te p rec ip i ta t ion 1 0 ,000 11 ,000

1 ,000 -13 ,000 1 3 ,000 -16 ,000

P re -Bo rea l Y ounge rD rya s A l le röd B ö l l ing O ld e s tD rya s

N o tv e ry c o ld

P inus , g r a s se s

C oo l ,w e t

C o ry lu s

C o ld , Mod e ra te p rec ip i ta t ion

P inus C yp e ra cea e , P oacea e , g ra s se s , e t c .

S ummary o fc l ima t ic p er iod s a nd v ege ta t ion , b a sed o n d a ta i nR am i l R ego & o t her s 1 998 ; H oyo s 1 995 ; a nd S a la s1 995 f o r e s t s w ou ld h av e b e en b y c u t t ing a nd a l so b y b u rn ing , a nd t h e s p r ead o fF agus h a s b een a s so c ia t ed w i th f i r e d i s tu rban ce ( Sänch ez & H annon 1 999 ) . I t s e em s t h a t b e e ch w a s a b le t oo c cup y l a nd wh i ch h ad

o ak h a s i n c re a sed i n r e cen t t ime s . T h e e xpan s ion o f G or y /us t o ok p l a ce a bou t 8 000 B P , a nd A lnus , F rax inu s , T i l ia a nd T axu sw e re a l so p r e s en t .

b een a bandon ed b y t h e f i r s t s t ock rea r e r s , w h e r ea s i t h ad b e en u nab l et op en e t ra te i nt h e e a r l ie r o ak f o r e s t s . I th ad b ecome w e l le s tab l ish ed b ya bou t3 000 B P .

R e f e r r ing t o Ma t ienzo , w e c an s uppo s e t h a t t h e s e f o r e s t s f i l led t h e v a l ley a nd mo s t o f t h e h i l l s id e s , a l though i ti sp robab le t h a tQ uer cu si l ex h ad b egun t o e s t abl i sh i t s e l f o n t h e d r ie r l im e s ton e s l op e s . T h i s i s e qu iva len t t ot h e p o ten t ia l v eg e ta t ion o ft h e a r ea , a nd i tl a s t ed f o ra bou t5 000 y ea r s .

N o r the rn S pa in w ou ld h av e f e l t t h e i mpa c t o f t h e l ow e rt emp e ra tu r e st h a ta f e c ted m any p a r t so fE u rope i nt h e e a r ly p a r t o ft h e f i r s t m i l lenn ium BC . I b a i l ez ( 1 999 )s umma r ize ss om eo ft h ee v id ence o ft h i sc o ld e r w ea the r t h a t h a s b een n o ted i nd if e r en t a r ea s o ft h e C an tab r ian moun ta in s : n ew g row th o f p ea t b og s , e xpan s ion o f P inu s s y lves t r is , t h e a ppea ran ce o f

S a la s ( 1 995 ) u s ed ad if e r en ta ppoa ch , b yu s ing p o l len s t ud ie s t or e con s t ru c tc hang e s i nc l ima t e a nd w ea th e r i n N o r th S pa in d u r ing t h e l a s t 1 0 ,000 y ea r s . H e c on c lud ed t h a t a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e H o lo cen e t h e m ean

h or nb eam C a rp inu s b e t e lus , a nd a g en e ra l r educ t ion

a nnua lt emp e ra tu re w a s a bou t 7 °C , a nd t h i s g r adua l ly r o s e u n t i l i tr e ached v a lue s s im i la r t o t h e p r e sen t ,

i nd ec iduou sf o r e s t s . B yt h em idd le o ft h em ilenn ium , 6

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion

h ow eve r , t emp e r a tu r e s w ou ld h av e i n c r ea s ed a nd r e a ch ed v a lu e s s im i la r t ot h e p r e s en t d ay . C a s tanea b egan i t se xp an s ion a bou t2 000 B P ; t h i st a xon , w h ich i sn ow o ne o f t h e m o s t c ommon i n Ma t i enzo , i s c l ea r ly r e la ted t oh uman a c t iv i t y .

T he v a l ley f l oor Mo s t o f t h e v a l ley i sn ow o c cup ied b y m eadow s . N o rma l ly t h e g r a s s i sc u t f o r f o rag e o r f o r f e ed ing d i r e c t ly t od a i ry h e rd s k ep t i ns t ab le s d u r ing m o s t o f t h e y ea r , a l though i nw in t e r t h e c a t t le a r e t a k en t o g r a ze t h e f i e ld s . H ow ev e r , u n t i l q u i t e r e c en t ly , t h e s am ef l a tl a nd w a su s ed a lmo s te x c lu s iv e ly f o rm a ize , a nd t h e p rodu c t ion w a s e nough t o w a r ran t f o u r w a t e rm i l l s i n Ma t ienzo a sw el a so n e o rt wo s ma l l e r o n e s . A tt h a tt im el i v e s tock w a sk ep to nt h e h i l s i na n e two rk o fc a bana s . T ha ts y s t em h ad b egun t oc hang e w i th t h e d ev e lopm en t o f c omme r c ia l d a i r ie s i n t h e a r ea a r ound Ma t ien zo , a nd i mp rov ed r o ad s t o t r an spo r tm i lk t ot h em . Many o ft h ec a ba f i ' a sh av en ow b e en a band on ed a nd h a v ef a len i n .

H uman i mp a c t o n t h e v eg e ta t ion c an b e f o l lowed t o t h e p r e s en t d a y . I ti s l i k e ly t h a t t h e f o r e s t s w e r e e xp lo i ted f o r s h ip -bu i ld ing f o rt h en ava l s h ipy a rd s o n t h ec oa s to fC an tab r ia , a nd a sf u e lf o rs ma l li r onwo rk s i nt h e A sön V a l ley . B u ti nt h e 1 7 th a nd 1 8 th C en tu ry t h i su s eb e com em u ch mo r ei n t en s ei no rd e rt os upp ly c ha r coa l t ot h eR oya l F ound r i e s a tL i e rgane s a nd L a C av ada ( 1 0 k m f r om Ma t ien zo ) , w h e r e t h e c annon s w e r e m ad e f o r t h e S pan i sh N avy ( Ga r c ia C od rön 1 999 ) . H i s to r ic a l d o cumen t s m ak ei tc l ea rt h a t h a rd ly at r e ew a sl e f ti ns e v e ra l l e agu e sa r ound t h ef o und r ie s b y t h e e nd o f t h e 1 8 th c en tu ry . B u t t h en t h e i n c r e a s ing d i f f i cu l ty i n t h e s u pp ly o f c ha rcoa l , t h e a r r iva l o f t h e n ew m e thod s o f t h e I ndu s t r ia l R evo lu t ion , a nd t h e d i s rup t ion c au sed b y t h e N apo leon ic w a r s , m ean t t h a t t h e f o und r i e s b ecam e u ne conom i c a nd e v en tua l ly c l o s ed . T h e f o r e s t s w e r e a lowed t o r e g ene ra t e , b u t t h e c on s equ enc e i st h a t p r a c t ica l ly a l t h e w ood land i n Ma t i enzo c anno t b e m o r e t h an a bou t 2 00 y ea r s o l d . I ti st h ough tt h a t t h i s r e -g en e r a t ion m ay h av e p a ra l le led t h a t w h ich t o ok p l a c e f o l low ing p r eh i s to r i c d e f o r e s ta t ion , w i th b e ech a nd e v e rg r e en o ak e xp and ing f u r th e r i n p l ac e o f d e c iduou s o ak B y t h e m idd le o ft h e 2 0 th C en tu ry , s om e o ft h e w ood s w e r e m a tu r e e nough t ob e f e led a new , t h i st im et ob e s o ld f o rt imb e r . I nt h i sw ay , t h e o ak w ood s s t i l l i nl i v ing m emo ry , p a r t icu la r ly o n t h e n o r th s l ope so fL a S e cada ,a nd o nt h eh i l l s id eb e twe en H ozana a nd L a V eg a , h av e b e en r e p la c ed w i th m eadow s . C ha r coa l m ak ing h a sc on t inu ed o n as ma l l s c a le i nt h i sc e n tu ry ,w i th t h ev i l lag e r s 'm emo ry o ft h i s a c t iv i t yi n af ew p l a ce si nL aV eg a .

N ev e r th e le s s ,t h ev a l l ey d oe sc on ta in a r e a so ft r ee sa nd c op s e s , s om e o f t h em s ma l l p l an ta t ion s , a nd o t h e r s n a tu ra l ; e s p e c ialy b y t h e s i d e o ft h e l a n e s a nd f i e ld s , a nd f o l low ing t h e r i v e r a nd s t r eam s . D e c iduou s o ak c an b e f o und , a s w el a s a sh , c h e s tnu t a nd h az e l . C h e s tnu t t r e e s c an a ch iev e a n i mp r e s s iv e g i r th , a nd s om eo ft h eb e s te x amp l e si n Mat i en zo a r et ob ef o und i n H ozana , b e low t h e p a s s a t C ru z U sa i lo . T h e c he s tnu t s a r e g a th e r ed a nd c on sum ed i nt h e a u tumn , a nd t o al e s se re x t en th aze l -nu t s ,b u tG or y /u sm a in ly i s c opp ic ed a s as upp ly o fp o l e s f o rf a rmhou s e g a rd en s . D ry s ton ew a l l s , a nd n o th edg e row s , n o rmaly s e p a r a t e t h e m eadow s , b u t h aze l , a sh , e l d e r ( S ambucu s n i g ra ) a nd b ay t r ee s c ommon ly f olow t h e w a l l s . P op la r a r e t h e t a l l e s t t r e e s a l ong t h e r i v e r b ank s , w h e r e w i l low , a l d e r a nd l i me ( T i p la typhy l lou s ) c an b e f o und , a l ong s id et h eu b iqu i t ou so ak a nd a sh . H i l l s ide s Mu ch o f t h e h i l l s id e s a r e u sed f o r m eadow s , e s p e c ia l ly o ns ou th f a c ing s l op e s . B u ta ss t a ted a bov e , t h ea moun tu s ed f o rg r a s sh a sr e duc ed i nr e c en ty ea r s . O th e r f a c to r s f o r t h i s a bandonmen t i n c lud e t h e d epopu la t ion o ft h e a r ea , s ot h e r e i sl e s s d emand f o r l a nd , w h ich i na ny c a se w a s u n econom ic a l t ow o rk , a nd n o t s u i t ab le f o r m od er n m a ch in e ry . Many h i l l m eadow s a r e s o s t e ep t h a t t r a c to r s c anno t b e u s ed s a f e ly . A ga in , h aze l , o ak a nd c h e s tnu t a r e f o und a r ound t h e se f i e ld s .

N owaday s , t h e r e pea t ed b u rn ing o fr o ugh g r ound , i n o rd e rt op r odu c ef r e sh g r a z ing f o rt h es h e ep , g o a t sa nd o t h e r l i ve s to ck k ep t o n t h e h i l l s , p r ev en t s n ew f o r e s t g r ow th ,a p a r tf r om as l ow s p r ead o fe v e rg r e en o ak . O n t h eo t h e rh and , Ma t i enzo h a sb een s p a r ed t h em a s s iv e p l an ta t ion s o f e u ca lyp tu s t h a t h av e b l ank e t ed l a rg e a r ea sn ea r e rt h ec oa s t . 1 . 6 .2 P r e sen tD ay V ege ta t ion

T he l a rg e s t p ropo r t ion o f t h e s l op e s a nd h i l l top s i s o c cup ied b y r ough g r a z ing . T h ev eg e ta t ion c ov e r c an v a ry f r om g r a s s e s a nd h ea th e r , t op a t ch e s o fg o r se o r f e rn s , d ep end ing o n s o i l h um id i ty , a nd g r az ing a nd b u rn ing r e g ime s . I n t h e se a r e a s t h e r e a r e f ew t r e e s , a pa r tf r om s ma l li s o la ted e v e rg re en o ak s , o rh aw tho rn ( C ra ta egus m onogy na ) a s o n t h e s l op e s o fL a V ega b e low C uev ad eR a sc av ie ja .

T he v a r iou s f a c to r s o u t l in ed a bov e , b o th n a tu ra l a nd a n th ropog en i c , h av e p rodu ced am o sa ic o fv ege tat ion t y p e s .

7

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D ep re s s ion

Q uer cu si l ex o nt h el i mes tone a bove C ue va d e l Mo l ino t h eo p en j o in t s i nt h e l im e s ton e . A st h i s r o ck yt e r ra in i so fl i t t le e c onom ic u s e , e v en f o rh e rd ing g oa t s , t h e se w ood s h av eb e en a low ed t od ev e lop n a tu ra l ly , a nd i n f a c t a r e c u r r en t ly i ne xp an s ion , s u ch a so nt h e s l op e s o f L a C ol in a . I n t h i s r e spe c t , t h e s e s c l e rophy l lou s w ood s a r e p r ob ab ly t h e m o s t n a tu ra l o f a l t h e v eg e ta t ion t y p e si np r e s en td a y Ma t ienzo .

E v ergre en o ak w ood s T h e l im e s ton e s l op e s w i th a t h in o r p ra c t ica l ly n on ex i s t en t s o i l c ov e r , w he r e l a p iaz h a s d ev e lop ed , a r e t y p i ca l ly o c cup i ed b y e v e rg r e en h o lm o ak ( Que rcu si l ex ) . I ns om e p l a ce s , ( e gt h e n o r th s i d e o f L a V eg a ) , t h e t r e e s a r e s ma l l e r a nd g r ow t i gh t ly p a ck ed , f o rm ing a n a lmo s t i mp en e t r ab l e p r ick ly j ung le w i th o t h e rs h rub s s u ch a sv i bu rnum , b uck thor n ( Rhammu s a l a t e rnu s ) , E uonymou s e u ropaeu s a nd R us cu s a cu l ea tu s , a nd t r a i le r s l i k e b r amb le s ( Rubus u lm if orm is ) o r s a r sp a r i l la ( Sm i lax a sp era ) . B u t o t h e r p l a c e s , s u ch a st h es o u th o fL aV ega , l a rg e rt r e e sg r ow i nm o r e o p en t e r ra in , w i th o t h e r e v e rg r e en s l i k e t h e S t r awb e r ry T r e e ( A rbu tu s u ned o ) o r b ay ( Lau r us n ob i l is ) . O th e rs h rub so c ca s iona l ly f o und o nl im e s ton e s l op e s a r e b l a ck tho rn ( P runu s i n s t i t ia ) , o r e v en f i g t r e e s ( F icu s c a r ica ) i n s h e l t e r ed p l a ce s , s u ch a s t h e r o ck s h e l te r n e a r C u ev a d e l D i en t e , a ta n a l t i tud e o f 3 90 m . Af ew y ew t r ee s ( T axu s ) g r ow n ea rt h e t o po f Mu e la .

D e c iduou sw ood s O n ly r emnan t s a r e l e f t o f t h e m ix ed d e c iduou s o ak f o r e s tw h ich i ss uppo s ed t ob et h ep o t en t ia lv eg e ta t ion o ft h ea r ea , a nd w h i ch m u s to n c eh av ec ov e r ed a l t h e d ep r e s s ion , a p a r tf r om t h o s e a r ea s b e t t e r s u i t ed t oQ . i l ex . N ev e r th e l e s s , t h e s er emnan t sa r ef o und i na lmo s t a l p a r t s o f Ma t i en zo , e sp e c ialy t h e l ow e r h i l l s id e s , w h i ch h av ep r obab ly s uf e r ed m uch l e s sf r om b u rn ing . A t l e a s t t h r e e d e c iduou s o ak s p e c ie s a r e f o und : Q . r o bur i sb yf a rt h e m o s t c ommon , w h i le Q .p i r ena ica a pp ea r s r e gu la r ly a s s ma l le r t r e e s o n t h e l i m e s tone s l op e s , a nd t h et h i rd ,p robab ly Q .p e t ra ea i sq u i t er a r e . Wh i t eb eam ( S or bu s a r ia ) i sa l so c ommon o n t h e l i m e s ton e ,b u tb i r ch i sl e s sf r equ en t

E v e rg r een o ak w ood s a r e f o und b o th o n n o r th a nd s ou th f a c ing s l op e s i nL a V eg a , a sm en t ion ed a bov e , b e tw een v a l le yl e v e la nd a bou t2 50 i n , a nd e qua l ly o n h ig h e r g r ound ( 3 50 t o 5 00 m ) t ot h e s o u th ea s t o f H ozana . T h e c ommon f a c to r s e em s t ob e t h a t i na l c a s e s t h e g r ound i se x t r eme ly w el -d r a in ing t h rough

T he l a rg e s tw ood i n Ma t ien zo i sa tL o sT r ilo s , i nt h e s o u thw e s t o f t h e d ep r e s s ion . I ti sa l so t h e g r ea t e s t r e s e rv e o f s p e c ie s , i n c lud ing a l t h o se m en t ioned a bov e . I ti s ,h owev e r , d om in a t ed b yb e e ch . I th a sb e en 8

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D epre s s ion

T rou t a r e f o und i n s ma l l n umb e r s , w h i le c r a yf i sh , w h i ch w e r e c ommon o n ly t wen ty -f iv ey ea r s a go h av e n ow a lmo s t d i sapp ea r ed d u e t oe i th e r o ve rf i sh ing o r d i s ea s e . O n ly s ma l lp opu la t ion s s t i l l s u rv iv ei nc e r ta in c a ve s t r eam s .

e xp la ined b e f o r e h ow F agus s y l va t ica b egan i t s e xp an s ion a bou t 3 000 B P , p r ob ab ly o n l a nd t h a t h ad b e en c l ea r ed a nd t h en a b andoned . I n t h i s r e sp ec t t h e b e e ch w ood s m ay n o t b e s t r ic t ly s p e ak ing a n a tu ra l v eg e ta t ion t y p e , b u t i n a ny c a se , t h e s em agn if i cen tt r e e s , w i th t h eg r ound c ov e r ed w i th t h e i r o r ang e -b rown l e af l i t t e r , t h r ough w h ich w h i t e l im e s ton eo u t c rop se m e rg e , c r ea t e as up e rb l a nd scap e . We h op e t h a t e ve ry th ing p o s s ib le i sd on et op r e se rv e t h e s e w ood s f o r t h e f u tu r e , a nd f o r tuna t e ly y oung b e e ch t r e e sc an b es e en c o lon iz ing r e c en t ly a bandoned f i e ld s ,s oi ts e em st h ew ood sc an s u rv iv ei ft h e ya r el e f t a l on e . I th a s b e en d e s c r ibed h ow m o s t o ft h e w ood s m u s t h av e r e g ene r a t ed a f t e rt h e c l o su r e o ft h e R oya l F ound r ie s , a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e 1 9 th C en tu ry , a nd w al f i e ld -bounda r ie si nt h em idd le o ft h ew ood ss how h ow m u ch t h ey h av ee xp and ed i nr e c en tt im e s .

T he l a rg e s tb i rd su sua l ly s e en a r eb u zza rd s a nd k i t e s , w h i ch m u s tn e s ti n Ma t ienzo , a nd g r if f on v u l tu r e sa nd e g yp t ian v u l tu r e s ,w h i ch v i s i tf r om m o r em oun ta inou s r e s id en ce s . A lp in e c hough s o f t en m ak e u s e o f p o t -ho le sa st h e i rn e s t ing p l a ce s . B a tp opu la t ion sh av eh a rd ly b e en s t ud ied i n Ma t ien zo , a nd R h ino lophu sf e r rumequ inum a nd Myo t is m yo t is a r e t h e o n ly s p e c ie s c a ta logu ed ( M e i j id e 1 982 ) , b u t m any o t h e r s p e c ie s h ave b e en i d en t if i ed i n t h e s u r r ound ing v a l ley s , e s p e c ia l ly t h e A sön , s o s om e o f t h e s ec an b ee xp e c t ed i n Ma t i enzo t o o .

E lD u engo i sa no th e rb ee chwood , t ot h e s ou th -ea s t o f L a S e cada . B ee ch t r ee s a r e f o und f r om v a l le y l e ve l u p to 7 50 m ,b o th o nt h ick e rs o i l sa nd l i m e s ton ea r ea s , b u t t h e i mpo r tan t f a c to r s e em s t o b e t h a t t h ey a r e a lw ay s o n s h ad y n o r th -f a c ing s l op e s , w h e r e t h ey a r e a b le t oc omp e t e m o r e s u c ce s s f u l ly w i th o ak ( A ed o & o t h e r s 1 990 ) .

R e f er ence s A ed o , C . , D i ego , C . , G a r c ia J .C . , Mo r eno , G . 1 990 : " E lB o sque e n C an tabr ia " . E d . U n iv e r s idad d e C an tab r ia & A samb le aR eg iona l . S an tand e r . B oy e r -K le in , A . : 1 9 81 . A nä l i s i s p aLmo lög ico d e l a C u ev a d e l R a s ca l ° . I n : E l P a leol i tko S up e r io r d e l a C ueva d e l R a sca l° . Monog raf ia s d e l C YM A ,n °3 . S an tand e r . B r a z ie r , RE . , 1 994 . A n I nv e s t iga t iv e S t ud y o f t h e o v er hang ing c l if so ft h e Ma t ien zo D ep r es s ion , N o r t he rn S pa in . U npub l i sh ed B .S c d eg r ee t h e s i s . G eog raphy D ep a r tm en t , U n iv e r s i ty o f L anc a s t e r . F e rnänd ez G u t ii r r e z , J . C . , 1 9 66 . L a D ep r e s iön C e r rada d e Ma t ienzo . C uad e rno s d e E sp e leo log ia N o .2 . S an tand e r . G a r c ia C od rön , J . C . , 1 999 . L a e vo lu c iön d e l a v ege t a c iön e ne ll i t o r a ld e C an tab r ia . I nL i to ra l A t län t ico 2 , H ier ro a l Ma r , p p . 8 6 -95 . C an tab ri a . G u inan , F . C a rb a l la s , T . , D i az -F i e r ro s , F . , P l a ta , M . 1 985 . S ue /o s N a t ura l e s d e C an t abr ia . E d . C .S . I .C . S an t iago d eC ompo s t e la . G onzä le z R od r igue z , A . , 1 999 . C an tab r ia : T opon im ia P r e r r omana . I n R eg io C an tabro rum p p . 15 123 ,C a ja C an tab r ia . H oyo s G öm e z , M . , 1 995 . P a leo cl ima to log ia d e l T a rd ig la c ia le nl aC om sa C an täb r i ca b a sada e n l o s r e su l tad o s s e d imen to lög ico s d e y ac im ien t o s a r qu eo lög i co s k ä r s t ico s . I n E l F ina l d e l P a l eo l i t ico C an t äbr ica . E d . Mou r e yG onzä le z , p p . 3 75 . P ub l ica c ion e s U n iv e r s idad d e C an tab r ia . l b a t i e z G on zä l e z , J . , 1 999 . E vo lu c iön d e l a p o t en c ia l idad a g ro tinn ica e n l a C e l t ib e r ia d u ran t e l aE dad d e l H ie r r o . I VS impo s io s ob r e C e l t ibe ro s : e conom ia ( Da roca , 1 99 7 ) , p p .11 -46 . Z a rago za .

Ma tu r e b ee ch t r e e s a low t o o l i t t le l i gh t t h rough t h e c anopy f o r mu ch u nd e rg row th , b u t i np l a ce s i nL o s T r i lo s , h o l ly ( I l ex a qu i f ö l ium ) f o rm s a n i mpo r tan t s e cond l e v e lb enea th b o th o ak a nd b ee ch . 1 . 7W i ld l i f e T h e w i ld l i f e i n Ma t i enzo n owaday s m u s t b e q u i t e d if e r en tf r om w ha tm ay h av ee x is ted l i t t l em o r et h an ac en tu ry a go , a tl e a s ta sr e g a rd st h el a rg e rm amma l s . Wo lv e s a nd b rown b e a r s s t il l i v e i n o t h e r p a r t s o f C an tab r ia , b u t o n ly t h ef o rm e ro ft h e se i se v en ar a r e v i s i to r i n t h e e a s t o f t h e r e g ion . R ed d e e r b ec am e e x t inc ti nC an tab r ia i nt h em idd le o ft h e 1 9 th C en tu ry , a nd w e r e l a t e rr e in t rodu c ed i nt h ew e s to ft h er eg ion , b u tt h ey a r en ev e rf o und i nt h ea r ea a r ound Ma t i en zo . T he r e i sa r cha eo log i ca l e v id en ce o fi b ex a nd c hamo i s i nt h e Me so l i th i c ,b u tn oi n f o rma t ion a bou tw h en t h ey d i sapp ea red i nt h ea r ea . I nc on c lu s ion ,t h el a rg e s tw i ld m amma l s s t il l i v ing i nt h e d ep r e s s ion a r e w i ld b oa r a nd r o ed e e r ,o ccupy ing t h ew ood si ns ma l ln umb e r s . O t t e r d i sapp ea r ed i nt h e l a s t c en tu ry , a nd h a r e , o nc e c ommon , i sn ow s c a r c e . F ox , b adg e r , r e d s qu i r r e l , w e a se l a nd h edg ehog r ema in c ommon , h ow ev e r , a nd o u ra r cha eo log i ca l w o rk h a sp r ov id ed e v id enc e o ft h e r ang e o f s ma l l e r i n se c t iv o r e s a nd r o d en t s i n t h e d ep r e s s ion ( s e e t h e r e lev an t s e c t ion s i nt h e s t ud ie s o f C ub io R edondo a nd S ima d e lD ien t e ) .

9

T he Ma t ienzo E nc lo sed D epre ss ion

I .G .M .E . , 1 978 . Map a G eo lög ica d e E spa i ia . E sca la

R am i l R ego , P . , C . Mur io z S ob r ino , M . R od r igu ez

1 : 50 ,000 . H o ja d e V i l la ca r r iedo . S e rv ic io d e P ub l icac ion e s . M in i s te r io d eI ndu s t r ia , Mad r id L av i l le , H . , H oyo s M . 1 981 . E s tud io G eo lög ico d e l a C ueva d e R a sear io . I n : E l P a le° l i t ico S up e r io r d e l a C u eva d e l R a sear io . Monog raf ia s d e l CYM A , n °3 .S an tande r ,

G u i t iän , & L . G omez O re l lana ,1998 . D if f e rence s i n t h e v ege ta t ion o f t h e N o r th I b e r ian P en in su la d u r ing t h e l a s t 1 6 ,000 y ea r s . P la n tE co logy 1 38 , p p . 4 1 -62 . R a t , P . , 1 959 . L e s P ay s cH tac& B a sco -can tabr iques ( E spagne ) . P .U .F . P a r i s . S a la s , L . , 1 995 . L o s e s tud io s p o l in ico s e n E spa i ia ,

Man t ecön C a l le jo , L . , 2 000 . L a M ine r ia R omana e n C , an tab r ia .N ive lC ero 8 ,p p3 7 -58 , S an tand e r . Me i j id e C a lvo , M . , 1 982 . C a tä logo d e l o sq u i röp te ro s d e l a p rov in c ia d e S an tande r . C uad emo s d e E sp e l eo log ia 9 10 ,p p .101112 . S an tand e r .

u t i l izado s e n l ar e con s t ruc c iön c l imä t ica d e l o s ü l t imo s 1 0 .000 a r io s . C uad emo L ab . X eo löx ico d eL axe V o l .20 p p . 6 7 -98 .L a C o rm ia . S änchez G oa M .F . & G .E .Hannon ,

1 999 . H igh

a l t i tud e v ege ta t iona l p a t t e rn o n t h e I b e r ian Moun ta in C ha in ( no r th -cen t ra l S p a in ) d u r ing t h eH o locen e . T he H o locene 9 . 1 p p . 3 9 -57 .

M il s ,L .D .J . & AC . Wa l tham , 1 981 . G eomo rpho log y o f t h e Ma t ienzo C av e s . BCRA T ransac ions V o l .8 ( 2 ) , p p .63 -84 . P e l ia lba , MC . , 1 994 . T he h i s to ry o f t h e H o loc ene v ege ta t ion i n n or the rn S pa in f r om p olen a na ly s i s .J ourna lo fE co logy 8 2 ,p p . 8 15 -832 .

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2 .T he Ma t ienzo C ave s : e xp lora t ion a nd d ocumen ta t ion J uan C o r r in B r i t ish C av ing E xped i t ion t o Ma t ien zo 2 . 1 . I n troduc t ion Madoz a pp ea r s t o h ave b een t h e f i r s t t o p ub l i sh i n f o rma t ion a bou t Ma t ien zo i n as c ien t i f ic w o rk . ( Mado z P a s cua l , 1 848 ) . T h i s v o lum e m en t ion s t h e v i l lag e a nd t h e r i ve r . Af ew y ea r s l a t e r P u ig i n a w o rk a bou t t h e c ave s a nd s ha f t s o fS pa in m en t ion s s om ec ave s , s i nk sa nd r e su rg enc e si nt h ed ep r e s s ion .

p ho tog raph ed a nd s u rvey ed , u s ing t a p e , c ompa s s a nd c l inome te r . S ev en ty o f t h e s i te s h av e s ome a r chaeo log ica l i n te r e s t , r a ng ing f r om g l imp s ed m ed ieva l p o t t e ry i nf l oo rd epo s i t st op o s s ib le b ronze a g e b u r ia l s a nd c av e s u sed a s s he l te r s d u r ing t h e C iv i l Wa r ( f igu re 2 ) . Many s i te s r ema in t o b e e xcava ted a nd t h e f u l l a r chaeo log ica l p o ten t ia l o f t h e a r ea ' s c av e s h a s p e rhap s o n ly r e c en t ly b e en r e cogn i sed . A n umb e r o f t h e se s i te s , a l though p robab ly i n f luen ced b yt h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion , a r e o u t s id e t h e d ep r e s s ion a nd o ft h e 7 0 a r chaeo log ica l s i te s i nt h e " Ma t ien zo d a taba se " s ome 4 6 l i e w i th in t h eb ounda r y .

( Pu ig yL a r r az 1 896 ) . B u t t h e s y s tema t ic d i scove ry a nd e xp lo ra t ion o ft h e c av e s u nd e r t h e h i l l s a r ound Ma t ienzo h a s b een d u e , f i r s t t o S pan i sh s p e la eo log i s t s i n t h e 1 960 ' s a nd t h en t o B r i t i sh c av e r s f r om t h e s e ven t ie s t ot h e p r e sen t d ay . J o in t e xp lo ra t ion w i th S pan i sh g r oup s h a s o ccu r r ed f o r t h e l a s t 7o r 8y ea r s . An umb e r o ft h e c av e s h av e l a rg ee n t ran ce sa nd t h ee n t ran ce sp a s sag e sw i l l h av e b e en k nown , e xp lo r ed a nd p o s s ib ly e xp lo i t ed s i nc e e a r ly t im e s . A s c av e s h av e b e en d i scov e r ed , e x t end ed a nd d ocumen t ed , a r chaeo log ica l s t udy h a s s om e t ime sb een t h e ma in t h ru s to fi n v e s t iga t ion , f o r e x amp le i nC u eva G ra ja sa nd C u eva d e lD ien t e s .

2 . 2 . T he S ou th V ega C av e s T he m a in s p r ing o r r e su rg en c e i n to t h e d ep r e s s ion e n te r s t h e V eg a b ran ch f r om t h e h i l l s t ot h e s ou th . T he c av e b eh ind t h e r e su rg ence f o rm s t h e S ou th V ega S y s t em -am agn i f icen ts e r ie so fl a rg ep a s sage s w h ich l i nk t om a jo r e n t ran c e s o n t h e h i l ls id e a bov e ( f igu r e 3 ) . T he s ou r c e o f t h e w a te r i sl i k e ly t ob e p e r co la t ion o ve r a w id e a r ea , b u t t o t h e s p e laeo log i s t , t h e r e a l p o ten t ia l l i e s i n t h e h ighe r l e ve l s o fc av e p a s sag e . H e re , h o r izon ta l t unne l s c an b e b l ock ed w i th r o o f f a l l s o r f l ow s tone , o r t h e a n c ien t w a t e r r o u te s c an b e d i ve r ted b y f a u l t s o r c hang e s i n l i tho log y . T he c ha l leng e f o r c ave r s l o ok ing f o r n ew p a s sag e s i st op u sh t h a t b i t h a rd e r , t of o l low d r augh t sa nd s ma l lb l a ck s pace st h a tc ou ld e n la rg e i n to am a jo r c ave o rl i nk . T he se h igh l e ve l p a s sag e s h av e o f t en b een b een t r unca t ed b y s u r f ace l ow e r ing . I ti s ah app yc o inc id ence i fc av e so ccup ied o r v i s i ted i n a nc ien t t im e s h ave t h e i r e n t rance s b l o ck ed b y r o ck f a l l o rl a nd s l ip a nd a r tef ac t s s e a led i n , e spe c ia l ly w hen m od e rn d ay c ave r s i n t h e i r s e a r ch f o r c ave p a s sag e s c an r e -op en t h e se o l d e n t rance s . T h i s h app ened i n C ueva V a l l ina w he r e t h ef i nd ing o f ac omp le te p r eh i s to r ic c l ay b eak e ro n as l ab 2k i lome t e r si n , 1 00m d own a nd 3h ou r sf r om t h e m a in e n t rance l e d t o t h e e xcava t ion o f a n a nc ien to p en ing t h a th ad c o l lap sed .

T h e B r i t i sh r o le i ne xp lo r ing a nd d o cumen t ing t h e c av e s o ve r t h e p a s t 3 0 y ea r s h a s b e en c r uc ia l t o o b ta in ing a f u l le r u nd e r s tand ing o f t h e h yd ro logy , g eomo rpho logy a nd a r cha eo logy o f t h e c av e s . P rog ramme so fs c ien t if i cw o rk h av eb e en c a r r ied o u t b o th a bov e a nd b e low g r ound . U ran ium s e r ie s d a t ing t o d e t e rm in e t h e a g e o f s t a lagm i te s ( Op en shaw 1 996 ) a nd m agn e t ic s u sc ep t ib i l i ty s t ud ie s o fc av e s e d imen t st od e te rm in ep o s s ib le c av e s y s t em l i nk s ( Qu in 1 995 ) h av e a dd ed a n swe r s a nd m o r ei n t r igu ing q u e s t ion st ot h eo v e ra l lp i c tu r e . T h ep a s sag e sd i s cove r ed b ym any c av e r s , a l ong w i th t h e s c ien t if i c r e su l t s , h av e l e d t o p a r t icu la r ly w e l l d ocumen ted k now ledg e ( b u t i n comp le t e u nd e r s tand ing ! ) o f t h e d ep r e s s ion ' s c av e s y s t em s . E ach y ea r o f e xp lo ra t ion h a s s e en E ng l i sh a nd S pan i sh p ub l ica t ion s a nd r e cen t ly a w eb s i t e h a s b e en s e t u p t os ha r e t h e i n f o rma t ion a bou t t h e a r ea a nd t h ec ave s , a l ong w i th s u r vey s , p ho to s , h i s to ry o f e xp lo ra t ion a nd s c ien t if i c a r t ic le s ( h t tp :www . l a nc s . a c .u k / s taf f / gyaaq / pag e1 .h tm . ) .

T he S ou th V ega S y s tem w i th p a s sag e s t o ta l l ing 2 5 .2km i sc l o s e t ol i nk ing w i th t h e 2 6 .3km C ueva V a l l ina t h a t h a s e n t ranc e s o ve r t h e h i l l o n t h e A r redondo s i d e .

A tt h e e nd o ft h e s unun e r 2 000 e xp lo ra t ion s , at o ta l o f 2 23km o f c av e p a s sag e h ad b e en e xp lo r ed a nd d o cumen ted , w i th 1 607 e n t ran ce s a nd s i t e s o f s p e la eo log ica li n t e r e s t( s e ef i gu r e 1 ) .T h es i t e sr ang e f r om p o s s ib le d i g s i n to c av e s , t oc av e n e two rk s o v e r 4 0 1 cm l o ng . Many o f t h e c av e s h ave b een 1

T he Ma t ienzo C ave s : e xp lo ra t ion a nd d ocumen ta t ion

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T h e Ma t ienzo C av e s : e xp lo r a t ion a nd d ocumen ta t ion

C onne c t ed i n to t h e s y s tem a r e T o r ca d e C o te rön , T o r ca d e l aC abana , C ueva -Cub io d e l aR enada a nd T o r ca d e A zp i l icue ta . T h e w ho le c omp lex i s e s sen t ia l ly s e t so fs ub -ho r izon ta ll e ve l s c onnec ted b y v e r t ica l s ha f t s . T he b o t tom p a s sag e s a r e p a r t ly f o rmed b e low t h ec u r r en tw a te rt a b le a nd s e c t ion so f t h i s l e v e l r e qu i r e d i v ing e qu ipmen t t op roceed . T he u pp e r l e ve l s a r e m a in ly v e ry d r y w i th o n ly t h e o cca s iona l s i gn o fw a te r . E ven w i th v e ry w e ts u r f a ce c ond i t ion s , t h ep e r co la t ing w a t e ri sc hann e l led a way f r om m any o f t h e u pp e r p a s sag e s b y p e rhap s a s and s ton e b ed f o rm ing ar o o f . A l te rna t iv e ly s haf t s , f a u l t s a nd j o in t s c ap tu r e t h e w a te r a nd d i ve r t i t s t ra igh t d own t ot h eb o t tom l e v e l , o f ten m ak ing t h e d e s cen t o f t h e se d rop s ad amp b u s in e s s . P eop le v i s i t ing t h e c ave s mu s t b e p r of i c ien t i n s i ng le r op e t e chn iqu e s , i . e . a b se i l ing a nd p ru s s ik ing , t o move

w i th t h e 3 50m t o 1 90m r a ng e f o r t h e m a jo r i ty o f m a jo r r ou te s i n o t he r c ave s . A t l e a s t t wo o f t h e l e ve l s i n C ueva C oqu i se ra h ave b een t r unca ted b y s u r f ac el owe r ing . 2 . 3 . T he N or th V ega C ave s O n t h e n or ther n s i d e o f L a V eg a , t h e h ang ing C ub i ja v a l ley r un s d own f r om t h e n o r th w e s t t ot h e s ou th e a s t . A t i t s h ead i st h e e x ten s iv e n e two rk o f t h eN o r th V ega S y s t em , c omp r i s ing C u eva Mo s ta jo , T o r ca d e R ega ton , C ueva d e Mo r enu ca a nd E l C ub io . A ga in , t h e 1 7 .9km l o ng s y s tem i sb a s ica l ly a s e t o fv e r t ica l s ha f t s l i nk ing h o r izon ta l t u nn e l s t h a t h av ee x t en s iv e l a y e r so fs ed imen t( b ou ld e r s , c obb le s , g r ave l , s and a nd c l ay ) a nd c a lc i te d epo s i t s . S e c t ion s o ft h ec av e h ave s up e rb h e l ic t i te s -l e ng th so fc a lc i te f o rma t ion s t h a t a r e t w i s ted a nd c u r led i n a l l d i r e c t ion s . T h e w a t e r m e t a tt h e l ow e s t l e v e l i nt h i s s y s tem i sf l ow ing a way t ot h en o r th a nd m ay r e su rg e a tF u en te A guanaz , 5 km t ot h en o r th w e s t .

b e twe en t h e l e ve l s u p t o 6 0m a pa r t . Mo s t o f t h e p a s sag e s i nt h e s y s tem c an b e w a lk ed t h rough a nd t y p ica l ly a r e 3t o8 m h igh a nd w id e . F loo r d epo s i t s r a ng e f r om b ou ld e r s t o s a nd , w i th c r y s ta l s o f g yp sum o f t en f o und i n t h e s a nd -bank s . C hamb e r s o f t en h ave p i t che s o rd rop s d own t ol ow e r l e ve l s . I n s om e p l a ce s , h a rd w a t e r p e r co la t ing t h rough r o of c r a ck s h a s r e ac ted a nd e vapo ra ted t o l e av e m agn i f icen t s t a la c t i t e s a nd s t a lagm i te s . T he s e c a lc i t e d epo s i t s a r e o f ten i nt h e f o rm o ft h in s t raw s t a la c t i t e s a nd m a s s iv e b o s s e s , s ome t im e s c o lou r ed r e d o rb l a ck b y m ine ra l s . T he d amp e r a r ea s o ft h e S ou th V ega S y s t em c an b e v e ry mudd y : k ne e -d e ep , s l oppy a nd s t i cky c l ay s l ow s t h e p ace i ns e c t ion s o f C u eva -Cub io d el aR e f iada a nd c oa t sa l l t h es u r f ac e s i ns e c t ion so fT o r ca d eA zp i l icue ta .

T h e e n t ranc e s t o t h e s y s tem a r e s ha f t s o r t i gh t s que eze sa nd i ti sd if i cu l tt oi mag ine h un te r -ga the r s n eed ing t o e n te r s u ch p l a ce s . N o a r chaeo log ica l a r te f ac t sh ave b e en f o und . T he w e s ter ne nd o f L aV ega h a st wo q u i t ed if e ren t c ave s . T h e C o lm ena s -E sca lön s y s t em i s 2 688 m l o ng ; i t s u sua l a c ce s s b e ing t h rough C ueva d e l a s C o lmena s a nd i t s 4 00 m l o ng e n t rance s e r ie s o f s ma l l , t i gh t a nd a wkwa rd p a s sage s . C hamb e r s a nd l a rg e r p a s sag e s a r e r e ached , a nd h ead ing e a s t t h ey e ven tua l ly l i nk w i th F uen te E l E sca lön , o n t h e f a r s i d e o f t h e s ump j u s t i n s id e t h e e n t ran ce o f t h a t c av e . R igh t a tt h e e nd o f t h e v a l ley , T o r cön d e l a C a l le ja R ebo l lo i s6 470 m l o ng . I t s e n t r ance , w h ich w a sd ug o p en , i s a6m l a dd e rc l imb i nt h eb o t tom o f s t e ep s id ed d o l in e a nd t h e c ave c on t inu e s w i th s e ve ra l mo re p i tche s d own a nd c l imb s u p . T h ec av e h a s b o th o ld p h r ea t ic p a s sage s , w h ich a r e w e l l -de co ra ted i np l a ce s , a nd a c t ive s t r eamway s , a nd t h e r ou te t o t h e e nd i se qua l ly t h ough l ow c r aw l s a nd l a rge c hamb e r s .

T he m a in l e v e l s o fd eve lopm en t i nt h e S ou th V ega S y s tem a nd t h rough i n to C ueva V a l l ina a r e q u i t e m a rk ed ( s e e f i gu r e 4 ) a nd a pp ea r t o h ave t h e i r c oun t e rpa r t si nt h eN o r th V ega S y s tem . I nd eed Q u in ( Qu in 1 995 ) h a s s ugg e s t ed t h a t s im i la r kv a lue s f o r s e d im en t s i n T o r ca d e C o te rön a nd C u eva d e Mo s ta jo o nt h e n o r th s i d eo fL a V ega s how t h a tt h e c ave s m ay h ave h ad ac ommon m o rphog en ic a g en t a nd w e r e c onnec ted . I t i s c e r ta in t h a t p h rea t ic p a s sag e s o n b o th t h e n o r th a nd s ou th s i d e s o f t h e V ega v a l ley m u s th ave f o rmed w e l lb e f o r et h ev a l ley a nd i ti sq u i t ef e a s ib le t h a tt h es y s tem sw e re j o ined .

T he w a te ri nt h e S ou th V ega S y s tem r e su rg e s f r om C ueva C ome l lan t e a nd m eand e r s f o r a b ou t 1 200 m a l ong t h e v a l ley f l oo r b e f o r e s i nk ing i n to t h e i mp r e s s iv e C ueva d e l Mo l ino . A f te r ak i lome t r e f l ow ing u nde rg round , t h e w a te r r e su rg e s a ga in i n to t h e n o r th e rn b ranch o ft h e d ep r e s s ion , m eand e r sf o r ac oup le o f k i lom e t r e s t h rough L a S ecada a nd f i na l ly s i nk s u nd e rg round a ga in i n to C ueva C a rcavuezo ( a l t i tud e 1 45m ) .

A t a n a l t i tud e o f5 03m , t h e l a rg e e n t rance o fC ueva C oqu i se ra t ot h e e a s t o ft h e S ou th V ega S y s tem h a s ah e igh to f1 5m a nd w id th o f1 0m . D ay l igh tr e ache s w e l l i n to t h e m agn if i cen t p a s sag e b u t t o e xp lo r e b eyond d ay l igh ta nd o nt ot h e 4m a in l e ve l sr e qu i r e s s p ec ia l i sed c av ing e qu ipm en t . T he a n c ien t v ado s e e n t ran ce p a s sage i n te r s e c t s o l d p h r ea t ic l e v e l s a nd t h ec av er e a che s ad ep th o fa bou t 1 40m , f i n i sh ing a t t h eb a se o f as t e ep s ha le s l op e . T he s em a jo rp a s sag e s a r e s om e o ft h e o ld e s t a r ound t h e d ep r e s s ion , w i th l e ve l s b e tw e en 5 00m a nd 3 60m a l t i tud e , c omp a r ed 1 3

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2 . 4 . S ima -Cueva d e lR i sco

b ou ld e r s l e ad st o as t r eam w he r e t h e g o ing b e come s m o r e i n te re s t ing . A c r aw l o n s and s tone c obb le s e n te r s aw e t , f l a t -ou t c r aw l a nd ap op -ou t i n to as e t o fp h r ea t ic c hamb e r s . Ad rop d own b e low a s ma l l b ou ld e r c hok e e n te r s a no the r c r aw l t o t h e m a in r i ve r . T he f i r s t 8 00m o fr i v e r p a s sag e ( t he G or i l la W a lk ) i so n ly a bou t 1 . 5m h igh a nd i n vo lve sw ad ing t h rough w a t e r u p t o am e t r e d e ep i np l a ce s . R e l ie f c om e s a f t e r as ho r tb ou ld e ry s e c t ion a nd t h ej o in ing i no ft h e s e cond r i v e r f r om C ueva R ia i lo . T h e n ex t 5 00m i n vo lve s c l amb e r ing u p a nd d own b ou ld e r s o r w ad ing i nt h ew a te r . A t O bv ious J unc t ion t h ew a te r i s l e f t b eh ind a nd a s ma l l p a ssag e a t r o of l e ve l c r aw led a l ong f o ra b ou t2 00m . A tt h ee nd , t h ec ave r p op s o u to nt h es i d eo ft h e T h ird R ive r . Wad ing a nd c l amb e r ing c ha ra c t e r i se t h eg o ing f o rt h en ex t8 00m u n t i l t h e F our th R iv e r i sm e t a nd s o on t h e c av e ' s f i ne s tf e a tu r e . B yw a lk ing u p ap a s sag eo nt h el e f to f t h e s t reamway t h e m agn if icen t 3 0m w id ea nd 1 00m h igh A s t rad ome a ven i se n te r ed a tt h e b o t tom . T he a ven h a sb een c l imbed t oe n te rs ma l lp a s sag e sa tt h e t o p . B u tt h eA s t rad ome i sj u s t ad i ve r s ion f o rp eop le i n ten t o n r e ach ing t h e e nd !. The r ou te c on t inu e s d own s t r eam i n to t h e b ou ld e r p i le s o fA rmag edd on t h a tc ha ra c te r i se a bou t2 50m o fc hamb e r s . T he r ou te i n vo lve s c l imb ing u p b e twe en l a rg e b ou ld e r s , c l amb e r ing u p a nd d own b ou ld e r s i n p a s sag e 2 0m w id ea nd f i na l ly d r opp ing b ack i n to t h es t r eamway .

T he H o zana b ranch o ft h e d ep re s s ion h a s an umb e r o f r e la t ive ly s ma l l c ave s ( J iv e ro , A nd e ra l a nd L o ca ) , w h ich c on ta in f e ed e rs t r eam sf o rS ima -Cueva d e l R i sco , a 9 046 m l o ng s y s t em w i th t h re e e n t ran ce s . T he t o p e n t ran ce , i n H ozana , i sC u eva O i i i te . I tl e ad s t ot h e h ead o f 1 9 m p i t ch i n to t h e l a rge b ou ld e r f i l led c hamb e r S a la C a rba l lo a nd t h e m a in r i ve r g a l le ry l e ad ing t o t h e t wo l owe r e n t ran c e s i nt h e c en t r e o ft h e Ma t ienzo d ep re s s ion : T o r ca d e l S edo a nd C uevona d e T iva . B e f o r e r e ach ing t h e se e n t rance s , j un c t ion s o n t h e l e f t l e ad t ot h eP in to G a l l e ry , av ad o se p a s sag ew h ich c an b e f o l lowed b ack u p s t r eam f o r o v e r ak i lome t r e , a nd A rco G a l l ery , a1 5 m h igh o l d a bandoned r ou te a bov e t h e p r e sen t s t ream p a s sag e . A t i t s e nd , t h e m o s tr e cen td i scov e ry i nt h es y s t em i sD isney W or ld , as i d e -pa s sag e u p a 1 5 m c l imb w i th a maz ing f o rma t ion s i n c lud ing a t r iangu la r m ono c r y s ta l s t a lagm i t ea bou t 1m h igh . 2 . 5 . F our V a l ley sS ys tem Mo s t o f t h e w a te r i n t h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion c an o n ly l e ave b y e vapo t ran sp i ra t ion o rb y s i nk ing i n to t h e c av e o u t le t a tt h e l owe s t p o in t o f t h e v a l ley C u eva C a r cavu ezo . ( On e l ow l e ve l c ave i n t h e s ou the rn H ozana b ranch a pp ea r s t of l ow s ou th a nd d r a in u nd e r t h e h i l l t owa rd s O ga r r io ) . T he w a te r i n C a r cavuezo m ee t s u p w i th w a te r f r om C ueva H oyu ca a nd C u eva R ia f io i nt h e R ia f io v a l ley t ot h e n or th , f l ow s e a s t t op a s s t h rough C u eva L lueva a nd f l ow su nd e r ar i dg et or e su rg ei nS e cadu ra ( a l t i tud e 5 0 m ) . T he w ho le c av e s y s tem t h a t l i nk s t h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion , L lueva , R id lo a nd S ecadu ra i s c a l led t h eF ou rV a l ley s S y s tem , a nd t h en e two rk h a s al e ng th o f4 2 .9 Iun . I ti sp o s s ib le f o r c ave r s t op a s s t h rough f r om o ne v a l ley t o a no th e r b u t t h e r ou te s r e qu i r e d i v ing a nd p a s s ing t h rough d ang e rou s b ou ld e rc hok e s . T he s y s tem l i e su nd e rl e s sl imes tone t h an t h e c ave s t ot h e s ou th a nd , a tt h e mom en t , i t w ou ld a ppea r t h a t t h e r e i sb a s ica l ly o ne " l eve l o f d eve lopmen t " a t , a nd s l igh t ly a bov e , r i ve r a l t i tud e . H oweve r , t h e r ea r ep l a ce sw he r es i gn if i can t ly h ighe r p a s sag e s c an b e e n t e red a nd t h e h i s to ry o ft h e F ou r V a l ley s S y s t em i s c e r ta in ly n o t t h a t o f as imp le s t ream s i nk a nd r e su rg en ce .

T h e r i ve r c on t inu e s s ou th a nd e ven tua l ly t h e r o o f d rop s d own t owa rd s t h e w a te r . A t D uckhams S ump t h e r ou te i s aw a lk t h rough aw id e p a s sag e w i th t h e w a t e r a bou t 1 0cm f r om t h e r oof T h e s ound o f f a l l ing w a te r g u id e s t h e c ave r t o as l o t i nt h e r o o f a nd a c l imb u p i n to R ocky H or ror . H ug e b ou ld e r s h ind e r r ou te f i nd ing f o r s ome 4 00m a nd n ea r t h e e nd t h e r ei s at o r tuou sa nd d ange rou s r ou te b e twe en s ma l le rb ou ld e r st h a tl i nk s w i th C ueva L lueva . N ea r t h e s t a r t o f R ocky H or ror , t h e h igh e r l e ve l s i n T r id en t S e r ie s c an b e e n te red . T he re a r e mo r e t h an 2 km o f r o omy p a s sag e i n t h e T r id en t S er ies t h a t c ome e n t ic ing ly c l o se t o C ueva C a r cavuezo i n Ma t ienzo ,b u tt h el i nk r ema in se l u s ive . T he se h i ghe r l e v e l s c ou ld h ave b e en a n c ien t w a te r s i nk s f o r t h e d ep r e s s ion a nd t h ey m ay h ave b e en t r unca ted b y s u r f a ce l owe r ing . A ny t r ip t o t h e e nd i s as e r iou s u nd e r tak ing , b u t m o s to ft h e m a jo re x t en s ion sw e r e c a r r ied o u t i nt h e s e v en t ie sa nd e i gh t ie sw hen c l o th ing t e chno logy w a s n o ta sa dvanc ed a si ti st o day . T he s t anda rd , mode rn w ea r f o r C u eva H oyu ca ( a nd m o s t o t he r c ave s ) i sa o ne -p ie ce f i b r e -p i le b ody s u i t p ro te c ted b y at o ugh b o i le r s u i t . Tw en ty y ea r s a go t ok eep w a rm i nw e t c av e s , an eop r ene w e t s u i t w a s w o rn . Wa lk ing , c r aw l ing a nd w ad ing i n t h a t o utf i t w a s h a rd w o rk a nd i ta l so t r apped s a nd a nd g r i t b eh ind t h e k ne e s a nd i no t he rd e l ica t ep l ac e s !

T oe xp lo r et h ec ave sw i th in t h eF ou rV a l ley s S y s tem r e qu i r e s s ome s t am ina -f o r e xamp le , ac av ing t r ip t o t h e e nd o f C ueva H oyuca a nd b ack i n vo lve s t r ave r s ing a bou t 1 4km o fp a s sag ea nd t a k e su pt o1 8 h ou r s , d ep end ing o n t h e e xp lo ra t ion c a r r ied o u t a t t h e f a r e nd , n ea r C ueva C a r cavu ezo . T he e n t ranc e s e r ie s i s ac omp l ica t ed p h r ea t ic m aze t h a tb r eak so u t i n to t h et u nn e l so fQ uad raphen ia . A bou t 1 0m inu te s o f q u ick w a lk ing o n s a nd y f l oo r s , w i th o cca s iona l 1 5

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0 .2nun ) a nd f m e r m a t e r ia l ( s and , s i l t a nd c l ay ) . T h e s t r a t ig r aphy e s tab l i shed f o r t h e c av e s e d imen t i s a s d e s c r ib ed b e low .

I n 1 999 t h e e x cava t ion m ov ed t owa rd s t h e e n t ranc e ; i n s qua r e s C 3 , t h e n o r the rn s e c to r s o f C 4 , a nd t h e w e s t er ns i d eo fD 3 . T h e s t ra t if i ca t ion o ft h e s e d imen t w a s n o t o bv iou s a tf i r s t , d e sp i t e d if e r en t l a y e r sb e ing c l ea r a td if e r en t p o in t s i n t h e s e c t ion s . T h e r a th e r u nu sua l f o rma t ion o ft h ed ep o s i tw a s o n ly c l a r if ied a t t h ee nd o ft h ed i g . I n 1 998 , t a k ing i n to c on s id e ra t ion t h e d if icu l t , a nd e v en d ang e r ou s , a c c e s s o ft h e s ima , i tw a s d e c id ed t o d r ys i eve a lt h ee x cava ted s e d im en ti nt h er o ck sh e l t e r o u t s id e t h e e n t r an c e , a nd o n ly c l imb d own t h e h i l l w i th t h e m a t e r ia l s f o und . H ow ev e r , i tw a s s e en t h a t m u ch o ft h e s ma l l f r ac t ion w a s n o t b e ing r e cov e r ed , a nd t h e f o low ing y ea r a l t h e s e d im en t w a s b agged

G ene ra lv i ew o ft h ee x ca va t ion a r ea , w i th t h ef os s i ls t a lagm i t es u ncover ed b yt h ed ig

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r e cov e r ed w a s f o und o n t h e s o u the rn s i d e , n ex t t oa s t one w h i ch h ad e v id en t ly b e en e xpo sed t ot h ef i r e .

L ay e r 0 .O rgan ic m a t e r ia l . Ar e c en t a c cumu la t ion o f g oa t s k e le ton s a nd e xc r e ta , w i th p i e c e s o f r o ck a nd c a lc i t e . Mo s t o ft h i s h ad f a len i n to t h ec hamb e rf r om t h er o ck she l t e r , s oi t st h ickne s sw a sg r e a t e rb e low t h e

L aye r 3 .R edd i sh -b rown s i l t a nd g r anu la r c l ay . T h i s l a ye r i s a bou t 1 5 cm t h ick , a l though i t v a r ie s c on s id e r ab ly . I t i s m o r e p o rou s , l e s s c omp a c ted , f o rm ed b y s ma l l l ump s o f c l a y . I ti n c lude s s om e

e n t r an ce t h an a tt h e b ack o f t h e s ima , a nd i tw a s a lmo s t n on -ex i s t en t o n t h e e a s t e rn s l op e . B e f o r e t h e d i g c ou ld b eg in , a l t h i s r e c en t m a t e r ia l h ad t o b e c l ea r ed a way .

f r e e ze thaw f r a c tu r ed r o ck , a nd f r agm en t s o fc a lc i t e . T h e p rop o r t ion o fo rgan ic m a t e r ia l i ss l igh t ly l ow e r t h an i nt h e p r ev iou s l a y e r , r e su l t ing i n ah i ghe r p H v a lue . T h i s l a y e r d o e s , h ow ev e r , c on ta in t h e h uman b one s . I nd if e r en tp a r t so ft h ec hamb e ri to v e r l ie st h e o r ig ina l f l oo r o f t h e c a v e , o r L ay e r 4 , o r t h e i n t e rm ed ia t eL aye r3 / 4n e a rt h ee n t r an c e .

C o r te D 3-Es te

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S ec t ion S qua r eD 3 , E a s ts i d e

L ay e r 1 .S i l ty c lay . T h i s s p read i n to t h e c hamb e r i n t h e f o rm o f af a n f r om t h e e a s t e rn p a s sag e . I ti s t h e r e f o r em o s ti mpo r tan to nt h a ts i d e ,w i th at h ickne s s o f 8 cm , a nd d i sapp ea r s o n t h e s o u th e rn a nd n o r th -w e s te rn s i d e s . I n t h e se a r e a s l a y e r 0d i r e c t ly o ve r l ie s l a y e r s 2 ,o r 3 .T h e s e d imen t i sp u r e , i nt h a t s i l t a nd c l ay f o rm n ea r ly 6 0% o ft h e v o lum e , w h i le s t on e s m ak e u p l e s s t h an 2% . I tw a sw a shed i n to t h e c hamb e r a s a n a tu ra l d epo s i t , a nd i s t h e r e f o r e a r cha eo log ica l ly s t e r i le . I t s h igh o r g an ic c on ten t c an b ee xp la ined b yt h ec on tam ina t ion o fg oa te xc re ta a nd o t h e rm a te r ia li nt h es up e rf i c ia lL ay e r0 .

S ec t ion S qua r eD 2 , E a s ts i d e

L ay e r 3 / 4 . L oo s e s e d im en t . G r ey co lou r ed m a te r ia l w i th a p owd e ry t e x tu r e , w h i ch a c cumu la ted i n t h e c hamb e r b y f a l l ing i n f r om o u t s id e . T h e l a ye r i s l o g ica l ly m u ch t h i ck e r b e low t h e e n t ran c e , w he r e i t r e a ch e s 1 5 c m . I tc on ta in s al a rg e n umb e r o fs t on e s , a nd ah igh p r opo r t ion o fg r av e l ,a sw e l la ss h el so ft h e g a s t ropod s C epa ea a nd C y c l o s t oma . T h i s l a ye r a l so h a s a r cha eo log ica l m a t e r ia l s , s upp o s ed ly f r om a h ab i ta t d ep o s i t w h i ch o r ig ina l ly e x i s t ed i n t h e r o ck sh e l te r .

L ay e r2 .T h in l a y e r so fc a lc i te , a l te rna t ing w i th l a ye r s o f l i gh t b r own c l ay . T h i s c a lca r eou s d epo s i t w a s f o rmed b y d r ip s f r om s t a la c t i te s i nt h e r o of I tw a s m o s t i mpo r tan t i nt h e c en t r e o ft h ec hamb e r , w h e r e a r e la t ive ly f l a t s t a lagm i t e h ad f o rm ed . I tw a s aq u i t e s o f t f o rm o f c a lc i t e , w h ich c an g r ow c ompa ra t iv e ly q u ick ly , a nd i nf a c ti th ad c ov e r ed s om eo ft h eh uman b on e s . As ma l l o va l shap ed h ea r th w a s f o und a tt h e b a s eo fL ay e r2 .I tw a si ns qua r eC 3 ,w i th d i am e t e r so f 5cm i n t h e e a s t -w e s t d i r ec t ion a nd 3 0 cm n o r th t o s ou th . S eve ra l s t one s o n i t s s ou th e rn s i d e h ad b e en a f e c t ed b y t h e h ea t , a nd t h e c l ay s u r f a c e a ti t s b a se h ad ar e dd i sh t o n e a nd m o re c on s i s t en t t e x tu re . Two s ku l lf r agm en t sa nd t wo p i ece so fl o ng b one sa tt h et o p o f L aye r 3h ad a l so b een a f e c t ed b y t h e f i r e . A f r agmen t o fo ch r e w a s f o und af ew c e n t ime t re s a way f r om t h i s s t ru c tu r e , a nd t h e o n ly p o t she rd t o b e

L ay e r4 .D a rk -b rown s i l ta nd c l a y . T h ef i n em a t e r ia li s q u i t e h omog en eou s , a l though t h e s e d im en t a l so i n c lude s ah i gh p r opo r t ion o f s t on e s ( 2 3% ) . T h e o rgan ic c on ten t i sa l so h igh e r t h an i nt h e o v e r ly ing l a ye r , p o s s ib l e d u e t ot h e e x i s t en c e o f ah ab i ta t i nt h e r o ck s h e l t e r d u r ing t h i s l a y e r 's f o rma t ion . I ts e em s t o h av ef o rm ed b yc l ay f i ll ing t h eh o l low s i nt h e s u r f a c e o fL ay e r 5 ,w i th ag r ea t e r a m oun t o ff r o s t -w ea th e red d eb r i s . L aye r 5 . S t a lagm i t e . T h e b a s e o f t h e d i g w a s a n i r r egu la r f l oo r c on s i s t ing o f as e r ie s o f s t a lagm i t e s , m ad e o f ah a rd e r c a lc i t e t h an L aye r 2 . T h e d i g ,

8

S ima d e lD ien te : aL a t eB ron ze A g eB u r ia lC ave

t h e r e f o r e , b r ough t t o l i gh t t h e se f o s s i l s p e leo them s w h i ch h ad b e en c omp le t e ly b u r ied . L a ye r s 4a nd 3 / 4 h ad f i l led t h e s p a ce s i n -b e twe en , b u t t h e t op s o ft h e t a l le s t s t a lagm i t e s m u s t s t i l l h ave b een v i s ib le a bov e t h e s e l a y e r s a tt h e t im e o ft h e h uman b u r ia l s i nt h e c av e . L ayer 1 2 3 3 / 4 4

S t one 1 . 75 1 3 .96 1 5 .91 1 3 .93 2 3 .46

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S and 3 8 .37 3 1 .34 3 5 .44 3 5 .06 3 2 .00

4 .T he f i nd s T h ea im o ft h ee x cava t ion w a s t os t ud y ab u r ia l c a v e , a nd t h e h uman b one s a r e t h e m o s t i mpo r tan t t y p e o f m a te r ia l t h a tw a sr e cov e r ed . T h e o t he re l emen t sw e r e l i t h ic t o o l s , p o t t e ry a nd m a r in e s h e l l s , w h i ch w e r e d ef in i t e ly i n t rodu c ed b y h uman s , a nd l a rg e -mamma l b one s w h ich m ay h av e h ad h uman o rn a tu ra l o r ig in . T h e e nv i ronmen ta l i n d i ca to r s : l a nd s n a i l s , s mal m amma l sa nd b i rd b on e s ,w e r ea l so s t ud ied

S i l t &c l ay 5 9 .39 4 3 .72 4 5 .84 4 3 .51 3 9 .72

4 . 1 Human b one s At o ta l o f 1 0 5 h uman b one s , b on e f r agmen t s o rt e e th w e r e r e cov e r ed i n t h e e x cava t ion . T h ey h av e b e en s t ud ied a nd c l a s s if i ed b y P ed ro R a s ine s d e l R io . A l l p a r t so ft h eb od ya r ep r e s en t , i n c lud ing s k u l l a nd j aw f r agm en t s a s w el a s l o o s e t e e th , v e r t eb r a e , r i b s a nd l imb b one s . T h e s e b e long t ob o th a du l t a nd y oung p e r son s , a nd i n f a c t b on e s o f t h e l a t t e r a r e m o r e a b undan t , e s p e c i a l ly c on s id e r ing t h a t t h e y h av e g r ea t e r p r ob lem s f o r t h e i r c on s e rva t ion . Am in imum n umb e ro ff i v ep eop le a r ep r e s en t : o n ea du l ta nd f o u r c h i ld r en , w ho s e a g e s c an b e e s t ima t ed a s , 1y e a r s ± 2 4 m on th s , 9— 1 0y ea r s ±2 4 m on th s , 9y ea r s ±2 4 m on th s , a nd a no the ry oung e rc h i ld . I ti si n t e r e s t ing t o n o t et h i s h igh n umb e ro fc h i ld ren , p o s s ib ly r e f le c t ing h i gh i n f an t m o r ta l i ty a nd h a rd l i v ing c ond i t ion s , c au s ing l i f ee xpe c tan cy t ob es ho r t .

F r equenc ies o ft h es ed imen tc on t en t so fe ach l a y e r L ayer

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V a lue so fo rgan ic m a t er ia la nd pH i ne ach l a y e r I nc on c lu s ion , t h e s t ra t ig raphy o ft h e d epo s i t m ay b e e xp la in ed a s as e r i e s o fl e n se s , c om ing f r om d if e r en t s o u r ce s ; t h ee n t ran c e , t h e e a s te rn p a s sag e , o rd r ip s o f w a t e rf r om t h er o o f .E a ch t y p eo fm a te r ia lh ad mo r eo r l e s s i mpo r tan c e i n d if e r en t p a r t s o f t h e c hamb e r , d ep end ing o nt h ep r ox im i t y t ot h e s ou r c e , a nd o nt h e r a t e o fd epo s i t a ta ny g i ven t i me . T hu s l a y e r s 3 / 4 a nd 4a r e p a r t icu la r ly i mpo r tan t b e low t h e e n t ran ce , a s t h ey w e r e m a in ly f o rm ed b y m a te r ia l f a l l ing i nf r om o u t s id e .

T aphonom ica la s p e c t s T h ef r agmen ta t ion o ft h eh um an b on e sf o und i nS im a d e l D ien t e i ss o i mpo r tan t t h a t t h e f o l low ing s t ud y a im st oe xam in ew ha tt y p eo ff r a c tu r e st h ey a r e ,a nd i f t h e r e i sa ny c o r r e la t ion b e tw een t h e f r a c tu r e s a nd t h e a g e o ft h e i n d iv if i ia l , t h et y pe o fb on e , o rt h e l a y e r i t w a sf o und i n .

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S ev e ra lt y p e so fd e t e r io r a t ion h av eb e en r e cogn i s ed . A f i r s t g r oup c on s i s t s o f s up e rf i c ia l c o r ro s ion p rob ab ly p rodu c ed b y b a c te r ia , t h e e f e c t s o f f i r e , o r t h e m e chan i ca l e r o s ion o f p o rou s t i s su e . S econd ly , t h e f r a c tu r e s a r e d if e r en t ia ted i n to m a rg ina l , t r an sv e r sa l , l o ng i tud ina l o r o b l iqu e f r ac tu r e s . T h e c au s e o f t h e f r ac tu r e s c ou ld b e n a tu r a l , a s ac on s equ en c e o f c o r ro s ion , o rd ue t od e l ibe r a t eb l ow s o ri mp ac t s . T h e l a t t e r c ou ld h av e h appened w h en t h e b on e w a s s t il f r e sh , b u t i no t he r c a se s t h ep l ane o ff r ac tu r e i sm o r e g r anu la r a nd i regu la r a nd t h e e dg e o ft h ef r a c tu r e i s d amaged ,r e v ea l ing t h a tt h eb r eak o c cu r r ed r e cen t ly o r w h en t h eb on ew a sa l r eady m in e ral i s ed .

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c on t r a s t s om e o ft h e l o ng b one s o ft h e c h i ld r en h av e n o tb een f r a c tu red T h eo n ly c e r ta in e xamp le so fk n i f e m a rk sa r e o nt h ef emu ro f ac h i ld . O no ne s i d eo ft h e d i aphy s i s , f r a c tu red af ew c en t ime t re sb e low t h e b a s e o f t h e p e c t in eu s c r e s t , t h e r e a r e f o u r p a ra l l e l l i n e s , o b l iqu e t ot h e a x i s o ft h e b on e , p rodu ced b y as h a rp i mp lemen t . T he l i n e s a nd s c ra t che s o b s e r v ed o n t h e o t he rb on e sc ou ld b ec on s id e r ed n a tu ra l o ra cc id en ta l . N ot e e th m a rk s o fc a rn ivo r e s c an b e o b s e rv ed , e x c ep t f o rv e ry f ew m a rk sp r ob ab ly d u et or o d en t s .

S om e o ft h e a l t e ra t ion s o b s e r v ed c an b e r e la ted w i th t h et y pe o fb on e . I nt h ec a s e o fs h o r t , c ompa c tb one s , s u ch a s t h e a nk l ebon e , c a lc an eu s , m e ta ca rp a l o r p ha lang e , t h e se a r en ea r ly a lw ho l e . O n ly af ew h ave s up e rf i c ia l o r m a rg ina l f r a c tu r e s p rodu ced w hen t h e b on e w a s d r y . H ow eve r , t h e n i n ev e r t eb ra e r e cov e red a r e m o s t ly o fc h i ld r en , a nd a r e g en e ra l ly p o rou s a nd u ncon sol ida ted b on e s . T h e s e a r e b ad ly a f ec ted b y m a rg ina lf r ac tu r e s ,t h ec on sequ en c eo fc o r ro s ion w h en o l da nd d r y . T he r i b s a r e a l so m o s t ly o fc h i ld r en , a nd t h e r e a r e b o th w ho le a nd f r a c tu r ed e xamp le s . Many h av e ac o r rod ed s u r f a ce , s ome t im e s e x t end ed t ot h e i n t e r io r o ft h e b on e . T he f r a c tu r e s a r e t r an sv e r sa l o r m a rg ina l ,p rodu ced b yp r e s su r ew i th in t h es e d im en to r d u r ing t h e i r e x t ra c t ion , a nd c an b e e xp la in ed b y t h e p oo rc ond i t ion o ft h eb one .

N o c o r r e la t ion c an b e f o und b e twe en t h e t y p e o f f r ac tu r e s a nd t h e p o s i t ion o ft h eb on e i nt h e d epo s i t , b u tt h es amp le o fe a ch g r oup i si nt h i sc a se v e ry s ma l l . T h e m o s t s i gn if i can t c on c lu s ion i s t h e r e f o r e t h e e x i s t en c e o f f r a c tu r e s o f h uman o r ig in , s e en i n t h e t h ick e r , m o r e s o l id b on e s . T h ey w e r ec au sed b yd i r ec t p e r cu s s ion w hen t h e b on e s w e r e f r e sh , w i th f l ak ing a nd p o in t so fi mpa c tc l ea r ly v i s ib le . T h ep a t t e rn o ft h e f r ac tu r e si sc on s equ en t ly s im i la rt ot h a tn o rma l ly s e en i na n ima l b one s c on sumed a tS t on e A g eh ab i ta t s i t e s . H owev e r , i n t h i s c a se t h e e xp lana t ion f o r t h e s e f r ac tu r e sn e ed n o tb eh uman c on sump t ion ,b u t ad e s i r e t or e du c e t h e s i ze o ft h e b on e s i no rd e r t op u t t h em i n s id e a n ur n , f o r e xamp le . H ow eve r , t h e f un e ra l r i tua l sp e r f o rmed i nC an tab r ia i nt h e l a t eB r onze A g e a r e n o t k nown , a nd f ew s i t e s c o r r e spond ing t ot h i s p e r iod h ave b een l o ca t ed .

S om e t wen ty p i ec e s o f s ku l l s h ow d if e r en t k i nd s o f f r a c tu r e s . T h e t h inn e r p i ec e s s u ch a s a r ound t h e m ax i l la a r eb ad ly c o r rod ed , a l though n o tf r ac tu r ed I n c on t ra s t , t h e t h i ck e r p i e ce s o f t h e s ku l l c ap h ave s e v e ra l f r ac tu r e s c au s ed b yb l ow s w h en t h eb on e w a s s t i l lf r e sh . I nf a c tc o r ro s ion h a ss p re ad f r om t h ep l an e s o ft h e s ef r ac tu r e s . S om e o ft h e l o ng b on e s a r e c o r rod ed , b u t i ng en e ra l t h e b on e t i s su e i sd en s e a nd w e l l c on se r ved . T he f r a c tu re s o b s e rv ed w e r e c au s ed b y b l ow s w h en t h e b on e w a s s t i l l f r e sh . T h e f l ak ing p roduc ed b y t h e b l ow s c an b e s e en , a nd i n s om e c a s e s t h e p o in t o f i mp a c t . T hey a r eu sua l ly l o ng i tud ina l , o ro c ca s ionaly o bl iqu e o r m ix ed f r ac tu r e s . T h e s ame p a t te rn o f f r ac tu re s c an b e s e en o n a l l t h e l o ng b one s ; f emu r , h um e ru s , r a d iu so rt i b ia .

D is t r ibu t ion o ft h eh uman r ema in s Mo s to ft h e h uman b one sw e r ef o und i nL a ye r 3 ,i na b ed o f s e d im en t a bou t 8 cm t h ick . T h e y w e r e c onc en t r a ted i n t wo g r oup s . O ne o f t h e s e w a s i n s e c to r s 7a nd 8 o fs qua r e C 3 a nd s e c to r 1o fs q ua r e C 4 . T h e o t h e r l e s s i mpo r tan t g r oup w a s i ns e c to r s 3

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S pa t ia ld i s t r ibu t ion o ft h eh uman r ema ins A no the rw ay t oe xam ine t h i sq u e s t ion i sb yl o ok ing a t t h ed i sp e r s ion o fb on e s t h a tc ou ld b e r e a s semb led , i . e . p i e ce s t h a t h ad b e en f r a c tu red a nd w h ich c ou ld b e s hown t ob e long t ot h e s am e b one . Two f r agmen t s o f s ku l l w e r e f o und a bou t o n e m e t re a pa r t , b u t b o th w i th in t h ea r ea o ft h ec av eb e low t h ee n t rance .

O ne o ft h e b l ade l e t s i sm anu f a c tu red i nf i ne -g ra ined , l i gh t b rown q uar t z i te . b u t t h e o the r n in e p i e ce s a r e o f f l in t . I nf i ve c a se st h is i st h el o ca l ma t tb l a ck f l in t , a nd a no the rt wo a r ei ns h iny b l a ck f l in t , w h ich m ay a l so b e l o ca l , a l though t h e e xa c t o r ig in i s u nknown . T h e r ema in ing t wo p i e ce s . t h e b l ade f r agm en t a nd t h e r e touch ed g eome t r ic , a r e i ns h iny b rown f l int w h ich a lmo s tc e r ta in ly c om e sf r om t h ec oa s t .

F ou r p i e ce s o f at i b ia w e r e r e a s s emb led a nd o ft h e se t wo w e r e f o und b e low t h e e n t ranc e a nd t h e o t he r t wo w e r ei nt h es e cond g r oup o fb one st wo m e t r e sa way . I n t h i sc a se i ts e em st h a tt h et i b ia w a s i n t rodu ced i n to t h e

T he l i t lüc a s semb lage i s c omp le ted w i th a s i ng le s and s ton ec obb le , w i th m a rk so fu se o nd if e ren ts i d e s . One e nd h a s b een c h ipp ed b y p e r cu s s ion . wh i le t h e o t he r e nd h a s b een f l a t tened b y a b ra s ion . O n e f a c e

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L a m ayo r p a r te d i e m a t e r ia l h a l lado e n e s te n i ve l s on h u e se c ilo s d e i nd iv iduo s i n f an t i le s os ubadu l to s d e o v icap r ino s . P o re s ta r a zon yp o r s uc r ono log ia d udo sa n o s e h an c on tab i l idado . H ay u na c ab ra a du l ta q u e p r e s en ta t ur n i mpor tan t e e xös to s is e n l aa r t icu lac iön

c a r a c te r i s t ica s s e d im en to lög ica s d i f e r enc ia le s . D e sd e e lp un t° d ev i s ta f a un is t ico s ea g rup a t o c lo e lm a t e r ia l o b t en ido e n c ua t ro n i ve le s c uya c o r r e spondenc ia c on

e n t r e l a p r ime ra y s egunda f a lang e s . E l r e s to s on f r agmen to s ö s eo s d e c ab r i to oc o rd e ro s . H ay a lm eno s u n a n ima l d e m eno s d e t r e s m e se s , d o s c uya e dad o s c i la e n t r e t i e s ys e i s m es e s yu no m ä s e n t re s e i s y

l o s d e sc r i to s c on l o s e xcavado r e s s eo f re ce m ä s a b a jo . C ab e d e s taca r q u e e n e l d enom inado n i ve l 3 a pa r ec ie ron i nhumado s .

a bundan t e s

r e s to s

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n ueve m e se s .

Ma ter ia l

S e c on s ta t a e n e s te n i v e l t amb ien l ap r e senc ia d e u n T a r so -me ta ta r so i z qu ie rdo c omp le to d eu na g a l l ina d e b u en t amar io y d e o t ro i n d iv iduo d e e s ta e sp ec ie t amb idn d e c i e r to t amar i o p e ro c uyo s e xo n o h a s i do p o s ib le d e t enn ina r .

L a mue s t ra ö s ea h a p ropo r c ionado u n t o ta l d e 1 33 h ue so si d en t if i cab le s ( f ragmen to sn oi d en t if i cab le sh ay p o co s ) q ue s upon en mä s d e l 7 5v% d e l t o ta l d e h u e so s r e cupe rado s . S ö lo h an q uedado s i n i d en t if ic a r p equ er ia s e squ i r la s d e h ue so l a rgo y s ob r e t odo r e s to s d im inu to s d ee sque le to sd e a n ima le s m uy j öv ene s . N o s eh an i n c lu id oe nl a st a b la sn ic on tab i l izado l o sr e s to s d e l d enom inado i n e l s up e rf i c ia l p o r s u d udo sa c r ono log ia . 2 3 O v is / Capra h .

1 0

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3 / 4

4

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3

8 6

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T o t . 12

H ay u na d o cena d e h u e so s t amb ien d e o v icap r ino . C omo e n e lc a so a n te r io r a l guno s p e r tene cen a u na c ab ra a du l ta y o t ro s a u n s ub a ch l to s i n m ayo r e spe c if i ca c iön . S o lo h ay u n f r agmen t° d e d i ä f i s i s d e r ad io . E lr e s t° d e l m a te r ia le s tä c on s t i tu ido p o rh u e so s e n t e ro s .

4

8 1 0

Mezc lad o c on l o s h u e so s d e s c r i to s a pa re cen r e s to s d e m a lacof auna , c ä sca ra s d e f r u to s s e co s , t r ozo s d e m ad er a , e t c . . q ue i nd ican e l c a rä c t e r a l öc tono y mod em° d ee s te m a te r ia l .

1

8

1 6

3 5

1 32

T ab la 1 .D is t r ibuc iön d e l o sr e s tos p or e spec ies yp or n i ve les

N iv e l 3

T od o s l o sf r agmen to s ö s eo s q u e c ompon en l a mu e s t ra p roc ed en d e c ua t ro e spec ie sd e m am i f e ro s . t odo se lo s

S c t r a ta d e l n i ve l m ä s r i co e n r e s to s ye n v a r iedad

u ngu lado s , al o s q ue h ab r ia q ue a f iad i r u n r e s to d e C o rvus c o rone e ne ln i ve l 3 4 .

t a xonöm ica . D e l o s c ua t ro r e s to s d e c i e rvo t r e s e s tän e n te ro s ye lm e taca rpo p e r tenec e au n s ubadu l to . L o s o cho h u e so s d e j abal i p e r tene cen au n a d u l to y au n s ubadu l to c omo m in imo y s o lo d o s d e e lo s e s tän

P o ru n l a do a p a r ecen d o s c abar i a s d om ds t ica s ( o ve ja y c ab ra ) q u e r e p r e s en tan c on s u s 1 5 1 r e s to s e l8 7 .8 % d e l t o ta l d e r e s to s r e cupe r ado s . E s ta s e spe c ie s e s tän p r e s en te s e n t o do s l o s n i ve le s . E lj ab a l i ye lc i er vo e n e lc a so d e l a S ima d e l D ien t e mue s t ran f r e cuen c ia s

f r agm en tad o s . L o s 7 4 r e s to s q ue c omp le tan e s ta mu e s t ra p e r t enecen a l g anado o v icap r ino c on l a p r e senc ia t a n to d el ac ab ra c omo d el ao ve ja e n a bmo s c a so s c on e j emp la r e s a du l to s . H ay s i n e mba rgo u na p o rc iön s i gn i f ica t iva q u e p roced e d e i nd iv iduo s

c a s i r e s idna le s yq ue s e r educ en e n e lj aba l i ad o s n i v e le s ye n e lc i e r to t a n s ö lo a u no . C omo p ued e 9 3

S ima d e lD ien t e : aL a t eB ron ze A g eB u r ia lC av e

s ub adu l to s yl o s h u e so s f r agm en tado s n o a l can zan l a d o c ena .

2 3 C räneo

N iv e l 3/ 4

Max i la r Mand ibu la D .a i s lado si n f . H io id e s

P rä c t icam en t e c a s i t o do e lm a t e r ia l e si n d e te rm inab le s a lvo a l gün r e s t° h t unano . S ö lo s e h an p o c i ido i d en t if i ca r u n f r agmen t° d e t i b ia d e o v icap r ino yu n c o r a co id e sd eC ö rv ido .

V e r t eb ra s C o s t i l la s E s cäpu la H üm e ro

N iv e l4

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L o s o cho r e s to s d ej a b a l i s on c r an ea le s yl a ma yo r ia p e r t en e c en al a s c ua t r o s e nüa r cada s d en ta r ia s d e u n m a cho j o v en q ue n oa l canza l o s d o sa f l o s . E l r e s to d e h ue so sc o r r e spond en ai ma n ima li n f an t i ld em eno sd e 6m e se s . N oh ay e v id en c ia sd ee s qu e le to p o s t c ran e a l . E lc on jun to r e s tan t ep e r ten ec ea lo v icap r ino . L am ayo r p a r t e s o nh ue so sd ei n d iv iduo si n f an t i le s os ub adu l to s . S ö lo d o sr e s to ss on a t r ibu ib le s au na o v e ja a du l ta .

L a m e tod o log ia e mp leada e n l ai d en t i f icac iön d e l o s r e s to sa na tönücam en t e yt a xonönüc amen t ea si c omo l ae s t im ac iön d e e dad , s e xo , a l tu ra e n l ac r uz ym odo d ef r agm en ta c iön e sl ac omün e ne s t et i p od ee , s tud io s . L a s m ed ida s s i gu en l a s p au ta s d e DR IESCH ( 1 976 ) u t i l izada s h ab i tua lm en t e p o r a u to r e s e u ropeo s . T oda s e la s e s tän t omada s e n mm . Y s e h an u sado l a s s i gu ien t e sa b re v ia tu ra s :

1

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T ab la 2 .D is t r ibuc iem d el o sr e s tos d eo v icap r ino S on p u e s l a s mu e s t ra s d e l o s n i ve le s 3y 4 l a s q u e p ud i e ran t e n e rm ayo rr e la c iön c on e lu so a n t r öp i co d e l ac a v idad D e sd e l u ego e lp r edom in io c l a ro d e d o s c ab af i a s d om e s t i ca s ( o v e ja y c abr a ) a c o ta r ian l a mu e s t ra d ef a una c omo muy p r on to a lf i na l d e l t e r ce r m i len io al al u z d el o sd a to s a c tua le s . C omo r e v e la l a d a ta c iön d e l n i v e l 3l a f a una d e e s t e m om en to c o r r e spond e au n m om en to f i na l d e 2 °m i len io a .C . E s to p enn i t e e m i t i rd o s h i pö t e s i s p rob ab le s a c e r ca d e l ap r e s en c ia d el af a una e ne la b r igo .

A n chu ra m in ima d el ad i ä f i s i s A n chu ra d i s ta l A n chu ra m ax ima A n chu ra p rox ima l L ong i tud m ax ima L ong i tud m ax ima m e s ia l L on t igud m ax ima l a t e ra l E sp e so rl a t e r a l

P o r u na p a r t e p ud ie ra t r a ta r se d e f a una a s o c iada a l e n t e r ram ien to c omo o f renda o c omo b anqu e t e f u ne ra r io ( e nl ap r ä c t ic ae sd i f i c i ld e can ta r s ep e ru na u o t ro ) . C , a s o s a s i e s tän r e p e t idamen t e r e g i s t ro s e n a l gw io s y a c im ien to s p en in su la r e s . S i n e mb a rgo t amb i en p ud ie ra t r a ta r se d e r e s to s d e d ep r eda c iön d e c a rn ivo ro s c omo e ll o bo , z o r ro , og a to m on t e s q u e u t i l iza ron o p o r t tm i s tam en t e l a c av idad d e f o rm a e spo r äd ica oc on t inua . L aa u s en c ia d er e s to sd ed i cho s d ep r edad o r e e se nl am u e s t r a n o i n va l ida e s t e s e gund o s upu e s to .

V a lorac iön c on jun ta d el a mue s tra L a s c a ra c t e r is t ica s t a f onönü ca s y t a xonönüca s d e sc r i ta s n o p e rnü ten u na i n t e rp r e ta c iön u n ivo ca d e l p ap e l d e l a f a un a e n e s te c on t ex to . L o s h u e so s p r oced en t e s d e l o s n i v e le s s up e rf i c ia le s ( s up e rf i c ia l y 2 3 )p a r e c en t e n e rc a r ä c t e ra l ö c tono ys up r e s en c ia e n e l s u s t ra to s e r e l e f e c to d e a p o r tac ion e s e x t e rna s r e c ien te s om uy p o s t e r io r e s al a u t i l iza c iön d e l a c av idad c on f i n e ss e pu l c r a le s .

E n c ua lqu ie r c a so e sd if i c i l a c ep ta r ap a r t i r d e e s to s d a to su na o cup a c iön h umana d ec i e r ta e n t idad e ne s ta

9 4

S ima d e lD ien te : aL a te B ronze A g eB u r ia l C ave

c av idad , s a lvo l au t i l iza c iön f imer a r ia ya l guna d el a s c i tada sa c t iv idad e sa s oc iada s al am i sma .

T ab la 4 .A l tura e nl ac r uz d el ac abra J ab a l i .S us f e ru s

T ampoco a po r ta n ada s i gn if i ca t ivo l a c ompa ra c iön e n t r ee le spe c t ro ye s t ruc tu ra f a tuüs t ica sd el o sn i ve le s 3y4y aq u e l aü n ica d i f e r en c ia e s t r ib ae nl aa u s enc ia d e c i e rvo e l e l u l t imo d e e l lo s ye s to b i en p ued e a t r ibu i r se af a c to re s a l ea to re s , t r a tändo se d e mue s t ra s t a ne s ca sa s .

L o sr e s to sd ej abal is er ene jan e nl aT ab la 5r e pa r t ido s p o rn i v e le s . E l ma te r ia l e n s u mayo rp a r t ep ro ced e d e i m r id iduo sj uven i le s , r a zön p o r l ac ua l n o h a p od ido o b t ene r se med ida a l guna . N iv e le s

E s tud io d el a se spe c ie sp re sen te s

D . a i s lado ss up e r .

P redom inan l o s r e s to s d e c ab r a e n l a mues t ra y l a s ü n ica s m ed ida s o b t en ida s c o r r e spond en t oda s e la s a e s ta c abar i ap ec ua r ia . S co f r ec en l at a b la 3 . Me taca rpo

A s t räga lo LM 1 LMm E l

2 8 .5 2 6 1 4 .9

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1 07 .5 2 3 .5 1 5 .8 2 6 .8

Me ta ta r so LM 1 3 1 .5 A p AD A d

3 2 3

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T ab la 5 .D is t r ibuc iön d el o sr e s tos d ej aba l i C ie rvo . C er vu se l aphu s C on t a n s o lo c ua t ro r e s to s h a l lado s e n e ln i v e l 3e l c i e rvo e s tä r ep r e sen tado a l m eno s p o r u n i nd iv iduo a du l t° y o t ro j uven i l s i n q u e p ueda a r iad i r s e n ingün

C en t ro ta r sa l AM 2 6

o t r od a to d ei n te r d sa rqu eozoo lög ico .

2 3 .5 1 4 .2 2 7 .7

B ib l iogra f ia D r ie s ch , v .d .A . 1 976 : D a s V ermes sen v on T i erk nochen a u s v or u nd F rühg e sch ich t l ichen S i ed lung en . München .

T ab la 3 . Med ida sa i s ladas d ec abra L ap re s en c ia d et r e sh u e so sl a rgo se n t e ro sd ec ab ra h a p e rm i t ido l ae s t ima c iön d e l aa l tu ra e n l ac r uz d e l o s

S ch ramm , Z .

a n ima le s u t i l izando l o s f a c to r e s d e S CHRA MM ( 1 967 ) . E l r e su l tado s er e cog e e n l aT ab la 4ei n c l ica q ue s e t r a ta d e a n ima le s d e a l zada r e la t ivam en te e l evada . H ue so

1

Mand ibu la

L a t a b la 2r e cog e l ad i s t r ibuc iön d e r e s to s d e o ve ja y c ab ra e nl o sd i s t in to sn iv e le s .

LM

4

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O v i cap r ino .O v is a r ies /C ap ra h i r cu s

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1 31 ,5

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W i the r s o fG oa t ( e n p o la co ) . R oczn i l ä W y z sze j S zkok ly R o ln ic z e jP o znan in 3 6 ,8 9 105 .P oznan .

9 5

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S tudy o ft h eF auna f r om S ima d e lD ien te

L ay e r3

P ed ro C a s ta l io s

T h e r i che s t l a y e r i n r ema in s a nd t a xonom i c v a r ie ty . T h r e e o ft h e f o u r r e d d ee r b on e s a r e w ho l e , a nd t h e m e ta ca rpu sb e long st o as ub -adu l t . T h ee i gh tw i ld b oa r b on e sb e long t oa tl e a s t a na du l t a nd as ub -adu l t , a nd o n ly t wo o ft h e b on e s a r e f r a c tu red B o th s h eep a nd g oa ta r ep r e s en tw i th a du l t s p e c im en s , a l though t h e r e i sas i gn if ic an tn umb e ro fs ub -adu l t s , a nd f ew e rt h an a d oz en b on e sa r ef r ac tu red .

B a sque H is to r ica l , E thnog raph ica l A rchaeo log ica l Mus eum , B i l bao .

a nd

E ng l i sh S ummary I n t rodu c t ion

L ay e r3 4

T he s amp l e o ff a una s t ud ied h e r e c om e s f r om S ima d e l D ien te i n t h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion , a nd w a s c o l lec t ed i nt h ee x cava t ion so f1 998 a nd 1 999 . A l lt h i s m a t e r ia l i s g r oup ed i n f o u r l a y e r s , w ho se c o r r e spond en ce w i th t h e l a y e r s d e s c r ib ed b y t h e r e s ea r ch e r s o ft h e c av e i sg i ven b e low . I ts hou ld b e m en t ion ed t h a t l e v e l 3c on ta ined a bundan t s k e l e ta l r ema in so ff i ve h um an s .

P r ac t ica l ly a l t h e m a te r ia l i si n d e t e rm in ab l e . O n ly a f r agmen to fs h e ep /goa t 's t i b ia c ou ld b ei d en t if ied . L ay e r4 T h e e i gh t w i ld b oa r r ema in s a r e c r an ia l , a nd m o s t b e long t ot h e f o u r d en ta l s em ia r cad e s o f am a le l e s s t h an t wo y ea r s o ld T h e o t he r s a r e o f a n i n f an t i l e a n ima l y oung e r t h an s i x m on th s o ld T h e r e i sn o e v id enc e o ft h e p o s t -c ran ia l s k e l e ton . T he r e s t o ft h e s amp le i s o f s h eep a nd g oa t , m o s t ly i n f an t i le o r s ub -adu l ti n d iv idua l sa p a r tf r om t wo b one so fa na du l t s h e ep .

Ma te r ia l 1 32 a n im a l b one s w e r e i d en t if ied , m o r e t h an 7 5% o f t h e t o ta l s amp l e . O n ly s ma l l s p l in t e r s o fl o ng b on e s a nd , a bov e a l , t i ny b on e s o fy oung a n ima l s w e r e n o t i d en t if i ed . T h er ema in sf r om t h es up e rf i c ia ll a ye rw e r e n o t i n c lud ed i n t a b le 1 d u e t o t h e i r d ub iou s c h rono logy . A l l t h e b on e s b e long t o f o u r m amma l s p e c ie s , a l o f t h em u ngu la t e s . T h e t wo d om e s t ic s p e c ie s ( s h e ep a nd g oa t ) , w i th 1 5 1 r ema in s , r e p r e sen t 8 7 .8% o ft h e t o ta l a nd a r e p r e sen t i na l t h e l a y e r s . W i ld b oa r a nd r e d d e e r s how a lmo s t r e s id ua l f r equen c ie s , t h ef o rm e ri sf o und i nt wo l a y e r s , a nd t h e l a t t e r o n ly i no n e . I tc an b e a pp r e c ia t ed a tf i r s t s i g h t t h a tt h ef a un a l s p e c t rum i sq u i t ed if e r en tf r om t h a to f C ub io R edondo , w h i ch h ad ar i ch e r t a xonom i c r a ng e o fw i ld a n im a l s ,b o th u ngu la te sa nd c a rn iv o re s .

G en e ra le va lua t ion o ft h es amp le T h eb on e sf r om t h eu pp e rl a ye r s ( s up e rf i c ia l a nd 2 3 ) a pp ea r t ob e r e c en t a nd a lo ch thonou s . T h e r e f o r e t h e s amp le so fl a y e r s 3a nd 4c ou ld h av e ac l o se rr e la t ion w i th t h e h uman u s e o f t h e c av e . C e r ta in ly , t h e p r ed om inan c e o fd ome s t i c a n ima l s , s h eep a nd g oa t , s e t s am ax imum a g e f o rt h e s amp le o ft h e e nd o ft h e t h i rd m i l lenn ium . I ft h ey a r e c on t empo ran eou s w i th t h eh uman r ema in s , t wo h ypo th e s e sc ou ld b ep r opo sed f o rt h e i rp r e s en c e i nt h ec av e . T he a n ima l p a r t s c ou ld b e a s soc ia t ed w i th t h e b u r ia l s a sa n o f e r ing o ra s a f u ne r a l b anqu e t ; a nd s im i la rc a s e s a r e o f t en r e co rded i nS pan i sh s i t e s . H ow ev e r , t h ey c ou ld a l so b et h ep r e y o fc a rn ivo r e sl i k ew o lf ,f o xo rw i ld c a tw h ich u s ed t h e c a ve . Wha t ev e rt h ec a s e , w i th t h i sf a una l s amp le , i ti s d if i cu l t t oa c c ep t as i gn i f ican t h uman o c cup a t ion o f t h e c ave , e x cep t t h e f une r a l u s e a nd a c t iv i t ie s a s soc ia t ed w i th t h a t . T h e o n ly d if e ren c e b e tween l a ye r s 3a nd 4i st h e a b s en c eo fd ee ri nt h el a t t e r , b u t t h i sc ou ld b ec han ce ,a st h es amp l e sa r eq u i t es ma l l .

S upe rf i c ia ll a y e r A n a du l t g oa t s how s a n i mpo r tan t e xo s to s i s i n t h e a r t icu la t ion b e tw een t h e f i r s t a nd s e cond p ha lang e s ; t h er e s to ft h es amp le i sy oung g oa to rs h e ep . T h e r ei s a tl e a s t o ne y oung e rt h an t h r e e m on th s , t wo b e twe en t h r ee a nd s i x m on th s , a nd o n e b e twe en s i x a nd n i n e m on th s o l d . T he s am e l a ye r a l so h ad a w ho l e l e f t t a r su s -m e ta ta r su s o f al a rg e h en a nd r ema in s o f a no th e rs p ec im en o ft h es am e s p e c ie s . M ix ed w i th t h e b on e s a pp ea r s na i l s h e l l s , n u t sh e l l s , a nd p i ec e s o f w ood s how ing t h ea l lo ch thonou sa nd p o s s ib ly m od e rn n a tu r eo ft h es amp le .

S t ud yo ft h es p e c ie sp r e s en t S h eep a nd G oa tO v is a r ie s /Cap ra h i rcus

L ay e r2 3 G o a t i s p r edom inan t i n t h e s amp le , a nd t h e m ea su rem en t s o b ta in ed a r e a l o fg oa t . T h r e e w ho le l o ng b one s a lowed t h e h e ig h t i n w i th e r s t o b e e s t ima ted . A s t a b le 4 s how s , t h e y a r e q u i t e t a l l a n ima l s .

Ad oz en b one s o fs h eep a nd g oa t , s om eb e long ing t o a na du l ta nd o t h e r st o as ub -adu l t . T h e r ei sad i aphy s i s f r agm en to f ar a d iu s ;t h eo t h e rb one sa r ew ho l e .

9 6

S im ad e lD ien te : aL a te B ronze A ge B u r ia l C ave

W i ld b o a r S u sf e ru s

i mpa c t , a nd t h e o t he r s b y n a tu ra l c au se s . T h e i n f luenc e o fc a rn ivo rou s a n ima l s i nt h e f r agm en ta t ion c an b e r u led o u t , a st h e r e a r e n o s i gn s o fa n ima l b i te s

Mo s t o ft h e m a t e r ia l c ome s f r om j u ven i le a n ima l s , s o n om ea su remen t sc ou ld b et a k en .

o na ny o ft h eb one s .

R ed d ee r C er vu se l aphus

I n L aye r 3 / 4 . w i th av e r y s ma l l s amp le . t wo s heep o r g oa tb one sw e r eb rok en b y ab l ow a nd a no the rt wo b y p re s su r e .

W i th j u s t f ou r r ema in s f ound i nl a y e r 3 ,r e d d ee r i s r e p r e sen ted b ya tl e a s ta na du l ta nd aj uv en i le .

A l l s i x f r agmen t s o f w i ld b oa r i n L ay e r 4 a r e f r ac tu r ed . S om e o ft h em s how k n i f e m a rk s a nd s i gn s o fh av ing b e en e xpos ed t of i r e . S im i la r ly , s e v en s he ep o r g oa t b one s a r e f r ac tu r ed a nd s ome h ave k n i f e m a rk s .

4 . 4 D i s tr ibu t ion a nd f ragmen ta t ion o ft he a n ima l b one s T he f r agmen ta t ion o ft h e a n ima l b on e s w i th in e a ch l a y e ro ft h ed epo s i tc an h e lp t oe xp la in h ow e a ch l a y e r w a s f o rmed . I n o rd e r t od o t h i s , t h e b on e s f r om t h e

T h e r e f o r e , d if e r en t e xp lana t ion s c an b e f ound f o r t h e

f i r s t l a ye r s h av e b e en e x c lud ed , a s t h ey a r e c l e a r ly m od e rn . I n t h e s am e w ay , t h e f ew b on e s i n t h e

f a una l r ema in s i n e ach l a ye r . A l l t ho s e i n t h e s up e rf i c ia l l a ye r s a r e u n f ra c tu red . i nd ica t ing t h ey c ome f r om t h eo cca s iona lf a l lo fa n ima l si n to t h ec a ve . L aye r 3h a sm o re w ho le b one st h an L ay e r4 .A st h i s i s t h e l a ye rw i th t h e h uman b one s , i tc ou ld b et h a t t h e s e b one s c om e f r om p a r t s o f a n ima l s , s u ch a s t h e r e d d ee r , t h a t w e r e l e f t i nt h e c hamb e r a sg r ave g ood s o r o f e r ing s . T he f r agmen ted n a tu re o ft h eb one si nL aye r 4i sp robab ly ar e su l to ft h e i rc on sump t ion i n ah ab i ta t o u t s id e t h e c av e . B u t i n a ny c a s e t h e s amp le i st o o s mal t o d r aw d ef in i te c onc lu s ion s , a l though t h e p r e s enc e o f d ome s t ic a n ima l s c e r ta in ly s ugg e s t s a N eo l i th ic d a te f o rt h i sl a ye r .

t r an s i t ion L aye r 2 / 3 a r e e i th e r m od e rn o r b e long t o L ay e r3 .T hu so ft h ef i ve s he ep o rg oa tb one sf r om t h i s l a y e r , o n ly t h r ee a r e p robab ly o l d . Two o f t h e se , a h yo id a nd a p ha lang e a r e c o r rod ed w i th m a rg ina l f r a c tu r e s . T he o t he r , a nu lna , i sc o r roded b u tw ho le .

T he d i s t r ibu t ion o ft h e a n ima l b on e s i ss im i la rt ot h a t o ft h e h uman b one s , a nd a l so o ft h e s ma l l mamma ls . T h e g r ea t e s t d en s i ty o f b one s i sd i re c t ly b e low t h e e n t rance , a nd t h e n umb e r s d e c r ea se s t ead i ly i n t h e s e c to r sf u r the ra way f r om t h ee n t rance . 4 . 5 Mar ine s hels As ma l ln umbe ro f mu s se l s he l lf r agmen t sw e r ef o und , a s w el a s as i ng le f r agmen t o f d og o y s te r A nom ia e ph ipp ium . 5 p 'a t ia ld i s t r ibu t ion o ft h ea n ima lb ones

O n e mu s s e l s h el w a s v i r tua l ly w ho le , p rob ab ly b ecau se i tw a sp ro te c t ed p o s i t ion b e tween t wo r o ck s . I t i s5 O rn in l o ng . H a lf t h e o t he r f r agmen t s a r e b e twe en 1 5 a nd 3 0mm l o ng , w h ich i sn o t iceab ly l a rg e r t h an t h e a v e r ag e s i ze o f t h e m u ss e l f r agmen t s i n C ub io R edondo . P e rhap st h i s i sb ecau se t h e l o o se rt e x tu r e o f

I nL aye r 3t h e r ew e r e s e ven w i ld b oa rb one s . S om e o f t h e s e a r e s ho r tb on e s , a nd o ft h et h r e e l o ng b one s o ne i sf r a c tu r ed b ya ni mp ac ta nd a no th e rb ye r o s ion . F ou r r e d d ee r b one s w e re f ound i nt h i s l a ye r , a nd o ft h e se t h e o n ly o ne t h a t c ou ld b e f r ac tu red i sw ho le . T he o t h e r s ma l le r b on e s h ave m a rk s o f e r o s ion o r c o r ro s ion , b u t n o h uman a l te ra t ion s . I n f a c t , t h e p r e sen ce o fd ee ri nt h i sl a y e ri ss os ma l lt h a t i tc anno t b ee xp la ined b yt h ea c c id en ta lf a lo fa na n ima l . S he ep a nd g oa t b one s a r e t h e m o s t c ommon i n L aye r 3 , a l though m any o ft h e se c ou ld b e ac on tam ina t ion i n t h e c en t re o f t h e c a ve , a nd r e a l ly c o r re spond t ot h e

t h e s e d imen t i nS ima d e l D ien te w a s a b le t oc on s e rv e t h em b e t t e r . A l l t h e se s h el f r agmen t s a ppea red o nt h e e a s t er ns i d e o ft h e e xcava ted a r ea , f r om s qua r e s D 3 a nd D 4 a nd t h e e a s t e rn s e c to r s o fs qu a r e s C 3 a nd C 4 . S om e w e r e i n L aye r s 2a nd 3 ,b u t m os t c ame f r om L ay e r 3 / 4 , wh ich s ugge s t st h a tt h e y a r ea s soc ia t ed w i th t h i sl a y e r , t h ough t t oh ave f o rmed w i th t h e r ema in s o f ah ab i ta t i n t h e r o ck she l te r . I n t h i s c a s e , mu s s e l s c an b e

s up e rf ic ia ll a y e r s . O ft h eo l db on e s , o n ly t we lv ec an b e c on s ide r ed a sb r eakab le , a nd n ine w e r e f r a c tu red b y 9 7

S im ad e lD ien t e : aL a t eB ronze A g eB u r ia lC ave

2

3

• M y t i lus

4

• Il i tca I

S pa t ia ld i s t r ibu t ion o fM y t i lu sa nd l i t h ic i nd us t r y

c on s id e r ed a s s upp lem en ta ry t o ad i e t b a sed o n d om e s t i ca n ima l sa nd g ame .

I tw a sf o und n ea rt h eh ea r th s t ru c tu r ei nL aye r2 ,i na s e c to r o f s qua r e C 3 n ea r t h e e n t ranc e . A s n o o t he r f r agm en t s w e r e s e en , i ti st h ough t t h a t t h i s i s o la ted p i e ce f e li n to t h ec a v ef r om t h er o ck sh e l t e r .

T he s mal d og o y s t e r , h owev e r , c anno t h ave b e en b r ough t t ot h e c ave a sf o od . I n s t ead , t h e m o s t l i k e ly e xp lan a t ion i st h a t i tw a s p a r t o f an e ck lac e o ro t h e r k i nd o fa d or nm en t . P e rhap s i tw a s p e r f o ra ted w i th a h o le w h e r en ow i ti sb r ok en .

4 . 7 Sma l l mamma ls k e le ta lr ema in s At o ta lo f2 46 h em i -mand ib l e sw e r ef o und b yt h e 1 999 d i g . T he se w e r e c l a s s if i ed , a nd b o th t h e i r h o r izon ta l a nd v e r t i ca l d i s t r ibu t ion s i n t h e d epo s i t w e r e e xam in ed . C ran ia l f r agm en t s w e r e a l so c o l le c ted a nd c l a s s if ied , b u t n o t i n c lud ed i nt h i s s t ud y ; n e i the r a r e t h e r od en t i n c i s o r s a nd p o s t c r an ia l r ema in s c olec ted b u tn o tc l a s s if i ed .

4 . 6 P o t tery J u s to n ep o t sh e rd w a sf o und i nt h ew ho le e x cava t ion . T h i s i sf r om t h e r im o f ah and -mad e p o t . I t s o u t e r s u r f a c ei sr o ugh , a nd t h ei n ne ri ss moo thed ; i t sc o lou r i sr e dd i sh o n t h e o u t s id e a nd l i gh t s i enna o n t h e i n s id e . I tw a st h e r e f o r ef i r ed i no x id i s ing c ond i t ion s . I t h a s al o t o fq u i t e l a rg e g r i t s , o fc a lc i t e a nd l i me s tone b e twe en 1a nd 3mm i n s i ze . T h e l i p o ft h e r im i s r o und ed , a nd i ti ss l igh t ly t h ick e rt h an t h ew a l lb e low . T he p i e c ei sn o tb i ge nough f o rt h ed i am e t e ro ft h ep o t t ob e e s t ima t ed s a f e ly , b u t t h e t h ickn e s s o ft h e w al , a bou t7 nun , s ugg e s t si ti sf r om am ed ium s ized v e s s e l . A ga in , s u ch a s ma l l s i ng le p i ec e d o e s n o t a low t h e s hape o ft h e p o t t ob e e x t r apo la t ed , b u t i td o e s n o t s e em t o b e f r om a ny o f t h e t y p e s m o s t c ommon ly f o und i n Ma t ienzo .

S p e c ie sf o und T ab l e 1l i s t st h es p e c ie sf o und , a l though t h em ic ro t id s ( v o l e s ) a r e g r oup ed t o g e the r , a s m an y o f t h e s e m and ib le sw e r es ob ad ly c on s e rved t h a ti tw a sd if icu l t t oi d en t i f y t h em w i th g r ea te r p r e c i s ion . N eve r th e le s s , t h i s f am i ly w a s e x t r em e ly i n t e r e s t ing a s t h o se t h a t c ou ld b e i d en t if i ed i n c lud ed M a g r es t is , P i tymy s c f p y r ena icu s , a nd a l so M n i va l is a nd C l e t hr ionomy s g l a r eo lus . O dd ly , n o t as i ng le e xamp le o fA r v ico la

9 8

S ima d e lD ien t e : aL a t eB ronze A g eB u r ia lC av e

w a s r e cove r ed . T h i s m igh t b e e xp la in ed b y t h e f a c t t h a t S im a d e l D ien t e i sl o ca ted h i gh a b ov e t h ev a l ley f l oo r , a nd t h e m ead ow s o r s t r eam s t h a t w ou ld b e A r v ic o la ' sn a tu ra lh ab i ta t . Y e tJ .R u i zc o l le c t ed s e v e r a l m od e rn o w l p e l le t s f r om t h e r o ck s h e l t e r o u t s id e t h e S im a , a nd t h e se d i di nf a c tc on ta in A r v ico la t e r r es t r is m and ib le s . I nt h ed epo s i t , t h el a rg e s tr o d en ti sR a t tu s ; p rob ab ly R . r a t tu s , a l though a n e s p e c ia l ly l a rg e e xamp le ( LM 2 7nun )f r om t h eu pp e rl a y e rc ou ld b eR . n o rv eg icus . T h e a b sen ce o f A r v ico la , a nd t h e r e la t iv e ly h i gh p r opo r t ion o f R a t t u s , a r e t h e m a in d if e r en c e s i n t h e r e p re sen ta t ion o f s p e c ie s c omp a r i son w i th t h ed epo s i to fC ub io R edondo .

w i l l h ave r e cove r ed o n ly a s ma l l p r opo r t ion o ft h e m and ib le st h a tc ou ld h ave e x i s ted 9 1 5 2 3 8 2 3 1 8 9 5 3 3 3 1

A pod emus s y l va t ic us M ic ro t id s S o r ex c o rona tus C roc id ura R a t tus E l iomy sq uer c inus T a lpa c a eca S or ex m inu tu s N eomy sf od ien s M ic romy sm inu tu s Mus t e la n i va l is

i n

3 7 .0% 2 1 .1 % 1 5 .4% 9 . 3% 7 . 3% 3 . 7% 2 . 0% 1 . 2% 1 . 2% 1 . 2% 0 . 4%

D i s t r ibu t ion 2 46

T o ta l T h e h o r izon ta l d i s t r ibu t ion o ft h e m and ib le s t h r ough t h ed if e r en t s e c to r so fe a ch s q ua r e s how s ac l ea ra nd u n equ ivo ca l p a t t e rn . B y f a r t h e l a rg e s t n umbe r o f r ema in s c am e f r om s e c to r 1o f s q ua r e C 4 ( 5 0 h em i -mand ib le s ) , a nd t h e n ex t l a rg e s t n umb e r s c am e f r om t h e c on t ig uou s s e c to r s ( C4 s e c to r 2 , a nd C 3 s e c to r 7 ) , w h i ch h ad 2 2 a nd 2 6 h em i -mand ib le s r e sp e c t iv e ly . T h e s e a r e t h e s e c to r s n ea r e s t t o t h e e n t ran ce , a nd t h e r e su l t s s how t h a tt h er ema in s e i th e r f e l l i n to t h e c hambe r f r om t h e e n t ran ce , o r w e r e d r opp ed f r om ap e r ch d i re c t ly a bov e t h i s p a r t o ft h e f l oo r . Wha te v e rt h e c a s e , t h e s m al m amma l r ema in s e n t e r ed t h ec h amb e rf r om as i ng l es o u r c e .

T h e r em a in s w e re a l so e x am ined a c co rd ing t o t h e i r p o s i t ion i n t h e m a in l a y e r s i n t h e c av e . T h e s t ra t ig r aphy o ft h ed epo s i tw a sd i v id ed i n to : 1 )L ay e r s 0 2 , as up e rf i c ia l l a y e r a bov e 2 ) L aye r 3 , t h e l a t e B ronz eA g eb u r ia ll a y e r ,a nd t h en 3 )L ay e r s3 / 4a nd 4 , t h e s e conda ry h ab i ta t d epo s i t . D e sp i t e b e ing r e p r e sen ted b y d if e r en tv o lum e s o fs e d im en t , a sp a r t o ft h e s up e rf i c ia l l a y e r s h ad b e en r emoved b yt h e d i g i n 1 998 , t h ey p rov id ed a lmo s t e q ua l n umbe r s o f h em i -mand ib le s .

H ow i n ten s iv e a n o ccupa t ion d o e s t h i s n umb e r o f h em i -mand ib l e s r e p r e sen t? A s m en t ioned a bov e , J . R u iz c o l le c t ed t h re e o w l -p e l le t s f r om t h e r o ck she l te r , a nd t h e s e p r ov id ed 1 8 e xamp l e s . S im i la r ly , n i ne p ele t sf r om t h ee n t r an ce o fC u ev ad eC o f r e sn ed oh av e

T h ef r equ en c ie sa r es hown i nT ab le 2 ,w h ich h a sa si t s m o s t s i gn if i can t r e su l t t h e p rog re s s iv e d ec l in e o f A pod emu si nt h el ow e rl a y e r s ,p a ra l le led b yt h er i se i n i mpo r tanc e o fS o r ex . As im i la r p a t t e rn w a s s e en i n C ub io R ed ondo ,w h e r eA pod emu sw a sl e s sc ommon i n

L ayer s0 2 A pod emus 3 8 M i c ro t id s 1 9 S or ex c o rona tus 6 C roc id ura 3 R a t t u s 3 T a lpa 2 E l iomy s 1 S or ex m inu t us 0 N eomy s 1 M ic romy s 1 Mus t e la 0 T o ta l s

T ab l e : T o ta ln umber so fh em i -manc hb l e sr e cov e red

L ayer 3 5 1 .4% 2 5 .7% 8 . 1% 4 . 1% 4 . 1% 2 . 7% 1 . 3% 1 . 3% 1 . 3%

7 4

2 9 1 9 1 1 9 1 3 2 0 1 0 8 6

p rov id ed 5 2 h em i -mand ib le s . S o t h e t o ta l f r om S ima d e l D ien t e c ou ld h av e c om e f r om l e s s t h an 5 0 o w l -pe l le t s , w h ich i sn o t ah igh n umb e r c on s id e r ing t h el e ng th o ft im ei n vo lved a l though o fc ou r s et h ed i g

L ayer s3 / 4 -4 3 .7% 2 2 .1% 1 2 .8% 1 2 .8% 1 0 .4% 1 . 2% 3 . 5% 2 . 3% 1 . 2%

2 4 1 4 2 1 9 6 2 5 1 2 1 1

2 7 .9% 1 6 .3% 2 4 .4% 1 0 .4% 7 . 0% 2 . 3% 5 . 8% 1 . 2% 2 . 3% 1 . 2% 1 . 2%

8 6

t h e p r eh i s to r ic l e ve l t h an a mong t h e s u r f a ce r ema in s , a nd S o r ex v i ce v e r sa . I n t e rm s o f e c o log i ca l i n te rp r e ta t ion , t h i s s e em s h a rd t o e xp la in , a s A pod emu s i s a s soc ia t ed w i th w ood land , a nd t h e

9 9

S im ad e lD ien te : aL a t eB ron ze A g eB u r ia lC av e

D ien t e , t h e t wo m o s t n o tab le d if e r en c e s a r e t h e d om inanc e o fA pod emu s i nS im a d e l D ien t e , a nd t h e r e la t iv ea bundanc eo fC roc idu ra i nC ub io R edondo .

g en e ra l ly a c c ep ted v i ew i st h a t t h e r e w a s mu ch m o r e w ood land i n t h e p o s t -g lac ia l p e r iod t h an n ow . P e rhap s , a sw e a r e r e f e r r ing t or e la t ive f r equ en c ie s , i t i ss imp ly t h a tt h e r ew e r em o r e o fo t h e rt y p e s o fs ma l l m amma l s ; i n o t h e r w o rd s , t h a t t h e p r eda to r s h ad a w id e r c ho ic e a va i lab le t ot h em , a nd f o r t h a t r e a son A pod emu s s how s u p l e s s o f t en . S or ex i sa s so c ia ted w i th h um id m eadow land , a nd a l though t h e c l ima t e m ay n o th ave b een a ny w e t te ri nt h ep a s t , i ti se a sy t o i mag ine t h ev a l ley f l oo ra sb e ing mo r ep oo r ly d r a ined A s r e ga rd s t h e d if e r en t v o le s p ec ie s , t h e m and ib l e s t h a t c ou ld b e i d en t if ied i n d ica t e t h a tt h e f o u r s p e c ie s ; M a g r e s t is , M n i val i s , P i tymy s a nd C l e t he r ionomy s , a r ea l lp r e sen ti ne a ch o ft h el a y e r s .

R ega rd ing t h e p r eh is to r i c r ema in s , w e h av e a l r e ad y e xp la in ed h ow A pod emu su s ed t ob el e s si mpo r tan ti n b o th s i t e s , a nd S o r ex w a s m o r e c ommon . H owe v e r , A pod emu s i ss t il f a r m o r e i mp o r tan t i n S ima d e l D i en t e t h an i n C ub io R ed ond o . T h e v o le s w e r e t h e d om in an t s p e c ie s i nC ub io R ed ond o , a nd t h i s i sn o t t h ec a s ei nS ima d e lD ien t e . 4 . 8R ad io carbon d a te s T h r e e s amp l e s w e r e t a k en f r om t h e c ave f o r r a d ioc a rbon d a t ing . S amp le 1w a s ar a d iu s f r om a n a du l t h um an , r e cove r ed f r om L ay e r 3i nS qua r e C 2 , w h i le S amp l e 2w a s a no th e r r a d iu s , t h i s t im e f r om a j u ven i le , f o und i nt h es ame s q ua r ea st h ef i r s t s amp le , b en ea th t h es t a lagm i t eo fL a y e r2 .S amp l en o . 3w a sa p i e c e o fw ood , w e igh ing a bou t 2 5g , f r om t h e b a s e o f t h ee xcava t ion , i nL ay e r 4o fS qua r e C 4 , a t ad ep th o f 8 0 cm . T h e l a s t t wo s amp le s h av e b e en p r oc e s s ed b y B e ta A na ly t i c I n c o f M iam i , w i th t h e f olow ing r e su l t s .

C omp a r ing t h e r e su l t s f r om S ima d e l D i en t e w i th t h o s e o f C ub io R edond o , L a y e r s 0 2 o f S ima d e l D ien te c o r re spond s c h rono log i ca l ly t o t h e m od em r ema in s f r om t h e c a ve f l oo r o fC ub io R edondo , a nd L ay e r s3 / 4 4t ot h e Me so l i th i cd ep o s i ti nt h ec av e . A ny d if e r en c e s b e twe en t h e t wo s i t e s s h ou ld b e d u e t o v a r ia t ion s i nt h ee nv i ronm en ta lc ond i t ion sa r ound t h e s i t e s ,i nt h ea r ea sh un ted b yt h eo w l s . E xam in ing t h e m od em r ema in s f i r s t , a pa r t f r om t h e a bov e m en t ioned a b sen c e o fA r v ico la i n S ima d e l

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a l though t h e n ea r e s t c o r r e la t ion i s w i th t h e l a rg e m amma l s . I n t u rn , t h e r e i s as i gn if ican t c o r re la t ion b e tween t h e l a rg e mamma l b one s a nd t h e c ha rcoa l . T h e se m ake u pt h e f i r s t v a r iab il i ty g roup . T he s e cond i s f o rmed b y t h e c o r r e la t ion b e tw een t h e s mal m amma l s a nd t h e g a s t ropod s . a nd b o th o ft h e se w i th t h e e xamp le s o fC epaea . I nt h i s w ay , i ti si n te r e s t ing t h a t t h e e d ib le C epaea i s e f ec t ive ly j u s t a no the r g a s t ropod . H en ce , i ti sl o g ic a l t ha t o n o ne h and w e h ave t h e s ma l l m amma l s . g a s t ropod s a nd C epaea , w ho se i n co rpo ra t ion i n to t h e d epo s i t w a s d ue t o n a tu ra l c au s e s , a nd wh ich w ou ld h ave a ccumu la ted i n

t he

A s s e en ü i t h e p r ev iou s s e c t ion s , t h e f o l low ing a r chaeo log ica l a nd p a laeo -eco log ica l i t em s w e re r e cove red a nd a na ly sed b y t h e e x cava t ion s : a )h uman b one s , b ) l a rge mamma l b one s , c ) s ma l l m amma l h em i -mand ib le s . d ) g a s t ropod s h e l l s i n g en e ra l , e ) s hel s o f t h e e d ib le s na i l ( C epaea n emora l is ) , f ) mu s s e l s h el f r agm en t s , g )p i ece s o fc ha rcoa l , a nd h ) l i th ic t o o l s . A s i ng le p o t she rd w a s f ound b u t n o t i n c luded i nt h ef olow ing s t ud y .

g r ea te r q uan t i t ie s a t t ime s w h en t h e c av e w a s n o t b e ing u sed b yh uman s : f o re xamp le t h es ma l l m amma l r ema in s c ome f r om o w l p e l le t s , a nd o w l s w ou ld h ave

O f a l t h e se i t em s , t h e mo s t a bundan t w a s t h e

a bandoned t h es i t ei fh uman sh ad b e en p re s en t . On t h e o t he r h and , t h e h uman r ema in s , l a rg e m amma l b one s

c ha r coa l , w i th a n a v e rag e f r equency o f 3 0 p i ece s i n e a ch s e c to r -d ep th u n i t . Af t e r t h a t , t h e mo s t f r equen t

a nd c ha r coa l h av e a n a n th rop ic o r ig in , a nd t h e f ew f l in t t o o l s a nd mu s se l s h el s c an a l so b e a s soc ia ted w i th t h i sg r oup .

w e r el a rg em amma lb one sa nd g as t ropod s he l l s( a bou t 1 6 e xamp le s ) , w h i le t h e o t he r i t em s w e re q u i te l e s s c ommon .

T he s t udy o f t h e s t a t is t ica l d if e r enc e b e tween t h e T h e h uman b on e s w e re f o und i n t h e c omp le te s t r a t ig raph ic s e quence , a pa r t f r om a t t h e b a s e . H oweve r , 8 6% o f t h e h uman r ema in s w a s c on cen t ra ted a t ad ep th b e tween 6 0 a nd 7 2cm b e low t h e d a tum l e ve l , a nd o n ly t h re e i s o la ted p i ec e s c ame f r om ag r ea te r d ep th . T he g r ea t e s t c oncen t ra t ion w a s i nl a ye r 3 ,w h ich c on ta ined 6 0% o ft h er ema in s . T he l a rg em amma lb one sa r e d i s t r ibu ted r e gu la r ly t h rough t h e u pp e r l a y e r s , b u t t h e i r f r equ ency i s r educ ed c on s id e rab ly b e twe en t h e d ep th so f8 0 a nd 8 4 cm , a nd t h en i n c rea se sa ga in a tt h eb as eo fl a y e r4 .T h ep oo re s t l a ye ri sL aye r3 / 4 .

d ep th u n i t s i s c onc lu s iv e : e a ch d ep th u n i t s how s g r ea te s t s im i la r i ty w i th t h e p r eced ing o ne . F o r e xamp le , t h e f r equenc ie s o f t h e d if e r en t i t em s i n d ep th u n i t 1a r ev e ry s im i la rt ot ho se o fn umb e r2 ,a nd i n t u rn t h e se t wo d ep th u n i t s a r e m o r e s im i la r t o n umb e r 3t h an t on umbe r4 .I nt h e s ame w ay , t h i s l a s t d ep th u n i t i sr e la t iv e ly s im i la r t on umb e r 3 ,b u t v e r y d if e ren t f r om t h e f i r s t t wo u n i t s . T h i s s e em s t os how t h a tt h ec ond i t ion so ft h ef o rma t ion o ft h ed epo s i th ave d eve lop ed g r adualy a nd p r og r e s s ive ly i nt ime . H uman i mpac t o n t h e d epo s i t , t h e r e f o r e , h a s p robab ly b e en l im i ted t ot h e b u r ia l s , a nd t h e s l ow a c cumu la t ion o f m a t er ia lf r om t h eo u te rr o ck she l te r .

I nc ont r a s t , s mal m amma l r ema in s h av e i n te rmed ia te f r equenc ie si nL aye r s 0—3 ,w i th t h e ir g r ea te s td en s i ty i n L aye r 3 / 4 . T h i s c ou ld b e e xp e c ted a s L aye r 3 / 4 c on s is t s p r ima r i ly o f ma t e r ia l f a l l ing i n to t h e c ave f r om o u t s id e . T h ef r equency o fc ha rcoa l i nt h ed epo s i t a lmo s t p a ra l le l st h a t o ft h e l a rg e m amma l b one s . I ti s m o s t c ommon i nt h e u pp e r l a y e r s , a nd p rog r e s s ive ly d ec l in e st or e ach i t sm in imum f r equen cy a t ad ep th o f 8 0cm . H ow ev e r , i tt h en b e com e s much mo r ec ommon

5 . 2A r chaeo log ica lc on tex to ft he d epo s i t T he o ld e s te v id ence o fh uman u se o ft h ec ave i sf ound i nt h e L ay e r s 3 / 4 a nd 4 ,a nd c on s i s t s o ft h e m a te r ia l s f a l len i n to t h e c ave f r om o u t s id e . T h i s i s av e ry p oo r d epo s i t , w i th r ema in s o fd ome s t ic a nd w i ld a n ima l s , a nd af ew m a r ine s hel s a nd f l in t s . I tc an p robab ly b e d a ted i n t h e N eol i th ic , d u e t o t h e c o ex i s ten ce o f a g eome t r ic m ic rol i th a nd d ome s t ic f a una . T he m a rg ina l p o s i t ion o ft h e s i t e , o n ah i l l s id ew ho se o n ly e conom ic u se i s e x t en s ive s t ock r e a r ing , s ugg e s t s t h a t t h e r o ck she l te r w a s u sed b y s h ephe rd s , i n aw ay t h a t h a s c on t inued i n many p a r t s o f C , an tab r ia u n t i l q u i te r e cen t t ime s . I n a ny c a s e t h e o c cupa t ion s w e r e

a t — 84cm , a nd t h i s c oncen t ra t ion i se v id ence o f a h ab i ta t l a y e r i n t h e p rox im i ty . C ha r coa l i s a l so a bundan t i nL ay e r 2 ,w h ich mu s t b e r e la ted w i th t h e e x i s tence o f as mal h ea r th f ound i nS qua re C 4 . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o ft h e g a s t ropod s he l l sv a r ie s a cco rd ing t o t h e d if e r en t s p ec ie s , b u t i n g ene ra l t h ey a r e l e a s t f r equen ti nt h eu ppe r l a ye r s . h ave i n te rmed ia te v a lu e s i n L ay e r 3 ,a nd b e come m o s t a bundan t i n t h e t wo l owe rl a ye r s .

p robab ly q u i te s po rad ic , a s g a s t ropod p opu la t ion s s u rv iv ed a nd o w l sc on t inu ed t os he l t e rt h e re . T he b u r ia l s i n L a ye r 3 a r e m o r e d i f f icu l t t o c on t ex t ua l ize . a s C an tab r ia h a s v e r y f ew s i te s w h ich c an b e d a ted i n t h e l a te B ronze A ge . T he l a ck o f p o t te ry — t h e o n e s he rd i sn o t s i gn if i can t -m ak e s i t e ven m o r e d if i cu l t t o d raw c omp a r ison s . S eve ra l

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S im ad e lD ien te : aL a t eB ronze A g eB u r ia l C av e

b u r ia l c av e s a r e k nown i n Ma t ienzo , w h ich mu s t b e e a r l ie r t h an t h e I r on A g e . A s w e l l a s C u eva d e R a sc av ie ja , v er y n ea r S ima d e l D ien t e , w e k now C ueva d el o sT r e sN i f io s , C ueva 7 09 a nd C ueva d el o s

5 . 3 C onc lu s ion s T he h i s to r y o ft h i s s mal c ave c ou ld b e d e s c r ib ed i n t h e f o l low ing w ay . I t s f o rma t ion b y s o lu t ion o f t h e l ime s ton eb e low al i ne o fw eakn e s s , t h eb edd ing -p lane t h a t f o rm s t h e r oo f o ft h e c av e a nd t h e r o ck sh e l t e r , mu s t h ave t a ken p l ac e i n a n e a r ly p h as e o f t h e

Embo scado s , a l i nL aS e cada . B u ta l o ft h es es e em t o c o r r espond t ot h e e a r ly B ronze A g e , w hen t h e r i tua l d ocumen ted i n t h e r e s t o f t h e r e g ion i n vo lved d epo s i ti ng t h eb od yo nt h ef l oo ro ft h e c av e , g ene raly i n ap ro te c ted p o s i t ion , c l ean a nd n ea r aw a l l , t o g e th e r w i th o n e o r mo r e p o t s , a nd p i e c e s o f d ome s t ic

d eve lopmen t o ft h e Ma t ienzo d ep re s s ion . S t a lagm i te s t h en g r ew o n t h e c ave f l oo r , c r ea t ing o u r L aye r 5 .I n t h e l a t e P l e i s tocen e . c l ay s w e re w a shed i n to t h e c ave a nd b egan t o c ove r t h e s t a lagm i te s , t o g e th e r w i th f r e e ze thaw d eb r i s a nd m a te r ia l f r om t h e o u t s id e . A p i ec e o fw ood f r om t h i s l e ve l w a s d a t ed b y C 14 a nd f ound t ob er ad ioca rbon d ead , o ld e rt han 4 2 ,000 y ea r s . t h e l im i t t h a t c an b e d a ted b y t h i s m e thod . T h i s f i l l . wh ich w eh av e c aled L ay e r4 . mu s t h ave f o rm ed v e r y

a n ima l s . O ne s u ch s i te t ha t h a sb e en s t ud ied i sC ueva d e l Map a , i nC ama rgo , w i th p o t t e ry a nd t h e r ema in s o ff ou ri nd iv idua l s , a nd ad a te o f2 141 -2033 B P ( Ru iz C obo 1 994 ) . H ow eve r , t h i sb u r ia l p rac t ic e i nc ave sd oe s n o ta ppea r t oh av e c on t inued a l t e r t h e e a r ly B ronze A g e , a nd a t p re s en t , n o o t he r b u r ia l c av e i n C an tab r ia c an

s l ow ly ; a st h ew ood o fP l e i s tocene a g ei sa tt h eb a se o f al a y e r c on ta in ing d ome s t ic a n ima l r ema in s . A nd t h e l a rg en umbe ro ft r og loph i le g a s t ropod s , s u ch a sE lona q u impe rana a nd 0 . xy ch i lu ss p . i sa no the rs i gn o fs l ow

d ef in i te ly b e d a ted i nt h e l a t e o rf i na l B ronze A g e . I n f a c t , t h e s c a rc e e v id en ce o fb u r ia l s i nc ave s l a t e r t h an t h e m idd le B ronze A g e i sa s so c ia ted w i th v a r iou s k ind s o f s t ru c tu re s . I n C ueva d e l a L a s t r ila H I i n C a s t ro U rd ia le s , w he re a t l e a s t t h re e b u r ia l s w e re

a ccumu la t ion . I n c ond i t ion s wh ich w e w e r e s omewha t l e s s h um id , t h e n ex t l a ye r s w e re d epo s i ted f r om t wo s ou r ce s , c l ay f r om t h e e a s te rn p a s sag e a nd l o o se r m a t e r ia l f r om o u t s id e . T h e l a t t e r , L aye r 3 / 4 , c on ta ined m any e l emen t s wh ich c an b e r e la ted w i th a h ab i ta t w h ich w ou ld h av e e x i s t ed i nt h e r o ck she l te r -f l in t s , a n ima l

s t ud ied , as t ru c tu r e o f b ou ld e r s i n t h e c en t r e o f a p a s sag e w a s e x cava ted . S eve ra l p o t s , t wo b one p endan t s a nd am e ta l a r rowh ead w e r e f o und t o g e th e r w i th t h e h uman r ema in s ( R in c ,ön 1 980 ) . B u t n o e xa c t d a t ec an b eg i v en f o rt h i sd epo s i t .

b one s , a nd My t i /u s a nd C epaea s he l l s . N o a b so lu te d a te i sa va i lab le f o rt h i sm a te r ia l ,b u tt h ep r e senc eo fa g eome t r ic m ic rol i th , a nd d ome s t ic f auna , s ugg e s t st h a t i tc o r r e spond s t ot h e N eo l i th ic . Ma t e r ia l c on t inued t o

I nC u eva d el aC e rva je ra ( Gu r i ezo ) , t umu la rs t ruc tu r e s w e r e f o und t o g e the r w i th ab ronze s p ea rhead a nd t h e b a s eo f ap o t , w h ich c ou ld b ef r om t h el a t e rp a r to ft h e B ronze A g e ( Mw lo z & o t he r s 1 987 ) . H oweve r , i ti s

f a l l i n to t h e c av e w h en L ay e r s 3a nd 2w e r e f o rmed , b u t w i thou t f o rm ing a s t ra tum o f i t s o wn . I n s tead i t t e nded t og i ve a l o o s e r t e x tu re t ot h e s e l a ye r s . T h e r e a r e n o d i scon t inu i t ie s c au s ed b y e r o s ion i n t h e s t ra t ig raphy . a nd t h e d if e r en t l a ye r s a r e t h e r e su l t o f v a r ia t ion si nt h ea c t iv i ty o fe ach s ou rce o fs e d imen t .

t r ue t h a t n o h uman b on e s h av e b een f ound . T he s t ru c tu r e s ,t h ep o t te r ya nd s p ea rh ead w e r ei n ap a s sag e w h ich , a tl e a s t i nt h e p r es en t , c an o n ly b e r e ached b y d e scend ing as ha f tr equ ir ing l a dd e r s . F ina l ly , i nt h e l a rge e n t ranc e p a ss ag e o fC u eva d e l a C a i lu e la ( Bu s tab lado ) , an umb e ro ft umu la r s t ruc tu r e s m ade o fc l ay a nd b ou ld e r sw e r es t ud ied i nt h ef i r s th a l f o f t h e 2 0 th C en tu r y . T h e Mu seum i n S an tand e r c on s e rve s m a t e r ia l f r om t h e c ave , i n c lud ing ap o t te ry f r agmen t w i th a n i n c i s ed z i gz ag d eco ra t ion , c ha rac te r is t ic o ft h ee nd o ft h eB ronze A g e . B u ti na ny

I nt h e l a te B ronze A g e , a bou t 9 00 BC , t h e c ave w a s u sed f o r h uman b u r ia l s . A t l e a s t o n e a du l t a nd f ou r c h i ld ren w e r eb u r ied i nt h ec hamb e r . T h e i rb one sw e r e f o und c on cen t ra ted i n t wo z one s , a l though t h i s may h ave b een t h er e su l to fp o s t -d epo s i t iona lm ovemen t , a s t h ey s l ipp ed i n to t wo h o l low s , s epa ra ted b yt h et o p s o f

c a s e , i ti sn o tc e r ta in t h a tt h i sd o e sa c tua l ly c ome f r om o n eo ft h es t ru c tu r e s( Ru iz C obo 1 991 ) .

t h e s t a lagm i te s o f L ay e r 5 . Many o f t h e b one s a r e f r ac tu r ed . a nd i ti sn o t i mpo s s ib le t h a t t h i s w a s a s e conda ry b u r ia l , o f t h e r ema in s o f b od ie s t h a t h ad p r ev iou s ly b een e xp o sed i n ad if e r en t l o ca t ion . T h e r e i sl i t t le i n f o rma t ion a bou t f une ra l r i tua l s i nC an tab r ia a tt h i s t im e , a nd t h e p o s s ib le e xp lana t ion s f o r t h e s e h uman r ema in s i n S i am d e l D ien t e c anno t b e

T he r ef o r e , i ti s n o t k nown h ow f un e ra l p r ac t ice s e vo lved i nC an tab r ia a f te r t h e e a r ly B ron ze A g e , d ue t o t h e n on ex i s t enc e o f a b so lu te d a te s f o r t h e s i t e s m en t ioned a bov e , wh ich a r e e i th e r a c c id en ta l f i nd s o r o l d d ig s , a nd b ec au s e n o n ew d epo s i t s a r e b e ing s t ud ied

c onf irm ed . T h e b on e s m ay h ave b e en b rok en t o f i t t h em i n to a p o t te ry c on ta ine r , t h ey m ay h av e b een t h rown i n to t h e c hamb e r f r om a bove , o r t h ey m ay h ave b e en d epo s i ted i n t h e c hamb e r t og e the r w i th p a r t s o fa n ima l s , e . g . r e d d ee r . I n t h a t c a s e . i ts e em s

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c l e a rt h a tt h e yw e r ee xpo sed o nt h es u r f a c eo ft h ec ave f l oo rf o rs om et im e .

R e f er ence s F o r t e a , J . 1 97 3 . L o s c omp le jo s m ic ro lam in a r e s y g eome t r ico s d e l E p ipa leo l i t i co d e l Med i t e räneo E sp ar i b l" M emo r ia s d e l S em ina r io d e p r eh is to r ia yA rq ueo log ia 4 .S a lamanc a .

A s t h e s e d imen ta t ion o f c l ay a nd s u r f a c e m a t e r ia l c on t inu ed , af i r e w a s l i t i n t h e c h amb e r b e low t h e e n t ran c e , a nd s om e o ft h eb on e sw e r ea f e c t ed b yt h e h ea t . An ew s t a lagm i t eb egan t og r ow i nt h ec en t r eo f t h e c av e a nd t h i s c ov e r ed p a r t o ft h e h uman r ema in s a nd t h eh ea r th . Mo r er e cen t ly , L ay e r 1s p r ead i n to t h e c hamb e rf r om t h ee a s t er np a s sag e , a s ab ed o fs i l ta nd c l a y , a nd f i na l ly L a y e r 0 f o rmed w i th t h e a c cumu la t ion o fg o a t e x c r e ta a nd s k e l e ton s f a l l ing i n f r om t h ee n t ran ce .

M in io z F emänd e z , E . & o t h e r s , 1 987 . C a r ta A rqueo lög ica d e C an tabr ia .Ed i c ion e s T an t in , S an tand e r . R ineön , R . 1 980 . C on t r ibu c iön a lc onoc im i en t o d e l a e s t ra t ig r af ia p r eh i s tö r i ca d el a sc u eva sd eC a s t ro U rd ia le s ( S an tand e r ) . C uad e rno s d e E spe l eo log ia 9 10 ,p p2 6 -74 . S an tand e r .

A cknow l edg em en t s We w ou ld l i k e t o a c know ledg e t h e a s s i s tan c e o fa l l t h o s e w ho t o ok p a r t i n t h e e x cava t ion o ft h i s q u i te d if i cu l t a nd i n a c ce s s ib le c av e , p a r t i cu la r ly F ran c i s co Ma ch o , J a v ie r T a lma , M igue l Q u i jano , J u an C o r r in a nd A nd yQ u in .

R u iz C obo , J .1 99 1 . E vo luc iön y d esa r ro l lo d e l a s e conom ia s d e p rod ucc iön e n C an tabr ia . D oc to r a lt h e s i s , U n ive r s i ty o fC an tab r ia . R u iz C obo , J .1 994 . L a c ueva d e l Map a ( R ev i l la d e C ama rgo ) : i m c emen t e r io d e l ap r im e ra E dad d e l B ron ce e n l a Ma r ina d e C an tab r ia . K ob ie 2 1 ,p p2 55 -266 ,B i lbao .

T h e s e d im en ta ry a na ly s e s w e r e c a r r i ed o u t i n t h e L abo ra t o r io d e S ue /o s d e l L abo ra tor io A g roa l imen ta r io d e S an tand e r a nd w e w ou ld l i k e t o t h ank D on J e sü s C a lzad o , d i r e c to r o ft h e l a bo ra to ry , f o rh i sc omm en t s a nd h e lp i nt h ei n t e rp r e ta t ion o ft h e r e su l t s .

1 05

Cueva d eR a scav ie ja 1 .I n troduc t ion C av eD e sc r ip t ion ( F e rnand ez 1 966 ) . T hey r e po r t f i nd ing " I ron A g e p o t t e ry " o n J u ly 1 7 th 1 964 ( P in to & B eg ine s 1 964 ) , a nd t h e s u rvey m a rk s t h e l o ca t ion o f t h i s p o t t er y a s b e ing i nt h e c onnec t ion b e tween t h e f i r s t a nd s e cond c hamb e r . U n f o r tuna te ly , t h a t i sa l w e k now , a s t h e y d i d n o t p ub l i sh a ny f u r the r d es c r ip t ion , p ho to , o r d r aw ing o ft h e p o t te ry , a nd n o r i si td epo s i ted i nt h e Mu seum .

T he e n t rance o fC ueva d e R a s cav ie ja i sa tt h e b a se o f t h e l a rg e o ve rhang ing l ime s ton e c l if f s o fE l N a so . t o t h e e a s t o fC obu r ruyo a nd S im a d e l D ien te , a t3 00m a bov e s e al e v e l a nd a bou t 1 30m a bov et h ev a l ley f l oo r . I th a s ac ommand ing v i ew o ve r t h e c en t r e o f t h e d ep r e s s ion a nd t h eb ranche s o fL a V ega a nd H ozana . T he f i r s tp a s sag ei sd iv id ed b y al a rg e l im e s tone b l ock . a nd l e ad s i n to t h e v e s t ibu le , w h ich i sq u i te w id e a nd l e v e l , s oc ou ld b eu s ed a s ah ab i ta t . I nf a c tn owaday si t i so f t en o ccup ied b yt h e g oa t s o rh o r s e sg r az ing o nt h e s t e ep s l ope s b e low t h e c av e . B u t t h i s v e s t ibu le e nd s a b rup t ly a tt h e t o p o f ar amp d ropp ing a way i n to a n i mp r e s s iv e c hamb e r . f u l l o f l a rge b l ock s f a l len f r om

T h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion p rodu ced an ew m o r e a c cu ra te s u rvey i n1 975 , a nd d u r ing t h ec ou r se o ft h e i r e xp lo ra t ion t h ey f ound h uman b one s i n as ma l l l ow c hamb e r o f t h e p a s sag e b e low t h e e n t ran ce ( M i l l s 1 975 ) . T h ey r epo r ted t h e f i nd t o t h e Mu s eum i n S an tand e r , a nd t h e a r chaeo log i s t R . R incön c ame t o

t h e r o of a nd w a l l s . A t t h e b o t tom o f t h e r amp t h e c hamb e r s l ope s a way a ga in o n t h e r i gh t , d own t o a s ho r tp a ssage w h ich f i n i she sb e low t h ee n t rance . I nt h e

c o l le c t t h e b on e s . A l though h e n eve r p ubl i sh ed h i s s t udy o f t h em , t h ey a r e s t il i n t h e Mu seum a nd w e h av eb e en a b le t oe xam ine t h em r e cen t ly .

o ppo s i te d i rec t ion t h e c ave c on t inue s t h rough a s e r ie s o fc hamb e r s , u n t i l i td i v id e s a nd e nd s i nl a rg eb ou ld e r c hoke s . T he t o ta l l e ng th i so v e r5 30m .

S ome t ime l a te r m o r e b one s w e r e f ound b y C .A .E .A .P . , t h i st ime i nt h ef i r s tc hambe r . I n 1 999 t h e R ec en t P reh i s to ry o f Ma t ien zo P ro jec t d ec id ed t h a t i t w ou ld b e i mpo r tan tt oc o l le c tt h e s eb one sa sw el a st o c a r r y o u t a g ene ra l r e v i s ion o f t h e c ave , a s a c omp lem en ta r y s i t e t o S ima d e l D ien t e , wh ich w a s b e ing d ug a tt h e t ime . C on sequen t ly p e rm i s s ion w a s o b ta ined f r om t h eC ons e j er ia d e C u l tu ra yD epo r t e so f t h eC an tab r ian G over nm en tf o rt h i sp u rpo se . 2 . P o in t s o f A rchaeo log ica l I n ter e s t i n C ueva d e R a s cav ie ja T h e r e v i s ion o f t h e c av e i n 1 999 l o ca ted s e ve ra l d epo s i t so rp o in t so fi n t e re s t , a sl i s ted b e low . a )O no ne s i d eo ft h ev e s t ibu le c an b es e en w ha ta pp ea r t ob et h e r ema in so f aP a la eo l i th ic l a y e r . P ie ce so fb on e f r ac tu r ed a r t if ic ia l ly a r e v i s ib le w i th in a l a ye r o f f r e e ze thaw s ha t te red s t one s . T h i sc ou ld b ee v id enc eo f ah ab i ta t d epo s i t i nt h e v e s t ibu le , b u t i th a s n o t b een i n ve s t iga ted a nd , i na ny c a se , i t mu s t b e av e r y s mal a nd p oo rb ench o fs ed im en t . b ) Two p o s s ib le h ear th sa r el o ca ted n ea rt h eb a s eo ft h e r amp . T hey a r e a pp rox ima te ly c i rcu la r a r ea s o f c ha r coa l , a bou t 8 0 c m a nd 6 0cm i nd i ame te r . w i th a s ma l l n umb e ro fa n ima lb one s .

P lan o ft h ec ave P r ev iou s S t ud ie sc a r r ied o u ti nt h e C ave T he f i r s t k nown e xp lo ra t ion o f C u ev a d e R a scav ie ja w a s b y t h e S an tande r c l ub S .E .S .S .w hen t h ey w e r e s t udy ing t h e Ma t ien zo D ep r es s ion i nt h e e a r ly 1 960 s , a nd t h ey p ubl i sh ed a s k e tch s u rvey o f t h e c av e

c )As i ng le p o t she rd w a s f ound n ea r t h e c en t re o ft h e c hambe r , a mong t h e l ime s ton e b ou ld e r s c ove r ing t h e f l oo r .

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d )I n1 97 5 , L .M i l l sd i scov e r ed ah uman s k e le ton i na s ma l l c hamb e r i nt h e l owe s t p a r t o ft h e c av e . T h i s c hamb e r h a s b e en r e exam in ed , w i thou t m ak ing a n y n ew f i nd s o f h uman b one s . T h e c hamb e r i sa tt h e b o t tom o f as t e ep s l ope , wh i ch m a te r ia l m ay h av e s l ipp ed d own a td if e r en t t ime s . I tc on ta in s b on e s o f s m a l l s h e ep o rg oa t s ,a nd a l s o am o la ro f ac a ve h yena C r oc u ta s pe la ea h a sb e en f ound . e )T h e c en t r e o ft h e f i r s t c hamb e r c on ta in s b on e s o f m any a n ima l s , a si st ob e e xp e c t ed c ons id e r ing t h a t i t i sa tt h ef o o to f as t e ep r amp ,j u s ti n s id et h ee n t ran c e . Man y o f t h e s e m u s t b e m od e rn , b u t o t h e r s a r e m in e ra l i sed a nd c l ea r ly q u i te o ld S om eo ft h e s e ,f o und a mong t h eb ou ld e r sa nd s e d im en to nt h ef l oo rn ea rt h e s e c ond s k e le ton ,b e long t o ab ov in e a nd ab ea r . T he s e b on e sh av eb een e xam in ed i ns i t ua nd n os amp le sh av e b e en t a k en .

f )T h em a in o b je c t iv ei n1 999 w a st oc o l lec tt h eh uman b one s d i sco ve red b y C .A .E . AP . i nt h e f i r s t c hamb e r , t o d o cum en t t h e b u r ia l c o r r e c t l y a nd l o ok f o r o t he r m a t e r ia l w h i ch c ou ld h e lp t oe s tab l i sh i t s c on tex t o r a g e . T h e r ema in s w e r e l o ca ted i n al i m i t ed s p a ce , b e tw e en ( a nd b enea th ) al a rg eb l ock o fl i m es ton e a nd t h e e a s t w al o f t h e c hamb e r . A s qua r e g r id w a s t h e r e f o r e l a id o u t i n t h e s p a ce , c ov e r ing a n a r ea o f e i gh t s qua r e m e t re s . T he b on e s a nd t e e th w e r e g en e ra l ly f o und o n t h e s u rf ac e o f t h e c a v e f l oo r , a l though s om eo ft h em h ad b ecom ec ove red b y al i gh t c ov e r ing o fs e d im en t . T h i si so n ly a bou t 1 c mt h i ck ,a nd b e low t h a td ep th t h e c a ve f l oo r i sm ad e u p o fm o r e c ompa c t ed r o ck s a nd a ppa r en t ly s t e r i l e . A l l t h e m a t e r ia l o n t h e f l oo r w a s p ho tog raph ed a nd mapp ed b e f o r e b e ing g a th e r ed u p . B on e s w e r e f o und i n a l e i gh t s q ua r e s o f t h e g r id ,

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a l though t h ev a s tm a jo r i ty c am ef r om s qua r e sA l , A 2 , BI a nd C 2 . N on e o f t h em w e r e s e en t o b e i n a na tom ica l c om i e ct ion , a l though t h ey h ad n o t b een b ad ly d i sp e r sed . P rob ab ly a s as imp le r e su l to fg r av i ty , s om e o ft h e b on e s h ad s l ipp ed d own ag en t l e s l op e , w h i ch t o ok t h em u nd e r t h e l a rg e l im e s ton e b l o ck A s ma l l s amp le o fb on e w a s c ole c t ed f o r r a d ioca rbon d a t ing , b u tt h e r e su l t i ss t i l l n o ta va i lab l e .M an y s ma l l p i ec e s o fc ha r coa lw e r ef o und w i th t h eb on e s , a sw el a sf i v ep o t sh e rd s . Two o ft h e se c ame f r om t h eb a s e o f t h e c a v e w a l l ( n umb e r s 1 06 a nd 1 07 ) , a no the r t wo w e r ef o und i nt h em idd l eo ft h ec on cen t ra t ion o fb on e s t o g e th e r w i th a l a rg e p i ec e o fc h a r coa l ( No . 9 8 a nd 9 ) ,a nd t h el a s to n ew a so nt h es l op eb en ea th t h el a rg e b l o ck ( No . 10 ) .

h owev e r u n l ik e ly t h a t i th ad b e en r emoved f r om t h e c av ea ts om et ime b ya nu nknown p e r son . A sm o s to ft h eb on e sw e re f o und o nt h es u r f a c e o ft h e c ave f l oo r , w h i ch i sh a rd a nd b ou ld e ry a nd p r a c t ic a l l y i mpo s s ib l et od i g , i ts e em sp rob ab le t h a tt h eb od y h ad s imp ly b een l a id o n t h e c ave f l oo r , s e l e c t ing a n e n c lo sed s p ac e b e tw e en t h e b l o ck a nd t h e w al . T h i s s p a c e i se l onga ted , w i th a n a r ea o f a bou t 3s qua r e m e t r e s . I tm igh th av eb e en c l e a red o fa n yl o o se s t on e s o rb ou ld e r sb e f o r et h eb ody w a sd epo s i ted o nt h ef l oo r , f o l low ing t h e l o ng a x i s o f t h e s p a c e . T h i s t y p e o f b u r ia l i sk nown i no t he rc av e si n Ma t ien zo a nd t h er e s t o fC an tab r ia .

3T h e End s 3 . 1 H uman b one s At o ta l o f 1 24 h uman s k e le ta l r ema in sw e r e c o l le c ted f r om a r ea i n t h e f i r s t c hamb e r . T h ey w e r e m o s t ly w ho le b one s , w i th f ew f r a c tu r e s , a nd c am e f r om a l p a r t s o ft h e s k e l e ton , i n c lud ing t e e th a nd f r agmen t so f t h e s ku l l . T h e s t ud y c a r r ied o u t b y P ed ro R a s in e s c on c lud e st h a tt h ey c ou ld a l c om ef r om as i ng le y oung p e r son . T h e d ev e lopm en t o f t h e b on e s a nd t e e th s ugg e s t st h a tt h i sp e r son w ou ld h av eb e en a bou t 1 2o r 1 4 y ea r s o l d a tt h e m omen t o fd ea th . T he e p iphy s e s s h ow t h a t t h e p e r son h ad n o t c e a s ed g r ow ing a tt h e t im eo fd ea th . T h ea b sen ce o fs i gn if i can tp a r t s ,a nd t h ef r agm en ta t ion o ft h e s ku l l , i sa n o b s tac le t om o r e s p e c if i c s t ud ie s o r t h ec omp a r i son w i th o t h e rs k e le ton s . T og e the rw i th t h e y oung a g e o ft h e p e r son t h i s a l so m ak e i td if i cu l t t o d e t e rm in e t h e s e x . I tm u s t b e p o in ted o u t t h a t w h en t h i ss k e le ton w a sd i scove r ed b yC .A .E .A .P . t h ea lmo s t w ho l ej awbon ew a sp r e sen t , a nd w a sp ho tog r aph ed . I t c ou ld n o t b e f o und i n 1 999 , w i th t h e c on c lu s ion

I nb l ack t h eb one sr e cove r ed o ft h eb ur ia li nt h e c hambe r T h e s k e l e ton f o und b y L . M il s , a nd c ole c ted b y R . R incön , h a sr e c en t ly b e en r e exam ined A ss a id a b ove , t h i sw a sf o und i n as ma l lc hamb e ri nt h el owe s tp a r to f t h e c av e i n 1 975 . N o s t ud y o f t h e s am e w a s e v e r p ubl i sh ed , b u t t h e b one s a r e s t il i n t h e R eg iona l Mu seum o fA r cha eo log ya nd P r eh i s to r y ,a l though t h e y h ave a ppa ren t ly b e com e s e pa r a ted i n to t wo d i f f e r en t s e t s . H ow ev e rt h et wo d if e r en tg r oup so fm a te r ia l a r e c omp a t ib le , a nd t o g e the r m ak e u p t h e g r ea te r p a r t o f t h eb od y . T h eb on es i ze a nd s t ru c tu r es ugg e s tt h a tt h ey

D e ta i lo ft h ec u ti nt h ef emu re p iphy s is i nt h e s k e l e ton f ound i n1 975 . 10

C ueva d eR a scav ie ja

c om e f r om a n o l d e r y ou th , w ho h ad n o t r e ach ed f u l l m a tu r i ty . T h e s ku l l i s f r agm en t ed , b u t t h e j aw i s p r a c t ica l ly c omp le te a nd p a r t o f t h e m ax ila i s p r e s e rv ed t o o , a sw e l la ss e v e ra ll o o s et e e th . I ng en e ra l t h e s ea r ei ng ood c ond i t ion w i th l i t t le s i gn o fa b r a s ion i n t h e m o la r s . Mo s t o f t h e l o ng b one s a r e p r e sen t , i n c lud ing t wo f emo ra ,t wo t i b ia ea nd o ne f i bu la . T h e r e a r ea l so t wo c l av i c le s , a nd s e v e ra lv e r teb rae a nd r i b s ,a s c apu la a nd s a c rum co ccyx , a sw e l l a s an umb e r o f s ma l le r b one s . I t i s c u r iou s t h a t a ppa r en t ly n o a rmbon e s h av e b e en f o und , u n le s s t h ey a r e n ow i na t h i rd s e to fb on e st h a th a sn o tb e en e xam ined

r i tua l o rh av eb e en f o rm o r ep ra c t ic a l r e a son s , s u ch a s t o f i t t h e b od y i n ac on ta in e r o f s ome k i nd T h e a b sen ce o fa rm b on e sm igh ta l so b es i gn if i can ti nt h i s r e sp e c t . I ts hou ld b ea dd ed t h a tt h e r ei sn oe v id enc eo f w ha t ev e rc on ta in e rt h i sc ou ld h av eb e en , a nd n o o t h e r m a t e r ia l s h av e b e en f o und i nt h e s m al c hamb e r t h a t c ou ld s i tua t et h eb u r ia lw i th in a ni n t e rp r e tab le c on ta c t .

D e ta i lo fh uman b ones a sf ound i nt h ec ave T h e m o s t s t r ik ing f a c t a bou t t h e s e b on e s i st h a tb o th f emo ra o rt h ighb on e s h ad b e en c u tt h rough , a nd b o th p i e ce so fe a ch f emu ra r ec on s e r v ed I tc an b es e en t h a t t h e s e c u t sw e r e m ad e w i th as h a rp , h eavy i n s t rum en t , a so ne o ft h em i s ac l ean c u t 1 . 5cm l o ng , w h i ch m u s t h av e b e en d on e w i th a s i ng le b l ow , p rob ab ly w i th a m e ta l o b je c t . T h e s am e c l eanne s s o ft h e c u t s s ugg e s t s t h ey w e r e d on e w h en t h e b on e w a s s t i l l f r e sh , a s a n o l d e r b on e w ou ld h av e b een s p l in t e red mo r e b y t h e b l ow . B o th b one s w e r e d i s se c t ed a t mo r e o r l e s s t h e s am e h e igh t , a bou t 1 / 3 o ft h e i rl e ng th b e low t h e h e ad o rp rox ima l e nd o ft h e b on e . I tt h e r e f o r e s e em s t h a t b o th l e g sw e r e a mpu ta t ed j u s ta f t e r d ea th ; o rw a st h i s a c t t h e c a u s e o fd ea th? We h av e n o e xp lana t ion f o r w hy t h i ss h ou ld h ave b een d on e , a nd k now o fn oo t h e r c a s e e xa c t ly t h e s ame . I tc ou ld h av e f o rm ed p a r t o fa 11

3 . 2P o t tery I n 1 999 f o u r s ma l l p o t sh e rd s w e r e f o und w i th t h e b on e s i nt h e m a in c h amb e r . T h ey a l a pp ea r t oc om e f r om t h e s am e v e s s e l , a l though t h ey c ou ld n o t b e r e a s s emb led . T h ey a r e 7o r 8 nun t h i ck , a nd v a ry i n l e ng th b e twe en 2 8 a nd 3 4mm . T h e c l a y f a b r ic i s c omp a c t , t emp e r ed w i th s mal o rm ed ium s i z ed q ua r t z a nd c a l c i t e g r i t s . T h e s u r f ac e s w e r e s moo th ed w i th a s p a tu la , a l th ough o n e p i e ce h a s a n a lmo s t b u rn i shed f i n i sh i n i t s o u t e r f a ce . T h e v e s s e l w a s f i r ed i n a n o x id i s ing a tmo sph e r e ,p r odu c ing ag r e y i sh -b rown t o n e o nt h eo u t s id ea nd b l a ck o nt h ei n s id e . T h ec o r ei sa l so b l a ck T h e d i am e t e r o ft h ev e s s e l c an b e e s t ima t ed a s a bou t 2 0 o r2 4em , a nd t h ep r e sen ce o fs p a tu la m a rk s

C u eva d eR a scav ie ja

o ni t si n s id es ugg e s t st h a ti th ad a no p en f o rm , s u ch a s ab ow l .

3 . 3A n ima lb one s T h e m a in c hamb e r h a s n um e rou s b one s o fb ov ine s , s h e ep o r g oa t s , m o s t o f w h ich m u s t b e r e la t iv e ly m od er n . H ow eve r n o b one s o f t h e se s pe c ie s w e r e c ole c t ed w i th in t h ea r ea o ft h eb u r ia l . T h eo n ly f a una t h a t w a s c olec t ed c on s i s t ed o ff o u rb i rd 's b on e s , a nd o n e o f as ma l l m amma l , p rob ab ly a mu s t el id A n e gg sh e l l w a s s e en t o o . T h e p r e sen ce o f t h e se c an p r obab ly b e e xp la in ed b y t h e s po rad ic a c t iv i t y o f c a rn ivo rou s a n ima l s , w h ich m a y a l so b e r e spon s ib le i np a r tf o rt h ed i sp e r s ion o ft h eh uman r ema in s . I nf a c t , a mong t h e m a te r ia l c ole c ted b y R . R in cön i n 1 975 t h e r e i s r i gh t h em i -m and ib le o f a s mal c a rn ivo r ou sa n im a l ,p robab l y ac a t .

T he f o u r s h e rd s w e r e f o und w i th in ar a d iu s o fa bou t 5 0cm , a nd i n t h e s am e a r ea a s mo s t o ft h e h uman b on e s . I t t h e r e f o r e s e em s l i k e l y t h a t t h i s v e s s e l , p rob ab ly a s ma l l b ow l , w a s d epo s i t ed a s p a r t o ft h e b u r ia lr i t ua l .

3 . 4C har coa l F ragm en t so fc ha rcoa lw e r ec o l le c t ed i nt h ea r ea o ft h e b u r ia l , a l though t h e se h av e n o t y e t b e en s t ud ied t o e s tab l i sh w ha t k i nd o f w ood t h e y c ome f r om . T h e g r ea t e s tc on cen t r a t ion o ft h e s ef r agm en t sw a s i ns e c to r 5o fs q ua r e C 2 , w h e r e s e ve r a l r o ck s a ppe a red t oh av e b een a f e c t ed b yf i r e . T h i ss ugg e s t st h a t af i r ew a sl i ti n t h i s a r e a , n ex t t o t h e w al . H ow eve r , a s t h e c on c en t ra t ion o fc ha r coa l d o e s n o t c o inc id e w i th t h e p o s i t ion o fm o s t o ft h eh uman b one s , t h ey m ay n o tb e c on t empo ran eou s . A s n one o ft h e b on e s a r e b u rn t o r h ave b e en e xpo sed t o f i r e , t h ey a r e p rob ab l y i n d epend en tp h enom ena . O nt h eo t he rh and ,f ou rl a rg e p i ec e s o f c ha r coa l w e r e c olec t ed f r om among t h e h uman r ema in s .

4 cms

P o t t ery b a s ef ound i nt h ec en t r eo ft h ec hamber . T he f i f th f r agm en t f r om t h e s am e g en e ra l a r ea w a s a l i t t le f u r the r a way f r om t h e o t h e r s , b en ea th t h e l a rg e b l o ck o fl im e s ton e . I ti s aw a l L sh e rd , 8 m t h ick , w i th s moo th ed i n s id e a nd o u t s id e s u r f ac e s . T he c l ay f a b r i c i so f ap oo r e r q ua l i ty w i th m ed ium s i z ed c a lc i te a nd c e r am i c g r i t s . I tw a sf i red i no x id i s ing c ond i t ion s , a nd t h e o u t e rc o lou r i ss i enna , t h e i n n e r s i d e i sb l a ck a nd t h e c o r e i s a sh g r ey . C a rbon i sed o rg an i c m a t e r ia l a dh e r ed t ot h e i n ne r s i d e c ou ld b et h e r ema in s o ft h e v e s s e l 's c on t en t s . A g a in ,t h es i ze o rs h ap eo ft h ev e s s e l c anno t b e c a lcu la ted , a l though i tw a s p r ob ab ly l a rg e r t h an t h e p r ev iou s o n e . B o th v e s s e l s h ow ev e r c an b e d a t ed t e n ta t iv e ly i n t h e B ronze A g e , b a sed o n t h e c ha ra c t e r i s t ic so ft h ec l a yf a b r ic , c o lou ra nd t h i ckn e s s .

4 .R e su l t s T h e a r chaeo log ica l s t ud y o f C u eva d e R a scav ie ja i n 1 999 w a s a b l e t op ropo se a s e quenc e o f u se o ft h i s c av e , w h e r e m a te r ia l s h ad b een f o und i nt h e p a s tb u t n oi n f o rma t ion p ub l i sh ed .

A no th e rp o t t e ry f r agm en tw a sf o und , s e pa ra t ef r om t h e o t h e r si nt h e c en t r eo ft h ec hamb e r . I ti s ab a s e s h e rd , w i th as ma l l p a r t o ft h e l ow e r w al . T h eb a s e i s8 mm t h i ck ,a nd w ou ld b ea bou t9 . 5cm i nd i am e te r . T he w a l l i sa bou t 5 mn i t h ick . T h e o u t s id e w al w a s s moo th ed w i th as p a tu la . I tw a sf i r ed i n ar e du c ing a tmo sph e r e , a nd i ti sb l ack o n t h e o u t s id e a nd d a rk b rown o n t h e i n s id e . T h e f o o t o ft h e w al i sd e co ra t ed w i th v e r t ica l p a ra l l e ll i ne s , i n c i s ed i nt h ec l ay p o s s ib ly w i th ac omb . I ti sd i ff i cu l t t ok now w ha t k ind o fv e s s e l t h i s p i e c e c am ef r om , b u tt a k ing i n to a c coun ti t ss i z ea nd s h ap e , i tm ay b e as ma l lp o tw i th S shap ed p rof i l e , t y p ica l o f t h el a t eI r on A g e( Ru iz C obo 1 996 ) . T h i st y p eo fp o ti s o f t en f o und i n c av e s , s om e t im e s a s soc ia t ed w i th a c cumu la t ion s o fc ha r coa l o rc r ema t ed h uman b on e s ( Mo r lo t e &o t h e r s 1 9% ) .

T h e c av e w a s p robab ly f i r s t o c cup ied b y c a rn ivo rou s a n ima l s f o r t h ep u rpo se o fh i b e rna t ion . T he s c r a t ch e s o fc ave b ea r s a r e t ob e s e en o n t h e w a l l s o ft h e c a ve , a nd at o o th o f ah y ena h a sb een f o und . T h ef i r s te v id en ce o fh uman u s ei st h el a y e ro fa n ima l b one s a nd c ha rcoa l i nt h e e n t r an ce o ft h e c ave . T h i s o c cup a t ion w ou ld h ave b e en a ta n u nknown mom en t o f t h e U pp e r P a la eol i th ic , a nd m ay h ave b een v e r y s p o rad ic o rf o ro n ly as ho r t t im e , a st h e l a y e r i sq u i t e t h in . T hou sand so fy ea r sl a t e r ,p r obab ly i nt h ef i r s tc en tu r ie s o ft h es e cond m i l lenn ium BC , t wo b u r ia l sw e r ec a r r ied o u t i nt h e i n t e r io ro ft h ec av e . O n e o ft h eb od ie s , o fa p e r son b e twe en 1 2 a nd 1 4 y ea r s o ld w a s l e f t o n t h e s u r f a ce o f t h e c a ve f l oo r , i n a n e l onga t ed s p ac e b e tw een a l a rg e b l o ck a nd t h e e a s t w a l l o ft h e m a in 12

C ueva d eR a scav ie ja

w e h ave o ft h i s i st h e b a se o fs ma l l p o t . A t t h i s t ime c ave s w e re s om e t ime s u sed t od epo s i t t h e a she s o fa c r ema ted b od y . P e rhap s i tw a s t h en , o r a t am o r e r e cen t t ime . t h a t h ea r th s w e r e l i tn ea r t h e b a s e o ft h e e n t r an ce r amp .

c hamb e r . T he o n ly r emnan t s o f g r av e g ood s a r e t h e f r agmen t so f as ma l lu nd eco ra ted b ow la nd al a rge rp o t t h a tm ay h ave c on ta in ed s om ek ind o ff o od o ro f e r ing . We d o n o tk now w h e th e ri tw a s a tt h e s ame t im e o ra d if e r en t m omen t w hen a s ma l l f i r e w a s l i t i n t h e i mm ed ia t e a r ea o ft h eb u r ia l . B u tw e c an s uppo se t h a t t h e o c ca s iona l h uman o r a n ima l v i s i to r s t o t h e c av e e nd ed u p d i sp e r s ing t h e b on e s , s ot h a t t h ey l o s t t h e i r a na tom ica l c onn e c t ion a nd s l ipp ed b en ea th t h e b l ock

R e f er ence s F e rnänd ez

o fl ime s tone .

G u t iä r e z ,

J . C . ,

1 966 .

L a

D ep re s iön

C e r rada d e Ma t i enzo . C uad ernos E spe leo log ia N o .2 . S an t and e r .

T he s e cond b u r ia l t o ok p l a ce i n as ma l l s i de ch amb e r a tt h e d e epe s t p o in t o ft h e c hamb e r . N o g r av e g ood s h av e b een f ound a s soc ia ted w i th t h i s , b u t i th a s t h e u nu sua l c i rcum s tan ce s t h a t b o th l e g s w e r e a mpu ta ted b ef o re t h ep e r son , a l so a n a do le s cen t , w a sb u r ied . I ti s n o t e a sy t ok now t h e r e as on f o r t h i s s t range o r e ven

d e

M i l l s , L . , 1 975 . A rcha eo log ica lN o te s . Ma t ienzo 1 975 , p .3 9 . K enda l . Mo r lo te , J .M . &o t he r s , 1 996 . L a s c ueva s s epu lc ra le s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia . I n L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros , p p 1 95 -279 . F undac iön M . B o t in , S an tande r .

b ru ta la c t . C av e sw e r eo f t en u sed f o rb u r ia l s i nt h ef i r s t c en tur ie s o ft h eB ronze A g ei nt h eC an tab r ian r e g ion . T h er i tua l

P in to G a r r ido , A & A . B eg in e s R am i re z ,

u sua l ly i n vo lv ed s imp ly d epo s i t ing t h e b od ie s o n t h e c av e f l oo r , t o g e th e r w i th p o t t e ry a nd s ome t ime s w i th

1 966 .

H i s to r ia d e l a s E xp lo rac ion e s . C uad erno s d e E sp e leo log ia N o . 2 ,p p . 7-1 6 , S an tand e r .

s t on e o r m e ta l o b jec t s . T he f r equ en cy o f t h i s u s e o f c ave s a pp ea r s t od ec r ea se d u r ing t h e m idd le a nd l a t e p a r t s o ft h e B ron ze A g e , a l though s ome e xamp le s a r e k nown .

R u iz C obo , J .1 996 . L ac e räm ica d e l aE dad d e lH ie r ro e n e ls e c to rc en t ra l d e l aC o rn is a C an t äb r ica . I n L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros , p p 15 147 . F undac iön M .B o t in , S an tand e r .

N ea r ly t wo t hou sand y ea r s l a te r , i nt h e l a t e l i on A g e , t h e c ave w a s u s ed a ga in , a l though t h e o n ly e v id enc e

13

C ueva d eC of r e snedo 1I n troduc t ion s t r a igh t l i n e f o r n ea r ly 3 00m . I ti s av e ry i mp r e s s iv e c a ve , w i th m any l a rg e s t a lagm i t e s , a nd o t h e r c a l c i t e f o rma t ion s l i k e f l ow s tone a nd g ou r s . I tr e a c t s q u i ck ly t o r a in f al , p r obab ly b e cau s e o f t h e w e l l -d ev e lop ed l a p i az a bov e t h e c av e , a nd d r ip s s o on f i l l t h e g ou r -poo l s . B u ta p a r tf r om t h a tt h e c av ei sn o ta c t iv e , a nd h a s n o s t r eam . A l though i ti sb a s ica l ly as i ng l e l a rg e t unn e l , w i thou t a ny s i d e -p a s sag e s , t h e p a s sagewal sa r eb yn o m ean s s t r a igh t , a nd t h ey h av e n um e rou s a l cov e s o r s i d e chamb e r s , o c c a s iona l ly p a r t i t ioned f r om t h e m a in p a s sag e b y l a rg e s t a lagm i t e s . T h e s i d e chamb e r s a r e o f t en t h e l o ca t ion o ft h ea r cha eo log i ca ld epo s i t s .

C uev a d e C o f r e sn ed o i s l o ca t ed p r a c t i caly i n t h e g eog raph i ca l c en t r e o ft h e Ma t i enzo d ep r e s s ion , v e ry n ea rt h eb a r r io o fC ub ila s . I t se n t r anc ef a ce se a s t , o n t h es l op e so f Mon t eE lN a so , a t2 35m a bov e s e al e v e l a nd a bou t6 0m a bov et h ev a l ley f l oo r . T h ea r ea b e low t h e c av e i sc ov e r ed b y m ix ed f o r e s t , o fm a in ly h aze l a nd d ec iduou so ak ,t h rough w h ich t h ef o o tp a th c l imb s s t e ep ly t ot h ec a v e . B eyond t h i s m o r eo p en p a t ch , t h e h i l l s id e s c on s i s t o f s h a rp l i me s tone l a p iaz , w i th e v e rg r een o ak a nd h aw tho rn , a nd u nd e rg row th o f g o r se a nd b r amb le s . I ti s al a rg e e n t r anc e , a bou t 1 4m w id e , l e ad ing i n to a r o omy v e s t ibu l e o v e r 4 0m l o ng . T h e i n t e r io r p a s sag e i n c r ea se s i nh e igh t , a nd i tc on t inu e sm o r eo rl e s s i na

0

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15

B O i

C ueva d eC o f r e snedo

A r chaeo log i ca lr e s ea r ch i nt h ec av e

T h e m o s t r e c en t a r t ic l e s r e f e r r ing t ot h e c av e h av e b e en af u l la c coun to ft h e s c hema t ic -ab s t r a c tp a in t ing s ( Sm i th 1 998 ) ,a nd as i unma ry o fa lt h ea r cha eo log ica l r e sea r ch a nd c on ten t o ft h e c av e ( Ru iz C obo 1 999 ) . T h el a t t e rs t ud ya l so p r opo sed l i n e sf o rf u tu r er e sea r ch i n t h e c a v e , w h ich i n f a c t w a s u nd e r tak en b y t h e R e c en tP r eh i s to ry o f Ma t ienzo P ro jec ti n2 000 .

When t h e Ma t ienzo c av e s w e r e f i r s t e xp lo r ed b y t h e S an tand e r c l ub , S ecc iön d e E sp e l eo log ia d e l S em inar io S au t uo la , C ueva d e C of r e snedo s o on r e c e ived t h e i r a t t en t ion . T h ey s u rv ey ed t h e c av e , a nd h ad i tf i lm ed f o r an ew s r ee l d ocumen ta ry , a nd o n a n e a r ly v i s i t i n 1 963 o r 6 4 t h ey s aw t h a t i tc on ta ined l a rg e q uan t i t ie s o f p r eh i s to r i c p o t t e ry ( P in to a nd B eg ine s 1 966 ) . T h e f o l low ing y ea rt h e y c a r r i ed o u t a n umb e r o ft r i a l d i g s i nt h e v e s t ibu l e . T h e se w e r e a l l s t e r i le , e x cep t f o r o n e n ea r t h e e n t r an c e w h e r e t h ey f o und al a y e ro fb l ack e a r th w h ich t h ey t h ough tc ou ld b e t h e r ema in s o fa n o l d l e ve l o fh uman o c cupa t ion , " a l though t h e f i nd s i nt h i s m ound d o n o t c onf i rm i t f u l ly ." T h eq uo t ei st r an s la ted f r om t h e i rr e po r t ,w h i ch i sf a i r ly b r ie f , a nd c on c en t ra t e s o nt h e p o t t e ry , w h i ch w a s d a t ed i nt h e l a t e N eo l i th i c o re a r ly B ron z e A g e ( Beg in e s 1 9 66 ) . As mal n umbe ro fh uman b on e sw e r e s t ud ied t o o ( Ga r c ia C a rav e s 1 966 ) . U n f o r tuna t e ly t h e a u tho r s a r e n o t t o o e xpl i c i t w hen d e s c r ib ing t h e l o ca t ion so ft h ed if e r en tp o t t e ry a nd b on e s . T hu s ,t h ey s a y t h a t t h e p o t sh e rd s w e r e f o und d i sp e r s ed t h roughou t t h e c a ve a nd i n t h e m o s t u n l ik e ly l o ca t ion s , a l though t h eg r ea te s tc onc en t ra t ion w a si na l a rg e d r yl a k e " n ea rp o s i t ion Io ft h ec r o s s se c t ion I I ' o ft h ec av es u r v ey " . U n f o r tuna te ly t h es u r ve yh a ss om e e r ro r s , a nd t h e l a k e c anno t b e s i tua ted f o r c e r ta in . T he y s e em t ob e i n d ica t ing an umbe ro fp oo l s , w he r e n o e v id en c e o f s h e rd s c an b e s e en t o day , a nd i ti s s u rp r i s ing t h a t t h e i r g a th e r ing u p o fm a t e r ia l s h ou ld h av eb e en s oe xhau s t iv e . T he h uman b on e sc am ef r om t h e m idd l e p a r to ft h e G a le r ia P r in c ipa l a nd i ti st r u e t h a t m o re t e e th h a ve s i n ce b een f o und i nt h i s m a in l a rg ep a s sag e .

A s d e s c r ib ed a bov e , n ea r ly 4 0 y ea r s o fv i s i t s t ot h e c av e b y d if e r en t p eop l e h ad a c cumu la t ed a l a rg e c o l l e c t ion o f m a t e r ia l , i n c lud ing s ome q u i t e s p ec ta cu la r o b je c t s . B u t t h e o r ig ina l l o ca t ion i n t h e c ave o fm an yo ft h e se o b je c t sw a su nknown , a nd n on e o ft h ed ep o s i t sh ad b e en d ocumen ted c o r r ec t ly . O nt h e o t h e rh and , n one o ft h ed ep o s i t sw a s s t i l l i n ta c t ; a l o f t h em h ad b e en a l te red t o al e s se r o r g r ea t e r d eg r e e . T h e r e f o r e , t h e m a in o b je c t iv e o ft h e p r o jec t i n 2 000 w a s t od o cumen t t h e b e t t e r p r e s e rv ed o ft h e d epo s i t s a nd o b ta in m a t e r ia lf o ra b so lu t ed a t ing . T h i sw o rk w a s a u tho r i s ed a nd f i nan ced b yt h e C an tab r ian C ons e je r ia d e C u l tu ra , a nd t h e p r e l im ina ry r e su l t s a r ep re sen ted b e low . I ti sh op ed t ha tt h ew o rk w il c on t inu ei n2 00 1 . T h e d e s c r ip t ion o f t h i s c omp lex c av e c ou ld b e a pp roa ch ed i n d if e r en t w ay s : b y d e s c r ib ing t h e m a t e r ia l sa c co rd ing t ot h e i rt y pe , o rb yt h e i ra ge , o rb y t a k ing i n t u rn t h e d if e r en t d epo s i t s t h roughou t t h e c av e . H e r e w e s ha l l s umma r i s e o u r k now l edg e o ft h e c ave b e f o r e 2 000 , a nd t h en d e s c r ibe t h e w o rk c a r r ied o u t i n2 000 b y e xam in ing i nd e ta i l t h e v e s t ibu l e a nd f i r s t p a r t o ft h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l , w h e r e t h e p ro je c t c en t red i t sa t t en t ion si nt h a ty ea r . 2S tudy o f ma ter ia l sk nown b e f ore 2 000 2 . 1 Human r ema in s

T h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion , t o g e the r w i th C .A .E .A .P . , l o ca ted m o re p o t sh e rd s a nd h uman t e e th i n 1 980 -8 1 , a nd t h e y a l so f o und t h a t t h e c av e h ad a l a rg e g r oup o f b l a ck s ch ema t i c -ab s t ra c t p a in t ing s Mu f io z a nd Sm i th 1 981 ) . I nA ugu s t 1 9 82 , t h e C av ing E xped i t ion f o und ac ole c t ion o fi r on a r te f ac t s i nt h ec a v e , i n c lud ing ad agg e rt h a tc ou ld b ed a t ed i n t h e l a t e I r on A g e ( Sm i th 1 98 3 ) . I n s u cce ed ing y ea r s f u r the r f md s i n c lud ed a g l a s s b ead , a h uman m and ib le , a nd a r t e f ac t s i n c oppe r o r b ronze ( Sm i th 1 985 ) . S i nc et h en ,v i s i t st ot h ec av eh av ec on t inu ed t o m ak ef i nd s , s u ch a s ab ronze a r r owh ead , v a r iou si r on o b je c t s , a nd a t u bu l a r b on e b ead . T h e s e l a te r f i nd s w e r e a l d ep o s i t ed i n t h e Mu s eum o f P r eh i s to ry i n S an tand e r , b u t h av e n o t b e en p ub l i shed b e f o r e t h e p r e s en tr e p o r t . F ina l ly , a no b je c tm ad eo fb a sk e t ry h a s b een i d en t if i ed , c a lc i t ed t ot h ef l oo rn ea rt h ee nd o ft h e c av e , a nd P a la eol i th ic p a in t ing s i n r e d w e r e d i s cov e r ed b y C .A .E .A .P . , o n t h e r i gh t -hand w a l l i n s id et h ev e s t ibu le .

G a r c ia C ar av e s ( 1 966 ) c l a s s if i ed f i ve b one s f o und b y S .E .S .S . , a nd h e d e s c r ib e s t h e i r p o s i t ion a sb e ing i n t h e G a le r ia P r inc ip a l . T h i s m a te r ia l c on s i s t ed o ft e e th a nd f r agm en t s o f as ku l l a nd r i b s , a nd i nc onc lu s ion t h ey b e long ed t o am in imum o ft wo p eop l e , am a le a du l t a nd a y oung p e r son . T h e f i r s t o f t h e s e w a s i d en t if i ed b yt h eo r b i ta lr e g ion o ft h er i gh tf o r ehead o f w ha t w a s d e s cr ibed a s al a rg e a nd t h ick s ku l l . A p o r t ion o f am and ib le w a st h ough tt oc o r r e spond t ot h e y oung p e r son ,b ecau s eo fi t ss i ze . T h eB r i t i sh C av ing E xped i t ion a nd C .A .E .A .P . f o und m o r e t e e th a t d if e r en t p o in t s a l ong t h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l . S ome o f t h e s e o bv iou s ly b e long ed t o a n o l d e rp e r son , a st h ey w e r eb ad ly a b rad ed ,w h i le o t h e r s w e r ei n ab e t te rs t a te o fh ea l th . I nf a c tt h es am em o la r w a s i d en t if i ed t w i c e , s oa tl e a s t t wo p eop le h ad t ob e i n vo lved . F ina l l y , i nG a le r i a C ua t ro , J .C o r r in f o und a n a lmo s t c omp l e t ej aw , w i th s i x t e e th i np l a ce , a nd a no th e r s e ven t e e th a r ound i t( Sm i th 1 985 ) . I tw a s t h u s e s t ima ted , t a k ing i n to a c coun t a l t h e r ema in s 16

C ueva d eC o f r e sn edo

f o und i nt h e c a ve , t h a t am in imum o ft wo a du l t s a nd t wo j u v en i le sw e r ep r e s en t

f o r t h i s p o t i sr e p r e sen ted b y t h e p i e ce s C of . 3 a nd 3 5 ,w h e re t h ew a l lf o rm s as imp le a ng l ew i th t h eb a s e .

2 . 2P o t tery

4 . Many s h e rd s c o r r e spond ing t ol a rg e s t o rag e ur n s , c ha ra c t e r i sed b y al a ye r o ff i ng e r f lu t ed c l ay o n t h e l ow e rt h i rd o ft h e w al s , o rb ye l em en t s o fd e co ra t ion s u ch a sr a i sed b and sw i th f i ng e ro rn a i li mp r e s s ion . A t l e a s t f o u r ur n s mu s t b e p r e sen t . Two o ft h em ( Co f . 2 8 -29 a nd 3 0 ) h av e f i ng e r i mp r e s s ion s o n t h e l i p . A no th e r o n e , C of . 1 2 1 , h a s n a i l i mp r e s s ion s o n t h e l i p , a nd a s l igh t ly r a i s ed b and n ex t t o t h e r im , d e co ra t ed w i th f mg e r i mp r e s s ion s . I t s m ou th h a s a d i ame t e r o fa bou t 2 3cm . T h e r im s h e rd C of 10 i s s l igh t ly d if e r en t , w i th n a i li mp r e s s ion so nt h el i pa nd i nt wo r ow sb e low t h el i p . I tc om e sf r om al a rg e ru rn , w i th amou th 3 1cm i nd i am e t e r . T he b a se sb e long ing t ot h i s g r oup a r eb e tw een 1 5 a nd 2 2cm i nd i ame t e r . Two o ft h e s e , c ole c ted i n 1 980 , a r e k nown t oc om e f r om t h e S a la d e l a C o lumna a nd l a G a le r ia d e l B a lcön . T hey a r et h ick b a s e s ,w i th al a y e ro fc l ay o ve r t h ef i ng e r -f lu t ed s u r f a ce .

P r eh i s to r ic P o t t e ry L a rg e q uan t i t ie s o f p r eh i s to r i c p o t she rd s w e r e d epo s i t ed i n S an tand e r Mu seum o f P r eh i s to ry b y S . E .S .S . a nd t h e C av ing E xp ed i t ion , m o s t ly i n t h e 1 9 60 s a nd i n 1 9 81 . A t o ta l o f 7 42 f r agm en t s a r e k nown , a l though m o s t o ft h e s e a r e p l a in w a l l sh e rd s , a nd t h e o n ly s i gn if i can t p i e c e s r e a l ly a r e 1 6 d if e ren t r im s , 1 4 b a s e s a nd a l im i ted n umb e r o f d e co ra t ed s h e rd s . T he s e t h e re f o r e c om e f r om a m in imum n umbe r o f 1 6 v e s s e l s , w h ich h av e b een c l a s s i f ied i n f o u r g ene ra l g r oup s ( Ru iz C obo 1 999 ) . A s s t a t ed b e f o r e , S .E .S .S . g i v e l i t t le e xp l ic i t i n f o rm a t ion a bou t t h e l o ca t ion o ft h e p o t t e ry t h ey f o und , b u t w e h av e s e en t h a t d epo s i t s w i th p o t sh e rd s a r e f o und f r om t h e v e s t ibu le t o t h e e nd o f t h e c a v e . S om e 1 2 o r 1 3 s e p a ra t ed epo s i t sm u s te x i s t ,o fv a ry ing i mpo r tan c e . 1 .T h e m o s ta bundan tt y p e , o fw h i ch a tl e a s tt e np o t s c an b e i d en t if i ed . T h ey h av e ar o und ed b od y , w h i ch c u r v e si n to t h em ou th . T h ey a lw ay sh av e ar im w h ich i se ve r t ed o b l iqu e ly , u sua l ly f i n i sh ing i n af l a t l i p . T h ey a r e a lw ay s u nd e co r a ted , a nd t h e i r s u r f a ce i s s moo thed , s ome t im e s w i th as p a tu la , a nd s ome t im e s b r u sh ed o rc ombed . T h e f e e t o ft h e w a l l s a r eu sua l ly v e r t ica l o r s l igh t ly s p lay ed . T h ey a r e n o rma l ly f i ne ly t emp e r ed w i th c a lc i te o rm ica . T h e a v e rag e d i am e t e r o ft h em ou th i s1 9 .6cm ,a nd 1 3 .5cm t h eb a se . O n ly t h e b a s e n umb e r C , of . 1 07 i ss i gn if i can t ly s ma l le r , w i th a d i am e t e ro f6 cm . A st h e m o s tc ommon k i nd o fv e s s e l i nt h e c av e , e x amp le s a r ef o und i np r a c t ic a l ly a l t h e p a s sag e s a nd c hamb e r s . S o a l though w ed o n o tk now w he r e S .E .S .S . f o und t h e i r e xamp le s , m o r e s h e rd s h av eb e en l o ca t ed i n , f o r i n s tan c e : V e s t ibu le , G a le r ia C ua t ro , S a la d el aC o lumna , S a la d el o sP endan t sa nd S a la d e lL ago .

C ofresnedo I a 3

I L.

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S R X ray D iff i l ac t ion ( XRD ) p rof i l e s o ft w o p o t f ragmen t s ( Cof r e sned o 1& 3 ) . T he p rof i l es c l ea r ly i nd ica t e ad if e r ence b e tw een t h et wo m a t e r ia l s .

2 .As i ng le p o t , s im i la r i ns h ap e t ot y p e 1 ,b u t mu ch l a rg e r , a nd g en e r a l ly o f b e t t e r q ua l i t y . T h e r im i s a lmo s t v e r t i ca l , n o t e ve r ted , w i th ar o und ed l i p . T h e w a l l h a s av e r t ica l f o o t . H ow ev e r , t h e p r in c ip a l d if e r en c e i st h e s i ze . T he d i am e t e r o ft h e m ou th i s 3 0cm , o f t h e b a s e 2 2cm , a nd i t s h e igh t c an b e e s t ima ted a s4 9cm . Much o ft h i sv e s s e l w a s c o l le c t ed b y S .E .S .S .w i th n oi n f o rma t ion a bou ti t so r ig in ,b u ta l a rg e p o r t ion o f t h e r im w a s f o und b y t h e C av ing E xp ed i t ion i n 1 982 , a nd t h i s w a s i nt h e S a la d e l o s P endan t st o g e th e rw i th i r on o b je c t s .

T h e t e n v e s s e l s o ft h e f i r s t g r oup a r e ac ha ra c te r i s t ic t y pe i ne a s t e rn C , an tab r ia , a nd a r eu sua l ly r e la t ed w i th aw ho le e xamp le d i scov e r ed i nC uev a d e l aB r azada , i nR iba ,t h en ex tv i l lag et ot h es o u th o f Ma t i enzo . T h e v e s se l o ft h e s e cond g r oup i sr e a l ly av a r ian t o ft h i s t y p e , w i th am o r ev e r t ica l r im a nd s i gn if i can t ly l a rg e r i n s i ze . T h e se k ind s o f p o t t e ry a r e o f t en f o und i n b u r ia lc ave s( Mo r lo t e &o t h e r s 1 996 ,R u iz C obo 1 996 ) a nd a r eu sua l ly a t t r ibu t ed t ot h el a te I r on A g e . T h ef o u r th g r oup o fp o t t e ry ,t h el a rg es t o rag eu rn s ,a r e a no th e r c ha ra c te r i s t i c t y p e , a nd a r e s t ud ied i n a s e pa ra t e c hap t e r i nt h i s v o lum e . S he rd s o fa n u rn o f t h i s k ind w e r e c o l l e c t ed f r om t h e S a la d e l B loqu e i n 2 000 a nd d a ted b y t h e rmo lum ine s cen c e . T h e r e su l t

3 .T h i s i s as i ng le b uck e t shap ed v e s s e l , o fw h i ch w e h av e t h e m ou th a nd w al s . T he w a l l s a r e s t ra igh t , i n c l ined o u twa rd s , a bou t 8 mm t h i ck a nd s moo thed . T he m ou th i so pen , 2 1cm i nd i am e t e r . Ap o s s ib le b a s e 17

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T ab l e :S i gn if ican tp ieces o fpo t te ry c o l l ec ted b y SE . SS a nd i n1 980 -8 1 w a sa na ge o f1 970 BC . T he s e s h e rd s h ad f a l len f r om t h e h ighe rp a s sag e l aG a le r ia d e l B a lcön , wh e r e t h ey

p rof i le s w e re o b ta ined u s ing s yn ch ro t ron r ad ia t ion a low ing s mal d if e rence s i nt h e p eak p o s i t ion s t ob e d i s t ingu i shed . A s c an b e s e en i n t h e a c company ing p rof i le s , t h e m a te r ia l s w i th in t h e t wo f r agmen t s a r e

w e r ei na s soc ia t ion w i th h uman r ema in s . S amp le s o f p o t t e ry f r om C of r e snedo h av e b e en a na ly s ed b y X ray d if ra c t ion . S amp le C of re snedo 1 w a s as ma l lp i ece o ft h e ur ni nG a le r ia d e lB a lcön , a nd t h e r ef o r eo ft h e s am ev e s se l d a ted b yT L , a sd e sc r ibed

q u i te d i s t inc t , a nd t h ey a r ec l ea r ly m ad ef r om d i f f e r en t c l ay t y p e s o r h av e u nd e rgone s i gn if ican t ly d if e r en t p roce s s ing .

a bove . C o f r e snedo 3 w a s c olec ted f r om S a la d e l o s P endan t s , a nd w a s aw a l l she rd w h ich , f r om t h e a pp ea ran c e o fi t s f a b r ic , c o lou r a nd t h ickne s s , c an b e a s so c ia ted w i th t h e B razada typ e o f v e s se l . T he

I nt h i sc a s e , t h et wo s amp le sw e r e f r om d if e r en tp o t s , d a ted i nq u i te d if e r en t p e r iod s , a nd t h e r e su l t s o ft h e X ray d i f f rac t ion a r e wha t c ou ld b e e xpec ted H owev e r , t h e s es amp le s , wh ich c an a lmo s tb ec oun ted a s at r ia l , h ave s hown t h a t t h e a na ly se s a r ec apab le o f d i sc r im ina t ing d if e r en tp o t te ry t y pe s . C on sequen t ly i t i sh op ed t h a t i n t h e f u tu re t h i s t y p e o f t e s t s w i l l b e

a na ly se s w e re c a r r ied o u t a t D a r e sbu ry L abo ra to ry , t hank s t o t h e i n t e r e s t a nd e f o r t o f I an R o s s o f S he ff i e ld

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c on t inu ed , w i th mo r e s amp l e s f r om v a r iou s l o ca t ion s a nd o fd if e r ing a g e s , p o s s ib ly b u i ld ing u p s om ek ind o fr e g iona lo rs i t ed i s t r ibut ion m ap .

f r om t h e s e t h r ee m o r e o r l e s s i d en t i f iab le o b je c t s , a n umb e r o fs ma l l e rp i e ce s o fr u s ted i r on i n c luded o n e i n t h e s h ap e o f ar i ng o r h ook a nd o n e w i th a V shaped c r o s s s ec t ion . T he s em igh th av ef o rm ed p a r t o ft h ed agg e r 's s h ea th o rs u sp en s ion s y s t em .

Med ieva lP o t t e ry I n c on t ra s t w i th t h e a bundan c e a nd u b iqu i ty o ft h e p r eh i s to r ic p o t t e ry , o n ly o n es m a l lp i e c eo fp o t t e ry h a s b e en f o und t h a t c ou ld b e c l a s sed a s m ed ieva l . T h e s h e rd c om e sf r om t h el owe rw a l la nd p a r to ft h eb a s e , j u s t 6 cm i nd i am e t e r . I tw a s f o und o n t h e l e f t -hand s i d e o f t h e m a in p a s sag e , a bou t 10m f r om t h e e n t ran c e .

T h e o t h e r m e ta l o b je c t s t h a t h av e b e en p ub l i sh ed ( Sm i th 1 985 )a r et wo b r onz eo rc opp e ro b je c t s . O n eo f t h e s e w a s a l so f o und i nt h e S a la d e l o s P endan t s : a s t r ip o fm e ta la bou t0 . 5cm w id e ,b en ti nt h ef o rm o fa r i ng b e tw e en 1 . 3 a nd 1 . 5cm i n d i am e t e r . A s i ti s a ppa r en t ly t o os mal t of i to n af i ng e r , e xc ep tp e rhap s ac h i ld 's ,i ti st h ough tt h a ti tm igh th ave b e en p a r to fa n e ck lac e . T h e s e cond w a s f o und i n G a le r ia C ua t ro t o g e the rw i th t h eh uman r ema in s . I ti s as m al c opp e r " na i l " , 2 . 2cm l o ng a nd 2mm w id e , w i th a s qua r e c r o s s s ec t ion . S i nc e 1 985 m o r e m e ta l o b je c t s h ave b e en f o und , a nd w h ich w ea r ea b le t op ub l i sh f o rt h ef i r s tt im e . Mo s to f t h e s e w e r e d i s cov e r ed b y L . M i l l s , a nd d epo s i ted i n S an tand e r Mu s eum o fP r eh i s to ry i n t h e m id 1980 s . T he se a r e :

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1 .B ronze p l aqu e , 4 . 9cm l o ng a nd 2 . 6 cm w id e . T h i si s a no th e r i mpo r tan t o b je c t f r om S a la d e l o s P endan t s . O n e e nd o f t h e p l aqu e i ss qua r e a nd t h e o t he r i s r o und ed , a nd i th a st wo b ronze r i v e t s . T h e s q ua re p a r t i sd e co r a t ed w i th t w o i n c i sed r ow s o f i n t e r lock ing " S " shap e s , a nd o n eo ft h e r i ve t si sb e twe en t h e s et wo r ow s . A bov e t h e u pp e r r ow t h e r e i sa no th e r i n c i sed d e s ign i nt h e f o rm o f ak eyho le , a nd t h e s i d e s a nd r ound ed e nd a r e s im i la r ly d eco r a ted . O n t h e b ack o f t h ep l aqu et h e r i v e t s h ave s qua r e r e in f o r cemen t s , a nd t h e r e a r e r ema in s o f i r on r u s t . T h i s t y pe o fp l aqu e a ppa r en t ly a d o rned t h e i r on h ook s u s ed t os u spend a d agg e r s h ea th f r om ab e l t , a nd p a r a l l e l s h ave b e en f o und i nt h eS p an i sh Me se ta .

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Med ieva lP o t t e ry 2 . 3 Me ta lwork T he f i r s t m e ta l a r t e f a c t s t o b e f o und i n C ueva d e C o f r e sn edo w e r et h e i r on o b je c t sf o und b yt h eB r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion i n t h e S a la d e l o s P endan t s i n 1 9 82 . T he se w e r ea l lp ub l i shed ( Sm i th 1 983 ) , s oh e r e w e w i l l o n ly d e s c r ib e t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t ing a r t i c le s . C l ea r ly t h e m o s t i mpo r tan t i st h e b l ad e o f ad agg e r , 1 8 .4cm l o ng . A s t h e h i l t i sc omp le t e ly m i s s ing , a nd t h ed if e r en tk i nd so fd agg e r sa r eu sua l ly c l a s s if i ed b y t h eh i l t ,i ti so n ly p o s s ib le t os a yt h a tt h eg ene ra ls hap e o ft h eb l ad es e em st oc o r r e spond t ot h eb i g lobu la rt y p e o fd agg e r . T h e s e h ad ah i l t i nt h e f o rm o ft wo d i s c s o n e a bov et h e o t he r , a nd w e r e c ommon ly u s ed i nt h e N o r th e rn Me s e ta i n t h e 2 nd a nd i s t C en tu r ie s BC . T h e o t h e r s i gn if i can t o b je c t s f o und i n 1 982 w e r e a f e r ru le a nd a n a xe . T he f i r s t o ft h e se i s7 . 4cm l o ng , a l though i ti sn ow b en t , a nd p o s s ib ly c ame f r om t h e b a s e o f as mal j a ve l in . T h e a x e i s9 . 5cm l o ng a nd 7 . 7 cm w id e . I th a s ac u rv ed c r o s s se c t ion , s ot h a t i t l o ok s m o r e l i k e a na d ze t h an a n a x e , b u t w e s uppo se t h a ti th a sb e en b en ts om ehow a nd w a si nd eed a na x e , a s t h i s c o l l e c t ion o f o b jec t s s e em s t o c o r r e spond t o w eapon s r a th e r t h an t o o l s . Ar a th e r s im i la r a x e w a s f o und a t t h e P r e -Roman s i t e o f C e lada Ma r lan t e s , a l though t h i s o n e i s al i t t le s m ale r , a bou t 8 cm l o ng a nd 7 cm w id e( Ga r c ia G u in ea & R in cön 1 970 ) . A pa r t

2 .I r on n a i l . I ti sb en t ,b u ti sa bou t6 cm l o ng .A l though a l t e r ed b y r u s t , i tp o s s ib ly h ad as qua r e c r o s s se c t ion . F rom S a la d el o sP end an t s . 3 .B e l t p l aqu e ? A n i r on d i amond shap ed o b je c t , 9 cm l o ng a nd 5 . 5cm w id e . I th a st h r e e h o le si nl i n e a l ong i t sm a in a x i s .A l so f r om S a la d el o sP end an t s . 4 .I r on r i v e t -h ead o rb u t ton . I ti s mo r e o rl e s s r ound , 1 . 7cm i nd i ame t e r , a nd w i th as ho r t " t a i l " o ni t su nd e r s i d e . F rom S a la d el o sP endan t s . 5 .A na pp r ox ima te ly r e c tangu la rb l ock o fi r on , w ho s e m ea su r em en t s a r e a bou t 9x3 . 5 x2 cm . F ound a tt h e r e a r o f t h e v e s t ibu le , a t t h e s t a r t o f t h e G a l e r ia P r inc ipa l .

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1 22

C ueva d eC o f r e snedo

6 .B ronze a r rowh ead 3 . 9cm l o ng a nd 1 . 4cm w id e . T h e b a s e o ft h e t a ng i sr ound ed w h i l e t h eb a rb s a r e p o in t ed a nd a s ymm e t r ica l . I tw a sf o und a tt h eb ack o f t h e v e s t ibu l e , n ea r t h e l e f t -hand w a l l . T h i s w a s t h e s e cond b ron ze a r rowh ead t ob e f o und i n Ma t ienzo , a f t e rt h e e xamp le f r om C u eva d eC oqu i s e ra , w h ich i s i nf a c t o f aq u i t e d if e r en t s i z e a nd s h ape . S eve r a l o t h e r e xamp le s h ave b e en f o und i n C an tab r ia , a nd t h e y a r e n o rma l ly a s so c ia ted w i th l a t e C ha lco l i th ic f un e ra lc on t ex t s .

b ead s a r e k nown i n C an tab r ia ; f r om H ino jed o ( Suan c e s ) n ea r t h e c oa s t ( On ta f lön 1 9 95 ) , a nd t h e o t h e r f r om t h e i n d igenou s -R oman h i l lf o r t o fE sp ina d e l G a l l ego ( P e ra l ta p e r s . c omm . ) . I n t h e I b e r ian P en in su la ,t h i st y p eo fg l a s sb ead i su sua l ly a s so c ia ted w i th Med i t e r ran ean i n f luen ce s , a nd t h ey a r e c ommon i nP un i cs e t t lem en t sl i ke I b iza . Q u i t e al a rg ec o l lec t ion h a sb e en f o und i nw e s tc en t ra lS pa in ,i nV i l lanu ev ad e l aV e r a , i nC äc e r e s( J imin e zA v i la , 1 999 ) ,w h e r et h e y a r e c on s id e r ed a si mpo r t s , a nd a s so c ia ted w i th G r eek p o t te ry f o und a tt h es am es i t e . T h ey a r ed a t ed b e tw een t h e 5 t h C en tu ry a nd t h e s t a r t o ft h e 4 t h C en t tuy BC . H owev e r , a st h e y a r e a l so k nown i nB r i t i sh I r on A g e s i t e s s u ch a s Mea r e , w h e r et h e r ei sa l so e v id en ce t h a t t h ey w e r e m anu f ac tu r ed t h e d i s t r ibu t ion o f g l a s s b ead s mu s t b e m u ch w id e r b o th t empo ra l ly a nd g eog raph ica l ly . F o r t h i s r e a son , t h e e xamp le s f r om C an tab r ia n e ed n o t n ec e s sa r i ly h av e aMed i t e r ran e an o r ig in .

7 . B ead T h i s i sb a r r e l shap ed , 1 . 6 cm w id e i n t h e m idd le , a nd a bou t 1 . 2cm w id ea te a ch e nd I ti s2 . 2cm l o ng . I ti s m anu f a c tu red i n av e ry w el -p r e se rved s i l v e r i sh b r onze . I tw a s f o und a t t h e r e a r o f t h e v e s t ibu le , q u i t e n e a r t h e a r rowh ead . B ead s o f t h i s s h ap e a r e o f t en f o und a s g r av e g ood s a c company ing C h a lco l i t lü c b u r ia l s , a l though t h e y a r e n o rma l ly m anu f a c tu r ed f r om b on e ( A lda y R u iz 1 990 ) . T h e c l o s e s t p a ra l l e l t ot h i s e xamp l e f r om C o f r e sn edo w a s f o und i nC ueva d e l T a r r e rön , i n ac on tex t i n vo lv ing c h i ld r en 's b u r ia l s a nd al a rg e s t o rag e u rn ( Ap elan iz 1 97 3 ) . 8 .T he o t h e r m e ta l o b je c t w a s f o und d u r ing aj o in t v i s i tb y C .A .E .A .P . a nd t h eC av ing E xp ed i t ion . I tw a s f o und i n av e ry s mal a l cov e , i nt h eR ep i sa d e l B e lin , w h i ch i s aw id e l e dg e h igh a b ov e t h e G a le r ia F ina l . T h i sa l cov ei sa bov e ad i ff i cu l t2 mc l imb a tt h ee nd o f as ho r t s i d e -p a s sag e . T h e o b je c t c an p rob ab ly b e c l a s s i f ied a s ak i nd o ff e r ru le . I ti sb a s ica l ly i n t h e f o rm o fa ne l ong a ted c up ,0 . 9cm w id ea nd 2 . 5cm l o ng , a l though i t s l e ng th n a r row s i nt h e m idd le , w he r e i t h a s t wo p e r f o ra t ion s , t o 2 . 3cm . T he m e ta l i s l i gh t -co lou r ed a nd i tm ay b e s i l v e r , a l though i ti s s om ewha t o x id is ed . P r eh i s to r i c p o t sh e rd s w e r e f o und i nt h es am ea l c ove . 2 . 4B one A s i ng le b on e a r te f a c t h a s b e en f o und T h i s i sa t u bu la rb ead , 2 . 9cm l o ng , w i th am ax imum w id th o f 1 . 4cm . T he h o l eh a sa ni n t e rna ld i am e t e ro f8 cm . T h e b on e s u r f a c e h a s c l ea r ly b een s moo th ed a nd p o l i sh ed . I tw a sf o und i n as ma l l c on cen t r a t ion o fc ha r coa l a nd p o t t e ry , o n t h e r i gh t o ft h e G a l e r ia P r in c ip a l , a bou t 8 0m f r om t h ee n t r an c e .

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2 . 5G la s s T h e v e s t ibu le h ad a g oa t -pen i n u s e u n t i l q u i t e r e cen t ly , a nd i tc an b es uppo sed t h a tt h ec av eh a sb e en u s ed i n as im i la r w a y t h roughou t h i s to ry . I t i s t h e r e f o r e n o t s u rp r i s ing t h a t t h e r ema in s o fd om e s t i c a n ima l sc an b es e en i na l lp a r t so ft h ev e s t ibu l e . Mo s t o f t h e s e m u s t b e m od e rn , a l though t h e r e a r e c on c en t r a t ion so fb one sc ov e red w i th al a y e ro fc a lc i te . H ow ev e ra n ima lb on e s a r ea l so f o und i nm any p l a ce s i n s id et h ec av e , a nd s om eo ft h e s ec an b er e la t ed w i th

Ag l a s s b ead w a s f o und n ea rt h eb r on ze r i ng , i nt h e S a la d e l o s P endan t s . I ti s am o r e o r l e s s s phe r ica l b ead ,b e twe en 8a nd 1 0mm i nd i am e t e r ,m anu f a c tu r ed i nd a rk b l u eg l a s s . I ti sd e co ra t ed w i th s ma l l p a t t er n s o fc on c en t r i c c i r c le s o fw h ich t wo a r ew el p r e se r ved ; c on s i s t ing o f y elow a nd w h i t e c i r c le s r e sp e c t iv e ly . H ow eve r i tc an b e s e en t h a ti to r ig in a l ly h ad m o r eo f t h e s e c i r c le s , n ow e r od ed a w ay . O n ly t wo o t he r g l a s s 1 2 3

C ueva d eC of re sn edo

t h e p r eh i s to r ic d epo s i t s . U n f o r tuna t e ly t h ey h av e n o t b e en s t ud ied a ta l ,a nd t h eo n ly s p e c ie st h a th av eb e en i d en t if ied a r e ab ov in ea nd ag oa t .

" Y " shap ed s i gn , a nd av e r t ic a l g r oup o fw id e d o t s ( 1 0B ) . Al i t t le f u r the ro n , t h e r e i s as e r ie s o fd i agona l l i n e s a nd l a rg e d o t s ( n o . 1 5 ) m ak ing af i gu r e a bou t 2 3cm l o ng . I n2 000 as amp le w a st a k en o ft h i sf i gu r e t ob ed a t ed b y AMS . T h er e su l to b ta ined i s1 740 ± 8 0 B P . I ti sn e a r af i gu r e c ompo sed o fl i n e s c onv e rg ing o n a d o t , w h ich h a s t h e a pp ea ran c e o f a n a n th ropomo rph ( 1 6A ) .

2 . 7B a ske try T h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion h av e i d en t if i ed t h e r ema in so f ab a sk e tc a lc i t ed t ot h ef l oo rn ea rt h ee nd o f t h e c av e . I th a s u nf o r tuna te ly b e en d amag ed , s oi ti s n ow i mp o s s ib le t or e c on s t ru c ti t so r ig ina lf o rm . Wh en b r ok en a nd s p r ead o u t o v e r t h e c av e f l oo r i tw ou ld h av e c ove r ed a n a r ea o f a bou t 1 . 0 x0 . 75m . I t s s t ru c tu r e t h a t c an b e r e cogn i s ed c on s i s t s o f s t i ck s f o rm ing t h e " wa rp " , a bou t 8 nun t h ick a nd s p ac ed s om e 1 2 cm a pa r t , a nd m uch s l end e r e r " we f t " . T h e se a r ea b ou t 3o r4 nun t h i ck , a nd i tc an b es e en t h ey h ad ac i r cu la rc r o s s sec t ion , s ot h ey c ou ld h av eb e en s ome k ind o fr e ed .

T h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l e nd s i n al a rg e c hamb e r , a nd t h e f a r w al o ft h e c hamb e r h a s s e ve ra l p a in t ing s o f i n t e r e s t . T h ey i n c lud ea no th e rd i agona l l i n e ( 1 7 ) , a nd ac ompo s i t ion f o rm ed b yd o t ted l i n e sm ak ing a na ng le ( 2 0B ) . T h et o ta ls i z eo ft h el a t t e rf i gu r ei sa b ou t2 6cm . O th e r p a in t ing s o n t h e s ame w a l l a r e 1 8A a nd 1 9B . T h e n ex t c on c en t ra t ion o fp a in t ing s i si na nd a r ound t h e S a la d el o sP end an t s . S om eo ft h e s ec ompo s i t ion s , s u ch a s n umb e r 2 5A , a r e b a sed o n v e r t i ca l l i n e s , w h e r ea s o t h e r s a r e g r oup s o fd o t s ( 2 2C a nd 3 0A ) . A

D e ta i lo ft h eb a sk e t w a l lw i th ac ov e r ing o fc a l c i t ei sd eco ra t ed w i th m any s ma l ld o t s( 2 8B ) .

2 . 8S chema t ic -ab s tra c tP a in t ing s C uev a d e C o f r e sn edo h a s al a rg e n umb e r o f b l a ck s c hema t i c -ab s t ra c t p a in t ing s , a nd r e p rodu c t ion s o f t h em a l a r e a va i lab le i n S m i th 1 998 . T h e f o l low ing d e sc r ip t ion w i l l t h e r e f o r e o n ly r e f e r t o s om e o f t h e m o r ei n te r e s t ing o rc l ea r e s tf i gu r e s . T h ef i r s tp a in t ing s a r e f o und i nt h e i n te r io r o ft h e c av e , w i th in t h e d a rk z on e , n ea r as ma l l o x -bow i nt h e r i gh t -hand w a l l o f t h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l ( numb e r s 1 ,3 , 5a nd 8 ) . Al i t t le f u r the r a l ong t h e s am e w a l l t h e r e a r e as e r ie s o fd o t s f o rm ing ad i agona ll i ne a bou t2 0cm l o ng ( 9B ) , al a rg e

Af ew s ma l l p a in t ing s a r e f o und o n t h e r i gh t -hand w a l li nt h eG a le r ia F i na l , a nd m o r ee xamp l e sd e co ra t e t wo s t a lagm i t e s a nd t h e c av e w a l l o n t h e R ep i sa d e l B e len ( n umb e r 4 0A ) . I ti sc u r iou s t h a t m o r e s ma l l m a rk sa r ef o und a tt h et o po ft h ed i ff icu l tc l imb t ot h e a l cov ew h e r e af e r ru le a nd p o t t e ry w e r ef o und .

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T he l e f t -hand w a l l h a s f a r f ew e r p a in t ing s . S ome o f t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t ing e xamp le s a r e i n t h e S a la d e l B loque , e s pe c ia l ly a s i nuou s h o r i zon ta l l i n e o n t h e e dg eo f al im e s ton eb l o ck ( 4 3A ) . Ap o r t ion o f ah uman m ax i l la h a sb een f o und a tt h eb a s eo ft h es am eb l o ck . T h e w a l l o ft h i s c hamb e r h a s av e r t i ca l l i n e ( 4 4B ) a bou t 8 cm h i gh . F ina l ly , af ew s ma l le r m a rk s a r e f o und i n al ow a l cove t ot h eS a la d el aC o lu rnna .

T h e o t h e rp o s s ib ly P a la eo l i th i c f i gu re i nt h e c ave i sa r e d d o t i nt h e i n t e r io r o ft h e c av e . I ti so n t h e r i gh t h and w a l l o ft h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l , a bou t 7 5m f r om t h ee nt r an ce . I ti sp a in ted w i th b r igh tr e dp i gm en t ,a nd i sa bou t3 . 5cm i nd i am e t e r .

T he s e p a in t ing s a r e d i s cu s sed f u r th e r i n ac hap t e r d ed ica t ed t os c h ema t i c ab s t ra c ta r ti n Ma t ienzo . 2 . 9P a laeo l i th i cP a in t ing s C u eva d e C o f r e snedo h a s as ma l l g r oup o f r e d p a in t ing s , l o ca t ed i n t h e v e s t ibu le a nd t h e G a le r ia P r in c ipa l , d i s cov e r ed af ew y ea r s a go b y C .AE .A .P . T h e m a in g r oup i so n t h e r i gh t -hand w a l l o f t h e v e s t ibu le a nd , a l though t h ey a r e n o t d i r ec t ly w i th in s un l igh t ,t h ey c an a lmo s tb es e en b yn a tu ra ll i gh t . T h e f r i e ze o fw a l lw i th t h ep a in t ing si sa b ou t 6m l o ng . A l l t h e p a in t ing s a r e r e d , b u t t h ey a pp ea r t o h av e b e en w a sh ed b y t h e m o i s tu re o rc ond en sa t ion o n t h e w al , a nd t h e p i gm en t h a s o n ly b e en c on se rved i n s ma l l n a tu r a l f i s su r e s i nt h e r o ck s u r f a ce . A s ar e su l t n o f i gu r e s c an b e r e cogn i s ed f o r c e r ta in , a l though t h e p i gm en ti sc onc en t r a ted i ns i xg r oup si nd if e r en tp o r t s o ft h ew al .

P a la eo l i t h ic P a in t ing s

T h e b e s t -p r e s e rv ed g r oup o fp a in t i st h e f i r s t o n e o n t h e r i gh t , a nd i ti sa l so i nt h e m o s tp r o t ec t ed p o s i t ion f r om t h e e n t ran c e . I t h a s t h e f o rm o f al o ng q uad r i la t e r a l s i gn , w i th c u rv ed t o p a nd b o t tom l i ne s . T h e r i gh t s i d e i sp r o long ed u pwa rd s s l igh t ly . I ti s a bou t6 0cm l o ng .T ot h el e f t af ew r ema in so fp i gmen t c an b es e en b en e a th as ma l lo v e rhang .T h et h i rd g r oup f o rm s av e r t ic a ll i n e ,a bou t2 0cm l o ng .

' I N

F u r the rt ot h el e f tr e dp igm en tc an b es e en c ov e r ing a w id e a r ea , a l though n o p a r t icu la r f i gu r e c an b e i d en t if i ed . T h i si st h eh igh e s tg r oup o fp a in t , a bou t 2m a bov e t h e p r e s en t c ave f l oo r . H ow eve r t h e o r ig ina l f l oo r m ay h av e b e en u p t o 5 0cm h i gh e r t h an t h e p r e s en t o n e , a st h e l owe r p a r t o ft h e w a l l i ss t a in ed w i th e a r th . T h i s i s ap o s s ib il i ty t h a t n eed s t o b e c on t ra s ted w i th t h e s t ra t ig r aphy i n t h e v e s t ibu le , w h ich i n c lud e s t h e l i k e l ihood t h a t e a r th h a s b e en e x t ra c ted f r om t h ec av e( s e eb e low ) . T h el a rg e s tg roup o fp a in t i s al i t t l e f u r th e rt ot h e l e f t a ga in . I ti s1 . 3m l o ng , a nd t a k e s t h ef o rm o ff o u r o rf i v e w id ev e r t ica l s t r ip s . B u t i ti sp o s s ib le t h a tt h e s e s t r ip e s a r eo n ly t h e p a r t s t h a t a r e l e f t o f al a rg e f i gu r e p a in ted w i th r e d c o lou r -wa sh . T h e l a s t g roup o f p a in t c on s i s t s o f a s e r ie s o f r e d d o t s , wh ich m igh t r e p r e s en t t h e c e rv ic a l -do r sa l l i n e a nd p a r t o f t h e h ead o f a n u n id en t if iab le a n ima l .

C opy o ft h ep a in t ing i nt h ep ho to a bove I t i s c l ea r t h a t t h e p a in t ing s d o n o t g i v e much i n f o rma t ion , a l though t h ey a r e i n f a c t p e r f e c t ly c ompa rab le w i th o t h e r r e d p a in t ing s i n t h e A sön v a l ley . T h i s k i nd o fp a in t ing , n o rma l ly d a t ed i nt h e S o lu t r ean p e r iod , i sd i s cu s sed f u r th e r i n as e pa ra t e c hap t e r a bou t a l t h e c av e s w i th P a laeo l i th ic a r t i n Ma t ien zo .

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s t ra t ig r aphy i n t h e v e s t ibu le . T h i s h ad b ec om e e s p e c ia l ly i mp o r tan ts i n c et h ed i scov e ry o fP a la eo l i th i c r o ck a r t t h e r e . A no th e rt wo p o in t s i nt h ev e s t ibu le t o r e ce ive a t t en t ion w e r e a mound o n t h e l e f t o f t h e e n t r anc e ( S ec to r V O ) , a nd a r i f t a tt h e b a ck o ft h e r i g h t -hand w a l l .

3T he A r chaeo log ica lP ro je c t ,2 000 3 . 1 O b jec t iv e s B e f o r e b eg inn ing a ny n ew r e sea r ch i nC o f r e sn edo , i t w a sc l ea rt h a tt h ec av eh ad m a t e r ia l o fd if e r en tt y pe s a nd a g e , b u t n on e o ft h i s w a s c onf i rmed b y a b so lu te d a t ing . T h e f i r s t a im o ft h e p r o je c t w a s t h e r e f o r e t o o b ta in s amp le s f o r d a t ing , a nd t h e s e i n c lud ed t wo s amp le so fp o t t e ry t ob ed a ted b yt h e rmo lum in e sc enc e : 1 ,s h e rd so f al a rg eu rn f r om t h e S a la d e lB loque , a nd 2 ,s h e rd sf r om t h eS a la d el aC o lumna ,b e long ing t oa B raz . ada typ e o f v e s s e l . F u r th e rmo r e , s amp l e s o f a s c h ema t ic ab s t ra c t p a in t ing i n t h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l a nd ah uman b on ef r om G a lena C ua t ro w e r et a k en f o r AMS r a d ioca rbon d a t ing .

Af i na la im w a st oe x t ra c ts om el a rg ep i e ce so fp o t t e ry t h a t h ad b e en s e en c ov e r ed b y c a lc i t e i nt h e S a la d e l L ago . T h e se w e r e u nd e r w a te r d u r ing mu ch o f t h e y ea r , e x cep t d u r ing p e r iod s o f p a r t icu la r ly d r y w e a th e r .s ot h e i rc on s er va t ion w a s ap r io r i t y . 3 . 2S e c tor V O T h i s s e c to ri sl o ca t ed i nt h ee n t ran ce o ft h e c av e ,j u s t i n s id e t h e p o r ch . I tc on s i s t s o f as e r i e s o f s e d im en t l a ye r s , b e twe en l a y e r s o fc a lc i t e f l ow s ton e , f o rm ing a s mal m ound o n t h e s o u th e rn s i d e o ft h e v e s t ibu le . T h i s a r ea , l i k e m o s t o ft h e v e s t ibu l e , h a s b e en b ad l y a f e c ted b y m o r e r e cen t h uman u se o ft h e c a ve a nd a n ima lp en s . T h ef olow ing a s s e s smen to ft h es e c to ri s b a sed o n av i sua la n a ly s i sa nd b yc l ean ing t h es e c t ion , b u tn od i gw a sc a r r ied o u th e r ei n2 000 .

As e cond o b je c t ive w a s t od ocumen t ad epo s i t i n s id e t h e c a v e b y e xcava t ing i ts y s tema t ica l ly , a nd f o r t h i s t h eG a le r ia C ua t ro , as ma l ls i d e -p a s sag et ot h eG a le r ia P r in c ipa l , w a s c ho s en . Ah uman j aw a nd t e e th , a nd a c opp e rn a i l ,h ad b e en f o und t h e r ei nt h ep a s t . I nt h i rd p l ac e , i tw a st h ough tn ec e s sa ry t oe xam in et h e v e s t ibu le t h o rough ly . A l though S .E .S .S . h ad n o t l o ca t ed al a y e ro fh uman o ccupa t ion , w e c a r r i ed o u ta t r ia l d i g ( S e c to r V 1 ) i n o rd e r t o e s t ab l i sh t h e

A tt h et o po ft h es e quen ce , a bou to n em e t r e a bov et h e p r e s en t f l oo r , t h e re i s al a ye r 1 5 -20 cm t h i ck , w i th

G ene ra lp lan o fv e s t ibu l e

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a bundan ts h el so ft h el a nd s n a i lC epa ea n emo ra l i s . I t

e r od ed b y as t r eam , m a in ly b e cau se t h et r en ch h a s n o o u t l e t , a nd t h e r e i sn o s i gn o f t h e s e d imen t b e ing r e -d epo s i ted f u r th e ri n s id e t h e c ave . T he a r ea c ho sen f o ro u re x cava t ion w a si nt h eu nd i s tu rbed s e d imen t , i n t h e w e s t er n w a l l o f t h e t r ench . T h e f o low ing s t ra t ig raphy i n t h e e xc ava t ion a nd t h e s u r round ing a r ea o ft h ec en t r eo ft h ev e s t ibu le w a sd i sc ove r ed .

a l s o c on ta in s f r agmen ted a n ima l b on e s a nd p i e ce s o f c ha r coa l . T h e o n ly i d en t if iab l e f a una l r ema in t h a t i s v i s ib le i sp i e ce o fg oa t m ax i l la , w h ich i sq u i t e l a rg e a nd p robab ly c om e s f r om aw i ld a n im a l . T h i s f e r t i le l a y e r i se xpo sed o v e r al e ng th o fn ea r ly o ne m e t r e i n t h em ound , a nd i so v e r al a y e r o fc a l ca reou s s i l tw i th l im e s ton eb l ock s ,w h ich i nt u rn i so v e r at h i ck l a y e ro f c l a y w i th s t on e s a t i t s t o p . A l l t h i s s equen c e d i p s s l igh t l yt owa rd st h ei n te r io ro ft h ev e s t ibu le .

0 . Mod e rn l a ye r , f o rm ed b y g oa t e x c r e ta , d u s t a nd l im e s ton e r o ck s . I t a l so i n c lud e s s om e b on e s o f p r eh i s to r i c a pp ea ran ce a nd a f ew f l in t s . T h i s l a ye r c ov e r s mu ch o ft h e v e s t ibu le , f r om t h e e n t ran c e t oa d i s tan c eo f2 5 30m i n s id et h ec av e .

As im i la rl a y e rc an b es e en o nt h eo ppo s i t es i d eo ft h e e n t ran ce . L ik e t h e f i r s t o n e , i tc on ta in s s h el s o f C epaea n emora l is , w i th in am o r eo rl e s sc omp a c tb ed o f g r ey i sh c o lou r ed e a r th . I ta l so d i p s n o t ic eab ly t owa rd s t h e i n t e r io r , b u t t h e t h i ckne s s o f t h e l a y e r c anno tb ee s t ima t ed a si th a sn o tb e en d eg e i th e r .

1 . Med ium a nd s ma l l s ized l im e s ton e r o ck s w i th in a f i n e l a y e r o f c a l c i t e . T h i s i s c em en t ed o n ly s up e rf i c ia l ly , a nd n o t t o o c ompa c t . I ti sf ound i n c e r ta in p o in t s o ft h ev e s t ibu le , a nd i ta pp ea r s t ob e a s e conda ry d epo s i t , o f m a t e r ia l r emoved f r om t h e c en t ra l d i t ch . F ragm en t s o f b on e s , o f a n o l d a pp ea r an ce , a nd af ew f l in t s a r e p r e s en t . I th a s o n ly b e come c em en ted w h e r et h e r ea r ed r ip so fw a t e r .

T h e p r e s en c e o f as h e l l m idd en w i th C epa ea i nt h e v e s t ibu le i n d ica te s t h a t C u ev a d e C o f re snedo w a s o c cup ied i nt h e Me so l i th ic . As im i la rd epo s i tw a sd ug i nC ub io R edondo , i nL a V eg a , a nd d a ted t ot h e 6 t h a nd 5 t hM i l lenn ium BC .

N ive l 1

N ive l2 N ive l 3 N ive l4 . 1 N ive l4 .2

N ive l4 .3 .

S ec t ion S qua r eE -25 , W es ts i d e 2 .T h in l a ye r o fc l ay . I nm any p a r t s o ft h e v e s t ibu le , t h e l o o s e s t on e s a nd m od e rn m a t e r ia l ( Lay e r 0 ) i s l o ca t ed d i r ec t ly o nt o po ft h i sl a y e r , w h i ch i st h e r e f o r e t h e f i r s t c on sol ida ted l a y e r i nt h e v e s t ibu l e . I ts l ope s s l igh t ly t owa rd s t h e i n t e r io r o ft h e c av e . T h e c l ay i s b r own , a nd s t e r i le , w i th a q u i t e h omog en eou s t h i ckn e s so fa bou t5 cm .

3 . 3S ec tor V 1 S t r a t ig raphy A na r ea o fo n es q ua re m e t r ew a sd ug i nt h i ss e c to r , i n t h e c en t r e r igh t o f t h e v e s t ibu l e . A w id e t r en ch o r c hann e l a bou t 3 0 -40cm d e ep t a k e s u p mu ch o f t h e c en t re o ft h ev e s t ibu le . I ti st h ough tt h a tt h i s h a sb e en m ad e b y v i l lag e r s e x t ra c t ing e a r th f r om t h e c av e a t s om et im ei nt h ep a s t . T h e r ei sn oe v id en c eo fi tb e ing

3 .L ay e ro fc a l c i t eo fv a ry ing t h ickne s s . A ti t st o p ,i ti s f o rm ed o fq u i t el o o s e , c o ra l l ik ec a l c i t e ,w h ich i sm o r e 1 27

C ueva d eC o f r e sn edo

c on sol ida ted b e low , f o rm ing ah a rd b l o ck a bou t 2 cm t h ick . T h et o ta lt h ickne s so ft h el a ye rv a r ie sb e tw e en 2 a nd 8 cm .

p r ob ab ly r e la ted w i th t h eu se o ft h ee n t ran ce f o rs he ep o rg oa tp en s ,a na c t iv i t yt h a tc on t inued e v en i nt h el a s t d e cad e .

4 . T h re el a ye r s , c ov e r ing d if e r en ts u r f ac ea r ea s , h av e b e en d i s t ingu i shed w i th in t h i ss t ra t ig raph ic u n i t .

S t ud yo ft h es e d im en tc ompon en t si nS e c to rV 1 At o ta lo f2 600 i t em sw e r ec o l l e c ted f r om t h et r ia ld i g c a r r ied o u t i n S e c to r V 1 i n 2 000 . H oweve r t h e d if e r en t l a ye r sv a r ied g r ea t ly i nt h e n umb e ro fi t em s t h ey p r ov id ed , a nd m o r e t h an h a l f o ft h e se c am e i n f a c t f r om L ay e r 4 . 3 . T h i s p r e l im ina ry s t ud y a na ly se s t h e n umb e r o fi t em s f r om e a ch l a ye r , c l a s s if i ed i n to a n ima l b on e s , s ma l l m amma l b on e s , c ha r coa l a nd l i t h ic t o o l s . F o re a ch o ft h e s et h em ean f r equ en cy a nd s t anda rd d ev ia t ion w e r e c a lcu la ted , t a k ing i n to a c coun t t h e n umb e r o f o b s e rva t ion s m ad e f o r e a ch l a y e r .

4 . 1 C la y . Ac on sol ida ted a nd h um id l a y e ro fp u r ec l a y , i n c lud ing s om eb on ef r agmen t s . 4 . 2 C a lc i t e . I nt h et r an s i t ion f r om l a y e r4 . 1 i ti n c lud e s af ew l im e s tone r o ck s , a nd a l so b one s w i th in t h e c a lc i t e . I t s t h ickn e s s v a r ie s b e tw e en 3 a nd 1 0 cm . I t t h in s o u t n ea r t h e e n t ran ce , wh i le i no t he r p l a ce s i t b ecom e s t h ick e r , a s i fi tf o rm ed a n i regu la r g ou r f l oo r . 4 . 3 I np l ac e st h et e x tu r eo ft h i sl a ye rh a sm o r ec l ay , o r c an b el o o se r . I t st h ickne s s i su nknown ,b u ti sg r ea t e r t h an 1 5 cm . I th a s a bundan t l im e s ton e b l ock s , a nd i s r i ch i na n ima lb on e s ,f l in t sa nd c ha r coa l .

L a ye r 4 . 3 i ss e en t oh av e t h e h igh e s t f r equ enc ie s o f f a un a l r ema in s a nd l i th i c t o o l s , b u t a l so t h e h igh e s t n umbe r o f s ma l l m amma l b on e s . T h e f r agmen t s o f a n ima l b on e s a r e q u i t e l a rg e . T h i s l a y e r c ou ld r e p r e sen t as e conda ry n üdden ,o fm a te r ia ld epo s i t ed i n ah ab i ta t a r e a i n a no th e r p a r t o ft h e v e s t ibu le . I ti s i n t e r e s t ing t h a t i th a s l i t t le c ha r coa l , w h ich o n ly a pp ea r sa s af ew l a rg ef r agm en t s .

T he s t ra t ig raphy i nt h ev e s t ibu le h a s s uf e r ed s e v e r a l a l t e ra t ion s , w h ich a l so h av e t ob e t a k en i n to a c coun t . A s m en t ion ed a bove , L ay e r 2i si nm an y p l a ce s t h e f i r s t c on so l ida ted l a y e r i n t h e c av e . Mo r e r e cen t m a t e r ia l s i nt h e v e s t ibu le t e nd t oa pp ea r a ga in s t t h e w al s , a nd e sp e c ia l ly i nt h er i f tV 3 ,w h e r eB ronze a nd I r on A g e p o t t e ry a nd d ome s t ic a n ima l b on e s h av e L ayer N o . 1 2 3 4 . 1 4 . 2 4 . 3

Ob s 5 1 0 4 1 5 5 4

F auna Mean 5 1 .1 2 4 .6 2 . 0 3 7 .5 6 1 .4 2 00 .2

Mo s t o f t h e b on e s c o l le c t ed i n l a ye r 4 . 2 a r e p i ece s f r om t h e t o p o f l a y e r 4 . 3 t h a t w e r e t r app ed i n t h e Sma l l mamma l s Mean 0 . 6 2 . 0 1 . 5 7 . 1 0 . 2 8 . 0

C har coa l Mean 0 . 8 0 0 . 2 1 . 5 0 . 2 0

L i th ic t o o l s Mean 2 . 0 0 . 6 0 0 . 8 0 . 7 5 . 6

T ab l e : T he n umbe ro fo bs er va t ions m ad e o fe ach l a y er , w i t h t h em ean f r equency a nd s t anda rd d e v ia t ion o ft h e i t em si ne a ch l a y e r . c a lc i te w h en t h i s n ex t l a ye r w a s f o rm ed . I ti sl i k e ly t h a tt h ec av ew a su n inhab i t ed d u r ing t h ef o rma t ion o f t h ef l ow s tone a nd g ou rp oo l st h a tm ak eu pt h i sl a y e r .

b een c o l l e c t ed . I tt h e r e f o r es e em sa si ft h ef l oo ro ft h e v e s t ibu l ew a sc l eaned u pa ts om ep o in t ,p o s s ib ly i nt h e M idd le A ge s a s m ed i eva l p o t te ry h a s b e en f o und i n t h ec av e .

T h ec av ew a sp r ob ab ly o c cup i ed a ga in w hen l a y e r4 . 1 f o rm ed . T h e f r equ en cy o fa n im a l b on e s a nd c ha r coa l i sm od e ra t e ly h i gh , a nd t h e b on e s a r e f r a c tu r ed i n to s male rf r agm en t s . T h i sc ou ld b e ap r ima ry m i ck l en o f a n o c cupa t ion i n ad if e r en tp a r t o ft h e c av e . L ay e r 3 i n t u rn r e p r e s en t s a no th e r t im e w h en t h e c av e w a s a b andoned .

T he l a rg e t r en ch a c ro s s t h e m idd le o ft h e v e s t ibu le w a s p r obab ly d ug b y t h ev ilag e r s t oe x t r ac t c l ay a nd s i l t t of e r t i l i se t h e i r f i e ld s . T h i s i s af a i r ly c ommon p ra c t i s e , k nown f o r o t h e r c av e s i nC an tab r ia . A t t h e s am e t im e , t h e b ou ld e r s a nd p i e ce s o f c a lc i t e t h ey f o und w ou ld h av eb e en t h rown t oo n es i d e ,e xp la in ing i np a r tt h es c a t t e red m a te r ia l sf o rm ing o u rL aye r1 .

A f ew s h e l l f r agm en t s i n d i ca t e t h a t w h en l a y e r 2 f o rm ed , t h e v e s t ibu l e mu s t h av e b een o c cup ied T h e a n ima l b one s a r e h i gh ly f r a c tu r ed a nd s e em t oh av e b e en d i sp e r sed a nd e xpo s ed d u r ing ap e r iod o ft ime .

A no th e ra l te ra t ion h a sb e en t h ep a r t ia lr emova lo ft h e l a y e r s o f f l ow s ton e a nd s e d im en t c on ta in ing t h e Me so l i th i c s h el m idd en i n S ec to r V O . T h i s a c t w a s

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P e rhap s t h i s m a t e r ia l c an b e a s s o c ia t ed w i th t h e s h e l l -m idd en a tt h ee n t r an ce ( S e c t o rV O ) . L aye r 1i sa s e conda ry d epo s i t , c r ea t ed b y t h e e x t ra c t ion o fe a r th f r om t h e t r en ch i nt h e c en t r e o ft h e v e s t ibu l e . T he f r equ en cy o f b on e s a nd l i t h ic i mp lemen t s i s m od e ra t e ly h igh .F u r th e rmo r e ,t h eb on e sa r eg ene ra l ly i nl a rg ep i e ce s , p e rhap sb e cau s et h e s ew e r et h ep i e c e s t h a tc ou ld b es e en a nd r emoved f r om t h ee a r th w h en i t w a sd ug o u to ft h et r en ch .

3 . 4T he V e s t ibu le R i f t( S ec tor V 3 ) T he r i gh t -hand w a l lo ft h ev e s t ibu le f o rm sa na lmo s t s t ra igh t e a s tt ow e s tl i ne i ni t ss e c t ion w he r et h er e d p a in t ing s a r e l o ca ted . B u t t owa rd s t h e b ack o ft h e v e s t ibu le i te n t e r s ah igh a nd n a r row r i f t , s e pa ra t ed f r om t h e r e s t o ft h e c hamb e r . I ni t s f i r s tf ew m e t r e s t h e r i f t i sa bou t 5 0cm w id e , a l though i ti so p en a t f l oo rl e v e l , a nd t h e r e f o r ec onne c ted d i r ec t ly w i th t h e v e s t ibu le c hamb e r . I tt h en w id en s t o o v e r am e t r e w id e , b u tt h e l a s tf ou rm e t r e so ft h e r i f ta r eb e tw een t wo s o l id w a l l s o f r o ck , a bou t 6 0cm a pa r t . I n t h i s l a s t s e c t ion o f t h e r i f t al a rg e n umb e r o fb ou ld e r s h av ea c cumu la ted , t o ad ep th o fn ea r ly 9 0cm .

T h e f r agm en ta t ion o f t h e m amm a l b on e s w a s c a lcu la t ed a st h ei n v e r se o ft h em ean s i ze o ft h eb on e s i ne a ch l a ye r , t h e m ean s i z e b e ing t h et o ta l l e ng th o f t h ei t em si nt h a tl a y e rd i v ided b yt h en umb e ro fi t em s . T h ef r agmen ta t ion o ft h eb one s d o e s n o tv a ry g r ea t ly t h r oughou t t h e s e qu en c e , b u t a s m en t ion ed a l r ead y , t h e b on e s i n L a y e r s 4 . 1 a nd 2 a r e t h e m o s t f r agm en ted ,a nd t h o s ei nL aye r 1t h el e a s t . L ayer

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t h e r im a nd t h e s hou ld e r s i sq u i te r ounded . T h e l i p i sf l a t , b u to b l ique , s qua r ew i th t h ew a l l s o ft h er im . I ta pp ea r s t oh av e b e en f o rmed w hen t h e c l ay w a s

c on s i s ted ( o r a pp ea red t o c on s i s t ) o f t wo p o t te ry t y p e s ; o n e o fw h ich w a s at y p ica l B r azada typ e p o t , a nd t h e o t he r w a s r ep r e sen ted b y ar im s he rd w i th i n c i s ion s . I n2 000 w e h oped t oc o l le c t m o r e p o t te ry f r agmen t s , a nd p e rhap s u nd e r s tand t h e r e a son w hy t h ey h ad b een d epo s i ted i nt h er i f t .

s t i l lq u i t es o f t , a nd t h ep r e s su r ed own o nt h er im h a s p rodu ced s ma l l b u lg e s o nt h e o u te rw a l l , j u s tb e low t h e l i p . T h e d i ame te r o ft h e m ou th i s2 0 c m . T h e i nne r s u r f a ce s how s m any i r r egu la r i t ie s , a nd a c ha ra c te r i s t ic v e ry f i ne b ru sh ing . T h e c o lou r o ft h e w a l l s v a r ie s f r om b l a ck t ol i gh tb rown , b u tt h e c o r e s e em s t ob e c on s i s ten t ly d a rk , w i th m ed ium s ized c a lc i te p a r t ic le s .

E x cava t ion 2 000 T he s qua r e g r id e s tab l i shed i n t h e v e s t ibu le w a s e x tend ed a s f a r a s t h e r i f t , a nd f ou r s qua r e m e t r e s w e re c ho s en f o r t h e s t ud y ( E36 -39 ) . T he s qua r e s E 36 a nd 3 7 a r e i nt h e w id e r p a r t o ft h e r i f t , w h ich h ad a n a lmo s t l e v e l c l ay f l oo r , a f t e r an umb e r o f s t one s h ad b een r emoved . T he f u r the r s qua r e s c o r re spond ed t o t h e p i le o f s t one s a nd b ou ld e r s f i l l ing t h ee nd o ft h er i f t .

3 .At h i rd p o t o ft h e B r azada t y p e . I ti sq u i te l a rg e ; t h e m ou th i s2 4cm i n d i ame te r , a nd t h e w a l l a nd f a b r ic h av e as t rong a pp ea rance . T h e r im i s3 cm h igh a nd h a s ar ound ed , a lmo s tb eve l led l i p . T h i s i s o ne o ft h e f e a tu re s d i s t ingu i sh ing i tf r om t h e f i r s t v e s s e l . I ti sa l so mu ch d a rk e r i n i t s s u r f ac e c o lou r , a l though i td oe s h ave as im i la r r e dd i sh l a y e r i nt h e c o r e ,j u s tb e low t h e o u te r s u r f a ce . T he o u t s id ew a l l s a r es moo th , a l though s how ing m a rk s o ft h ep re s su r e u sed t of i x t h e r im t ot h e s hou ld e r , w h i le t h e i n s id e w a l l sw e r eb ru shed .

I tw a s s e en t h a t t h e r e w e r e p i t s , a bou t 1 5 18 c m d e ep , i nt h ef l oo ro fe ach o ft h et wo s qua re sE 36 a nd 3 7 . T he se a r e o va l i ns hap e , a bou t 7 0 o r8 0cm l o ng a nd 4 0 o r 6 0cm w id e , a nd h ave b een d ug t h rough t h ef i ne c a lc i te l a y e r ( Laye r 1i nS ec to rV I) a nd t h e c l a y o fL aye r 2 ,a sf a r a st h e t o p o fL aye r 3 .T he se p i t s p rov ided s e d imen t w h ich w a s d ug a nd s i eved o u t s id e t h e c av e . Apa r t f r om t h i s , a l l t h e o t he r m a te r ia l s w e r e c o l lec ted f r om a mong t h e s t one s , a s t h e b ou ld e r p i le w a s s l ow ly d i smoun ted . T h e se m a te r ia l s w e r e p o t she rd s a se xp ec ted , b u t a bove a l l , l a rg e a moun t s o f d ome s t ic f a una l r ema in s . I n t h e e nd t h e e x cava t ion w a s a bandoned , a st h e o b jec t ive o f o b ta in ing n ew e xamp le s o f p o t t e ry h ad b een a ch ieved , a nd a t t h e s am e t ime w e h ad a l a rg e q uan t i ty o fa n ima lb on e st h a tc ou ld n o tb e n eg le c ted b u t wh ich o f f e r ed l i t t le i n f o rma t ion o f i n te r e s t . I t c an b e s uppo sed t h a t mo re m a te r ia l s e x i s t b enea th t h e s t one p i le t h a tw a s l ef tu n touched , a l though f ew s h e rd s w e r e v i s ib le . I n t o ta l s ome 8 6 s he rd s w e r e c o l le c ted , a nd o v e r 1 30 b on e s , a s w e l l a s as ma l le r n umbe ro fd i v e r se o b je c t s , a sd e sc r ibed b e low .

4 .T h r e es h e rd sc o r re spond ing t oa nu rn who se w a l l s s l op ei nwa rd st ot h em ou th , a bou t2 2cm i nd i ame te r . T h e w a l l s a r e 8 9nun t h ick . T he r e a r e t h r e e r a i sed b and sa b ou t 1 . 5 , 3 . 5 a nd 7 cm b e low t h er ound ed l i p , a l though t h e se a r en o tc on t inuou sa l la r ound t h ep o t . T h e f i r s t o n e i s c l ea r ly s e en t o b eg in o n t h e p r e se r ved f r agmen t , b u t t h e o t he r t wo s e em t o g e t mu ch l e s sp ronoun ced o nt h e r i gh t o ft h ef r agmen t , a nd i n f a c t t h e l owe r b and a ppea r s t o d i sapp ea r a l tog e th e r . T he c o r e i sb l ack , ap rodu c t o fr educ ing f i r ing , a nd f ew g r i t sa r ev i s ib le . 5 .Ar im s h e rd f ound i n 1 980 , o f w h ich n o mo r e p i e c e s h av e b e en l o ca ted . I tw a s p ub l i shed b e f o r e ( Sm i th 1 980 ) , b u t w i thou t a d raw ing o n t h a t o c ca s ion . T h ed i am e t e ro ft h e m ou th i sa bou t2 3cm . T he l i p i sf l a t , o b l ique , a nd i sw id e r t h an t h e w a l l s ( a bou t 1 5 a nd 8mm r e sp e c t ive ly ) . I ti sd e co ra ted w i th p e rp end icu la r l i ne s a bou t l cm a pa r t . Mo r e i n c i sed l i n e s a r e s e en o n t h e o u te r w a l l o ft h e r im , j u s t b e low t h e l i p , b u t u n f o r tuna te ly mu ch o f t h e s u r f ace h a sb een b rok en o fo re r oded . T he w id en ing o ft h e l i p h a s l e f t ad i s t in c t g roove a r ound t h e i nne r f a ce o ft h er im .

P o t t e r y 1 .S eve ra l s h e rd s o f ar im a bou t 2 4cm i nd i am e te r . T he r im i so b l ique , o r e ve r ted , a nd i sa bou t 3 . 3cm h igh . T he l i po ft h e r im i sf l a t , c u th o r izon ta l ly , a nd t h e r im f o rm s ad i s t inc t a ng le w i th t h e s hou ld e r s o f t h e p o t . I ti s , t h e r e f o r e , ac l ea r e xamp le o f t h e B r azada p o t te ry t y p e . I ti sl i gh tb rown , w i th r e dd i sh a nd b rown l a y e r s i n t h e c o re . O ne o f i t s d i s t ingu i sh ing c ha rac te r i s t ic s i s as e r ie s o fc omb ed h o r izon ta l l i n e s o n t h e i n ne r s i d e o f t h e r im . F ragmen t s o f t h i s p o t w e r e f ound i n 1 980 , a nd f u r th e rp i ec e sw e r er e cove r ed i n2 000 .

6 10 . T h e se a r es i ng le r im s h e rd s ,t o os ma l lf o rt h e i r d i am e t e r t o b e m ea su r ed w i th a n y d eg r ee o f a c cu racy . Numb e r s 6a nd 7 b e long t o t wo b ow l s haped v e s se l s , o f wh ich t h e l a t te r i st h e l a rg e r a nd s t ronge r . N umb e r 8i s av e r y s ma l l p i ec e , w i th a w id e f l a t r im t h a t a pp ea r s t o h ave f i nge r t ip i mp r e s s ion s . N umb e r 9s e em s t o c om e f r om a w e l l -mad e v e s se l , w i th a h igh q ua l i ty b u rn i shed s u r f a ce . T he w a l l i sa bou t 6 nun t h ick a tt h e r im ,

2 . A no the r p o t wh ich c an b e i n c lud ed w i th in t h e B ra zad a g r oup a s t h e r im i s e ve r ted . I t i s n o t , h oweve r , c omp le t e ly t y p ica l , a st h ej unc t ion b e tween 1 30

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w h ich i s a pp rox ima te ly v e r t ica l . B e low t h i s , t h e w a l l st h ick en t oa bou t 9mm a st h ey c u rv e o u twa rd s . T he v e s se l t h e r e f o r e a ppea r s t o h ave a n a pp rox ima t e ly b o t t le shap ed p rof i le . T he l a s t s h e rd c ou ld b e f r om aB r azada t y p e o fp o t , b u t i th a s a n u nu sua l ly c r y s ta l l ine f a b r ic .

T h e u pp e r p a r t o ft h e o u t e r w a l l s i sc ove r ed w i th a l a ye r o f c l ay , a l so w i th a n i r r egu la r s u r f a ce a nd f i nge r i mp r e s s ion s . A t ad i s tance o f a bou t 3 . 5cm b e low t h er im t h ew a l ls u r f a ce b ecom e ss moo th . 1 8 . C o l le c t ed a ga in s t t h e l e f t -hand w a l l , j u s t i n s id e t h e e n t ran ce o ft h e c av e . T h i s i s at y p ica l r im o fa B r azada v e s se l a bou t2 2cm i nd i ame t e r . T he e v e r ted r im i s2 . 5cm h igh , a nd h a s ah o r izon ta ll i p .

1 . Ab a sa l s h e rd , w i th ad i am e t e r o f 1 2 .5cm . T h i s c ou ld b e long t o aB r azada t y p e o f p o t . T he c l ay f a b r ic i sb rown . w h i le t h e i nne r s u r f a ce i sd a rk e r . I t h a s av e r t ica l f o o t , a nd t h e i n t e r io r w a l l -ba s e j un c t ion i sn o t iceab ly a ngu la r .

1 9 . T h i sw a s a l so f o und o n t h e l e f th and s i d e o ft h e c hamb e r , b u t n ea r e r t h e b a ck . I tw a s o n ap i le o f s t on e s , t o g e the r w i th aq ue rn f r agmen t . B e cau se o f i t s e v e r ted r im , i tc ou ld b e i n c lud ed w i th in t h e B r azada f am i ly o fp o t s , b u tt h i si s as p ec im en mu ch l a rg e r t h an u sua l . T he d i am e t e r o f t h e m ou th i s a bou t 3 5cm . T h e h e igh t o ft h e r im i s5 . 5cm , a nd i t h a s amax imum t h ickne s s o f1 3mm . I nt h es hou ld e r o ft h e p o t t h e t h ickne s s i sr edu ced t o6 -7nun . T he l i p o ft h e r im i sm o r e o r l e s s f l a t , s qua re w i th t h e r im w a l l s .

1 2 . B a sa l s h e rd s t h a t c ou ld , f r om t h e i r g en e ra l a pp ea ran ce a nd s i ze , c o r r e spond t ot h e r im n umb e r 1 .T h ey h ave a r e dd i sh -b rown s u r f a ce , w h i le t h e f a b r ic i sd a rk e r , a nd h a s m ed ium s i zed g r i t s . T h e d i ame te r o f t h e b a se i s 1 8 .5cm . I t h a s a n a pp rox ima te ly v e r t ica lf o o t , a nd t h ei n te r io rj unc t ion b e tw een t h ew a l li sb a se i sc u rv ed . 1 3 . T he t h i rd b a se o fw h ich a ny k i nd o fa s se s smen t o f s i ze o r s h ap e c ou ld b e m ad e ( o the r s ma l le r f r agm en t s w e r e f ound ) . I t s d i am e te r i s1 .5cm , a nd t h eb a se i sc l ea r ly " cu sh ioned " ; t h ick e ri nt h ec en t r e t h an a tt h ef o o to ft h ew a l l . T he c o r eh a st wo l a y e r s ; t h e o u te r o ne r e dd i sh -b rown a nd t h e i nne r o n e b l ack . T h i s p i e c e i sl i k e ly t ob e long t oa n u rn t yp e v e s se l .

A n ima lb one s Mo r e t h an 1 30 b on e s w e r e c o l le c ted . T he se i n c lud e t h ej aw o f ac ow a nd s e v en s ep a ra t e c ow m o la r s , a p o r t ion o f ap i gj aw a nd t u sk , a nd p a r to f as he ep o r g oa t s ku l l i na n e x t r em e ly f r ag i le c ond i t ion . S o t h e t h r e e m o s ti mpo r tan td ome s t ic s p ec ie sw e r ep r e sen t . F ew o t he r s o ft h eb on e s h av eb een i d en t if ied s of a r . I n g en e ra l t h ey w e r e f r agmen ted , a nd s e v e ra l s how c l ea rs i gn so fh av ing b e en c u t . S ome o t he rb on e sa r e p robab ly o f ah en o ro t he rk ind o fd om e s t ic p ou l t ry .

1 4 . Two f r agm en t s o f al a rg e , t h ick -wa l led v e s s e l . T he o u te rw a l l i sr e dd i sh -b rown , w h i le t h e c o r e a nd i n n e r s u r f a ce a r e b l a ck . T h e p i e ce s h ad f r ac tu r ed t h rough ap e r f o ra t ion i nt h ew a l l . T h i s i so ne o ft h e f ew d e ta i l s w o r thy o f m en t ion t o b e f ound . T h e B r azada t y p eo fv e s s e l sa r eu sua l ly p l a in , a nd s ot h e v a s t m a jo r i ty o fs h e rd s c o l le c t ed a r e l a ck ing i na ny f o rm o f d eco ra t ion a pa r t f r om t h e b ru shed o r c omb ed s u r f a ce s . Af ew s mal s h e rd s , p robab ly f r om u rn s , h av e al a ye ro ff i ng e r f lu ted c l ay o nt h e i ro u t e r s u r f a ce .

O th e rf i nd s T he o t he r i t em s f o und i n t h e r i f t i n c lud e s ma l le r o b je c t s f r om t h e s e d im en t f i ll ing t h e t wo p i t s i n s qua re s E 36 a nd E 37 . A pa r t f r om c ha r coa l f r agmen t s a nd a f ew s ma l l m amma l r ema in s , t wo f l in t f l ak e s w e r e f o und . O n e o ft h e se , f r om S qua r e E 36 i si n m a t t g r ey f l in t , w i th as i ze o f 1 8 x1 2 x 4 . 5 inm , a nd a s ma l le r o n e f r om E 37 i si n s h iny b l ack f l in t , a nd m ea su r e s 1 3 x6x 3 nun . S i xp i ec e s o f s and s tone w e r e f o und ( t wo o f t h em a r e i n f a c t f r agm en t s o ft h e s ame s t one ) m o s t ly o n t h e s u r f a ce o ft h ef l oo r i nE 36 -7 . T hey a r e i nt h ef o rm o fs ma l l p l aqu e s , t h e l a rg e s tb e ing 7x5 cm i ns i ze , w i th f l a t s u r f ac e s , a nd t h ey v a ry b e tw een 1 a nd 3 cm i n t h ickne s s . T h e s e a r e a ppa ren t ly n o t n a tu ra l t o t h e c av e a nd mu s th ave b e en i n t rodu ced d e l ib e ra te ly f o r s om e u nknown p u rpo se ; a l though n o s i gn s o ft h e i r u s e c an b e s e en . S eve ra l p i e ce s o f w ood w e r e c o l le c t ed f r om t h ep i le o fs t one si nS qua r e sE 38 a nd 3 9 . T he l a rg e s ti s 1cm l o ng , a nd t h e y a r ea l lp a r t ly c ha r red .

1 5 . Ap i e ce w i th al u g , wh ich i ss omewha t u nu sua l a s i ti sd i v id ed i n to t wo . C ou ld t h i s b e s imp ly a m anu f a c tu r ing d e f e c t ? I n 1 981 a no th e r p i ece w a s f o und w i th a s i ng le r ound l u g , s t and ing 1 3nun p roud o ft h es u r f a ce . 1 6 . A l so i n 1 981 , t wo w a l l s h e rd s w e r e f ound w i th f i nge rna i l i mp r e s s ion s . I n t h e c a s e o f t h e e xamp le i lu s t ra ted ,t h e se o n ly d e co ra t ep a r to ft h es u r f ace . 1 7 . R im s he rd sh ave b e en f ound i no t he rp a r t so ft h e v e s t ibu le , a nd t h i s p i e ce w a s c o l le c t ed i n 1 981 f r om a ga in s t t h e r i gh t h and w a l l a t t h e b ack o f t h e c hamb e r ; t h e r e f o r ev e ry n ea rt ot h e r i f t . T he mou th h a s ad i am e t e r o f 2 0cm , a nd t h e l i p o f t h e r im i s v e ry i r r egu la r , d i v id ed u p b y f i ng e r t ip i mp r e s s ion s . 1 3 1

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A t p r e s en tw e h ave n oc on c lu s ive p roo fi nf a vou ro f a ny o ft h e se p o s s ib le e xp lana t ion s . I n s t ead w e c an m en t ion s om e o f t h e e v id en ce s uppo r t ing e a ch o f t h em ,w i th t h e i rd r awba ck s .

W i thou td oub tt h e m o s t i n t e r e s t ing a r t e f ac tf ound i n t h es t on ep i le w a s af r agm en to f ar o ta ry q u e rn . T h i s i sp a r t o ft h et o ps t on e , a nd i t s d i ame te rw ou ld h ave b e en a bou t 4 8cm . I t s l owe r s u r f ace , t h e g r ind ing f a ce , h a s ar a i sed s t r ip a r ound i t sc i rcum f e r en ce , a nd t h e r e i s as im i la r r a i sed b and a r ound t h e l owe rp a r t o ft h e o u t e rw a l l . I n C an tab r ia t h i s k ind o fq ue rn i s n o rma l ly a s soc ia ted w i th t h e R oman p e r iod , b u t a s C e l t ib e r ian su sed c i r cu la rq ue rn s , t h e r e i sn o r e a son w h y i t s c h rono logy c ou ld n o t b e al i t t le e a r l ie r . F ragm en t s o ff l a tq ue rn s t one s h ave a l so b e en f ound i nt h e v e s t ibu le . Ab rok en c obb le s ton e , 5 . 3cm t h ick a nd 8c mw id e , h a s af l a t t ened t o pf a ce a nd l e f ts i d e ( s een f r om a bove ) . I tm igh t h ave b een u sed a s a q ue rn , b u t t h e t h in c oa t ing o fc a lc i te o ve r mu ch o f i t s s u r f ace h id e s a ny s i gn s o f u s e . A d ef in i t e e xamp le o f af l a tq ue rn s tone w a sf ound o nt h es t one p i le a ga in s t t h e l e f t -hand w a l l , t og e the r w i th t h e r im sh e rd n umb e r 1 9 . I ti s af r agmen tf r om t h e e nd o f t h e s t one , 5 cm t h ick a nd 1 0 .5cm w id e . T h i s i s c l ea r ly n o t t h e m ax imum w id th t h e s t one w ou ld h av eh ad , a nd i nf a c ti nt h i sf r agmen ti t sd imen s ion s a r ev e ry s im i la rt ot h eq ue rn f r om C u eva d el aO r i l la M i jeo , f u r th e r n o r th i n t h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion , w h ich h ad am ax imum w id th o f1 3 .5cm .

A s r e ga rd s t h e p o t t e ry , i t c l ea r ly f o rm s a h e te rog eneou sg r oup . A l though t h r ee p o t si nt h er i f t , a nd a no the r t wo f r om t h e v e s t ibu le , b e long t o t h e B r azada s t y le , o t he r s a r e d if e ren t i nt h e i r f o rm a nd t e chn iqu e , i n vo lv ing f i nge r f lu t ed c l ay , i n c i s ed l i n e s a nd o t he r t y p e s o fd eco ra t ion . Whe rea s t h e f o rm e r c an b e d a ted i nt h e l a t e I r on A g e , t h el a t te r s e em t o f o l low B ron ze A g et r ad i t ion s . T h e re f o r e i ti sa lmo s t c e r ta in t h a tt h ep o t sw e r en o ta l ld epo s i t ed i nt h er i f t a tt h es am et im e . I tm ay a l so b e s i gn if i can t t h a t s ome s he rd s a nd b on e s h ave ac ove r ing o fc a lc i t e . T h e r ei sn o s i gn o f t h e p r e c ip i ta t ion o fc a lc i te i nt h e r i f t , wh ich h a s n o s t a la c t i t e s , s oi ts e em s t h a t t h e se p i ece s mu s t c om e f r om t h ec hamb e r , wh ich d o e sh ave g ou r s ,f l ow s tone a nd o t h e r f o rma t ion s . I ti sa l so i n te r e s t ing t h a t w e h av er e cove red s ol i t t le o fe a ch o ft h ev e s se ls . A nd i t h a s o n ly b e en p o s s ib le t o r e -a s semb le a s ma l l n umb e ro ft h e s h e rd s . Mo r eo f t en t h an n o t , t h eo n e s t h a t c ou ld b e m a t ched w e r e f o und q u i te n ea r e a ch o t he r , i nd ica t ing t h a t t h ey h ave b een f r ac tu red c ompa ra t ive ly r e cen t ly . T h i s i st h e c a se o ft h e r im s he rd o fp o tn umb e r3 ,f ound i ns qua r eE 38 t o g e the r w i th al a rg ep i ec ef r om t h es hou ld e ro ft h es am ep o t .

D i s cu s s ion T he p i le o fs t one s i nt h er i f td oe s n o ta ppea rt oh ave a c cumu la ted n a tu ra l ly ; a l l t h e se s t one s mu s t h ave b een p i led u p i n ten t iona l ly . T he p o t te ry a nd o t he r m a t e r ia lc ou ld h av eb e en d epo s i ted a tt h es ame t ime , o r s e pa ra t e ly . T he re a r e , t h e r e f o r e , t h r ee p o s s ib le s c ena r io s . 1 .T he s t one s w e r e p i led u p i nt h e r i f t i n o rd e r t o c l ea ra na r ea o ft h ef l oo ri nt h ev e s t ibu le , w h ich w a s t ob eu sed f o r s om ef unc t iona lp u rpo se : at empo ra ry h ab i ta t , f o r a n ima l s e t c . T h e p o t te ry , w h ich w a s a l r ead y i n t h e v e s t ibu le , w a s c l ea r ed t og e the r w i th t h es t on e s . 2 . A f te r t h e s t one s w e r e p i led u p i n t h e r i f t , t h e p o t t e ry a nd d ome s t ic f auna w e re d epo s i ted , a ss om e k ind o fr i tua lo f e r ing . 3 .T h e a c cumu la t ion o fs t on e s w a s ak ind o fb u r ia l m ound , c ompa rab le w i th t h e s t one t umu l i t h a t h ave b e en d ocumen ted i n C ueva d e l P uyo , i nt h e M ie ra v a l le y ( S an M igu e l , Mu i loz , F e rnand ez & S e rna 1 991 ) . T h i s m a s s iv e c ave , l i k e al a rg e r o ck s he l t e r , h a s s om e t wen ty o ft h e se mound s o fs t one s . O ne o f t h em , a bou t 2 m i n d i ame te r , w a s e x cava ted a nd b en ea th t h e s t one s t h e r e w a s al a ye r o f a she s , c ha r coa l a nd b u rn t b one s , c on ta in ing m any s ma l l p o t she rd s , o n t o p o f ac l ay f l oo r t h a t w a s h a rd ened a nd r e dd ened b y f i r e . T he se m ound s h ave b een i n te rp r e ted a s f une ra l s t ru c tu r e s , c ove r ing a r ea s o f c r ema t ion , a nd t h e l a ye r o fa she s w a s d a ted t o4 10 BC .

T he a n ima lb on e s h ave b een c u t a nd f r a c tu red . T h i s a pp ea r s t y p ica l o f t h e i r c on sump t ion i n a n o c cupa t ion o f t h e v e s t ibu le . I fp i e ce s o f m ea t h ad b een d epo s i t ed i nt h e r i f t a s a n o f e r ing , w e w ou ld g en e ra l ly e xp ec tt of i nd w ho le b one s . T h e f a c tt h a t h uman b on e s h av e n o t b een i d en t if i ed d oe s s e em t or u le o u t t h e p o s s ib i l i ty o ft h i s b e ing a b u r ia l m ound . B u t i ts hou ld b e r ememb e r ed t h a tt h e mound s i n C ueva d e l P uyo p rov id ed o n ly o n e p o s s ib le h uman b one , a s w ou ld b e t h e c a se i ft h e b od ie s h ad b een c r ema ted b e f o re t h e mound o f s t on e sw a sb u i l t . T he a bove p o in t s a l s ugge s tt h a tt h e m a te r ia l i nt h e r i f t i s as e conda r y d epo s i t . N on e the le s s t h e re i sa l so s om e e v id en c e s uppor t ing t h e i d ea t ha t t h e p o t t e r y w a s d e l ib e ra t e ly p l a ced i n t h e r i f t P r inc ipa l ly , t h e f a c t t h a t mo s to ft h eb a sa l s he rd s w e re f o und i nt h e l owe s t p ar t o f t h e r i f t , i n o r a r ound t h e p i t s i n s qua r e s E 36 a nd E 37 . T h i s s ugg e s t s t h a t t h e p o t s w e r e l e f t t h e r e , w he re t h e b a se s h ave r ema ined , w he rea s t h e u pp e r p a r t s h av e f r a c tu red a nd m oved a r ound much m o r e . I ndeed , t h e m e re e x i s tenc e o f t h e p i t s i nd ica te s t h a t t h e u s e o f t h e r i f t h a s b een c omp lex . F u r the rmo r e , f r agmen t s o f c ha r coa l w e r e f ound a dhe r ed t ot h eb a se o ft h ep i t s . 1 34

C u ev ad eC o f r e sn edo

H owev e r , a tl e a s t o ne w a l l s h e rd w a s f o und b u r ied i n a n o b l iqu e p o s i t ion , a t t h e e dg e o f t h e p i t i n s qua r e E 37 . T h i s s how s t h a t a t l e a s t p a r t o f t h e s e d im en tf i l l ing t h ep i t s h a s s l ipp ed i nf r om t h ep i le o fs t one s a bove . T he l o o se t e x tu r e o ft h i s s e d imen t c ou ld b ef u r th e ri nd ica t ion o fi t ss e conda ry n a tu r e .

3 . 5G a ler ia C ua tro ( G4 ) T h i s i so n e o ft h e f i r s t s i d e p a s sag e s i nt h e n o r th er n s i d e o f t h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l , a bou t 6 5m f r om t h e e n t r anc e . I th a s a n a pp r ox ima t e ly t r i angu la r f o rm , a bou t 6m l o ng , 1 . 5m w id e a nd 1 . 5m h i gh . I t s f l oo r c on s i s t s o f t h r ee s h a l low a nd i n t e r conn e c ted g ou r p oo l s o fw h i t e c a l c i t e , w h ich w e r e f i l l ed w i th b l ack e a r th w i th a h i gh c ha r coa l c on t en t . I n t h e 1 980 s a m and ib le o f ay oung p e r son a nd a na b r ad ed m o la r o f a n o l d e r p e r son h ad b e en f o und h e r e , a s w e l l a s a f r agm en to f ac opp e rn a i l . I n2 000 t h eg ou rp oo l sw e r e e x cava t ed c omp le t e ly , i n o r d e r t o d ocum en t t h e d epo s i t c o r r e c t ly a nd o b ta in m a te r ia l f o r r a d io ca rbon d a t ing .

A l l t h i s e v id en ce l e ad s u s t o a c cep t as l igh t ly m od if ied v e r s ion o f t h e f i r s t s c ena r io m en t ion ed a bov ea st h em o s tl i k e ly e xp lana t ion f o rt h i sd epo s i t . I n t h e B ronze A ge t h e v e s t ibu le c ou ld h av e b e en u s ed a s ah ab i ta t , a l though p robab ly o n ly b r ie f ly a nd s p o rad ica l ly . T h ep i t sc ou ld h ave b e en d ug t h en , a nd s om e o ft h ep o t te ry a nd c ha r coa l d epo s i ted i nt h em . I n t h e I r on A g e m o r e d epo s i t s w e r e mad e i n t h e v e s t ibu le , a nd t h e r im s he rd s f o und i n d if e r en t p o in t s o ft h e v e s t ibu le a r e f u r th e r e v id ence o ft h i s . F ina l ly , p e rhap s i nt h e M idd le A g e s , t h ep a r t o ft h e v e s t ibu le n ea r t h e s t a r t o f t h e r i f t w a s c l ea red u p , w i th b o th I r on A g e a nd B ronze A g e p o t t e r y a nd a n ima l b one s , a nd t h e p i ece o fr o ta ry q ue rn , b e ing t h rown i n to t h er i f ta l lt o ge the r .

A l though t h e s e d im en t f i l l ing t h e g ou r s w a s v e ry h um id , b e cau se o ft h e o c ca s iona l d r ip s o fw a t e rf r om t h er o o f , t h i sh a s n o ti mped ed t h e c on s e rva t ion o ft h e b on e s . S ev e r a l h um an r ema in s w e r e f o und , a l though o n ly c e r ta in p a r t so ft h es k e l e ton :v e r t eb r a e ,r i b s ,t e e th , p ha lang e s a nd c a rpa l s , a s w el a s af r agm en t o f c r an ium . T h e s ec ome f r om t wo p eop l e , a na du l ta nd a c h i ld a bou t 4o r 5y ea r so l d . S ev e ra lo ft h eb one ss how e v id enc eo fh av ing b e en e xpo sed t oq u i t ei n ten se f i r e , a nd w h en t h e s e d im en tw a s s i eved al a rg e n umb e r o f

n .m .

D is t r ibu t ion o ft h eb one f ragmen t sa nd p o t t e ry i nG a l e r ia C ua t ro .

1 35

C u eva d eC o f re snedo

b u rn t f r agm en t s o f b on e w e r e s e en . A s amp le o f h uman b on eh a sb e en d a t ed ,w i th t h er e su l to f3 410 ± 5 0B P .

p a in t ing n o . 1 5 i n G a le r ia P r inc ip a l . T h e s e w e r e p r oc e s sed a t t h e C en t r e f o r I s o top e R e s ea r ch , U n ive r s i ty o fG ron ing en .

T h e a n ima l b on e s r e cove r ed b e long t oe i th e r as h e ep o r g oa t , p r ob ab ly t h e l a t t e r , a nd ay oung p i g . O ft h e f i r s t a n im a l , at o ta l o fe l even r ema in s w e r e f ound i n t h e f o rm o ft e e th a nd p ha lange s , w h i le t h i r t een t e e th w e r ef o und o ft h ep i g . T h eb one sh ad ar e dd i sh p a t in a , l i k et h e h uman b on e s , a nd s om eo ft h em h ad b een i n c on ta c tw i th f i r e .

4P re l im ina ry R e su l t s

F i v e s m al p o t she rd s w e r e r e cov e red i nt h e s e d imen t t o o , a nd t h i s w a s an ove l t y w i th r e ga rd s t o t h e c o l l ec t ion o f m a t e r ia l i n t h e 1 980 s . T h e se c ou ld a l l h av e c om e f r om t h e s ame p o t , f i r ed i n ar e du c ing a tmo sph e r e . Two r im sh e rd s i n d ica t e t h a t t h i s w a s a c h a ra c te r i s t ic p o tw i th a no b l iqu ee ve r t ed r im , s im i la r t o s o m any o t h e r e xamp l e s f o und i nt h e c av e , a nd u sua l ly d a ted i n t h e l a t e I r on A g e . I t c an b e d i s t ingu i sh ed f r om t h e s eo t h e r s , h ow eve r , b yh av ing a l i n e a r ound t h e w a l l j u s t b e low t h e l i p , p o s s ib ly p r oduc ed b yt h e i mp r e s s ion o f ap i ec eo ft w in e i nt h e c l a y . T h e m ou th o ft h e p o tw ou ld b eb e tw een 3 2 a nd 4 0cm . F ina l ly , as m a l l f r agm en t o fb ronze o r c opp e r n a i l w a s r e cov e r ed , a lmo s t c e r ta in ly a no th e r p a r t o f t h eo b je c tt h a th ad b een f o und i nt h e 1 980 s .

T h e f i r s t h ab i ta t ion t h a t w e k now o f p r obab ly t o ok p l ac e a b ou t 2 0 ,000 y ea r s a go . T h i s w a s o fs uf i c ien t e n t i ty t of o rm a r i ch l a y e r , w i th f r agm en t s o fb on e , l i th i c t o o l s a nd c ha r coa l . T h e a r ea t h a t h a sb e en d ug w a s t h e m idd en f o r a n o ccupa t ion i na no th e r p a r t o f t h ev e s t ibu le .

We i n t end t o c on t inu e o u r r e s ea r ch i n C u ev a d e C o f r e sn edo i nt h ef u tu r e . T h e n ew d a ta o b t a in ed w il a lmo s t c e r ta in ly a l te r t h e f o l low ing s umm a ry o ft h e h uman u s e o ft h e c ave , a nd c on s equ en t ly w e m u s t s t r e s si t sp r el im ina ry n a tu r e .

T h ea na ly s i so ft h el i t h i ca s semb lag er e v ea l st h a tf l in t s w e r e r e -wo rk ed o rr e cy c led i nt h e c av e . T he t y pe s o f f l in t st h a th ave b een f o und i n c lud ev a r ie t ie st h a tc ou ld h ave b e en o b ta ined i n Ma t ien zo , o t h e r sf r om t h e Men v a l ley , a nd at h i rd g r oup t h a t mu s t h ave c ome f r om t h ec oa s ta la r ea . Af r agm en t o f a n a n t l e r r od o r p e rhap s a n a s s ega i p o in t h a s b e en f o und . T h e r e a r e a l so t wo p e r f o r a t ed m ar in e s h e l l s , o ft h e s p ec ie sL i t tor ina o b t u s sa ta , a nd a no th e r s ma l le r m a r in e s h e l l t h a t i s c omp le t e ly f r ac tu r ed . T h i s t y p e o f p endan t i sc ommon i n b o th S o lu t r ean a nd Magda len ian s i te s .

I tt h e r e f o re s e em st h a t ab u r ia lw a sc a r r i ed o u t i nt h i s s ma l l p a s sag e i nt h e m idd l e B ronz e A g e . T h e c opp e r n a i l c ou ld b e ar emnan t o ft h e g ood s a c company ing t h e b u r ia l , a sw e l l a sp a r t s o fd om e s t i c a n ima l s . I ti s p o s s ib le t h a t t h e p a s sag e w a s r e u sed o v e r a m ilenn ium l a te r , w hen t h e p o t w a s d ep o s i ted , f i l l ed w i th af ew c r ema te d h um an b on e s a nd w ood a sh o r c ha r coa l , g a th e r ed u pf r om af un e ra l p y r e o u t s id e t h e c a v e .

R e f . Mad -2285

S amp le S a la d e lB loqu e

G rA 17739 G rA 17640 Mad -2466

C o f r e sn edo 1 C o f r e snedo 2 S a la d el aC o lumna

N o r a d io ca rb on d a te s h av e y e t b een o b ta ined , a nd m eanwh i le w ep ropo s e aS o lu t r ean c h rono log yf o rt h i s L aye r 4 . 3 , b a sed o n t wo r e a son s : t h e a n ima l s p e c ie s t h a th ave b e en f o und , a nd t h es t y le o ft h ep a in t ing so n

D a te BP 3 9 32 ±3 40 3 410 ±5 0 1 7 40 ±8 0 2 435 ±2 33

C a l ibra ted d a te 1 982 BC 1 460 BC 2 10 AD 4 85 BC

1S i gma 1 740 -1 564 BC 1 84 -415 A l ) -

t h en ea re s tw a l l . R ema in so fr e dd e e r , h o r se ,a nd i b ex , i n t h a t o rd e r o f i mpo r t an ce , h av e b een r e cov e r ed , s how ing t h a t t h e h uman g r oup l i v ing i n t h e c av e h un t ed i n t h e d if e r en t b i o top e s f a vou r ed b y e a ch s p ec i e s . R ed d e e rw a s t h e m a in a n ima l h un t ed i nt h e S o lu t r ean p e r iod , a tl e a s t n ea r t h e c o a s t , a l though i n m any s i t e sh o r se w a st h es e cond m o s ti mpo r tan tg am e s p ec ie s , mo r et h an i b ex . T h i s i st h ec a s ef o rC u eva d e A l tam i r a , w h e re r e d d e e r m ad e u p a bou t 5 0% o ft h e M IN Ia nd h o r s en ea r ly 2 0% ( S t rau s 1 983 ) ,a nd a l so f o r

3 . 6A b so lu te D a te s F ou rs amp l e sh av eb een t a k en f o rd a t ing . Two o ft h e se w e r ep o t t e ry s h e rd so fd if e r en tk ind s , f r om S a la d el a C ohunna a nd S a la d e l B loqu e d a ted b y t h enno lunt in e s c en c e a t L abo ra to r io d e D a ta c iön y R ad ioqu im ica , U n iv e r s idad A u tönoma d e Mad r id . T h e AMS r ad ioca rbon s amp le s w e r e : C of r e sn ed o 1 , h uman b on e f r om G a l e r ia C ua t ro , a nd C o f r e sn edo 2 , 1 36

C u eva d eC of re sne c lo

l e v e lI Ii nC u eva d e lR u so ( Mu f io z&S e rna 1 999 ) . I n m oun ta inou s i n land a r e a s i b ex b e came t h e m o s t i mp o r tan tg am e .

A t t h e e nd o ft h e C ha lcol i th i c o rs t a r t o ft h e B ronz e A g e , t h e f i r s t p a r t o ft h e G a le r ia P r inc ipa l w a s u s ed f o rb u r ia l s . H uman b on e s h ave b e en f o und i nG a le r ia d e l B a lcön , a s so c ia t ed w i th al a rg e u rn t h a t h a sb een d a ted t oa bou t 1 970 BC . T h eb u r ia li nG a le r ia C ua t ro , o n t h e o ppo s i t e s i d e o ft h e m a in p a s sag e i s al i t t l e m o r e r e cen t , w i th a d a te o f 3 4 10 B P . O the r o b je c t s f o und i nt h i s s am e g en e ra l a r ea o ft h e c ave i n c lud e a b ron ze a r rowhead a nd ab a r r e l shap ed b ead ,a nd t h e s e a r ep o s s ib ly g r ave g ood sb e long ing t om o r eb u r ia l s i n t h es am ep e r iod

T h e r ed p a in t ing s o n t h e n o r the rn w a l l o f t h e v e s t ibu le , d e sp i t et h e i rp oo rs t a t e o fc on se rva t ion , c an b e r e la t ed w i th p a in t ing s o fs im i la r c ha ra c te r i s t ic s i n s e v e ra l c av e s i n t h e A sön v a l l ey , o r e v en w i th t h e l a rg ef i gu r e si nr e dc o lou r -w a sh ,a tt h eo l de n t r an c et o G a l l e ry B i nC u eva d e l aP a s i eg a , a tP uen te V ie sg o . T h e s e p a in t ing s a r e u sua l ly d a ted i n t h e S o lu t r ean p e r iod b e cau se t h ey a r e e v id en t ly p r e -Magda len ian a nd o f t en f o und i nc av e s w i th S o lu t r ean l a y e r s , l i k e H aza o rL aP a s i ega ( Gonza l e zS a inz 1 999 ) .

T h e f un e ra l u s e o ft h e c av e p rob ab ly r e sumed a tt h e e nd o ft h el i on A g e , i nt h el a s tc en tu r ie s BC . I ts e em s t h a t a tt h i s t im e t h e r i tua l s i n vo lv ed g a th e r ing u p o f t h e a she s o fc r ema t ed b od ie s a nd d epo s i t ing t h em i n t h e c av e i n s id e u rn s . T h i s k ind o fd epo s i t h a s b een i d en t if i ed i n s e ve r a l p o in t s o ft h e c av e , o f t en al o ng w a y f r om t h e e n t ran ce . O n e o ft h e s e , i n S a la d e l o s P endan t s , a pp ea r s t o b e t h e b u r ia l o f aw a r r io r , a l though i ti st r u et h a tn oh uman b on e sh av eb e en y e t i d en t if i ed i nt h i s c hamb e r . B u tt h es i ze a nd q ua l i ty o f t h ep o t t e ry a nd a r t i c le sl i k et h ed agg e ra nd b e l tp l aqu e t h a t h av eb e en d i s cov e r ed s ugg e s t t h ey b e long ed t oa p e r son o fs ome i mp o r tan ce .

T he p r e sen ce o f m a r in e s h e l l s a nd f l in t f r om t h e c oa s ta la r e ai n d ica t et h a tt h eh uman g r oup so c cupy ing C u eva d e C o f r e sned o m ov ed o v e r aw id e a r ea , c e r ta in ly i n c lud ing t h e c o a s t . H ow ev e r , q u i te aw id e r a ng e o fm a t e r ia l s h av eb e en r e cov e r ed f r om t h et r i a l d i g , i n c lud ing t h e r ema in so fb on e sf r om t h e i rm ea l s , s t on e a nd a n t le ri mp lem en t s , a nd d e co r a t iv ee l em en t s l i k et h ep e r f o ra ted s h e l l s . T h i s d i v e r s i t y s ugg e s t s t h a t t h e c a ve w a s b e ing u s ed a s ac en t ra l p o in t o f r e s id enc e , a nd t h e t h i ckn e s s o f t h e l a y e r i s a n i n d i ca t ion t h a t i tw a s o c cup ied f o r ar e la t ive ly l o ng p e r iod , a l though p e rhap s s e a sona l ly a nd n o t c on t inuou s ly .

T h e u s e o ft h e c av ef o rr i tua l s c onn e c ted w i th b u r ia l s o r o t h e r a c t s m ay h av e c on t inu ed i nt h e s u cc e ed ing c en tu r i e s . T he e v id en ce f o rt h i s i sf o und i nt h e b l ack s c h ema t i c -ab s t ra c tp a in t ing so nm an yo fi t sw al s , o n e o fw h i ch h a s ad a te o f 1 740 B P . T h e o t he r s i gn s o f h uman a c t iv i ty i nt h e c av e c ou ld b e m o r e d if i cu l t t o d a t e . T he s mal s h e rd o fm ed iev a lp o t t e ry f o und i nt h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l i se v id enc e o fv i s i t s m ad e a t al a te r t ime . P e rhap s i tw a s a t t h i s s am e t im e w h en t h e v e s t ibu l ew a se xp lo i ted a nd t h et r en ch w a sd ug a c ro s s i t ,b u tt h i st y p eo fa c t iv i ty a tt h ee n t r an c eh a sc e r ta in ly c on t inu ed p r ac t ica l ly t ot h e e nd o ft h e 2 0 th C en tu ry . T h eb a sk e tc a lc i t ed t ot h ef l oo ri nt h eG a le r ia F ina l i s a no th e r o b jec t t h a t i si mpo s s ib le t od a t e , a tl e a s t f o r t h e mom en t .

A f t e r t h i s o c cupa t ion t h e c a v e s e em s t o h av e b e en a bandoned f o r ap e r iod o ft im e ,o ra tl e a s tn oe v id en ce o fi t su se h a sb e en f o und y e t . T h i sp r ob ab ly c o in c id ed w i th a t im e w h en t h e c l ima t e w a s m i ld e r , a s n o f r e e ze thaw s h a t te r ed s t one s a r e p r e s en t , a nd a l so m o r e h um id , w i th t h e f o rma t ion o fc a l c i te a nd g ou r p oo l s . T h e o c cup a t ion d o cum en t ed i nL ay e r 4 . 1 w a s p r ob ab ly l e s s i n t en s e a nd c l ea r ly l o ca t ed n ea r e r t h e e n t ran c e ,b u tw ed on o tk n ow i t sa g e . Mo s t e v id en ce o ft h e p o s t -g la c ia l u s e o ft h e c a v e i s f o und i n l a nd sna i l s h e l l m idd en s . T h ey a r e l o ca t ed r i gh t a tt h e e n t r anc e , e sp e c ia l ly o n t h e s o u th e rn s i d e ( S e c to r V O ) , b u t a l s o o n t h e n o r the rn s i d e . T he f a c t t h a tr emnan t so ft h en t idd en e x i s to nb o th s i d e so ft h e e n t r an ce s ugg e s t st h a tt h eo ccup a t ion a tt h i st im ew a s q u i t ei mpo r tan t .B u tn ea r ly a lt h es e d im en td epo s i ted , w i th al a rg ep r opo r t ion o fu n con so l ida t ed s na i l s h e l l s , h a sd i sapp ea r ed d ue t o mo r er e c en th uman a c t iv i ty i n t h ev e s t ibu le .

R e f erence s A lday R u iz , A . 1 990 . L a c a v idad s e pu lc r a l d e K obeaga ( I sp a s te r ) . A nä l i s i sd es ua j ua r . V e l e ia 7 ,p p3 5 59 .V i to r ia . A p elan i z , J .M . 1 973 C o rpu s d e m a t e r ia le s d e l a s c u l tu ra s p r eh i s tö r ica s c on c e räm ica d e l a p ob la c iön d e l a s c ave rna s d e l P a i s V a sco Me r id iona l . S up lemen t o N o .1 , Mun ibe . S an S eb a s t ian .

S i t e so ft h i sn a tu r ea r eq u i t ec ommon i nt h eM ie ra a nd A sön v aley s , i n c lud ing Ma t i enzo , a nd s ma l l c a v e s o r r o ck sh e l t e r sw e r e o f t en s e le c ted f o rt empo r a ry c amp s , p e rh ap s i n t h e c ou r s e o f h un t ing a nd g a th e r ing e xp ed i t ion si nt h e a r ea . T h e se s i t e s a r ed a t ed b e tw e en t h el a t eA z il i an p e r iod a nd t h es t a r to ft h eN eo l i th i c .

B eg in e s R am i r ez , A . , 1 966 . L a A rqueo log ia . C uad e rnos d eE sp e l eo log ia N o . 2 , p p . 9 104 . S an tand e r .

1 37

C ueva d eC of re snedo

G a r c ia C a rave s J .M . 1 966 . N o ta a ce r ca d e l o s h a l lazgo s a n t ropo lög ico s e n l a c ueva d e C o f r e sned o . C uad ernos d e E spe leo log ia N o . 2 ,

P in tö G a r r id o , A . & A B eg ine s R am i rez , 1 966 . H is to r ia d e l a s E xp lo ra c ione s . C uad ernos d e E spe leo log ia N o . 2 ,p p . 7-1 6 , S an tande r .

p p 1 02 103 , S an tand e r . P e i G a r c ia G u inea , M .A . & R . R incön , 1 970 . E l A sen tam ien to C än tabro d e C e lad a Ma r /an t e s

J . , Mu f ioz , E . &P . Sm i th , 1 981 . L a C ueva d e C o f r e snedo . Memor ia s d e 1 980 -8 1 ,p p4 7 -51 . S an tande r .

( S an tand er ) . I n s t i tuc iön C u l tu ra l d e C an t ab r ia , S an tand e r .

l a

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R u iz C obo , J .1 996 . L ac e räm ica d el aE dad d e lH ie r ro e ne ls e c to rc en t ra l d el aC o rn i sa C an täb r ica . I n L aA rq ueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros , p p 15 147 . F unda c iön M . B o t in , S an tande r .

G onzä lez S a inz , C . , 1 999 . A lguno s p rob lema s a c tua le s e n l ao rdenac iön c r ono lög ica d e l a r te p a leo l i t ico e n C an tab r ia . In A c ta s d e l 1 ° E ncuen t ro d eH is tor ia d e C an tabr ia 1 996 , p p . 1 49 166 . S e rv ic io d e P ub l i ca c ione s d e l a Un ive r s idad d eC an tab r ia .

R u iz C obo , J .1 999 . L a C u eva d e C o f re snedo : b a se s p a r a s u e s tud io . I n R eg io C an tabrorum , p p 3 1-42 , C a ja C an tab r ia , S an tand e r .

J iminez A v i la , J . 1 999 . L o s o b je to s d e v id r io d e P a ja re s . E s tud io P r el im ina r . I n E l Y a c im ien to P ro toh i s tö r ico d e P a ja re s , V i l lanueva d e l a V e ra , C äc e re s . Memor ia s • d e A rqueo log ia E x t r eme la 3 ,p p 1 39 154 .

S an M igue l , C , Mu i loz ,E . , F e rnändez . V . &A S er na , 1 991 . L a C ueva d e l P uyo . A rquenas , p p 1 59 199 , S an tand e r . Sm i th , P . , 1 983 . I r on A ge f md s i n Ma t ienzo . BCRA T ran sa c t ions V o l . 1 0 ,N o . 3 ,p p 1 45 164 .

Mo r lo t e , J .M . &o t he r s , 1 996 . L a s c ueva s s epu lc ra le s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia . E n L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabro s , p p 1 95 -279 . F unda c iön M .B o t in , S an tand e r .

Sm i th , P . , 1 985 . R e s to s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n Ma t ien zo ( San tande r ) . A l tam ira V o l . XLV , p p . 4 5 -66 . S an tande r .

Mu f loz F er nänd e z , E .&A . S e rna G ancedo , 1 999 . L o s n i ve le s s o lu t ren se s d e l a C u eva d e l R u so I ( I go l lo d eC ama rgo , C an tab r ia ) .S au tuo la V I ,p p 1 6 1-176 . S an tand e r .

Sm i th , P . 1 998 . L a s p in tu ra s e squemä t ico -ab s t ra c ta s e n Ma t ienzo ys u sa l red edo re s . I nE lF ina ld e l a P r eh is t or ia : o cho e s tud ios s obre l a P ro toh is tor ia d e C an tabr ia , p p . 8 7 141 . A . C. D .P .S .,S an tand e r .

O n ta i lön P e r edo , R . 1 995 . E l y a c im ien to d e " E l C a s t ro " ( H ino jedo ; S uan ce s )I n f o rme P r e l im ina r

S t rau s ,L .G . 1 983 . E ls o lu t r en se v a sco -can täb r ico . Una n ueva p e r spec t iva . Monog raf ia s d e l C . I .M .A . ,

d e E x cavac iön y E s tud io d e s u s i n ch i s t r ia s . T raba jos d eA rqueo log ia e n C an tabr ia I I , p p 1 45 -179 . ACDPS , S an tande r ,

N o . 1 0 , Mad r id .

1 38

C ueva d el a sG ra ja s : aB ronze A ge P o t tery D epo s i t 1 .I n trodu c t ion c av e . T h i s c an b e a vo id ed b y r o u t e s o n e i the r h and O n t h e l e f t , o rn o r th , t h e s l op e c on t inu e s d own o ve r b ou ld e r s t h a t a r e l a rg e r a tt h e b a ck o ft h e c hambe r , a nd b e tw e en t h em t h e re a r e an umb e ro fs ho r t c l imb s o r s h a f t s . T h e l e f t -hand w a l l h a s as ma l l g r o t to o f s p e leo th em s . T h e c hamb e r t h en c l o se s d own b eyond a n a r ea o ff l ow s ton e , i n al ow p a s sag e f i l led w i th a l a rg e p oo l , a nd t h e t o ta l l e ng th o ft h e c av e i sa bou t 4 5m .

T h i s c av e h ad a l r eady b een p a r t ia l ly e xp lo red b y m emb e r s o ft h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion , b u t i t s a r cha eo log ica l i n t e re s t w a s o n ly d i s cov e r ed s ome t im e l a t e r , w h en t h ey r e tu rned i nt h ec ompany o fE l C o l ec t ivo p a ra l a Amp l iac iön d e l o s E s tud ios d e A rqueo log ia yP r eh is tor ia i n1 994 . L a rg eq uan t i t ie s o fp r eh i s to r i cp o t sh e rd sw e r e s e en i ns e v e ra lp a r t so f t h ec av e , a sw e l la sa n ima lb on e s . J e sü sR u iz a pp l ied t ot h e C an tab r ian l o ca l g ove rnmen t f o r p e rm i s s ion t o s t udy t h e d epo s i t , a nd i n t h i s w ay L a s G ra ja s b e cam e t h e f i r s t s i t e t o b e e xam in ed w i th in t h e R e cen t P r eh i s to ry o f Ma t ienzo P ro jec t . T h e r e su l t s o b ta in ed h av eb e en p ub l i shed i np a r t ( Ru iz & Sm i th 1 9 95 a nd 1 997 ,R u iz & o t he r s 1 999 -00 ) .

T h ep a th t ot h er i gh t , o rs o u th , o ft h eh uge s t a lagm i t e d e sc end s p a s tt wo s ma l l h olow s , b e f o r e r e a ch ing t h e d amp , s a nd yf l oo ro ft h ec hamb e r ,w he r ei tu n i t e sw i th t h ef i r s t r ou t e d e sc r ib ed T he h olow s a nd f l oo r w e r e t h e m a in l o ca t ion s f o r t h e p o t sh e rd s t h a t w e r e r e cove r ed

T h e c av e i sl o ca ted i nt h e b ee ch w ood , h i gh o n t h e s l op e s o f E l D uengo , t o t h e e a s t o f L a S ecada . I t s e n t ranc e , a b ou t 4m h i gh a nd 3 m w id e , f a c e s n o r thw e s t , a t3 80m a bov e s e a l e v e l a nd a bou t 2 00m a bov et h ev a l le yf l oo r . T h ee n t ran ce s l op e ,w i th ad e ep l a y e r o f l e a f l i t t e r , c om e s t o t h e b a s e o f al a rg e s t a lagm i t e b o s s w h i ch f i l s m o s t o ft h e c en t r e o ft h e

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2Me thodo logy T he i n i t ia l e va lua t ion o ft h e d epo s i t s howed t h a t t h e p o t she rd s w e r e d i s t r ibu ted i n af i v e a r ea s , o r s e c to r s . T h r e e o ft h e se s e c to r s w e r e c on t iguou s , b e tw e en t h e t wo h o l low s m en t ion ed o n t h e s o u th er n r ou t e , w h i le s e c to r 4w a sn ea r e rt h ee n t ran ce ,n ex tt ot h es t a lagm i t e b o s s ,a nd s e c to r 5c ov e r ed t h ew id e ra r ea a tt h eb a ck o f t h ec hamb e r .

S amp le s o f c ha r coa l a nd p o t t e ry w e re t a k en f o r r a d io ca rbon a nd t h e rmo lum in e s c enc e d a t ing , a nd s amp le s o f e a r th w e r e c ole c t ed f o r g r a in s i ze a nd c h em ica la na ly s i s .

A s qua r e g r id w a s e s tab l i sh ed i n s e c to r s 1 3 , a nd d e ta i l s o ft h e c av e f l oo r , t h e p o t t e ry f r agm en t s a nd a n ima l b on e s w e r e p l o t ted o n ap l an o f t h i s a r ea . S ec to r 1c on s i s t ed o f ah o l low a bou t 1 ml o ng , w i th a p oo l o fw a t e ra ti t sf a r e nd . T he r ew a s an a r row s l op e a bov et h eh o l low , w i th as ma l ll e dg ea tt h et o p . S e c to r 2c on t inued f r om S e c to r 1a s af l ow s ton es l ope a g a in s t t h ec a ve w al , i nw h ich t h e re w a s an a r row r i f tw i th a v e ry t i gh t e n t r y . S e c to r 3w a s a no th e r h o l low , a tt h e b a s eo ft h es l op ei nS e c to r2 .

3R e su l t s 3 . 1P o t tery t y pe s F ragmen t s o ff i v ed if e r en tp o t sw e r e r e cove r ed , a nd a l though n on e o f t h em c ou ld b e r e con s t ru c ted i n f u l l , i n mo s t c a se s i tw a s p o s s ib le t o e s tab l i sh t h e s i ze a nd s hap eo ft h ev e s se l s .

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c on ta in s al a rg e p r op o r t ion o fc oa r se g r i t s , i n c lud ing q ua r tz a nd c a lc i t e , a nd t h e r e dd i sh -b rown o u t e r s u r f a c ew a ss moo th ed w i th as p a tu la .

P o t . 1 .1 7 5 f r agmen t s w e r e c ole c ted a nd a bou t 1 0 m o r e w e r e l e f t i nt h e c av e , t r app ed i nc a lc i t e i nt h e p oo l o fS e c to r 1 .E ven s o , i tc ou ld b e c a l cu la t ed t h a t t h i sn umb e ro ff r agm en t so n ly a moun ted t o4 0% o ft h e t o ta lp o t .

P o t 5 . We o n ly h ave t wo s ma l l f r agm en t s o ft h i s , o n e f r om t h er im a nd o n ef r om t h ew a l l . T h ey b e long t oa w e l l -mad ep o tw i th ab u rn i shed s u r f ac e . T h ed i am e te r

T h i si s al a rg eu rn , t h ed i am e t e ro fi t sm ou th i s4 0cm , i t s h e igh t w a s e s t ima ted a t7 0cm , a nd i t s m ax imum d i am e t e r ( a t a bou t t wo th i rd s o f i t s h e igh t ) a bou t 5 0cm . T h e b a s e , a l o fw h ich w a s r e cov e r ed , h a s a d i am e t e r o f 1 5 cm , a nd t h e w a l l s v a ry i n t h ickne s s f r om 0 . 7t o1 . 3cm . T h ec l ay f a b r ic c on ta in sc a lc i te a nd q ua r t zg r i t s , a nd m ica i sa l so p r e sen t .

o ft h e m ou th w ou ld h ave b een a bou t 2 0cm , a nd t h e w a l l i sa bou t 4mm t h i ck . T he f r agmen t o f t h e r im s ugg e s t st h a tt h ep o tw a sc a rena t ed . 3 . 2P o t tery d i s tr ibu t ion T h re e c r i te r ia w e r e u s ed t o e s tab l i sh t h e o r ig ina l p o s i t ion o fe a ch p o t : h i gh e s t l o ca t ion o f af r agm en t ( s upp o s ing t h a t t h ey a r e u sua l ly d i sp e r sed b y g r av i t y d own s lop e ) ; t h e g r ea te s t c on cen t ra t ion o ff r agm en t s ; a nd t h e l o ca t ion o f t h e f r agmen t s o f t h e b a se ( i n p r inc ip le ,t h el e a s tm ob i le p a r to ft h ep o t ) . I nt h i sw ay , i tw a s d e t e rm ined t h a t P o t 1w ou ld h av e b e en i nt h e a r ea o fS ec to r 1b e twe en t h e h olow a nd t h e p oo l , w h e r e t h e t wo l a rg e s t p o r t ion s o ft h e b a s e w e r el o ca t ed , a pp a r en t ly i ns i tu . A si tf r ac tu r ed , m any f r agm en t s f e l l i n to t h e h o l low , o t he r s i n to t h e p oo l w h e r e t h e y b e cam e c o ve red w i th c a lc i t e , a nd af ew o t h e r ss l id t oS e c to r2 .O n ly t wo p i ece sr e a ch ed S e c to r 3 .T h i s i st h e mo s t h igh ly f r agmen ted o ft h e p o t s i n t h ec av e , a nd t h es h e rd sc ole c t ed f r om t h eh o l low a r e p a r t i cu la r ly s ma l l , p r ob ab ly b e cau s e t h i s i so n o n e o f t h ep a th st h rough t h ec av e .

T he l ow e r p a r t o ft h e u rn , i n c lud ing t h e b a se , h ad a c ov e ro ff i ng e rf l u t ed c l ay . T h e r ew a sa l so e v id en ce o f a no the rl a y e ro fr e dc l a ya bov et h i s . I tw a su nf i red a nd c on s equ en t ly i ti sn ow s of ta nd r u b so fe a s i ly . T he u pp e r w al s a r e s moo th , w i thou t a n y d e co r a t ion a pa r tf r om an umb e ro ff a i n t h o r izon ta lb and s . I tw a s t h ough tt h a tt h e s em igh tb et h er e su l to ft h em e thod o f m anu f a c tu r ing t h e u rn r a th e r t h an a n a t t emp t a t d eco ra t ion . T h e p o t w ou ld h av e b een m ad e b y b u i ld ing u p c i r cu la r r o l l s o fc l ay a nd w ha t l o ok l i k e t h e f i ng e rma rk s l e f tw hen p r e s si ng t h e r o l s t o g e th e r c an b es e en o nt h ei n s id ew a l l . 1 0 f r agm en t s h ad p e r f o ra t ion s ; t he se w e r e f o und i n b o th t h eu ppe ra nd l owe rw a l l s .

P o t 2w ou ld h ave b e en as ho r td i s tan c ea w ay ,n ea rt h e t o po ft h e s l op e i nS ec to r2 . Many f r agm en t sf e l i n to t h er i f tt ot h es i d eo ft h i ss l op e , a nd o t h e r sr e a ch ed t h e h o l low o fS ec to r 3 .T h i sp o t i sr a the r l e s sf r agm en t ed t h an t h e f i r s t , a s i t s f r agm en t s h av e b een i n m o r e p r o t e c t ed l o ca t ion s ,a nd b e cau s eo fi t ss t rong ,c omp ac t f a b r i c . T h es ma l le rP o t 3w ou ld h ave b een a tt h et o po f t h e s l op ea bove S e c to r 1 .A f ew p i e ce sw e re f o und o n t h e s l op e , w h i le t h e m a jo r i t y w e r e c o l l ec t ed f r om t h e h o l low b e low . O n ly o n e l a rg e f r agm en t t r av e l led a ny f u r th e r ,t oS e c to r2 .

P o t 2 .2 5 f r agmen t s w e r e f o und o ft h i sb a r r e l shaped p o t ,w ho s em ou th i s2 4cm i nd i ame te r . T he m ax imum d i am e t e ro ft h eb od y i sa b ou t 3 1cm . N of r agm en t s o f t h eb a s ew e r ef o und T h ew al sa r ea b ou t0 . 9o r1 . 0cm t h ick , a nd t h e o r ang e b r own s u r f a c e i sw e l l f i n i sh ed w i th a s p a tu la , a cqu i r ing ab u rn i sh ed a pp ea ran c e i n p l a c e s . I t sc ompa c tf a b r ic i st empe r ed w i th m ed ium t o c oa r se c a l c i t e g r i t s . I t w a s f i r ed i n o x id i s ing c ond i t ion s , a t ah i gh e r t emp e ra tu r e t h an t h e o t h e r p o t te ry i nt h ec av e . P o t3 .T h i si sas ma l lp o t , d i am e t e ro ft h em ou th 1l cm a nd t h eb a se 8 . 2cm . I ts t ood a bou t 1 2 cm h i gh , a nd t h e w al s t u rn ed i nwa rd s i ni t s u ppe r p a r t , a sf a r a st h e r im , w h ich t u rn ed s l igh t ly o u tw a rd s a ga in . T h e r im h a s as imp le k ind o fd e co r a t ion , c on s i s t ing o fs ho r t v e r t ica ll i n e sb o th o nt h ei n n e rf a c ea nd t h eo u t e r . T h e l i n e s a r e a b ou t 3o r 4mm a p a r t , a nd t h e i r m ax imum l e ng th i s2 cm . T h eo u t e rw a l l sw e r e s moo th ed w i th a s p a tu la , a nd t h e f a b r ic i sc omp ac t , w i th p a r t i c le s o f q ua r tz a nd m angan e s e , a sw e l l a s t i ny f r agmen t s o f c r u sh ed p o t te r y .

T h eb a s eo fP o t 4w a sf o und i nS ec to r4 ,a tt h eb a se o f t h e c en t ra l s t a lagm i t e , a nd w e s uppo s e t h a t t h i s m ay h ave b e en i t so r ig in a lp o s i t ion ,f r om w he r e af ew o t he r f r agm en t s f e l l d i r e c t ly t ot h e f l oo r a tt h e r e a r o ft h e c hamb e r ( S ec to r 5 ) . H owev e r , af ew p i ece s o ft h er im w e r ec ole c t ed f r om t h e h o l low o fS e c to r 3 .I ti sh a rd t o e xp la in h ow t h e y r e a ched t h i s a r ea , a s i ti sn o t c onn e c ted t oS e c to r 4b y a ny d i re c t s l op e t h ey m igh t h a ve s l id d own ,u n le s s ,i nt h i sc a s e ,t h ed i sp e r s ion w a s ad e l ib e ra t eh uman a c t ion . R eg a rd ing P o t5 ,b o th f r agmen t sw e re i nS ec to r3 .

P o t 4 .T h e d i ame te r o ft h e m ou th i s2 8cm , a nd t h e b a s e 1 7 cm . I ts t ood a b ou t 2 8cm h igh . T he w a l l s a r e s t ra igh t , b e tween 1 . 0 a nd 1 . 2cm t h ick , o p en ing s l igh t ly f r om t h e b a s e t o t h e m ou th . T h e f a b r ic 1 42

C u eva d el a sG ra ja s : aB ronz eA g eP o t t e ry D epo s i t

3 . 3F auna l r ema in s

B e low t h i s , l a ye r 1i s m uch mo r e d i ve r se i n i t s c ompo s i t ion . A s w e l l a s t h e s h e rd s , b on e s a nd c ha r coa l a l r ead y m en t ion ed , i tc on ta in s m ic ro f auna a nd s na i l s h el s . T h ey a r e w i th in a c l ay m a t r ix , d e r ived f r om t h e i n so lub le f r a c t ion o ft h e l ime s ton e , w h ich a l so i n c lud e s q ua r tz p a r t ic le s w i th h i gh ly p o l i shed s u r f ace s a nd s mal i r on h yd r ox id e n odu l e s . T h e c a lc i t e c r y s ta l s a nd t r av e r t in e f r agm en t s p r e s en t a r es e conda ry p rodu c t s ,f a len o n to t h ec av ef l oo rf r om t h ew a l l s .

A n ima l b one s a r e f o und s c a t t e r ed o ve r mu ch o ft h e c a v e f l oo r , a l though m any o ft h e s e mu s t b e r e c en t . H ow eve r , i nS e c to r s 1t o3 , at o ta l o f6 2 b on e s w e re c on s id e red a sb e ing p r eh i s to r i c . Mo s to ft h e s eb e long ed t o as i ng l ea du l tB o st a ur u s , o f w h i ch t h e j aw , t e e th , f r agm en t s o f r i b s a nd s e v e ra l l imb b one s w e r e c o l lec t ed O n e r a d iu s cub i tu s b on e a pp e a r s t o h av e b e en f r a c tu r ed a r t if i c ia l ly , a nd i t s h ow s k n i f e m a rk s w h e r e t h e m ea t w a s c u t a way . S im i la r m a rk s a r e s e en o n ar i b , f emu r a nd f r agmen t o fj aw :f m ep a r a l le li n c i s ion s ,o b l iqu et ot h ea x i so ft h e b on e . A l though t h eb on e s h ad o bv iou s ly b een m oved , t h e f a c t t h a t t h ey w e r e s t i l l q u i t e c l o s e t o g e th e r i n d ica te s t h a t t h e i r o r ig ina l l o ca t ion w a s p rob ab ly w i th in S e c to r 1 .

I nS e c to r3 , as e cond l a y e ri sf o rmed o fc a lca r eou ss i l t w i th a sh . I ti si n t e rp r e t ed a st h e r e su l t o ft h e t h er n i i c e f e c to f af i r e i nt h eh olow , w i th f u r th e re v id ence o f f r agm en t s o fb u rn t l im e s ton e . T h e c h em i ca l a na ly s i s o ft h i sl a y e rs how s ah i gh p ropo r t ion o fp o t a s s ium a nd c a lc ium , w h i ch c ou ld b e p r oduc ed b y t h e c ombu s t ion o fb one s , w h i le t h e l ow l e v e l s o fo rgan i c m a t t e r a nd p ho spho ru sc ou ld h av et h es ame c au se .

I nS ec to r 3 , ap o r t ion o ft h ej aw o f ay oung p i gw a s f o und a nd s im i la r ly , ap o r t ion o fs h eep o r g oa tj aw w a sc olec t ed i nS e c to r 4t og e th e rw i th t h ep o t t e r y .

3 . 6A b so lu te d a te s T h r e e s amp l e s w e re s e le c t ed f o r r a d io c a rbon d a t ing , c a r r ied o u tb yB e ta A na ly t ic ,M iam i : 1 .A l a rg ep i e ce o fc ha r c oa l , o f ab r an ch p o s s ib ly u sed a s at o r ch , f o und i nS e c to r 2b enea th al a rge p o t te ry f r agmen t . 2 .T h ef emu ro f ab ov in ec o l l e c ted i nS e c to r 1f r om t h e s u r f ac eo ft h eh olow . 3 .P i e ce s o fc ha r co a l f o und i nt h e s e d im en t o fS e c to r 3 . F ina l ly , t h e rmo lum in e s cenc e d a t ing w a s c a r r ied o u t o n af r agm en t o f P o t 2 . T h i s w a s p r oc e s s ed a t L abo r a to r io d eD a ta c iön yR ad ioqu im ica , U n ive r s idad A u tönoma d e Mad r id

When t h e s e d imen t o f S e c to r 3w a s a na ly sed , i tw a s f o und t o c on ta in a l a rg e n umbe r o f s mal b one f r agmen t s , a nd 2 11 p i e ce sb e tw een 0 . 3 a nd 2 cm l o ng w e r e o b ta in ed i nt h e s amp l e s . T he se w e r ef r om l a rge b one s t h a t h ad b e en b r oken u p , a nd o n ly o n e s h ow ed s i gn so fh av ing b e en b u rn t . 3 . 4L i th ic ma ter ia l O n ly o n e f l in t w a s f ound . T h i s i s an üc ro l i th ic e nd s c rap e rm anu f a c tu red o nt h ev en t ra lf a c ef r om t h e e nd o f ab l ad e f l ak e . Mad e w i th l o ca l g r e y f l in t , t h e l i n e o f i t s e dg e i s i r r egu la r , a nd i n g en e ra l i t s m anu f a c t u r e i sa t yp ica l . I tw a s f o und i n t h e a r ea a r ound t h e h olow o f S e c to r 3 , a s so c ia t ed w i th a bundan tc ha r co a la nd af ew p o t t e r yf r agmen t s .

L ab . R e f . 1 .B e ta 7 7484 2 .B e ta 8 0370 3 .B e ta 8 8447 T L " Mue s t ra 1 "

A ge ( BP ) 8 50 ±7 0 3 710 ±6 0 1 950 ±6 0 3 797 ±3 48

C a l ibra ted 1 2 15 AD

F inan c ia l s uppo r t t owa rd s t h e c o s t o ft h e se d a t e s w a s k i nd ly g i v en b y t h e A soc iac iön C än t abra p a ra l a D ef ensa d e lP a tr imon io S ub t er raneo a nd t h eW i l l iam P enge l ly C a ve S tud ie sT ru s t . 1s i gma 1 065 1075 / 1155 1265

2 025 BC 7 0 AD 1 797 BC

2 130 -1945 5 120 AD —

2s i gma 1 025 -1290 AD 2 195 1890 BC 5 0 BC -2 20 AD -

A bs o lu t ed a t e s 3 . 5S ed imen to logy

4G enera lr e su l t s

T h e h olow s o f b o th S ec to r s 1a nd 3 h av e at h in s up e rf i c ia l l a y e r o f c l ay a nd s i l t , w i th f ew l a rg e r p a r t ic le s , d ep o s i ted b y i n t e rm i t t en t w a sh o v e r t h e f l ow s tone s l op ec onn e c t ing t h e s es e c to r s .

T h e T L d a t e c l ea r ly s i tua t e s t h e p o t t e ry i nt h e e a r ly B ronze A g e . T h e v e s s e l s t h em se lv e s g i v e l i t t l e i n f o rma t ion , a st h ey h av e b u t t h e s imp l e s t d eco ra t iv e f o rm s . H ow ev e r , t h e l a rg eu rn ( Po t 1 )i s at y p e f o und i no t h e rc av e si n Ma t ienzo a nd t h e r e s to ft h e r e g ion , a nd o n ee xamp le f r om C u eva d eC o f r e sn ed oh a sb e en 1 43

C u ev ad el a sG ra ja s : aB ronz eA g eP o t te r yD epo s i t

F i r e sw e r el i ti nt h ec a v e , p a r t i cu la r ly i nt h eh o l low o f S e c to r3 ,a nd c ha r coa lf r om t h es am es e c to rw a sd a ted t ot h ef i r s t c en tu r y AD . I tm ay h av eb e en a tt h i st im e w h en t h e p o t s w e r e f i r s t b rok en u p . F in a l ly m o r e c ha r coa l , p o s s ib ly f r om at o r ch ,w a sl e f tb eh ind d u r ing av i s i tt ot h ec a v en ea r ly 8 00 y ea r sa go .

d a t ed t o 1 970 BC . T h e s e u rn s a r e s t ud ied i ng r ea t e r d ep th i n as e pa ra t e s e c t ion o ft h i s v o lum e . T h e r e i s a l so e v id en ce o f ab u rn i shed c a r ena t ed p o t ( n o . 5 ) , w h ich w ou ld b et y p i ca l ly B ronze A g e . B u tt h eg en e ra l l a ck o f d eco ra t ion , a nd t h e s imp le f o rm s o f t h e d if e r en t v e s s e l s , m ean s i ti sn o t e a sy t of i nd c l ea r p a rale l si no t h e rs i te s .

R e f erence s T h e a g eo ft h eb ov in eb one i sq u i te s im i la r ( t h e d a t e s o ft h e p o t t e ry a nd t h e b on e o v e r lap a to ne s t anda rd d ev ia t ion ) , w h i ch s uppo r t s t h e i d ea t h a t t h es e a n ima l r ema in s w e re d epo s i t ed w i th t h e p o t t e ry . T hey i n c lud ed a tl e a s tt h eh ead so ft h ea n ima l s , a nd l e g so f b e ef

R u iz C obo , J .& P . Sm i th , 1 995 . L a C u eva d e l a s G ra ja s ( Ma t ienzo , R ue sga ) . A lguno s a sp e c to s s ob r ec omp o s i c iön yg en e t ica d es u ss e cl im en to s . B o l e t in C än tabro d e E sp e l eo log ia N o . 1 , p p 9 1 -95 . S an tand e r .

We c anno t k now t h e r e a son f o r t h e d epo s i t . T h e c ave d o e s n o t s e em s u i tab le f o r ah ab i ta t , a nd t h e r e s e em st ob e n oo t he r" e conom ic " e xp lana t ion f o rt h e c ave 's u s e . E qua l ly , w e h ave n o e v id ence t h a t t h e d epo s i t f o rmed p a r t o fg r ave g ood s a c company ing a b u r ia l , a s n o h uman b one s h av e b een f ound i n t h e c ave . O n e e xp lana t ion c ou ld b et h a t t h e d epo s i t w a s a n o f e r ing , a s ar i tua l o fr e l ig iou s b e l ie f s i n wh ich t h ec av eh e ld s om es i gn if i cance .

R u iz C obo , J .& P .S m i th , 1 997 . E ld epö s i t oc e ram ic° d e l aC u ev a d e l a s G ra ja s ( Ma t i en zo , R u e sg a ) . Mun ibe N o .4 9 ,p p6 5 -76 . S an S eba s t ian R u iz ,J . , Sm i th ,P . , S er n a , A . &E . Muf t o z , 1 999 /2000 . T h eP r eh i s to r i cC av eS i t e" Cuev ad el a sG ra ja s " i n Ma t ienzo , N o r th S pa in . S t ud ie s i n S p e l eo log y , V o l .X I, p p4 3-49 . P l ym ou th .

1 44

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B ronz ea r row -head f rom C ueva d e C of r esned o

P a la eo l i th ic C ave A r ti n Ma t ien zo S chema t ic -ab s t rac ta r ti n Ma t ienzo C av e s G round s t on ei mp lemen t sf r om Ma t ienzo S t o rag eU rn si n Ma t i enzo a nd t h e i rR eg iona lC on tex t P re -Roman A rd sha re si nC an tab r ia O b se rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

P a laeol i th ic C ave A r ti n Ma t ienzo C an tab r ia , f o und i nt h e c l a s s ic s i t e s o fA l tam i ra a nd E l C a s t i l lo ,b u ta l so i nc ave sd i scov e r ed m o re r e cen t ly s u ch a sC u ev a G rand ed e O ta i i e sa nd L a G anna . J u s t a s i n Embo scado s , h i nd s a nd s t ag s a r e t h e m o s t c ommon a n ima l s t ob e r e p r e sen t ed i nt h i s w ay . T h e s ame t y p e o ff i gu r e i sa l so f o und o n d e co ra t ed b on e o b je c t s , a nd o n es u ch s c apu la f r om C uev ad eA l tam i ra w a sd a t ed d i r e c t ly b yC 14 -AMS t o1 4 ,480 B P( Qu i rö s 1 998 ) . T h i s m ean s i t i s c on t empo r a ry w i th t h e p o ly ch rome b i son i nt h e s ame c av e , a ss om e o ft h e s e h av eb e en d a ted t oa bou t 1 4 ,500 B P( Mou r e&o t h e r s 1 996 ) . H ow ev e r , s u ch al a rg e n umb e r o fe ng rav ing s , i n d if e r en t c av e s a nd o n d if e r en t t y p e s o fs u r f a c e s , mu s t h av e b e en d on e o ve r ar e la t ive ly l o ng p e r iod o f t im e . T h i si si nf a c tt h ec a s eo ft h ep o ly ch rom eb i son , a sa no th e ro ft h em m a yb e o v e r 1 000 y ea r sy oung e r . C on sequ en t ly , i tc an b e s a id t h a t t h e e ng r av ing s i n C u eva d e l o s Emb o scado s w ou ld h av eb e en p rodu ced a ts om ep o in td u r ing t h ee a r ly o rm idd l e Magda len ian p e r iod , p r ob ab ly w i th in a t im e r a ng e o f b e tw een 1 5 ,000 a nd 1 3 ,000 B P .

P a la eo l i th i c a r t h a s b e en d e s c r ib ed i nf o u r c av e s i n Ma t i enzo : S o ta r ra f ia , C of ie sned o , Embo scado s a nd R i s co , a l though e a ch s i t e h a s i t s o wn c ha ra c te r i s t ic s , d if e r ing f r om t h e o t h e r s i n s t y le , t e chn iqu e , i c onog raphy a nd p e rhap sc h rono logy . 1 .S o lu tr ean a r t T h e o l d e s t a r t i n Ma t ienzo i sp r ob ab ly i n C u ev a d e C o f r e sned o , w ho s ev e s t ibu le h a s ag r oup o fp a in t ing s o n t h e r i gh t . T h e s e a r e r e d f i gu r e s w h ich a r e j u s t v i s ib l ew i th d ay l igh t .P r ob ab ly b ec au s eo ft h e i rs l igh t ly e xpo s ed l o ca t ion s o n ea r t h e e n t r an c e , m o s t o f t h e p i gm en t h a s b e en l o s t , m ak ing i t p ra c t i ca l ly i mpo s s ib l e t o r e cogn i se w ha t t h ey m igh t r e p r e s en t . O n ly t h e f i r s t a r ea o fp i gm en t c an b e i d en t if i ed w i th a ny d eg r e e o fc e r ta in ty a s aq uad r i la t e r a l s i gn . T he o t h e rf i gu r ew h ich a l low sa ny k i nd o fi d en t if i ca t ion i s t h e l a s t o n e o n t h e l e f to ft h e p an e l , a si ta pp ea r s t o c on s i s to f al i n eo fr e dd o t s ,f o rm ing t h eb ack a nd h ead o fa nu nknown q uad rup ed . I na ny c a se i tc an b e s e en t h a t i nd if e r en t p l a c e s i nt h e p an e l , t h e r e dp i gm en t w a sa pp l ied a sd o t s , a sl i n e s , a nd a l so a ppa r en t ly a sa c o lou r -w a sh . T h eP a la eol i th i cd epo s i ta tt h ef o o to ft h e p a in t ing si ss t i l lu nda t ed ,b u tr e dp a in t ing so ft h i sk i nd i no t h e r C an t ab r ia n c av e s h av e b e en a s c r ibed t ot h e S o lu t r ean p e r iod , b e tw e en 2 1 ,000 a nd 1 6 ,500 B P ( Gonza l ez S a inz 1 999 ) . I nf a c t , t h e a r e a a r ound Ma t ienzo , p a r t i cu la r ly i nt h e A sön v a l l ey , h a ss e v e ra lc av e sw h e r er e dp a in t ing sa r e k nown i no rn ea rt h e d ay l igh t z on e . T h e b e s t k nown e xamp l e i s C u eva d e l a H a za , i n R ama le s d e l a V ic to r ia . D i s cov e r ed i n1 903 , t h e c a v e t h en c on s i s t ed o f al ow e n t ran c e t o as mal c h amb e r , w i th s e v e r a l f i gu r e s o f h o r s e s , ar e ind e e r , c ap r id a nd a h i nd a l p r a c t i ca l ly r e a ch ed b y d ayl igh t ( A lca ld e d e l R io , B r eu i l & S i e r r a 1 9 11 ) . A m o r e r e c en t d i s cov e ry , C u eva d e P ond ra a tG ib a ja , f o und i n 1 990 , h a s t h e r ema in s o fr e d p a in t ing s a tt h e r e a r o ft h e v e s t ibu le ( Gon za le z S a in z &S an M igue l 1 9 97 ) . Un f o r tuna t e ly n of i gu r e sc an b ei d en t if ied h e r e . E v en m o r er e cen t ly , ag r oup o fr e dd o t sa nd l i n e sh av eb e en s e en i n al a rg e r o ck she l t e ra tS ocu eva ( A r r edondo ) f u l ly i nt h e o p en a i r( S e rna & V a l le 2 000 ) .

C ueva d eS o ta r ra i ia C u eva d e S o t a r r af ia h a s j u s t o ne e ng rav ing , o f a h ead le s s o r a c epha lou s a n ima l a pp a r en t ly w ound ed w i th as p ea ri ni t ss i d e . B a lb in , G onza l ez & G onza le z ( 1 986 ) d a t ed t h i s , l i k e t h e f i gu r e s o f Embo s cado s , i n t h e Magda len ian , a nd i ti sc e r ta in ly q u i te d if e r en t f r om t h e mo r e a r cha i c e ng rav ing s f o und w i th in t h e d ay l igh t a r ea o f s e ve r a l c av e s i n C an tab r ia a nd A s tu r ia s . B u t i ti sw o r th n o t ing s ome d if e ren ce s b e tw een t h ee ng r av ing so f Embo scad o sa nd S o ta r r a f ia . I nt h ef i r s tc av et h ee ng rav ed l i n e sa r ef i ne ra nd o f t en

2 . Magda len ian a r t T h el a rg e s tP a la eo l i th i ca r ta s s emb lag ei n Ma t ienzo i s i nC u eva d e l o s Emb os cad o s . A p a r tf r om ar e dl i n ea r s i gn . a l t h e f i gu r e s h e r e a r e e ng r av ed , a nd f o u r o f t h em s how t h et e chn iqu eo fu s ing m u l t ip l eo rs t r ia t ed l i n e st os h ad et h ea n ima l s ' n eck sa nd c h e s t sa nd p a r t s o f t h e i r h ead s . T h i s i s aw e l l -known t e chn iqu e i n 1 47

P a la eo l i th i cC av eA r ti n Ma t ien zo

s t r ia ted , w h e r e a s i nS o ta r rar i at h e e ng r av ing i sd e ep e r a nd f i rm e r . T h em a in f i gu r e si n Embo s cado sa r eq u i te l a rg e , a nd e a s i ly v i s ib le i nt h em a in p a s sag e . T h e o ne f i gu re i nS o ta r rar i ai sh idd en i n as ma l la l cov er i gh ta t t h e e nd o ft h e c av e . T h i s f i gu r e s how s t h e b od y a nd l imb s , b u t n o h ead , w h i l e t h e m a in e ng rav ing s i n Embo scado s a r e e i th e ro ft h e h ead a nd n e ck , o rh ead a nd f r on t -qua r t e r s ,a nd t h el imb sa r eo f t en om i t t ed .

0

l imb , t h e se a r e w e l l d r awn w i th t h e h oo f s c a r e f u l ly e x e cu t ed . C u r iou s ly i tt o o h a s l i ne s d r awn i ni t s s i d e ( Gonz ä l e z S a inz & S an M igue l 1 9 97 ) . I ti sn o t t h e o n ly f i gu r e i n t h e c a v e , w h i ch a l so h a s s e v e r a l r e d p a in t ing s o fa n ima l s a nd a l a rg e c ompo s i t ion o fr e d d o t s , b u t t h e se w e r e a lmos t c e r ta in ly p rodu ced a ta mu ch e a r l i e rt ime , i nt h e S o lu t r ean , a nd t h u s f o rm a q u i t e s e p a ra t e g r oup , u n conn e c t ed w i th t h i s s i ng le e ng r aved i b ex . T h e s e t h re e e xamp le s w e h av e g i v en , a sw el a sC ueva d eS o ta r rar i a , s e em t os how t h a tt h e r e w a s at e nd en cy t or e p r e sen t s i ng l e a n ima l s i nr a the r h idd en a way p l a ce s , a tt h ee nd o ft h ec ave s . A l though t h e t e chn iqu e s a nd c ompo s i t ion s v a ry g r ea t ly , t h e s e f i gu r e s a r e a l l p r obab ly o f Magda len ian a g e , a nd p e rhap s l i k e t h e f i gu r e i n C u eva d e l O te r o f r om t h e l a t t e r p a r t o ft h e p e r iod . I n f a c t , t h e p a in t ing o ft h e h o r s ei nC ueva S o ta r r iza h a sb een d a t ed b yC 14 -AMS t o8 890 9 0B P ( Mou r e&G onz ä le z2 000 ) , w h i ch i s e v en m o r e r e c en t t h an t h e Magda len ian , a nd c o r r e sp ond s t ot h e A z i l ian p e r iod a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e H o locen e . T h e e ng r av ing s i n C u eva d e l R i sco h ave n o t b een s t ud ied y e t , s o l i t t l e c an b e s a id a bou t t h em . I n a n y c a s e t h e y a r e q u i te s ma l l a nd t h e c av e c l ea r ly h a s n o l a rg eo ri mpo r tan tf i gu r e s . T h ey a r e l o ca ted i n av e r y r emo t ep a r to ft h ec av en ow ,b u tm u s tb eq u i te n e a rt o t h e o r ig ina l , b l ock ed e n t ran c e . A Magda l en ian b on e a s seg a ip o in tw a sf o und i nt h es am ea r e aa nd t h i sw il h av et ob et a k en i n to a c coun tw hen d a t ing t h ef i gu r e s .

1 5

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3 .C on c lu s ion

S o , t h e c l o s e s t p a ra l le l s f o r t h e f i gu r e i n S o ta r rar i a m ay n o t b e f o und i n Embo s c ad o s , b u t i no t h e r c av e s w i th o n ly o n ed ep ic t ion . C u eva d e lO te ro ,i nt h ev a l l ey o fS e cadu ra t ot h en o r thea s to f Ma t i en zo , h a s as i ng le e ng r av ing o fa ni b ex ,b u tt h i si s av e ry d if e ren tt y p eo f c ompo s i t ion , a st h e a n ima l i sr e p re s en t ed a s af r on ta l v i ew o ft h eh ead a nd h o rn s ( Gonzä l ez , Mur i oz & S an M igu e l 1 9 85 ) . A sv e ry s im i la re ng rav ing s a r e k nown o nb on eo b je c t sd i s cov e r ed i nl a t e Magda len ian l e v e l s , t h i s d a t e h a s a l so b e en a pp l ied t o t h e f i gu r e i n E l O te ro . I n s e cond p l a ce , C u ev a d e S o ta r r iza , n ea r R ama le s , h a s ab l a ck p a in t ing o f ah o r s e ,a tt h ee nd o f t h e p a s sag e 1 20 m l o ng ( A l ca ld e d e l R io , B r eu i l & S i e r ra 1 9 11 ) . T h e h o r s e i sa lmo s t c omp l e te , a l though t h e l imb s a r e v e ry s h o r t . H ow ev e r , i td o e s h av e l i n e s p o s s ib ly r e p r e s en t ing s p ea r s i ni t sb od y . I ti st h eo n ly f i gu re i n t h e c av e , a p a r t f r om a f ew s ma l l e r a nd i nd e te rm ina t ed ep ic t ion s ( S an M igu e l &o th e r s 1 988 ) . At h i rd e x amp l ei sC u eva d e l A rco A , o nt h eo ppo s i t e s i d e o f t h e v a l ley f r om S o ta r r iza , w h ich h a s a n e ng rav ing i n as mal h idd en c hamb e rn ea r t h e e nd o f t h ec av e . T h i si sa ni b ex , 1 5c ml o ng , as i d ev i ew t h i s t im e , a l though i t sh o rn sa r el o ng a nd s p r ead o p en l i k e t h o s e o f t h e e ng rav ing i n E l O t e ro . B u t i t s b od y i s c omp le t e , a nd a l though i to n ly h a s o n e f o r e a nd r e a r

I ns umma ry , a l though Ma t ienzo h a sn om a jo rc a v ea r t s i t e , t h e a s s emb lag e s i n t h e v a r iou s s i t e s t o g e the r p r ov id ea mp l ee v id en ce o ft h ed if e r en tc ha rac t e r i s t ic s o f P a la eo l i th ic a r t . A n im a l f i gu r e s d om ina t e i n S o t a r rar i a a nd Embo s cado s , a nd t h e o n ly s i gn i n Embo s cado s i st h e r e dc u rv ing l i n e i nt h e f i r s tp an e l . Y e t t h e o n ly d ef in i t e ly i d en t i f iab le f i gu re i n C o f r e sn ed o i s ak i nd o fq uad r i la t e ra l s i gn . H ow ev e r , t h e s t y l e o ft h e a n ima l s i n Embo s cado s , r e p r e sen ted m a in ly b y t h e i r h ead s , c on t r as t s w i th t h e a c epha lou s d ep i c t ion i nS o tanur ia . Aw id e r a ng e o ft e chn iqu e s i s u s ed t o o , i n c lud ing d if e ren t f o rm s o f e ng r av ing i n Embo s cad o s a nd S o ta r rar i a , a nd r e d p a in t i n Embo s cad o s a nd C o f r e sned o . I nt h e f o rm e r c av e t h e p a in t w a s a pp l ied a s ac on t inuou s l i n e , w h i le t h e d if e r en t m e thod s o f a pp l ica t ion e mp lo yed i n C o l ie-s n edo i n c lud e d o t s a nd p r ob ab ly c o lou r -wa sh . F ina l ly , t h e f i gu r e s c an b e c l a s s ed a s" pub l i c " a r t i n C o f r e sn edo a nd Embo s cad o s , a nd " p r iv a t e " a r t i n S o ta r r a f ia .

1 48

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G onzä le z S a inz , C . , E . Mu r ioz & C . S an M igu e l , 1 985 . L o s g r abado s r upe s t r e s p a leo l i t ico s d e l a c u eva d e lO te ro ( S ecadu ra , C an tab r ia ) . S au tuo la I V ,p p 1 54 -164 . S an tand e r .

A lca ld ed e lR io ,H . , H . B reu i l , &L .S i e r ra , 1 911 . L es C av erne sd el aR eg ion C an tabr ique . Mona co . B a lb in , R . , M . G onzä lez Mo ra le s & C . G onzä lez S a inz , 1 986 . L o s g rabad o s yp in tu ra s d e l a s c ueva s d e l o s Embo scado s y E l P a la ta l . Monog raf ia s d e C IM A 1 5 , p p 2 33 -270 .

G onzä le z S a inz , C .&C .S an M igue l , 1 997 . A van ce a l e s tud io d e l o s c on jun to s r up e s t re s p a leo l i t ico s d e l d es f i lad e ro d e l r i o C a r ranza ( Rama le s d e l a V ic to r ia , C an tab r ia ) . H C ong re so d e A rqueo log ia P en in su la r T omo I ,p p . 1 63 172 .

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Z amo ra . B ar and ia rän , I .1 976 . E l A r te Mob i l ia rC an täb r ico . I n L a P r eh is tor ia e n l a C o rn isa C an täbr ica , p p

Mou re , A . & o the r s , 1 996 . D a ta c ione s a b so lu ta s d e p igmen to s e n c ueva s c an täb r ica s : Mtam i ra , E l C a s t i l lo , C h imen ea s yL a s Moneda s . I n E l

1 23 174 . I n s t i tu to d e P reh is to r ia yA rqueo log ia " Sau tuo la " . S an tand e r .

H ombr e F ös i l 8 0 a i los d espus . p p 2 95 314 . S an tande r .

G onzä lez S a in z , C . , 1 999 . A lguno s p rob lema s a c tua le s e n l ao rdenac iön c r ono lög ica d e l a r te p a leo l i t i co e n C an tab r ia . I n A c tas d e l 1 ° E ncuen t r o d eH is tor ia d e C an tabr ia 1 996 , p p . 1 49 166 . S e rv ic io d e P ub l ica c ion e s d e l a Un ive r s idad d eC an tab r ia .

Mou r e , A . & C . G onza le z S a inz , 2 000 . D ocumen tac iön d e l a r t e r up e s t re e n e l s e c to r c en t r a l d e l ac o s ta C an täb r ica . I nA c tuac io ne s A rqueo lög icos e n C an tabr ia 1 984 -99 , p p 2 27 -229 . S an tand e r .

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Qu i rö s , F . , 1 998 . L a C ueva d e Mta rn i ra , e la r t e , l o s a r t i s t a syl ae po ca . I nA l tam ira , e d . A . B e l t rän , p p2 5 -57 .L unwe rg E d i to r e s , S .A .

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S chema t ic -ab s t ra c t p a in t ing s a r e c ha r coa l w al -ma rk ing s o f g en e ra l ly a b s t rac t c ompo s i t ion s , a l though s ch ema t ic h uman f i gu re s a nd g eome t r ic d e s ign s a l so o c cu r . T h i s r a the r u nu sua l a nd p uzz l ing a r ti sf o und i ns e ve ra l c ave si n Ma t ienzo : C o f r e sned o . R o ja , C obu r ruyo , C h ica , C on c ebo a nd C ua t r ibü . T he n umb e r o fp a in t ing s i ne a ch c ave v a r ie s g r ea t ly , a nd C of r e sned o a nd C ua t r ibü h ave t h e l a rg e s t g roup s , w h i le C h ica a nd C oncebo h av e av e r ys ma l ln umb e ro f m a rk s , o fd oub tf u l i n te r e s t . C op ie so fa l t h e p a in t ing s c an b es e en i n Sm i th 1 998 .

t h e r o of , ac ha r coa l m a rk w a s l e f t a l ong a v e r t ica l r i dg e o f r o ck ( 6 ) . I ts e em s h igh ly u n l ik e ly t h a t a l t h e s e c ou ld h ave b e en d on e a c c id en ta l ly . N ea re r t h e e n t rance o f C ua t r ibü , s e ve ra l s t a lagm i te s w e r e m a rk ed , i n wha t mu s t h ave b een a d e l ib e ra t e a c t ion ( e .g . N o s . 1 3A a nd 1 6 ) . C ueva d e C o f re snedo h a s o t he r e xamp le s o fl a rg e a nd c omp lex p a in t ing s w h ich c ou ld h a rd ly b et h er e su l to fa na cc id en t . T h eo ne m o s t o f ten r ep roduc ed c omp r ise s l i ne s o f d o t s m ak ing a k i nd o f a ngu la r p a t te rn ( 20B ) .

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b a sed o n v e r t ica l o rd i agona l l i ne s ( e .g . 1 0B . 1 5 , 1 7 , 2 5A a nd 4 4B ) , w h i le p a in t ing n o . 1 6A h a s s ho r t l i ne s a nd al a rg e rd o tt h a tm igh tr e p re sen tt h el e g s . a rm a nd h ead o f ah uman f i gu r e . N eve r the le s s , m any o f t h e

S e em ing ly r andom b l a ck m a rk s h ad b e en n o ted i n C an tab r ian c av e ss i n ce t h ev e ry b eg inn ing so fc ave a r t r e s ea r ch , a nd i n s u ch i mpo r tan t P a la eol i th i c s i t e s a s M tam i ra a nd C a s t i l lo . S eve r a l e xp lana t ion s w e re p ropos ed ; n one o ft h em v e ry s a t is f a c to ry . T h en , i nt h e 1 950 s , s im i la rp a in t ing sw e re d i s cove red i nf o u rc av e s i nt h ep rov ince o fA lava ,t ot h es ou th ea s to fC an t ab r ia . T hey w e re s t ud ied b y A rmando L lano s . w ho c o in ed

g r oup s a r e s imp ly s c a t te red l i ne s a nd d o t s , s u ch a s 2 8B a nd 3 0A . T he c ave s w i th f ewe r p a in t ing s l o g ica l ly h ave l e s s c omp lex f i gu re s , b u t b o th C obu r ruyo a nd C ueva R o ja h av e o ne o r t wo i n te re s t ing e xamp le s .

t h e t e rm s c hema t ic -ab s t ra c t a r t t o d enom ina te t h i s s t y le o fp a in t ing ( L lano s 1 966 ) . H e d a ted t h e d if e ren t g roup s o fp a in t ing s i n at im e sp an f r om t h e B ronze A g e t o t h e R oman p e r iod . , b a sed o n t h e t y p e o f m a te r ia l s f ound i ne ach o ft h e c ave s , a nd t h e c l ea r ly n on -Pa laeo l i th ic a pp ea ran ce o f t h e a r t ( i n f a c t P a laeo l i th ic a r t i s u nknown i n A lava ) . Wh en t h e a r chaeo log ica l g roup CAEAP b egan t h e i r e xp lo ra t ion o f C an tab r ia i n t h e 1 980 s t h ey s oon f o und a l a rg e n umb e r o f c av e s w i th b l a ck p a in t ing s , w h ich t h ey i n co rp o ra ted t o L lano s 's l i s t o f s i t e s . C ueva d e C of r e sned o i n Ma t ienzo w a s o ne o f t h e i r e a r ly d i scove r ie s , i n 1 981 ( Mur ioz & S e rna 1 985 ) . A t p re s en t o ve r 8 0 c av e s w i th s ch ema t ic -ab s t ra c t a r t a r e k nown i nC an tab r ia . 1 .D i scu s s ion Two m a in c on t rove r s ia l p o in t s h ave b e en r a i sed b y s chema t ic -ab s t rac t a r t : t h e i n ten t iona l i ty o f t h e p a in t ing s a nd t h e i r a g e . T ak ing t h e f i r s t p o in t , i th a s b een c l a imed , a sb y D iaz C a sad o ( 1 992 ) , t h a t m o s t o f t h e m a rk s w e r e p roduced a cc id en ta l ly w h en b u rn ing t o r che s w e r e r ubbed a g a in s t t h e c av e w a l l s , o r a l t e rna t ive ly t h e m a rk s w e r e l e f t d e l ibe ra t e ly t o s i gnpo s tt h ew ay t h rough t h ec av e . S chema t ic -abs t rac tp a in t ing si nC ueva d e

T he c ave s o f Ma t ien zo , l i k e m o s t o f t h e s i t e s i n C an tab r ia , s how t h a t n e i the r o ft h es e e xp lana t ion s i s j u s t if ied . I n C ueva d e C ua t r ibü , f o r e xamp le , w e c an s e e ag r oup o fp a in t ing s wh ich c an h a rd ly h av e b een d on e b y a c c id en t . Q u i te l ow o n t h e r i gh t -hand w a l l t h e r ei s ac omp lex g roup o f ma rk sa r ound ah o r izon ta l l i ne a b ou t3 5 c ml o ng ( No . 5 C ) . T he o pp o s i te w a l l h a s

C of r esnedo ( n °2 0B ) I ti se ven m o r eo bv iou st h a tt h ep a in t ing sw e re n o tl e f t a sw ayma rk e r s t h rough t h e c av e . C ave s w i th v i r tua l ly n o s i d e -pa s sag e s d o n o t n e ed w ayma rk e r s , a nd i t c e r ta in ly s e em s t h a t t h e p a in t ing s w ou ld c onf u se , r a th e r t han g u id e . a nyone w ho t r ied t of olow t h em . T h i si sn o tt os a yt h a tt h ey a r en o ts i gna ll ing a ny th ing .

as ymbo lc ompo s ed o ff ou rc onv e rg ing l i ne s( 7B ) , a nd

1 53

S chema t ic ab s t ra c ta r ti n Ma t ienzo C av e s

I ti so u rb e l ie ft h a tt h em a rk sw e r ep a in ted t od eco ra t e o r i n d ica te p a r t s o f t h e c av e w h i ch h e ld s om e s i gn if i can c e , a st h e yw e r eu sed f o rs om ek ind o fr i t ua l w h i ch w a sp e r f o rm ed i nt h ec av e .

( V ale & o t h e r s 1 998 ) . Ap a in t ing i nC ueva d e l A r co A , i nt h e v e ry e a s t o f C an tab r ia n ea r t h e b ounda ry w i th t h eB a squ e C oun t ry , h a sb e en d a t ed t o7 50 ±6 0 B P ( Mou r e &G onzä l ez 2 000 ) . F inaly , ap a in t ing i n S um id e r od e l a sP a lom a s , i nt h ec en t r eo ft h e r e g ion , h a sm e re ly b e en r e po r ted a so f" m ed ieva lc h rono logy " ( Qu i rö s , V ala ti ls & C ab r e r a2 000 ) . T h r e e c av e s i n Ma t ienzo h a v e b e en d a t ed . P a in t ing s i nC ueva C obu r ruyo a nd C uev aR o ja w e r es amp l ed i n 1 998 , w i th r e su l t s o f9 50 ± 4 0 B P a nd 8 70 ± 5 0 B P r e sp e c t iv e ly . I tc an t h u s b e s e en t h a t a l t h e s e d a te s m en t ion ed a r ec l u s te r ed i nt h ee a r ly M idd l eA ge s ,a nd t h e i r c a l ib ra t ed d a t e s g o f r om t h e 9 t h t o t h e 1 2 th c en tu ry . T h e e x c ep t ion i st h e r e c en t ly -ob ta ined d a t e f r om C u ev ad e C o f re sn edo , w h ich i ss omewha t o l d e r , a t1 740 ±8 0B P . 3 .I n t erpr e ta t ion A s n op l au s ib le p r a c t i ca l f u nc t ion h a sb een f o und f o r t h e b l a ck p a in t ing s , i th a s b e en p r opo sed t h a t t h e p a in t ing s m u s t h av e f o rm ed p a r t o f ar i tua l o r a c e r emon y o fs om e k ind . A t f i r s t s i gh t t h i s p rop o sa l a pp ea r s t oh ave p rob lem s t o o , a s mo s t o ft h e d a t e s c ome f r om t h e M idd le A g e s , a nd i ti sd if icu l t t o i mag ine w ha t k ind o f r i tua l c ou ld h av e b e en p e r f o rm ed i n c av e s d u r ing t h e C h r i s t ian a g e . H ow ev e r , i ti sk nown t h a t s u ch i mp o r tan t a c t s a s b u r ia l sw e r e c a r r ied o u t i nC an tab r ian c av e s a f t e rt h e C h r i s t ian i za t ion o f S p a in . I n C u ev a d e l J u yo , i n C ama rgo a nd n ea rt h ec o a s t ,t h es k e le ton so f aw oman a nd t h r ee c h i ld r en w e r e f o und t o g e the r w i th a n e ck lac e o fg l a s s b ead s w h i ch c ou ld b e d a ted a tt h e e nd o ft h eR oman e r ao rd u r ing t h ed om in an c eo ft h e V i s igo th si nS pa in ( Gon zä l e zE chega r ay 1 9 93 ) . C u eva d el aG anna , a t Omof t ot ot h en o r th o f Ma t ienzo , a l so h a s s k e le ton s , a nd a r a d ioca rbon d a t e o f 115 B P ( c a l ib ra ted i nt h e 1 0 th C en tu ry ) h a sb e en o b ta ined f o r ah uman b on e ( A r ia s &o t he r s 1 999 ) . B o th J uyo a nd L a G anna h av e b l ack p a in t ing s . I ti si n t e r e s t ing t h a t t h e s e b u r ia l s a nd a f ew o t h e r s t h a t m a y e x i s t a r e i s o la ted c a s e s , w h ich mu s tt u p r e s en t av e ry s ma l lp a r t o f t h e p opu la t ion . T h e s e p eop le w e r e s om ehow s e g r ega ted f r om t h e r e s t o f s o c ie ty , w ho r e ce ived c o r r e c t i n t e rmen t i n C h r i s t ian c eme t e r i e s . P e rh ap s t h ey w e r e a c t iv e ly n on -Ch r i s t ian s , o r s u ic id e s , o r p a r iah sf o rs om eo t h e rr e a son .

S chema t ic -abs t rac tp a in t ing si nC ueva d e C ua t r ibü ( n °1 3A ) 2 .C hrono logy Wh en t h e p a in t ing s i n C o f re sn edo w e r e d i s cov e r ed , t h e i r a s so c ia t ion w i th i r on o b jec t s f o und i nt h e s ame c a v e , e s pe c i a l ly t h ed agg e r , l e dt ot h em b e ing d a ted i n t h e h on A g e . T h i s d a t e f i t t ed a p t ly w i th in t h e c h r ono log y p r op o sed b y L lano s . N eve r th e l e s s , D ia z C a sado h a s p o in t ed o u t t h a t s u ch a s imp le t y p e o f m a rk c ou ld b e l e f t a t a ny t im e . I n t h i s s h e i s d oub t le s s ly r i gh t , a nd a b l a ck m a rk i n C uev a d e A l tam i ra w a sd a t ed b yC 14 -AMS t o1 6 ,480 B P , a tt h e s t a r to ft h e Magda len ian ( Mou re & o t he r s 1 9% ) , a nd i nf a c t i ti st h e o l d e s t d a te f r om A l tam i r a , o l d e rt h an t h ep o ly ch rom eb i son . H owev e r , w h a ti sn o ts oc l ea ri s w he the r t h i s b l a ck m a rk i s r e a l ly i n t h e s c h ema t ic -ab s t ra c ts t y l e .

I tm igh t b e p o s s ib le t o f i nd h i s to r ic a l d ocum en t s r e f e r r ing t o p agan a c t s , b u t u n f o r tun a t e ly t h e s e C an t ab r ian v al ey ss e em t oh av eb e en l i v ing t h e i ro wn D a rk A g e , a nd f ew t e x t s a r e k nown . N ev e r th e l e s s , mon a s t e r ie s h ad b e com e w e l l e s t ab l i shed i n t h e S p an i sh m e se ta t ot h es o u th a nd d o cumen t sa r ek nown f r om t h i s a r ea . O n eo ft h e s ew a sw r i t ten b y S t Ma r t in o fB raga i nt h e6 t h C en tu ry , c a l l ing o n C h r i s t ian s i n G a l ic ia i n t h e n o r th -we s t o f S pa in t o a bandon t h e

S ev e ra l C 14 -AMS a r e n ow k nown f o r s c h ema t i c -ab s t r a c tp a in t ing si nc av e si nd if e ren tp a r t s o fC an tab r ia .I nt h eP e f ia jo rao a r ea ,i nt h ec oa s ta lz one a r ound t h eb ay o fS an tand e r ,d a t e sw e r eo b ta ined f r om C u eva d e lP o r t i l lo d e lA r ena la nd C ueva d e lC a l e r o T h e se a r e 1 2 27± 9 3 a nd 195 ± 5 6 B P r e sp e c t iv e ly 1 54

S chema t ic ab s t ra c ta r ti n Ma t ienzo C ave s

p agan b el ie f s a nd c u s tom s w h ich s t i l l s u rv ived ( Gonzä le z E chega ray 1 998 ) . O ne o ft h e c us tom s h e

a r t , a nd v e r y n ea r C ueva d e P i co C o r ra l w h ich h a s a s mal g r oup o fp a in t ing s . H e re L a t in i n sc r ip t ion sw e r e

d enoun ced w a s " l igh t ing c and le s n ex t t or o ck s , t r ee s , s p r ing s a nd c r o s s road s " . T he r e la t ion sh ip b e tw een f i re

f o und o nt h ew a l l sa tt h ee nd o ft h ec ave , d e sc r ib ing a v i s i t m ad e b y ag r oup o f n in e H i spano -Roman s o n 2 7 th O c tobe r 2 35 AD . T h e e xp lo re r s w e re n o t s o e xpl i c i t a c coun t ing f o r t h e i r r e a son f o r v i s i t ing t h e

a nd n a tu ra l p henomena s uch a s r o ck s a nd s p r ing s c ou ld e a s i ly b e a s soc ia ted w i th t h e l a rg e a moun t s o f c ha rcoa lf ound i nc ave s .

c ave b u t i th a s b een s ugge s ted t h a t t h is c ou ld b e r e la ted w i th t h e c on t inuance o fc e r ta in i n i t ia t ion r i t e s a s so c ia ted w i th C e l t ic f e s t iva l s , a nd t h e p rox im i ty o f

T he s e p agan a c t s c an h a rd ly h av e b e en i n ven ted a t t h i s t ime , a nd mu s t s u r e ly b e t h e r emnan t s o f a p r e -Ch r i s t ian r e l ig ion . I n Ma t ienzo , C u eva d e C of r e snedo a nd a l so C oqu i se r aa nd B a randa s a l l h ave p l en ty o f e v id en ce o f b u r ia l s a nd /o r o t he r k ind s o f r i t ua l d epo s i t s i nt h e l a te I r on A ge . T h e d a te f o r t h e p a in t ing i n C ueva d e C of r e sn edo , a l though i ti sn o t I r on A g e , d oe s g ob ack t ot h e p r e -Ch r i s t ian p e r iod I t

t h e d a te t o o u r A l l S a in t s ' D ay , o r e ven H a l lowe en , m igh tb es i gn i f ican t( Abä so lo 1 998 ) . 4 .C onc lu s ion R e sea rch i n to s chema t i c -ab s tra c ta r th a s g one t h rough s e ve ra l p ha s e s , f r om L lano s 's g r oundb r eak ing s t ud ie s d eve loped i nt h ep rov ince o fA lava , t o CAEAP ' s r a p id

a l so h appen st h a to fa lt h ec av e st ha th ave b e en d a ted , C of r e snedo i st h eo n ly o ne w i th l a rg e a moun t s o fI r on A ge a r t ef a c t s ( w i th t h e e xcep t ion o fs ome p o t te ry i n C ueva d e l C a le ro 1 ) . B u t p a in t ing s a nd I r on A g e m a te r ia l s c o inc id e i ns e ve ra l o t he r c ave s i nt h e A sön a nd M ie ra v a l le y s , s u ch a s C ueva d e l A sp io . C oven to sa a nd C ova rön .

d i scove r yo fn ume rou s s i t e si nC an tab r ia i nt h e 1 980 s . A t e a ch s t age , t h eo r ie s w e r e p ropo sed t o e xp la in t h e a va i lab le i n f o rma t ion . B u t t h e a b so lu t e d a t ing o ft h e p a in t ing s t h em se lve s o n ly b e cam e p o s s ib le i nt h e l a t e 1 990 s . I n t h i s r e sp e c t C u eva d e C of r e snedo a nd t h e o t he rc ave si n Ma t ienzo h ave p l ayed a ni mpo r tan tr o le i n t h e f o rmu la t ion o f t h e c u r r en t h ypo th e s i s : t h a t

F u r the r s p ec tacu la r e v iden ce o fv i s i t s m ad e t oc ave s

s chema t ic -ab s t r a c t a r t h ad i t s o r ig in s i n p agan a c t s p e r f o rmed i nc ave s i np r e -Ch r i s t ian t ime s , a nd w h ich c on t inu ed l o ng i n to t h e M idd le A ge s , u n t i l t h e s e C an tab r ian v a l ley s w e re f i na l ly a nd c onc lu s ive ly C h r i s t ian ized

h a s b e en f o und i n ac ave t ot h e s ou th o f C an tab r ia . C ueva d e l P u en te i s i n V i l la lb a d e L o sa , i n t h e p rov ince o f B u rgo s , b u t m idway b e tween C an tab r ia a nd A lava , t h et wo m a in c en t re so fs chema t ic -ab s t rac t

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I n troduc t ion T h r e e g r ound s t one c u t t ing t o o ls . o r t ob e e xa c t t wo a x e s a nd a n a d ze , a r e k nown f r om Ma t ien zo , a nd d epo s i ted i n S an tand e r Mu seum o f P reh i s to ry a nd A r cha eo logy (MRPAC ) .

Mea su r emen t s :

S uch a s ma l l n umb e r o f p i e ce s d oe s n o t a l low s t a t is t ica l a na ly s i s o r g en e ra l c onc lu s ion s t o b e

W id th a tt h ep l a tf orm : 2 . 06 c m Max imum t h i ckne s s : 4 . 13 c m T h i ckn e s sa tt h es t a r to ft h ee dg e : 2 . 67 c m T h i ckn e s sa tt h eb a se : 1 . 79 c m

Max imum l e ng th : 1 3 .85 c m W id th a tt h ee dge : 5 . 5c m W id th a th a l fi t sl e ng th : 4 . 85 c m

r e a ched a bou tt h em anu f ac tu re a nd m o rpho logy o ft h i s k i nd o f t o o l i n Ma t ienzo , b u t e a ch a r te f a c t h a s i t s s p e c if i c c ha rac t e r is t ic s , a nd p r ov ide s i n f orma t ion o f d if e r en tk ind s , c on t r ibu t ing t ot h es t ud yo ft h i st y pe o f t o o li nC an tab r ia .

T )p o log ica la na ly s i s Q uad rangu la rs ub t rape zo ida lp rof i le D im en s ion s : l o ng , n a r r ow a nd t h ick F a ce s : C u r v ed ,c on cave convex

T h eo b jec t sa r e : I .G round s t on e a x e . C ueva d e O r ilän . MRF *AC r e g . n o . 8 328 .

S id e s : C on cave convex F ac e t s : a s ymme t r ica l E dge : n o rma l p o s i t ion . c onvex s h ap e . a cu t e a ng le o f a t tack , i regu la r manu f ac tu r ea nd u s ed T e chn iqu e : P robab ly f u l ly g r ound , b u t p oo r ly

2 .G round s t on e a x e . E xac t o r ig in u nknown . MRPAC r e g . n o . 1022 . 3 .A d ze . C u eva 7 09 . MRF 'AC r e gn o . 1 0756 . E ach t o o l w i l l b e d e sc r ibed i n t h e f olow ing w ay .

p r e served P l a t f o rm : t h ick , r ound ed

F i r s t ly , i t s m ea su remen t s , a nd s e cond ly a t y po log ica l d e s c r ip t ion , f o l low ing t h e s y s t em o fF ando s ( 1 973 ) , a s t h i si s as imp le .d e sc r ip t ive t y p o logy w h ich i sp rac t ic a l

T h e s t r eam w he r e i tw a s f ound h a s s l ow ly w o rn a way t h e s u r f a ce o ft h e a xe , s ot ha t n ow i tl o ok s a si fi th a s b e en p i ck ed . N ev e r the le s s , f r om i t s m o rpho log ica l c ha ra c t e r i s t i c s , i t w a s p rob ab ly m anu f a c tu red b y g r ind ing , a l though m o r e c anno t b e s a id . I na ny c a se , t h e e r o s ion h a s n o t b e en t o o g r ea t , a st h e a xe h a s n o t b een t o ta l ly d i sf igu r ed .

a nd e a sy t ou s e . T h e m o s t r e c en t t y po logy o fg round s t on et o o l si nS pa in , c a r r ied o u tb yO rmazab a l , P a s to r a nd U r igo i t ia ( 1 994 ) , i sb a sed o n t h e e a r l ie r s y s tem . b u t w i th g r ea t e r e mpha s i s i n t h e d e sc r ip t ion o f c ha rac te r i s t ic s . I ti sa im ed a to b ta in ing t y pe s , w h ich i s n o t o u r c a se , a nd b e s id e s , a s t h e a u tho r s s a y , " t he s t udy o fm orpho log ica l c ha rac t e r sa l one i si n capab le o fd ef in ing t y pes " . F ando s 's t y po logy i st h e re f o re m o re p ra c t ica l f o r o u r n eed s . T h i rd ly , t h e c ha rac te r i s t ic s o f

Two c ha ra c t e r i s t ic sa r eo fi n t e re s t :

e a ch t o o la r ea na ly sed .

1 .T he a x i s o fs ymme t r y o ft h e f a ce s i sd ev ia ted b y a c u rv e w h ich a f e c t s t h e a x e a l ong i t s f u l l l e ng th . Ob se rv ing t h e f a ce d enom ina ted " A " , w e s e e t h a t t h e r i gh t p rof i le i s c on cav e a nd t h e l e f t c onv ex . T h i s

1 .G round s t one a xe . C ueva d e O f-M M . I S IRPAC r eg .n o . 8 328 .

c omb ina t ion o fp rof i le s i st h e c aus e o f ac u rv e i nt h e a x i s o fs ymme t ry t h a t s h i f t s t h e a x i s t owa rd s t h e l e f t m idway a l ong i t s l e ng th . T h e t wo p rof i le s a r e c omp lem en ta ry i nt h e i rc u rva tu re : o n eo nt h ei n s id e o f

I tw a s f ound b y J uan C o r r in i n t h e s t ream -bed o f C ueva d eO r ilön , a bou t 1 00 m f r om t h ee n t ran ce , a nd d epo s i ted i n t h e MRF 'AC o n A p r i l 1 8 th 1 996 . I ti s m anu f a c tu red i n o ph i t e a nd , a l though i t s s u r f ace i s e r od ed b y t h e w a te ra c t ion , i t s c ha rac t e r i s t ic s a r e s t i l l p e r f ec t ly r e c ogn i sab le .

t h e a r c ( c on cave p rof i le ) a nd t h e o t h e r o n t h e o u t s id e ( c onvex p rof i le ) . 2 . T he p r of i le d enom ina ted " 1 " h a s a n o va l shap ed a r ea a bou t m idway a l ong t h e s i d e . R e f e r r ing t o t h e c u rv a tu r e d e sc r ibed a bov e , t h i s a r ea i ss i tua ted o n t h e

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i n t e rna l f a c e o ft h e a r c . I tw ou ld h av e b een u s ed i n o rd e rt oh a f tt h ea x e ,a c t ing a st h el ow e rf a ce ,o rb a se .

s u r f a ce o fb o th f a c e s , w h i ch a r e s t il s h iny a nd h a rd ly e r od ed

T he s e t wo c ha ra c t e r i s t ic s s ugg e s t t h a t t h e t o o l w a s m anu f a c tu r ed i nt h i s w a y f o r i t s u s e a s a n a x e . T h e s i d e p ropo s ed a s t h e b a s e , i n c omb ina t ion w i th t h e c u rv a tu r e o ft h e a x i s o fs ymm e t ry , p o s i t ion t h e t o o l ' s c u t t ing e dg e i n t h e v e r t ica l p l an e , a nd t h e r e f o r e i t mu s t h av eb een u sed a sa n a x e . T h e t h ickne s s o ft h e c r o s s se c t ion c ou ld i n d ica te t h a t i t s u s e i n vo lv ed c on s id e r ab l e f o r c e ( n eed ing g r ea t e r t h ickn e s s t o i n c r ea se i t s r e s i s tan c e t ot h e i mpa c t s o ft h e b l ow s ) . T he c u r va tu r e w ou ld e q ua l ly i n c r ea s e t h e a x e ' s r e s i s tan ce ,a si tt u rn ed t h ec u t t ing e dg ed ownwa rd s .

Two a s pe c t sn e ed ed e xp la in ing 1 .U se . T h e a x e h a s t wo m a in m a rk s d e r ived f r om i t s u se . F i r s t , t h em a rk sa nd f r ac tu r e so ft h ec u t t ing e dg e . T h e o n ly p a r to ft h eo r ig ina le dg et h a ti ss t il p r e se r ved ,t h e l owe rr i gh tp a r t( w i th r e sp e c tt ot h ef a c ed enom ina ted " A " ) , i st o ta l ly b l un t ed t h rough i t su s e . A nd t h ew ho l e e dg e s how s a n a c cumu la t ion o f m a rk s l e f t b y t h e b l ow sw h ich h av en o tp rovok ed i t sb r e akag e . T h er e s t o ft h ee dg eh a sb e en l o s tb yf r ac tu r ing . As u c ce s s ion o f f r a c tu r e s i sc on c en t ra t ed a tt h e s am e e nd o ft h e e dg e , a nd w i th t h es ame e n t ry p l an e . T h ey a r eo nt h el e f to f f a ce A ,a nd f r om t h i sp o in tt h ey e n te rt h eo ppo s i t ef a c e t ow a rd st h er i gh t .

F ina l ly ,i ti ss t r ik ing t h a tt h ea x ei sn e i th e rf r agm en t ed n o r f r a c tu r ed , a pa r t f r om t h e s up e rf i c ia l e r o s ion . A s f u r the rmo r e i tw a sf o und i n ac a ve , t h i s s ugg e s t st h a t t h e a x e w a s o r ig ina l ly p a r t o ft h e g r av e g ood s i n a f un e ra ry d epo s i t . T h i s t y p e o f c on t ex t i s w e l l d ocumen t ed i nC an tab r ian c a ve s ,w h e r et h ea xe sh ave n om a rk so fu s e . 2 . G round s t one a x e . MRPAC r e g .n o . 1022 .

T h ep l a t f o rm i sa l so f r a c tu r ed W i th r e sp e c tt of a c eA , t h ee n t ry p l an eo ft h e se f r a c tu r e si so nt h el e f tt owa rd s t h e r i gh t o ft h e o ppo s i te f a c e . A l l t h e f r a c tu r e s a r e c on cen t ra t ed o nt h i ss i d e .

E xa c t o r ig in u nknown . T h ec on cen t r a t ion o fe a ch t y pe o ff r ac tu r eo no n es i d e o ft h e e dg e a nd p l a t f o rm , w i th t h e s ame e n t r y p l an e , t o ge the r w i th t h e w o rn e dg e , i nc omp a r i son w i th t h e g ood c ond i t ion o ft h e r e s t o ft h e a x e , s ugg e s t s t h a t b o th f r ac tu r e sa r ed u et oi t su s e . T he r e f o r e ,t a k ing i n to a c coun t t h e e n t ry p l an e o ft h e f r ac tu r e s a nd t h e a r ea w h e r et h ey a r e c on c en t ra ted , w e c an s e e h ow t h ea x e w a su s ed ,w i th t h ec u t t ing e dg ei n av e r t ica lp o s i t ion .

T he o r ig in a l c on t ex t o ft h i s a x e i sn o t k nown . I tw a s d epo s i ted i nt h e MRPAC b yF ran c i sco S amp ed ro f r om Mex ico o n Ma r ch 3 0 th 1 9 83 . O u ro n ly i n f o rma t ion i s t h a t i tw a s p r ob ab ly f o und i n L a S e cada , a nd i ti s s uppo s ed t oh ave b e en k ep t i nt h e o wn e r ' s f am i ly f o r s e v e ra l g en e ra t ion s . I ti sm ad e o f f i b ro l i t e , w i th a n a v e rage s t a t eo fp r e s e r va t ion .

Wh en t h ea x e i su s ed i nt h i sp o s i t ion , t h ef i r s tp a r to f t h ee dg et oc om ei n to c on ta c tw i th t h eo b je c tb e ing c u t i si t sl ow e re nd , a nd t h i st a ke st h ef o r c eo ft h ei mp a c t . T h ec on sequen c ei st h a tt h ee dg e i sw or no rf r a c tu r ed m o r e o f ten i nt h i sp a r t . H en c e , i tc an b ed edu ced t h a t t h i sa xe w a su s ed w i th t h el e f t -hand s i d e( w i th r e sp ec t t of a c eA )d ownwa rd s .

Me a su r em en t s : Max imum l e ng th : 9 . 75 c m Max imum w id th : 7 . 00 c m W id th a tt h es t a r to ft h ee dg e : n o tm ea su rab le W id th a tt h es t a r to ft h ep l a t f o rm : n o tm e a su rab le Max imum t h i ckn e s s : 2 . 91 c m T h i ckne s sa tt h es t a r to ft h ee dg e : 1 . 7 3 c m T h i ckne s sa tt h es t a r to ft h ep l a t f o rm : 1 . 31 c m

Wh en t h ep l a tf o rm o ft h ea x ei sf i t ted i nt h eh a f t , t h e f o rc e o f t h e a x e ' s i mp a c t i s a l so r e f le c t ed i n t h e p l a t f o rm , a nd c an f r a c tu r e i t .T h e n umb e ra nd s i ze o f t h ef r a c tu re si nt h ec u t t ing e dg ei mp ly t h a tt h ea x ew a s u sed w i th c on s id e rab l ef o r ce . T h i sw a sr e f l e c t ed i nt h e p l a t f o rm , a s i ss h own b y t h e f r a c tu re s i n t h i s p a r t , c au sed b yw ha tw ec an c al c oun te rb low s .

T ypo log ic a ld e s c r ip t ion P rof i le c an n o tb eo b se rv ed w i th p r ec i s ion D im en s ion s : l o ng ,w id ea nd t h in F a c e s :c u rved c onv ex S id e s : l i n ea rc onv ex S id ef a ce s :p a r a l le l ,s t ra igh ta nd w e l l -def in ed A x eb ev e l :r e gu la r , s ymme t r ica la nd t h in E dg e : c onv ex ,a cu t ea ng le o fa ta ck ,w e l l -u sed T e chn iqu e :t o ta l ly p o l i sh ed

2 .H a f t T h et wo f l a t s i d e s a r ee v id en ce o ft h e m e thod u s ed t o h a f tt h ea x e . T he s e t wo s i d e s a nd t h e s hap e o ft h e t wo f a ce s g i v e t h e a x e a n a lmo s t s qua r e c r o s s s e c t ion , a nd i n c on s equ enc e . t h e h a f t m u s t h av e h ad as im i l a r f o rm . T h e m anu f a c tu r e o f h af t s o f t h i s t y p e h a s b een

T he s t a t e o fp r e s e r va t ion i se s pe c i a l ly n o t ic e ab le , a s t h e f r a c tu r e s a t t h e c u t t ing e dg e a nd t h e p l a t f o rm c on t ra s tw i th t h e g ood c ond i t ion o ft h e s i d e s a nd t h e 1 62

G r ound s t one i mp lemen t sf r om Ma t i enzo

d o cumen t ed a t C ha r av ine s ( S ev e ra l a u tho r s 1 994 ) , a nd i ti mp l ie st h e u se o fc h i se l s . T h e h o l e w h e r e t h e a xe i st ob e i n se r t ed i nt h e w ood en h a f t i sc u t i n a p r ed e t e rm in ed s h ap e u s ing a c h i s e l . G round s t on e c h i s e l sh av eb e en f o und i nC an tab r ia ( e .g . a tE s le s , i n S an ta Ma r ia d eC a yön ) ,a nd t h e i ru se c ou ld b er e la ted w i th t h e se h a f t s ,a mong o t he rt h ing s .

S ev e ra la s pe c t sn eed c omm ent ing a bou tt h i sa dze . 1 .U se T h e w a y t h i s t o o l w a s u s ed i s s hown b y i t s m o rpho logy , p r ed e te rm in ed t o b e h af t ed w i th t h e c u t t ing e dg e t r an sv e r sa l t ot h e a x i s o ft h e s h a f t . B y o b se rv ing i t sp rof i le , t h e a x e c an b e s e en t oh ave t h e f o rm o fa na r c , a st h ef a c e Bw a sc u tb a ck u n t i li th ad t h e s am e c u rva tu r e a sf a c e A . I nt h i s w ay , f a c e Ai s c onv ex a nd f a c e B i s c on cav e , s ymm e t r ic a l a nd p ar a l le lt of a c eA

I n c on c lu s ion , t h e e v id en ce s h ow s t h a t t h e a xe h a s b een u s ed a s aw o rk ing t o o l . S im i la ra x e s a r eu sua l ly a s so c ia t ed w i th h ab i ta t ion c on tex t s , o r c ou ld b e i n d i ca to r s o f ah ab i ta t ion , l i k e t h o se a tV a ld egob ia . T he s ea xe sw e r es imp ly u s ed , a nd t h rown a way wh en t h ey b r ok e . T h e n ea r e s tp a ra l le l i ns i ze , m a t e r ia l a nd c ha ra c te r i s t ic si sa ne xamp le f r om G ua rn izo ,e xh ib i ted i nt h e MRPAC , a nd w i th am ax imum l e ng th o f1 0 .8 1 c m .

I ft h i st o o lw e r et ob eh af t ed l i k ea na x ei tc ou ld n o tb e u s ed , a si t s a x i s w ou ld b e d ev ia t ed , m ak ing i tt o ta l ly i n ef f i c ien t I t s e em s t h a t i t m a y h av e b e en o r ig ina l ly m anu f a c tu r ed a sa na xe ( e v en t h ep r of i le o ft h ec u t t ing e dg e c o r r e sp ond s t ot h a t o fa n a x e ) , a nd t h a t l a t e r i t w a s r ede f ined a s a n a dze b y c u t t ing b a ck o n e o ft h e f a ce s . H owev e rt h et o o lh a sn of r a c tu r e so rm a rk st h a t c ou ld p rov id ef u r the ri n f o rma t ion a bou ti t su se .

3 .A dze .C ueva 7 09 . MRPAC r eg n o . 1 0756 . T h i s t o o l w a s f o und o n t h e f l oo r o fC av e 7 09 b y J . T ho rp e o f t h e B r i t i sh C av ing E xp ed i t ion . A r e cen t v i s i t t ot h e s am ec ave h a s s hown t h a t i ta l so c on ta in s h uman b one sa nd p o t sh e rd s .

2 .H a f t I t i s m anu f a c tu r ed i n o ph i t e , a nd d e sp i t e b e ing p a r t ia l ly c ov e r ed w i th c a l c i t e , i tc an b e c on s id e red a s i n ap e r f e c t s t a t e o fp r e s e rva t ion . I th a s s uf e r ed n o e r o s ion o rd e t e r io ra t ion ,a nd t h ec a l c i t eh a sn o ta l t e r ed i t sm o rpho log y .

A s e xp la ined a bov e , t h e h a f t ing w a s c a r r ied o u tw i th t h e c u t t ing e dg e t r an sv e r sa l t ot h e a x i s o ft h e s h a f t . T h e a b s en ce o fm a rk s o fu s e d oe s n o t a l low f u r the r c on c lu s ion s t ob e d r awn a bou t t h i s a sp e c t . We c an o n ly s a y t h a t p e rhap s t h e f l a t s i d e s w e re p a r t o ft h e p r epa ra t ion o ft h ea dz ef o rt h eh a f t .

Mea su r em en t s : Max imum l e ng th . 1 3 .09 c m W id th o fc u t t ing e dg e :6 . 53 c m W id th m idway a l ong i t sl e ng th : 6 . 2 1 c m W id th a tt h ep l a t f o rm : 3 . 16 c m T h i ckn e s sa ts t a r to fe dg e : 1 . 98 c m T h i ckn e s sm idwa ya l ong i t sl e ng th : 2 . 08 c m T h i ckn e s sa tt h ep l a t f o rm : 1 . 54 c m W id th o ft h ee dg eb ev e l : 1 . 85 c m Max imum w id th o ft h es i d eo fp rof i le 1 :1 . 78 c m Max imum w id th o f t h e s i d e o f p r of i le 2 : N o t m e a su rab le d u et ot h ec a lc i t ec ov e r ing .

T o s um u p , t h i s t o o l i s v e r y i n te r e s t ing f o r t wo r e a son s . F i r s t ly ,i ti st h eo n ly o n et ob ef o und i n ac l ea r c on t ex t , a nd s e cond ly i tp rov id e s n ew i n f o rma t ion a bou t t h e m anuf a c tu r e o fa d ze s . I tc onf i rm s ap o in t m ad ea bove , a nd t h a t i st h a tt h e s t on et o o l si n ag ood s t a t e o f p r e s e rva t ion t e nd t o b e a s soc ia ted w i th f une ra ry d epo s i t s ( a s i n t h i s c a se ) , s i n ce t h ey w e r e m ad e f o rt h a tp u rpo se . T ho s e w h i ch a r e m o r e p oo r ly p r e se rv ed a r e u sua l ly a xe s t h a t w e r e t h rown a wa y w he nt h ey w e re n ol o ng e ro fu s e . 4 .C onc lu s ion s

T ypo log ica ld e s c r ip t ion : F i r s ti tmu s tb ep o in ted o u tt h a tt h e s et h r ee s t on et o o l s d o n o t m ak e al a rg e e nough s amp le f o r g en e ra l c on c lu s ion s t ob e f o rmu la t ed a bou t t h e m anu f a c tu r e , u s eo rh a f t ing o fa x e sa nd a dze s . F u r th e rmo r e , i nt wo c a se s w e k now l i t t le o r n o th ing a bou t t h e o r ig ina l c on t ex t o ft h e i r d epo s i t , w h ich r e du c e s c on s id e r ab ly t h e i n f o rma t ion t h ey c an o f e r . T h e r e a l v a lu e o ft h e c o l l e c t ion l i e si nt h ed a ta t h ey c on t r ibu t et ot h eg en e ra l s t ud y o f g r ound s t on e t o o l s , i n t h e f o rm o f t h e i n d iv idua ld e ta i l so fe a ch o n e .

S ub t rap ezo ida lq uad rangu la rp rof i le D im en s ion s : l o ng ,n a r row a nd f l a t F ac e s :c u rv ed ,c on cav e conv ex S i d e s :l i n ea r ,s t r a igh t S i d ef a c e s : s t r a igh ta nd w e l l -d ef in ed C u t t ing e dg e b ev e l : r e gu la r , s ymm e t r ic a l , s ho r t , n a r row a nd t h in C u t t ing e dg e : r e gu la r , c onv ex , a cu t e a ng l e o fa t ta ck a nd n ew s t a t eo fp r e se r va t ion T e chn ique :t o ta l ly p o l i sh ed

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W i th in t h e c on tex t o f t h i s k i nd o f a r t e f a c t i n C , an tab r ia , t h e se t o o l s p r ov id e e v id enc e o f an ew t y p e o fh af t ing ( t he a x e o fu nknown o r ig in ) , a nd o f an ew t y p e o fm anu f a c tu r ing a d ze s ( a d ze f r om C u ev a 7 09 ) . T h ey a l so p r ov id e b a s ic i n f o rma t ion ( m ea su r em en t s a nd t y po logy ) w h i ch c an b e u sed i nw id e r s t a t is t ica l a na ly s i s o fg r ound s t on e t o o l s ( Rob le s &R u iz C obo 1 990 ) .

R e f erence s D i e z C a s t ilo , A . 1 996 . U t i l iza c iön d e l o s r e cu r so s e n l a m a r ina y m on tar i a c an täb r i ca s : u na p r eh i s to r ia e co lög ico d e l o s v ale , s d e l D e va y N an sa .I l lunza r 196 . G u er n i ca . F and o s , A .J . 1 973 . P ropu e s ta p r e l i tn ina r p a ra u na t i po log ia a na l i t ic a d e l a s h a cha s p en in su la r e s . Mun ibe 2 5 ,p p2 03 -208 .

O n e t h ing t h e se t h r e e t o o l s s e em t o c onf i rm , a s m en t ioned a bove , i s t h e d if e r en ce b e tw een t h o se f o und i no p en -a i rs i te s( h ab i ta t s )a nd t h ed i s cov e r ie si n b u r ia l c on t ex t s . T h e o n e s f r om o pen -a i r s i t e s u sua l ly h av e m a rk s o fu se a nd f r ac tu r e s , s ugg e s t ing t h a tt h ey w e r et o o l su s ed a nd t h rown a way , i nc on t r a s tw i th t h e w el -p r e s e rved e xamp l e s f r om b u r ia l c ave s , p o s s ib ly m anu f a c tu r ed s o le ly t o b e d epo s i ted a s p a r t o f t h e g r av e g ood s . T h i s d if e r enc e c an a l so b e o b s e rv ed i n o t h e re xamp le sf r om b u r ia l c av e s s u ch a sP i co R amo s ( J uä r e z U rqu i jo 1 995 ) , a nd t h e s u r f a c e f i nd s f r om U r rünaga r e se rvo i r ( O rma zaba l , P a s to r & U r ig o i t ia 1 984 ) .

J u ä r e z U rqu i jo , F . 1 995 . E s tud io d e l o s ü t i le s p u l imen tado s d e f i l o c o r tan t e d e l a c ueva s e pu lc ra l P i co R amo s ( Mu sk iz , B izca ia ) . Mun ibe 4 7 ,p p 1 07 123 . O rma zaba l , A , B . P a s to r , & T . U r ig o i t ia , 1 984 . E n sayo d e e s tud io a na l i t i co d e l i n s t rumen ta l l i t ico p u l im en tado . S ua p l i cac iön a lc on jun to d e s up e rf i c ie d e U r runag a ( A lava ) . Mun ibe 4 6 , p p 8 7 110 . R ob le s F e rnänd e z G . &J .R u iz C obo , 1 990 . U t ila je p u l im en tad o e n C an tab r ia . R e su l tado s p r e l im ina r e s . _ DJ C ong r e so N a c iona l d e A rqueo log ia .

F i na l ly , u n f o r tuna te ly , t h e l a ck o f a c l ea r c h rono log ica l c on tex t d o e s n o t a l low a ny o ft h et h r e e t o o l s t ob e d a ted , a nd n o r i st h i s p o s s ib le f r om t h e i r m o rpho log ica l f e a tu re s . A s a n i n d ica t ion , i tc an b e s t a ted t h a t i nC an tab r ia g r ound s t on e a xe s a pp ea r i n s e pu lch ra l c on t ex t s a tt h e e nd o ft h e C ha l col i t lüc o r s t a r to ft h eB ronze A g e , a l though t h eo n ly c on t ex tt h a t h a sb e en d a ted w el i sa tP er i a O v ied o ( D ie z C a s t ilo 1 996 ) ,s i tua t ed a tt h es t a r to ft h e3 rd m i l lenn ium BC .

S ev e ra la u tho r s , 1 994 . C ha r av ine s iya5 000 a n s . L e s D o s s ie r sd ' Ar cheo log ie N o . 1 99 .

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G round s t one i mp lemen t sf r om Maüenzo

1

0

5

1 .C ueva d eL aS ecada ( C .709 ) , 2 .C ueva d e O r i l ib r i , 3 .B ar r io L aS ecada .

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S torage U rn si n Ma t ienzo a nd t he i rR eg iona l C on tex t 1 .I n troduc t ion

T he d if e r en tt y p e s o fp reh is to r ic p o t t e ry i nC an tab r ia h ave s t i l l n o tb e en s t ud ied i na n yg r ea td ep th , a nd t h e f ew a t t emp t s a tt h e i r s y s t ema t i sa t ion h av e o n ly b een p a r t ia l ly s u c ce s s f u l . T h e d ef in i t ion o ft h e e vo lu t ion o f t h ep o t te r yf o rm si sh ind e red b yt h ea b sence o f al a rge s e r ie s , s uppo r t ed w i th a b so lu te d a te s . A s ar e su l t , n o

d ep r e s s ion . T he f i rs t t h re e , C ueva d e C o f re snedo , C u eva d el a sG ra ja sa nd C ueva d eR ey e s , a r er e la t ive ly w e l l d ocumen ted . F rom C u eva d e l aC ale ja R ebo l lo w e o n ly k now o f al a rge f r agm en to f ab a se , wh i le t h e r e cen t f i nd i nC u eva 1 79 s t il h a s n o t b e en s t ud ied a t a l l .

r e f e renc e f r amewo rk e x i s t s w i th in w h ich t h i s t y p e o f u rn ,f o und i ns e ve ra l Ma t i enzo c av e s ,c an b es i tua ted

2 . 1 C ueva d eR eye s

We d o n o t k now t h e f o rm s o f N eo l i th ic p o t te r y i n C , an tab r ia a s w e o n ly h av e r a the r i n s ign if i can t

A l a rge n umb e r o f s h e rd s w e r e f ound a mong t h e s t one s o nt h e f l oo r o ft h i s c av e , mos t ly f r om t h e s am e a r ea o n t h e l e f t o f t h e c hambe r . T hey w e r e w i th in d ay l igh t , a st h ec av ei ss ma l l . A nd a l though ah oa rd o f i r on t o o l s w a s f ound n ea r t h e e n t ranc e , t h e t wo

f r agmen t s , a nd t h i s i s a l so t r ue o f t h e e a r ly C ha lco l i th ic . Mu ch mo r e i n f o rma t ion a bou t p o t te ry t y p e s i sa va i lab le f r om s i te s o fl a t e C ha lcol i th ic d a t e . u sua l ly s e pu lch r a l c ave s . S om eo ft h e se c ave s c on ta in f r agmen t so fs t o rag eu rn s . E qua l ly , h ab i ta ts i te s , d a t ed

d epo s i t s m ay n o tn ec e s sa r i ly b e a s so c ia t ed a pa r tf r om t h e c o inc idenc e o fa pp ea r ing i nt h e s am e c ave . A l l o f

i nt h e m idd l e B ronze A g e , h av e a l so p rov ided s h e rd s o ft h e s am et y pe . I nc on t ra s t , i nt h e f ew p o t te r y s e r ie s

t h es h e rd ss e em t oc om ef r om s t o rage u rn s , a l though i t w a s i mpo s s ib le t or e con s tru c t a ny . o re v en d e te rm ine f o rs u re t h en umb e ro fu rn st h a t m igh t h av e o r ig ina l ly

a t t r ibu t ed t ot h el a te B ronze A g e , t h e l a rg e c on ta ine r s g en e ra l ly h av e ad if e r en tf o rm .

f o rmed t h ed epo s i t .

T he s t o rag e u rn s a sd e sc r ibed h e r e c an b e d ef ined a s : l a rg ev e s s e l s , w i thou t h and le s , w i th aw ide mou th a nd f l a tb a s e , a nd w i th s om e f o rm o fd eco ra t ion , w h ich i s

T h re ed if e r en tr im sw e re f ound . T he l a rges tf r agm en t w a s r e con s t ru c ted f r om a n umbe r o f s h e rd s , a nd a low ed a d i am e t e r o f4 0cm t ob e c a lcu la t ed f o r t h e mou th . T he w a l l s a r e a bou t 9mm t h ick . T h e l i po ft h e

u sua l ly al a y e ro ff i ng e rf l u ted c l ay o v e rt h e l ow e rp a r t o ft h e w a l l s a nd s ome k ind o fh o r izon ta l r a ised b and o rf i ng e ri mp r e s s ion s a r ound t h eu ppe rw a l l s . B e cau se o ft h e i r l a rg e s i ze , i tc an b e s uppo sed t h a t t h ey w e re u sed f o r s t o rage , a nd w e re n o t i n t ended t ob e mov ed v e r yo f ten .

r im i s s em ic i r cu la r , a nd t h e re a r e t h re e h o r izon ta l r a is ed b and s b e low t h e r im , a l though t h ey a r e n o t t o o p ronoun ced , a nd t h e u pp e r t wo a r e m a rk ed w i th f i ng e rna i l i mp r e s s ion s . T he f a b r ic i sb l ack , a nd t h e o u te rs u r f ac e s how ss pa tu la m a rk s . T he o t h e rt wo r im s a r e r e p r e sen ted b y as i ng le s ma l l s h e rd e a ch . On e h a s a s l igh t ly p o in ted r im , a nd t h e o t h e r h a s n a i l i mp re s s ion so nt h er im a nd o n ar a is ed b and .

T hey f r equ en t ly a ppea r i nC an tab r ian s i t e s , a l though a s a l r eady s t a t ed , i nc on tex t s w h ich h av e r a r e ly b een s t ud ied s y s t ema t ica l ly . U sua l ly t h e s e u rn s a r e f r agmen t ed i nh und red so fp i e c e s ,b u to ne o rt wo h av e b een r e cov e red m o r e o rl e s sw ho le , a nd i no t he rc a s e s t h es he rd sh av ep a in s tak ing ly b e en r e -a ss emb led T h is f r equen t a pp ea ran ce h a s l e d t o an umb e r o fp rem i s e s b e ing g ene raly a c c ep ted f o rt h em .

On ly o ne b a s es he rd w a sr e cov e r ed . T he b a s ei s1 3nun t h ick , a nd t h e w al a bov e t h e b a se 9 nun t h ick . T h e d i ame te r o f t h e b a s e w a s e s t ima t ed t o b e a bou t 1 8 .5cm .

a ) T he u rn s t e nd t ob e v er y s im i la r , i n t h e i r s i ze a s w el a si nt h e i rm anu f ac tu re a nd d eco ra t ion s . b )T hey a ppe a ri nv e ry d if e r en tc on tex t s , f r om h ab i ta t s i te st os e pu lch ra lc av e s . c )T he i rc h rono logy i st h ough tt oc ove r al o ng p e r iod , f r om t h eN eo l i th ic t ot h eI r on A g e , d u r ing w h ich t ime t h e i rd e s ig nd i dn o ta l te rs ub s tan t ia l ly .

T h e w a l l s h e rd s a r e v e ry v a r ied . Many o ft ho se f r om t h e u pp e r p a r t h ad r a i sed b and s o f d if e ren t t y p e s . e i the rf o rm ed b yp r e s s ing f r om t h ei n s id eo ft h eu rn t o p u sh o u t ah o r izon ta l r i dg e , o r b. ya dd ing ac o rdon o f c l ay a r ound t h eo u t s id e . S ome o ft h e s eh av ef i ng e rn a i l i mp r e s s ion s . T h e s h e rd s c o r re spond ing t o t h e l owe r p a r t h av e al a y e r o fi r r egu la r ly f l u ted c l ay , a nd s ome

2 .E xamp le so fu rn sf ound i n Ma t ienzo

s he rd sa r ep e r f o ra ted T he c o lou ro ft h ef a b r ic c an v a r y f r om w ho l ly b l ack , u sua l ly i n t h e u pp e r p a r t o f t h e u rn , t ob l ack o n t h e i n s id e a nd r e d o n t h e o u t s id e i n

T he c onc ep t sd e s c r ibed a bov ew il b ee xam ined a st h e e xamp le s r e cov e red i n Ma t ien zo a r e d e sc r ibed T h i s t y pe o fu rn h a sb een f ound i nf o u ro rf i ve c ave s i nt h e

t h e l owe ru rn . S om e s he rd s h ave af u r th e r l a y e ro fr e d c l ay o v e r t h e o u t s id e , w h ich a pp ea r s t o h ave b een a dd ed a f te rt h eu rn w a sf i red .

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2 . 2C ueva d eC o f r e snedo

2 . 3C ueva d el a sG ra ja s

Among t h e q uan t i t ie s o fp o t t e ry r e cove r ed f r om t h i s c av e a td if e r en t t ime s i nt h e p a s t , s ome 2 00 s h e rd s b e long t os t o rag eu rn s . T h r ee o ft h e s e( Co f . 2 8 ,2 9a nd 3 0 ) c om e f r om ar im , w ho s e w al s v a ry b e twe en 1 0 a nd 1 3mm i nt h i ckne s s . T h el i po ft h er im h a sf i ng e r i mp r e s s ion s , a nd t h e d i am e te r o ft h e m ou th i sa bou t 3 20 o r3 50mm .

O f t h e f i ve p o t s r e cov e r ed f r om t h i s c av e , o n e i sa l a rg e s t o rag e u rn . 1 75 s h e rd s m ad e u p a n e s t ima ted 4 1 .9% o ft h e u rn , w h i ch c ou ld n o t b e r e con s t ru c t ed p hy s i ca l ly , a l though i t sd im en s ion s c ou ld b ef i x ed . I t s h e igh ti sa bou t 7 0 cm , t h em ou th i s4 0 cm i nd i ame t e r , a nd i t sm ax imum d i ame t e r ( a t a bou tt wo th i rd s o fi t s h e igh t ) i s5 0 cm . T h e b a s e i s1 5 cm i nd i am e t e r . T h e t h i ckne s so ft h ew a l l sv a r ie sf r om 1 3t o7 nun .

F ou rb a se s a r e k nown ( Co f . 3 4 .1 , 4 0 , 7 4 .1 a nd 7 4 .2 ) . T he f i r s th a s ad i am e t e ro f 20mm ,a nd t h ew a l l sh ave v e r t ica l ly f l u ted c l ay . C o f . 4 0 i ss ma l le r , 1 50mm i n d i am e t e r , w i th a w a l l l Omm t h ick a nd b a se 1 5mm t h ick . T he o t h e r t wo h av e d i am e t e r s o f 20 a nd 1 60nun .

T h e u pp e r p a r t o ft h e u rn i sp r a c t ic a l ly u nd e co ra t ed , a p a r t f r om v e ry s l igh t ly r a i sed b and s , w h i ch s e em t o b e i regu la r i t ie s i nt h ep rof i l eo ft h ew al sr a the rt h an a n i n t en t ion a l a t t emp t a t d e co ra t ion . T h e i n s id e s u r f a c e o ft h e w a l l s s how s r o ugh s p a tu la m a rk s . T h e l i po ft h er im i ss em i c i rcu la r , al i t t le t h ick e rt h an t h e w al ,a nd t u rn ed o u twa rd ss l igh t ly .

Wal s h e rd ss how t h eu sua lr ang eo fd e co ra t ion : r a i sed b and s w i th f mg e r n a i l i mp r e s s ion s , a nd a l a y e r o f f l u t ed c l ay . S om e p i ec e s h av e p e r f o r a t ion s . T he c l ay f a b r ic c on ta in s f i n e a nd m ed ium s i zed g r i t so fq ua r tz a nd c a l c i t e ,a nd i ns om ec a se sf i n em i ca p a r t i c le s .

T h e l ow e r w a l l s a nd t h e b a s e a r e c ove r ed w i th t wo l a y e r s o fc l a y . T h e f i r s t i sb rown , a nd f i ng e r -f lu t ed , m a in ly v e r t ic a l ly . A bov et h i s al a y e ro fr e dc l ay ,w i th a s moo th s u r f a ce , f i l l s t h e i regu la r i t ie s o ft h e f l u t ing . T en s h e rd s f r om t h e l ow e r p a r t o f t h e u rn h av e p e r f o r a t ion s .

I ti sk nown t h a ta tl e a s ts om eo ft h i sp o t te ry c ame t h e S a la d e l B loque , o n t h e l e f t o ft h e m a in g a l le ry , a nd t h en ew r e s ea r ch c a r r ied o u t i nt h e c a ve h a s i n c lud ed t h ee xam ina t ion o f ab a s e s h e rd f r om t h es am ep a r to f t h ec a ve . A st h i sh a s ad i ame te ro f1 56mm a nd 1 5mm t h ick , i ti sp rob ab ly p a r to ft h es am eu rn a sC o t-.4 0 . A s amp le o f s ma l l s h e rd s a r ound i tw a s d a t ed b y t h ennohun in e sc en c e , w i th ar e su l to f3 923 ± 3 40 B P , o ra bou t 1 970 B C . T he se s h e rd s , s p r ead o v e rt wo o r t h r e e s q ua r e m e t r e s o ft h e c ave f l oo r , a pp ea rt oh ave f a l len f r om t h e h igh e r p a s sag e G a l e r ia d e l B a l cön . Mo r e f r agmen t s a r e s t il t ob e s e en i nt h i s p a s s ag e , t o g e the rw i th b one sw h i ch i n c lud e ah uman r a d iu s .

T h e p o t w a s f i r ed b e f o r e t h e t wo o u te r l a y e r s o fc l a y w e r e a pp l ied . I n g en e ra l , t h i s w a s d on e i nr e du c ing c ond i t ion s , e s p e c ia l ly a r ound t h e r im , b u t o t h e rp a r t s o f t h e w a l l s s how a n o x id i s ing f i r ing . T h e i n te rmed ia te , f i ng e r f lu t ed , l a y e r w a s p r ob ab ly n o t f i red , w h i le t h e o u te r l a y e r h a s a n i n t en s e r e dc o lou r , w h ich m ay b et h er e su l to ft h et y p eo fc l ay u sed ,r a the r t h an ac on sequ enc eo ff i r ing . T h ef a b r ic h a s m ed ium s ized c a l c i t e a nd q ua r tz g r i t s , b u ta bove a l c on t a in ss ma l lf r agm en t so fr e do rs i enna c l ay t h a th ad b e en b ak ed a nd b r ok en u p . Wh i t em ica i s f r equen tt o o .

T he e x cava t ion i n2 000 a l so l o c a ted r im sh e rd s o fa n u rn i nt h e r i f t o nt h e r i gh t o ft h ev e s t ibu le . H ow eve r , t h i s i sn o t ic eab ly s ma l le r , a bou t 2 3cm i nd i am e te r . I t i sp r obab ly n o t o n e o f t h e t y p i ca l s t o rag e u rn s a s d e s c r ib ed i n t h i s a r t ic le , a l though o b v iou s ly d e r iv ed f r om t h em , a nd s h e rd s w i th f mg e r f l u t ing h ave a l so b e en f o und i nt h er i f t .

Wh en t h re e -qua r t e r s f u l l , t h e u rn w ou ld h av e h ad a c apa c i ty o fa bou t5 l i t r e s ,a l though t h ep e r f o r a t ion si n t h ew a l l ss how t h a ti tn ev e rh e ld l i qu id s . C on tex t

C on t ex t T h i s u rn w a s d epo s i ted , t o g e the r w i th t h e o t he r p o t s , i nt h e i n t e r io ro ft h ec av e ,b u t s t il w i th in s i gh to ft h e e n t ran c e . B on e s o f ac ow a nd ap i gw e r ef o und i nt h e s am e a r ea . Ab one w a s d a t ed b y C 14 t o3 7 10 ± B P ( c a l ib ra ted t o2 025 BC ) . As h e rd f r om o ne o ft h eo t h e r p o t sw a sd a ted b yt h e rmo lunün e s cen c et o1 797 BC .

T he o n ly e xamp le o f w h i ch w e k now t h e o r ig ina l l o ca t ion , a nd w h ich h a sb e en d a t ed , i sa s soc ia t ed w i th h uman b on e s , a nd t h e b on e s o f d ome s t i c a n ima l s . O th e r e l em en t s i nt h e c ave t h a t c ou ld b e o f as im i la r a ge a r e ab a r r e l shaped b ronze b ead , a nd ac opp e ro r b r on ze a r rowhead , b o th f o und a tt h e b ack l e f t o ft h e v e s t ibu le ,w h e r ei tl e ad si n to t h em a in p a s sag e .

T h e d epo s i t o fL a s G ra ja s h a s b e en i n t e rp re ted a s a r i tua l o f e r ing , i n ac av e w h ich i sn o t s u i tab le a s a h ab i ta t( Ru iz C obo & o t he r s 1 9 99 /2000 ) .

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c on tex ti su n ce r ta in .

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On eo ft h ec ha ra c te r i s t ic so ft he se u rn s , w h en t h ey a r e f ound o n t h e s u r f a ce o f ac av e f l oo r , i st h e l a rg e n umbe ro ff r agm en t so ft h em . T h i si su nd e r s tandab le , c on s id e r ing t ha t t h ey a r e t a l l v e s se l s w i th a w id e mou th . T hu s , t h e t wo o r t h r ee e xamp le s f o rm

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F lu t ing 1 3 -14 F lu t ing 1 0 -14 Smoo th 1 4 -17

2 20 1 50 2 10

1 2 3

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Smoo th 1 5 -18 Smoo th 8 11 F lu t ing 1 0

1 60

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R im /wa l l Sm /Spa t .7 -13 B a se F lu t ing 1 4

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F lu t ing -

B a se

F lu t ing -

R e f .

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S ur face T h ick . (mm )D iam . (mm )T emper ing D ecora t ion

R e jo E spe ranza Mu rc ie lago s -1

B a se B a se R im

F lu t ing F lu t ing

Mu rc ie lago s -2 R im C o rd iv ilo so 1 /2 R im C o rd iv ilo so 10 B a se C ob ran te s 1 R im T a r re ron 1 R im T a r re ron -1 B a se /wa l l A sp io R in i /wa l l

1 3 1 3

S p a tu la 8 15 S p a tu la 7 14 S p a tu la 7 8 F lu t ing 9 19 Smoo th 1 0 -12 S p a tu la 7 9 F lu t ing 7 9 Sm . /F lu .7 9

4 00 1 50

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I mp -b and ( P e r f o ra t ion )

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1 60

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I mp r im I mp r im /wa l l I mp r im /wa l l F -M F -M F -M

I mp r im /wa l l I mp -b and /wa l l I mp -b and I mp -band

V e r t ica l O va l O v a l O v a l O va l O v a l O v a l O va l

D escr ip t ion o fs t orag eu rns i nt h ec a ve so fMa t ienzo a nd C an tabr ia . ( Abbrev ia t ions u s ed : T emper ing ; Ff i ne , M m ed ium , C o c oar se , Cc a lc i t e , Qq ua r t z , Ll i mes tone . D eco ra t ion ; I mp -r im / band /wa l l i mp r es s ions o n t h e r im , r a is ed b and so rw a l l s ) .

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T h eu rn f r om L a sG ra ja si su nu sua li nn o th av ing a n y b and s o ri n c i s ed d eco ra t ion a ta l , b u t a no th e r o ft h e u rn s i nT o r ca Y ac e r a s s im i la r ly h a s n o r a i s ed b and s , a nd i t so n ly d e co ra t ive e l em en ti sal i n eo fi mp re s s ion s i mm ed ia te ly b e low t h er im .

o ft h e u rn ; i ti se s t ima t ed t h a t t h ew ho le v e s s e l c ou ld p r odu ce o v e r3 00 s h e rd s . A s ar e su l t , t h e p re sen ce o f t h e s e u rn s i s o f t en o ve r -v a lu ed . T h e l a rg e n umb e r o fs h e rd s c an g i ve a f ak ei mp r e s s ion o ft h e i rr e la t iv ei mp o r tance ,w h en , a s i n L a s G ra ja s , f o u r s ma l le r p o t s w e r e p r e s en t c ompa red w i th o n eu rn . F u r th e rmo r e ,t h es he rd so f t en b ec ome d i spe r s ed o v e r aq u i t el a rg ea r ea , a nd c an m ix w i th d epo s i t so fa ne a r l ie ro rl a t e rd a te .

L ug s , o r p r o tub e ran ce s , a r e a no th e r e l em en t s ome t im e sf o und , a nd t h ey c an b ee i the rm o r e o rl e s s r o und ,a bou t2 cm i nd i am e t e r ,o re l onga t ed ,a bou t 4o r 5 cm l o ng . E xamp le s h ave b e en f o und o ns h e rd sf r om t h e r i f t i nt h e v e s t ibu le o fC o f r e snedo , a nd t h e u rn f r om C u ev a d e l aA n f o r a h a s as e r ie s o f l u g s j u s t

3 . 2T echn ique

b e low t h er im . T h e g r i t s u s ed i n t h e f a b r ic o f t h e s e u rn s v a r ie s g r ea t ly . I n af ew c a se s h a rd ly a ny a r ev i s ib le , b u t t h e m o s t c ommon a r e f i n e o r m ed ium s i zed c r y s ta l s o f q ua r tz o rc a lc i t e . Sma l lm ica c r y s ta l sa r eo f t en p re sen t t o o . T h e u rn f r om L a s G ra ja s h ad p a r t ic le s o fb ak ed c l a y .

O n e o ft h e ur n s f r om C u eva d e l P o r t ilo d e l A r ena l h a sl i n e so fd a rk c o lou red p a in ta r ound t h eu pp e rp a r t o ft h ew a l l s . Wh i le t h e r a i sed b and s o r c o rdon s a r e u ndoub t ed ly d eco ra t iv e , t h ey a r e a l so f u n c t iona l , a s t h ey m ak e i t e a s ie rf o rt h e s er a th e rc umb e r som ev e s se l st ob el i f t ed a nd c a r r ied T h ea dd ed l a y e ro ff i ng e rf l u t ed c l ay w a s s im i la r ly f un c t iona l ; s t r eng then ing a nd i mpe rm eab i l iz ing t h e l ow e r w a l l s , a nd p rov id ing a r ough s u r f a c et h a tc ou ld e a s i ly b eg r ipp ed .

T h e u rn s w e r e m anu f a c tu r ed b y h and , a pp a ren t ly b y b u i ld ing u pc i r c le so fc l ay . I ti sn o tu nu sua lt os e et h e m a rk s l e f tp r e s s ing t o g e the r t h e c i r c le s , o n t h e i nn e r s u r f a ce . T h e o u t e r s u r f ac e s o ft h e u rn s a r e g ene ra l ly s moo th , s ome t im e s s how ing t h e s t rok e s o f as p a tu la . T h ey w e r e u sua l ly f i r ed i n ar e du c ing a tmo sph e r e , a l though t h e t empe ra tu re m u s t h ave v a r ied g r ea t ly , a nd i n d e ed mu s th av eb e en d if icu l tt oc on t ro li ns u ch l a rg ep o t s , s ot h es u r f a ce c o lou rc an v a ry f r om b l a ck t o s i enna o rl i gh tb r own . A f te r f i r ing , t h e l ow e r p a r t o f t h e u rn w a s c ov e r ed w i th al a y e r o fc l ay a bou t 5mm t h ick , w h ich w a sw o rked w i th t h ef i ng e r st ol e av et h e c ha r a c t e r i s t ic f l u t ing ,g en e ra l ly v e r t i ca lb u tw h i ch m ay g o i na l ld i r e c t ion s . T he p o tm ay n ow h ave b een f i r ed a ga in , o rt h e l a ye rw a s s imp ly l e f t t od r y i nt h e s un . Many u rn s c on s e r v e af u r th e r l a y e r o fc l ay o v e r t h i s a l though , a s i ti sn o t h a rd ened , i th a s d i sapp ea r ed f r om m any p i e c e s . T h i s l a s t l a y e r m ay h av e b e en e xpo sed t of i r e , a st h ec l ay i su sua l ly b r igh tr ed

On ee xp lana t ion t h a th a sb e en g i v en f o rt h eh o le st h a t a r e o f t en f o und i st h a t t h ey a r e p a r t o f am e thod f o r s t r eng th en ing t h ev e s se la f t e rc r a ck sa ppe a r . I ti sl i k e ly t h a tc r a ck sw ou ld f o rm i ns u ch l a rg ev e s s e l s , a nd t h a t a c t ion w ou ld b et a k en t oc on se r ve t h e s e g ood s , w h ich mu s t h av e b een d if i cu l t t om anu f ac tu re . T h e i d ea i s t h a th o le sw e r eb o r ed o ne i th e rs i d e o ft h ec r a ck , a nd t h i s w ou ld b e s e cu r ed b y b i nd ing s t r ing b e tw een t h e h o l e s . 3 . 4 S i ze a nd S hap e T h e s amp le o f ur n s f r om Ma t ienzo i st o o s ma l l t o c a r ry o u ts t a t i s t ica la na ly s i s ,b u tt h ee xamp l e sw eh av e c an b e c ompa red w i th t h o s e f r om o t h e r p a r t s o ft h e r e g ion . T h ed i am e t e ro fm ou th sc an o n ly b ec a lcu la ted f o rt h r e eu rn s , a nd t h ey r a ng ef r om 3 2t o4 0cm . O the r e xamp le s f r om C an tab r ia h av e d i am e t e r sb e tw e en 2 9 a nd 3 4cm . I n a ny c a se , w h en u rn s c an b e r e con s t ru c t ed , i ti ss e en t h a t t h e m ou th s t e nd t ob e e l ip se s , p r ob ab ly d u e t o t h e d if i cu l ty i n m anu f a c tu r ing p e r f e c t c i r cu la r s h ape s b y h and . O n e p a r t icu la r ly i regu la r e xamp le i sa n ur n f r om C u eva d e l P o r t i l lo d e l A r ena l t h a t h a s m ax imum a nd m in imum d i ame te r so f3 7a nd 2 7 .5cm .

3 . 3D ecora t ion T he e xamp le s f r om Ma t ienzo s h ow t h e t y p ica l d eco ra t iv ee l em en t sf o und o nu rn sf r om o t h e rp a r t so f C an tab r ia . T he s e a r e f i ng e rna i l i mp r e s s ion s , u sua l ly a r ound t h er im ;r a i s ed b and s , n o rm a l ly w i th i n c i s ion s ; a nd f i ng e r f l u t ed c l ay a r ound t h e l ow e r w a l l s . T h e r a i s ed b and s a r e s ome t im e s f o rm ed b y p r e s s ing o u tw a rd st h e c l ay o ft h e u rn w a l l , b u t m o re o f t en a r e m ad ew i th as t r ip o fc l ay a dd ed a r ound t h eb od yo ft h e u rn . U n f o r tuna t e ly , i n n o c a s e h a s a n u rn b e en r e con s t ru c t ed , s ow ec anno tk now t h en umb e ro ft h e s e r a i s ed b and s o n a ny o ne v e s s e l . E xamp le s f o und i n o t h e r c a ve s i n C an t ab r ia t e nd t oh av e t h r e e o r f o u r b and s , a lway s a r ound t h e u ppe r w a l l s . A n u nu sua l e xamp le f r om T o r ca Y a ce ra s i nC a s t ro U rd ia le s h a s r a i s ed b and sb e low t h e r im , n o t h o r izon ta l b u t i nt h e f o rm o fa ni n ve r t ed ' V ' .

T h ed i ame t e r so ft h eb a s e sg of r om 1 5t o 2cm , a nd i n t h e r e s t o ft h e r e g ion t h e y a r e s im i la r ly a bou t 1 5 cm . T hu s i tc an b e s e en t h a tt h e r e i sc e r ta in r e gu la r i ty i n t h e s i ze o ft h e m ou th s a nd b a s e s , a nd t h e m ou th s a r e g en e ra l ly a b ou tt w ic et h ed i am e t e ro ft h eb a s e s .

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2

1

3

4

1 0

1 5cr r .

5

1 .C ueva d eL as G ra jas , 2 . C ueva d e C obran tes , 3 .C ueva d eL os Murc ie lagos , 4 .C ueva d e C ord iv i l loso 5 .C ueva d e T arrerön .

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i mp r e s s ion s , a nd h o r izon ta l f l u t ing . I tw a s t o ge th e r w i th ac a r ena ted p o t , a nd b one s o fd om e s t ic a n im a l s . T h e c a ve a l so h ad i mpo r tan t h on A g e d ep o s i t s , b u t t h ey w e r e f u r the r i n s id e t h e c ave ( S e rna & o t h e r s 1 994 ) .

D u et ot h eh i gh d eg r e e o ff r agmen ta t ion , a nd t h el o s s o fm any p i e ce s , i ti su sua l ly i mpo s s ib le t or e con s t ru c t t h eu rn si no r d e rt oe s tabl i sh t h e i rh e igh t . O n ly i nt h e c a s e o ft h e e xamp l e f r om C u eva d e l a s G ra ja s w a s i t p o s s ib le t oe s t ima t et h i s a s7 0cm . T h ef o u ru rn sf r om C u eva d e l P o r t ilo d e l A r ena l a r e al i t t le s ma l le r , b u t s how g r ea t h omogen e i ty a s t h ey a r e a l l b e tw een 5 3 a nd 5 7cm h i gh .

T ot h ew e s to f Ma t ienzo , f r agm en t so fa no v a l shap ed u rn w e r ef o und i nC u ev a d e C o rd iv i l lo so ( Rucand io ) . I th ad al i n eo ff i ng er n a i li mp r e s s ion sa r ound t h er im , a nd a no th e rt wo s e r ie s o fs im i la r i mp re s s ion s a r ound t h eu pp e rp a r to ft h ew al s . T h ed i ame te ro ft h em ou th c ou ld n o t b e e s t ima t ed w i th c e r ta in ty , b u t t h e b a s e m ea su r ed 1 5 cm , w h ich i sn o rma l f o rt h i s t y p e o fp o t ( Muf roz & o t he r s 1 987 .P in tö 1 980 -81 ) .

T he s hap e o f t h e u rn c an b e i n t e rpo la t ed i n m o r e e xamp l e s , a nd t h i s g ene ra l ly t a k e s t wo f o rm s . T he w a l l s w id en f r om t h e s ma l l b a s e a s f a r a s a bou t t wo th i rd s o ft h e i r h e igh t . A bov e t h i s p o in t t h e w al s m ay c on t inu e m o r e o rl e s sv e r t i ca l ly , o rt e nd t oc l o se i na ga in t ow a rd st h em ou th . T h ee xamp le f r om C ueva d el aA n f o ra ( Rama l e s )i sa ne xamp le o ft h ef i r s tf o rm , a nd t h e u rn s f r om L a s G ra ja s a nd E l P o r t i l lo d e l A r ena l a r e e xamp le s o ft h e c l o s ed f o rm , w h i ch g i v e s t h em a n a pp rox ima t e ly o v a l p r of i le . T h i s l a t t e r s h ap e i st h em o r ef r equ en t .

C u eva d e l P o r t ilo d e l A r ena l ( P id lago s ) h ad f o u r o f t h e s e u rn s , w h i ch c ou ld b e r e con s t ruc ted c omp le t e ly . T h ey w e r e f o und i n ac hamb e r d i re c t ly b e low t h e v e r t ica l e n t r an ce o f t h e c av e , a nd a s so c ia ted w i th h uman b u r ia l s d a t ed i n d if e r en t m om en t s o f t h e N eo l i th i c a nd C ha l col i th ic ( V a l le & o t he r s 1 998 ) . A no th e ru rn , d a ted i nt h eC ha lcol i th ic ,w a sa ppa r en t ly f o und i n ad if e r en tp a r to ft h ec av e .

T h e l i p s o f t h e r im a r e n o rma l ly s em i -c i r cu la r i n c r o s s se c t ion , e x cep t i nt h o s e c a s e s w h e r e t h e y h ave f i ng e ri mp r e s s ion s , w h en t h el i p sa r er a th e rm o r ef l a t . T he t h ickn e s s o f t h e w a l l s r a ng e s b e twe en 7 a nd 1 0mm .

C u eva d e C ale jonda ( S an F el i ce s d e B u e lna ) i sa f un e ra l c a v e , w i th e v id enc e o fi n c ine ra t ion , a nd w i th m e ta l g r av e g ood s . T h e a c company ing p o t t e r y i n c lud ed s h e rd s w h ich p rob ab ly c o r r e spond t o u rn s ( Mo r lo t e &o t he r s 1 996 ) . T h i s i so n e o ft h e f ew s i t e s w h e r e t h e u rn s a r e a pp a r en t ly a s soc ia ted w i th h on A g e m a t e r ia l : d if e r en t p o t t e ry t y p e s a nd t h e m e ta l a r t e f a c t s .

3 . 5R eg iona lC on t ex t T h e c on tex t s i nw h i ch t h e u rn s h av e b e en f o und i n Ma t ien zo h av ea l r e ad yb een d e s c r ib ed a bov e . T h ey d o n o ts ugg e s t ad ef in i t eo rs i ng le r e a son f o rt h e i rd epo s i t i nt h ec av e s . T h eo n ec l ea re xamp le f r om C o f r e sn edo i sa s so c ia ted w i th h uman b on e s i n af une ra l c on t ex t . T he u rn i nL a s G ra ja s w a s t o ge the r w i th o t h e r p o t s a nd a n ima l r ema in s , a nd i n t e rp r e t ed a s ar i t ua l o f e r ing . T he e xamp le s i n C u eva d e R eye s a r e n o t k nown t oh av eb e en a s soc ia t ed w i th a ny o t he rm a t e r ia l w h ich c ou ld b ec on t empo r a ry ,a nd t h es ame a pp l ie st o t h eb a s ef o und i nC ale ja R ebo l lo .

A no th e r f un e ra l c av e i sC ueva d e l Mapa ( Cama rgo ) , w h ich h ad t h er ema in so ff o u ri n d iv idua l s . Among t h e p o t t e r y t h e r e w e r e r im a nd w a l l s h e rd s o f al a rg e v e s s e lw i th al a ye ro ff l u t ed c l ay . T h er a d io ca rbon d a t e f o r ab on ec o r re spond ed t ot h ee nd o ft h eC h a lcol i th ic : 3 690 B P , o r 2 141 -2033 c a l ib ra ted BC ( Ru iz C obo 1 994 ) .

A sc omm en ted a bove , t h i sp o t te ry t y p ei sa bundan ti n C an tab r ia , b u th a sr a r e ly b e en s t ud ied w el , a nd t h e s e o t h e r e x amp l e s d o n o t a lw ay s p r ov id e m o r e i n f o rma t ion a b ou tt h eu se sg i v en t ot h eu rn s . I nC ueva d e C ob ran t e , i nS an M igu e l d e A ra s , i mm ed ia t e ly t o t h e e a s t o f Ma t ienzo , al a rg e n umb e r o f f r agm en t s w e r ef o und , a low ing t h e r e con s t ru c t ion o fa lmo s tt h e w ho l eu rn ( Beg in e s &G a r c ia C a r av e s 1 966 ) . T h i sh ad ar a i s ed b and j u s t a bove t h e f i ng e r f lu ted a r ea , a nd f i ng e ri mp r e s s ion sa r ound t h e l i p . A sf a ra sw ek now , t h e s h e rd s w e r e c ole c ted a ga in s t t h e r i gh t -hand w a l l o ft h ec av ep as sag e .

S e ve ra l m o r e s i t e s w he r e t h es e u rn s h av eb e en f o und c an b e m en t ion ed , b u t i n n o c a s e h av e t h e y b een s t ud ied s p ec if i ca l ly . T hu s , C u ev ad e lR e jo ( Va ld eS an V i cen te ) , o n t h e w e s t er n c oa s t o f C an tab r i a , h ad s h e rd so fa nu rn a nd ah uman s ku l l , a l though i ti sn o t c l ea rh ow c l o s e ly t h e se t wo e l em en t sw e r ea s so c ia t ed . S h e rd s o f as ma l l u rn w e r e r e cove r ed f r om C ueva d e l a E sp e ran za ( A l f oz d e L lo redo ) , i n a c on t ex t i n t e rp r e t ed a s ah ab i ta t ion o rt empo ra ry s h e l t e r . I na n y c a se t h i si sn o to n eo ft h ec l a s s i cu rn s w i th al a y e r o f f l u t ed c l ay . A no th e r u rn w a s f o und i n C u eva d e l a J u ana , n ex tt ot h eB ay o fS an tand e r . T h i sw a st o ge the r w i th h uman r ema in s , ag round s t on e -axe , a nd o t he r t y p ica l g r av e g ood s o ft h e e a r ly 2 nd m i l lenn ium BC . C u eva d e l o s Mu r c id lago s ( N ava jeda ) h ad s h e rd s o f t wo ur n s ; o n e w i th v e r t ica l w a l l s a nd a no the r o v a l shap ed . B o th h ad r a i s ed b and s a nd f l u t ing , a nd

C u eva d e l A sp io , t ot h e s ou th ea s t o f Ma t ienzo , h ad a no the r e xamp l e , f o und i nt h e m idd le o ft h e c a ve 's h ug ev e s t ibu le ,a bou t6 0m f r om t h ee n t ranc e . I th ad a n o va l s h ap e , w i th t wo r a i s ed b and s w i th f i nge rna i l 1 72

S t o r ag eU rn si n Ma t ienzo a nd t h e i rR eg iona lC on t ex t

t h e c a v e a l so c on ta ined h uman r ema in s ( Ru iz C obo 1 9 9 1 ) .

h ave t ob e c a l ib r a ted i no r d e r t oc omp a r e t h em w i th t h et h e rmo lum in e sc en c eo n e s ,t h i su rn c an b es i tua t ed i nt h eb eg inn ing o ft h e2 nd m i l lenn ium BC .

A l l t h e u rn s h e rd s c ole c ted f r om C u ev a d e T a r r e r ön ( S ob a ) p robab ly c om e f r om t h e s am e v e s se l , w h i ch w a s m o s t ly f o und i n t h e f un e r a l l a y e r ( L eve l 1 ) , a l though o t h e r s w e r e i n c on ta c t w i th t h e Me sol i th ic h ab i ta t l a ye r ( Lev e l 3 ) , i na na r ea d enom ina t ed L ev e l 2b yt h ee x cav a to r . T he c av eh ad s e ve r a lb u r ia l s ,d a t ed i nt h eB ronze A g e , a s ab ar re l shap ed b ead w a sf o und ( Ap e l län iz & N o l t e 1 979 ) . T he n ea rb y C u eva d e l a s P a ju ca s h ad s e v e ra l f r agmen t s o f l a rg e p o t s ; l a rg e v e s s e l s w i th s t r a igh t w a l l s a nd d e co ra t iv e e l em en t s , b u t n o t t h e t y p e o f u rn a s d e s c r ibed i n t h i s a r t ic le ( Ap e l län iz 1 969 ) .

b )T he u rn s h e rd sc o l le c ted i nC u eva d e l Mapa m ay b e o ft h es am et im ea st h ef u ne ra lu s eo ft h ec av e , w h ich w a sd a ted t o3 690 B P( 2 14 1 -2033 c a lBC ) . c )C u eva d e L a s G r a ja s , i n Ma t ienzo , h a s d a t e s o fa v e ry s im i la r momen t . Two d a t e s a r ea va i lab le ; o n e o f I I f o rp o t te ry a nd t h e o t h e r o fC 14 f o r ac ow b one . B o th e l em en t sw e r ei nc l o s ea s soc ia t ion w i th a nu rn . d )O n eo ft h eu rn si nC o f r e snedo h a sb een d a t ed b yT L t o1 97 3 BC .

Aw ho le u rn , w i th m o r e o r l e s s s t r a igh t w a l l s , w a s r e c ov e r ed f r om C u eva d e l A n f o r a i nR ama l e s d e l a V i c to r ia ; a nd l a rg e p i e c e s o fs e v e r a l m o r e u rn s w e r e c ole c t ed i nT o r ca Y a c e ra si nC a s t ro U rd ia le s( R incön 1 982 ) . O the r c a ve s w i th u rn s a r e H oyo d e l o s H e r r e ro s , C udön , C ub r iza s , R iocueva I , L amad r id a nd Mac iu ( I v lo r lo t e&o t he r s 1 996 ) .

e ) T h e a r cha eo log ic a l e x cava t ion s i n C uev a d e l a G a rma B , i n Omor i o , h av e d ocum en t ed a f un e ra l l a y e r , c on ta in ing p o t t e ry d e sc r ib ed a s l a rge o va l v e s s e l s d e co r a t ed w i th i mp r e s s ion s a nd f l u t ed c l ay ( A r ia s & o t h e r s 1 999 ) . S eve ra l d a te s h av e b e en o b ta ined , i n al o ng p e r iod b e twe en 6 020 a nd 1 650 BC , a l though t h e t h e rmo lum ine sc enc e d a te s f o r p o t te ry h av e as ho r te rt ime r a ng e ;f r om 2 572 t o1 993 BC . T h e m a in f un e ra lu se o ft h ec av ew a sp r ob ab ly i nt h et h i rd m ilenn ium a nd s t a r to ft h es e cond m i l lenn ium BC .

F in a l ly w e c an m en t ion t h e e x amp le s d i scove r ed i n t h e o p en -a i r s i t e o fL a V e rd e , i nC ama rgo a nd n e a r C uev a d e l Mapa . T h e o t h e r m a te r ia l s r e cov e red s ugg e s t t h i s i s al a t e C ha lco l i th i c h ab i ta t ion s i t e ( M on ie s & Muf i oz 2 000 ) .

T h e s e d a t e s s ugge s t t h a t t h e u rn s c an g en e ra l ly b e d a ted a tt h ee nd o ft h eC ha lc o l i th ic ,i nt h et r an s i t ion t o t h e B ron ze A g e . I no t h e r r e g ion s o fn o r th S pa in , t h e l a rg eu rn s t e nd t ob e a t t r ibu t ed t ot h e m idd le B ron ze A g e ,b u tw ek now o fn os i t e sw he r et h ey e x i s ti nc l ea r a s so c ia t ion w i th m a t e r ia l t h a t c an b e d a ted p r ec i s e ly . P o t t e ry s e r ie s i n t h e B a squ e C oun t ry i n d ica t e t h a t l a rg e d e co ra t ed v e s s e l sw e r e m anu f a c tu r ed a tt h e e nd o fB ronze A g e , b u t t h e i r s hap e s w e r e d if e r en t . T h e p r e s en c eo fu rn si nc av e sw i th m a t e r ia lo ft h el a t eI r on A g e , e s p ec ia l ly i n t h e c a s e o f C uev a d e C ale jonda , s t i l lr ema in st ob ee x p la ined .

T os um u p ,t h e s eu rn sa r e mo s to f t en f o und a )i nc av e s w h ich a l so c on ta in h uman r ema in s , s u ch a s C o f r e sn edo , P o r t ilo d e l A r ena ! , Mapa , R e jo , Mu r c ie lago s , L a J u ana a nd T a r r e rön , a l though t h e a s so c ia t ion b e twe en t h et wo e l em en t sm ay n o ta lway s b et o ta l ly c l e a r . b )a sd epo s i t s i nt h e i n t e r io ro fc a v e sw i th n o k nown h uman b on e s : R e y e s , L a s G ra ja s , C o rd iv ilo so a nd L a E sp e ranza . h i t h i s c a s e t h e d ep o s i t s h av e b e en i n t e rp r e ted a so f e r ing s , o r t h e c a ve s m ay h av e b e en u s ed ah ab i ta t .

C 14 c a l . L a sG ra ja s C o f r e sn ed o P o r t ia ( ) A r ena ! E l Map a

3 . 6 C hrono logy J u s ta si nt h ec a s eo ft h ea s so c ia t ion o fm a te r ia l s ,t h e r e i sl i t t le r e l iab le i n f o rma t ion o nt h ea g eo ft h e s es t o rag e u rn s . F ew s i t e sh av ea b so lu t ed a t e sf o rc l os ed c on t ex t s c on ta in ing p o t t e ry o ft h i st y p e .

2 025 2 056 2 087

T hermo lum . 1 797 1 97 3 2 153

C a l ibra t ed BC d a t e sf o r u r n s o r c l o s e ly a s soc ia t ed m a t er ia li nc a v es i nC an tabr ia 4 .R e su l t s

a )H uman r ema in s i nC ueva d e l P o r t i l lo d e l A r ena l h av eb e en d a t ed t ot wo momen t s : 5 743 a nd 4 443 B P . A n u rn f r om t h e s am e c av e h a sb e en d a ted b y T Lt o 5 19 3 B P . As e cond u rn h a sb e en d a t ed t w ice ;b y' F Lt o 4 103 B P ,a nd ap i e c eo fc ha r coa le mb edd ed i nt h er im h a s b e en d a t ed b y AMS t o3 694 B P ( V a l le & o t he r s 1 998 ) . T ak ing i n to a c coun t t h a t r a d io ca rbon d a t e s

I th a sb e en s e en t h a tt h e c l a s s i c u rn sm a in t a in av e ry r e gu la r s i ze , w i th t h e d i ame t e r o f t h e m ou th b e ing a bou td oub l e t h e d i am e t e ro ft h eb a s e , t y p ic a l ly a bou t 3 4a nd 1 7 cm r e sp e c t iv e ly . T h ed e co ra t iv ep a t t e rn sa r e a l so s im i la r , w i th al a ye ro ff i ng e rf l u ted c l ay o v e rt h e l ow e rp a r to ft h ew a l l s , a nd r a i s ed b and sa nd c o rd on s 1 73

S t o rag eU rn si n Ma t ienzo a nd t h e i rR eg iona lC on t ex t

R e f erence s

w i th o rw i thou t i n c i sed i mp r e s s ion s a r ound t h eu pp e r p a r t . B u t i ti st r u e t h a t t h i s a r t i c le i sr e f e r r ing t ot h i s o ne p o t te ry t y p e , e xc lud ing o t he rf o rm s , w h ich a r e i n a ny c a s em u ch l e s sc omm on .

A p elän iz , J .M . &E . N o l te , 1 979 . Memo r ia d e l a s e xcava c ione s d e l a s c ueva s d e T a r r e rön ( S an tand e r ) , C ue s ta lav iga ( V izcaya ) y O r e jon e sd e Mon te scu su ( Bu rgo s ) .K ob ie 9 ,p p 7 3 101 .

I ti su sua l ly c on s id e red t h a t t h e s e u rn s w e r e u sed f o r s t o rag e , d u e t ot h e i r l a rg e s i z e . T h e i r s ma l l b a s e i n c omp a r i son w i th t h e i rh e igh t a nd m ax imum d i am e t e r w ou ld , h ow ev e r , h av e m ad e t h em r a the r u n s tab le . Wh en f u l l i tw ou ld h ave b e en d if i cu l tt om ov et h em , a nd t h e w e igh t o ft h e c on ten t s w ou ld h av e t e nd ed t o f r a c tu r e t h em . P e rhap s t h e u rn s w e r e k ep t a nd t r an spo r t ed i n s id e w ick e r b a sk e t s t o s o lv e t h a t p rob lem . I nt h es am ew ay ,t h er a i s ed b and so rc o rdon s m ay h av e b e en f un c t iona l a s w el a s d eco ra t iv e , a s t h ey w ou ld h ave mad ei te a s ie rt oh and le t h eu rn s .

A p e l län iz , J .M . 1 967 . C ueva s s e pu lc ra le s d e V izcaya : E xcavac iön , e s tud io y s u d a tac iön p a re lC 14 . Mun ibe XX I I I I ,p p9 1 104 . A r ia s , P .&o t h e r s , 1 999 . L a G a rma . U n d e scen so a l p a sad o . U n ive r s idad d eC an tab r ia . B eg in e s R am i r ez , A . &J .M . G a r c ia C a rave s , 1 966 . H a l la zgo s d e l B ronce I e n d o s c ueva s d e S an tand e r . I X C ong r e so N ac iona l d e A rqueo log ia ,p p 1 22 126 .

Wha t w e r e t h ey s t o r ing ? I th a s o f t en b e en p ropo s ed t h a t t h ey w e r e w a t e r c i s te rn s , b u t t h e e xamp le s w i th h o le sc e r ta in ly c ou ld n o th av eh ad t h a tu s e .P e rhap si n t h a t c a s e t h ey w e r e i n tend ed t od r a in s ome k ind o f v e r y h um id c on ten t s . O r t h ey c ou ld h av e h e ld g r a in . We k now o f n o e xamp le s i n C an tab r ia w h e r e t h e c on ten t s h av e b een p r e se rv ed , a pa r t f r om s h e rd s i n L a s G ra ja s c ov e r ed w i th a f i n e l a y e r o f c a rbon i s ed m a t e r ia l . I n o t h e r p a r t s o fS pa in a na ly se s h av e b e en c a r r ied o u t , a nd i th a sb e en p ropo sed t h a ts im i la ru rn s w e r eu sed i nt h eb r ew ing o fb e e r . T h e e x amp le sf r om t h e o p en -a i r l o ca t ion a tL a V e rd e i n d ica t e t h a t t h ey w e r eu s ed a th ab i ta ts i t e s ,p r e sumab ly f un c t iona l l y .

Mon t e s B a rqu in , R& E . M in lo z F e rnänd e z , . 2 000 . E x cav a c ione s e n e l y a c im ien to d e L a V e rd e ( H e r r e r a d e C a in a rgo ) . I n A c tuac io ne s A rqueo lög ica s e n C an tabr ia 1 984 1999 , p p 2 03 -207 . Mo r lo t e , J .M . &o t he r s , 1 996 . L a s c u eva s s e pu lc ra le s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia . I n L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros , p p 1 95 -279 . F unda c iön M .B o t in , S an tand e r . Mu i lo z F e rnänd e z , E . & o t he r s , 1 987 . A rqueo lög ica d eC an tabr ia . S an tand e r .

B u ti ti sa l so c l ea rt h a tt h eu rn sh ad as e conda ry ,r i t ua l u se , a nd w e r e d epo s i t ed i n c av e s , a c compan y ing b u r ia l so ro f e r ing s , i n ap e r iod b e tw een t h ee nd o ft h e 3 rd m il enn ium a nd t h ee a r ly 2 nd m i l lenn ium ,t h el a t e C ha lco l i th i c a nd e a r ly B ronz e A g e . T h e e xamp l e s f r om t h e s ec on t ex t s s h ow g r ea ts im i la r i ty i nt h e i rs i z e , s hap e a nd d e co ra t iv e p a t t e rn s . T he d e s ig n s p rob ab ly c hang ed d u r ing t h e m idd l e a nd l a t e B ronze A g e , a l though t h e r e i se ven l e s s i n f o rma t ion a bou t l a t e r p o t t e ry t y p e s i n C an tab r ia . A f t e r t h e e a r ly I r on A g e d e co ra t ion b e com e s mu ch l e s sc ommon o na l t y p e so f v e s se l s .

O r ton , 1 988 . Ma t emä t ica s p a ra A l ianza U n ive r s idad , Mad r id .

C a r ta

a rqueö logo s .

P in tö G a r r ido , A . 1 980 -81 . C u eva sp reh is tö r ica s d e l Mun ic ip io d e R io tu e r to . Memor ia s d e l A .C .D .P .S . , 1 980 -81 ,p .3 0 , S an tand e r . R in cön , R . 1 982 . C on t r ibuc iön a lc ono c im ien to d e l a e s t ra t ig raf ia p r eh i s tö r ica d e l a s c ueva s d e C a s t ro U rd ia le s ( S an tand e r ) . C uad er no s d e E spe l eo log ia 9 10 ,p p2 6 -74 . S an tand e r .

T h e u rn s h ave o f t en b een a t t r ibu t ed t o al o ng t im e r ang e ,p robab ly b ecau s eo ft h ew ay t h a tt h ey f r ac tu r e i n to al a rg en umb e ro fs he rd s . T he se c an s p r ead o ve r aw id e a r ea o f t h e c ave f l oo r , a nd b ecome m ixed w i th d epo s i t s o f al a t e r a g e , e v en e nd ing u p o n t o p o ft h em .

R u iz C obo , J .1 99 1 . E vo luc iön y d esa r ro l lo d e l a s e conom ia s d e p rod ucc iön e n C an tabr ia . D oc to ra lt h e s i s ,U n iv e r s i ty o fC an tab r ia . R u iz C obo , J .1 994 . L a c u eva d e l Map a ( Rev ila d e C ama rgo ) : u n c emen te r io d e l ap r ime ra E dad d e l B ronc e e n l a Ma r ina d e C an tab r ia . K ob ie 2 1 , p p2 55 -266 ,B i lbao .

1 74

S t o rag eU rn si n Ma t ienzo a nd t h e i rR eg iona lC on t ex t

R u iz C obo , J .i np r e s s . E l y a c im ien to c a lco l i t ico d e L a V e rd e ( R ev i l la d e C ama rgo ) . I n E l y ac im ien to d e L a V e rd e , e d . R . Mon te & o t h e r s . A yun tam ien to d eC ama rgo , C an tab r ia .

S ema G ancedo , A . & o t h e r s , 1 994 . L a c u eva d e l A sp io ( Ru e sga , C an tab r ia ) . A van ce a le s tud io d e l y ac im ien to . Monog raf ia s Mus eo y C en t ro d eI nve s t igac iem d eA l tam ira 1 7 ,p p3 69 —3 96 .

R u iz ,

V a l le , M a . A . &o t he r s , 1 998 . L a C u eva d e l P o r t i l lo d e l A rena l ( V e lo , P i d lago s , C an tab r ia ) . E l c on tex to a r queo lög i co d e l a s m an if e s ta c ion e s " E squemä t ico -ab s t rac ta s " . I nE n e lF ina ld e l a P r eh is tor ia ,p p . 3 -79 , ACDPS , S an tand e r .

J . , Sm i th , P . , S ema , A . & E . Mu i ioz , 1 999 /2000 . T he P r eh i s to r i c C ave S i te " Cu eva d e l a s G r a ja s " i n Ma t i en zo , N or th S pa in . S t ud ie s i n S p e l eo logy , V o l . X L , p p 4 3 -49 . P l ymou th .

1 75

P re -Roman A rd share si nC an tabr ia Magda lena B a r r i lV icen te D epa r tmen to fP ro toh is to ry a nd C o lon isa t ion , N a t iona lA rchaeo log ica l Mus eum , Mad r id

T h i s s ou r ce c an b e d i sca rd ed , a s t h e E chega ray 's d e sc r ip t ion a nd d raw ing s , t h e n ew s o ft h e d i scove ry a nd t h e r e g i s t ra t ion i nt h e Mu seum a l l c o inc id e i n f i x ing t h e i ro r ig in i nC oven to sa .

I n C an tab r ia , t wo g roup s o f i r on a rd sha r e s a r e k nown t h a t c an b e d a ted i nt h e l a t e I r on A g e . T h ey w e r e f o und i n t wo c av e s : C u ev a d e R ey e s i n Ma t ien zo a nd C ov en to sa i n A r r edondo . T hey a r e s t ud ied h e r e a tt h e r e que s t o f J e sü s R u iz C obo a nd P e t e r Sm i th a s ac omp lem en t t ot h e a r cha eo log ica l s t udy o f Ma t ienzo .

B o th d epo s i t s , i n C oven to sa a nd R ey e s , w e r e i s o la ted f i nd s , o u t o f a ny s t ra t ig raphy a nd w i th n o c l ea r a r cha eo log ica l c on t ex t s w h ich m igh t a l low t h em t ob e d a ted d i r e c t ly , a l though t h e i n te r io r o f b o th c ave sh a so t he ra r chae o log ica l m a t e r ia l , a lway s o n t h e s u r f a ce o f t h e c av e f l oo r a nd f r agmen ted . C ueva d eC ov en to sa h a s an umb e ro fl a rge c hambe r s a nd t h e m a te r ia l s f ound i nt h em g o f r om t h e e a r ly I r on A g et ot h el a te C e l t ib e r ian p e r iod , a l low ing t h i s t ob e c on s id e r ed a b u r ia l c ave ( l go r lo te & o t he r s 1 997 : 2 51 -252 ) . I n C ueva d e R eye s t h e p o t t e ry f ound i sh and m ad e , d e co ra ted w i th c l ay b and s a nd i n c i s ion s , a nd i ss im i la r t ot h e p o t te ry d a ted i nt h e n ea rby C ueva d e C o f r e sned o t o 1 970 BC . A r te f ac t s f ound i n t h e se a nd o t he r c av e s i n Ma t ienzo h ave s hown t h a t t h e a r ea w a s o ccup ied f r om t h e P a la eo l i th ic o nwa rd s ( Sm i th & R u iz 1 999 , R u iz 1 999 ) . T he c o l le c t ion o f i r on o b je c t s a nd a g l a s s b ead f o und i n C o f re snedo ( Sm i th & Mu f ioz 1 985 : l am . I V , P e ra l ta 1 999 : 7 2 ) i sc l ea r e v id ence o f a n o c cupa t ion i nt h el a t eI r on A g e , ap e r iod t h a ti sn ow b e ing s t ud ied i nd ep th i nC an tab r ia .

T h e d epo s i t i nC ueva d e R ey e s , a sd e sc r ibed i nt h e f i r s t p a r t o f t h i s p ub l ica t ion , w a s ah oa rd o f i r on i mp lem en t s c on s i s t ing o f a h oe o r t r ap ezo ida l s hov e l , ap l an t ing t o o l , as ma l l h ook o r c u t t e r , a h ook p o s s ib ly f o r g a th e r ing s h eav e s , a nd at o o l f o r t w i s t ing r ope . A l l o ft h e se h ad at u bu la r s o ck e t f o r h a f t ing . T he d epo s i ta l so h ad af r agm en to f as i ck le , h a f ted w i th r i v e t s , a nd o t he r l o o se r i v e t s , a nd f o u r a r d sha re s o f d if e r en t t y p e s . T h e r e w e r e a l so t wo c h i se l s , o n e o f w h ich s t i l l h ad i t s a n t le r h and le , t h r ee w edg e s , as e c t ion o f ac ha in l i nk s , a nd o nt o p o f a l l o f t h em , al a rg e r i ng w i th t h re e h ook s o f d if e r en ts i ze s( Sm i th 1 997 ) . O ft h i sg r oup , m ad eu p m o s t ly o fa g r icu l tu ra l t o o l s , u sed i nd if e r en tp ha se s o ft h e f a rm ing c y c le , h e r e w e s ha l l c oncen t ra te o u r s t udy o nt h ef o u ra r d sha r e s . T h ed epo s i ti nC ov en to sa ( A r r edondo ) , i nt h en ea rby A sön v a l ley , w a sf o und i n1 930 b y as h ephe rd . T h ey w e r eh idd en u nd e rs t on e si nt h ev e s t ibu le o ft h ec av e a nd i n c lud ed 2 0 o b jec t s o fw h ich t h r ee o ft h em a r e l a rg e a nd w e l lm ad e ( L eon 1 993 : 2 2 ) . T h ey w e r e a t f i r s t i d en t if ied a s s p ea rh ead s a nd i n am ee t ing o n J a nua ry i s t 1 9 31 , A r r edondo T own C o rpo ra t ion a g re ed t o d epo s i t t h e 1 7 s p ea r s d i scov er ed i n t h e P r eh i s to ry Mu seum i n S an tand e r , a tt h e r e que s t o f i t s c u ra to r J e sü s C a rba l lo . On t h e 1 0 th o ft h e s am e m on th , p ag e 1 88 o ft h e Mu seum 's B ook o f V i s i t s a nd D epo s i t s r e g i s t e r st h ef o l low ing : 1 6i r on s pea r s ( 2 ) , ( a g r icu l tu ra l o b jec t s? ) , f r om t h e c ave o f C oven tosa , d epo s i t ed b y A r r ed ond o C orpo ra t ion . G onza lez E ch ega ray ( 1 971 : 1 39 , f i g . 9 ) d e sc r ib e s t e no ft h e o b jec t s a sa rd sha r e s , w i thou t m en t ion ing t h e r e s t o f t h e d epo s i t . A s c an b e s e en , t h e r e a r e n o tab le d if e r enc e s i n t h e t o ta l n umb e r o f o b je c t s , a nd a tt h e p r e s en t t h e Mu s eum c on se rv e s j u s t t e n a r d sha r e s ( M in ioz , S an M igu e l & C .A .E .A .P . , 1 988 : 1 72 175 ) . H ow ev e r , n in e o f t h e se h av e a t s om e m omen t b e en l a b e l led a s c om ing f r om J u l iöb r iga .

T he a rd sha r e sa nd r e s to ft h ed epo s i ti nR eye sw e r e a s s igned t ot h e I r on A g e b y Sm i th ( 1 997 ) , a nd t h e s ha r e sf r om C oven to sa w e r ea t t r ibu ted t ot h eR oman e r ab yG onza lez E chega ray ( 1 97 1 ) . T he c r i te r ia u sed a r e s imp ly t y po log ica l c ompa r i son s , i nt h e a b s en c e o f o t h e r c h ronocu l tu ra l i n f o rma t ion t h a t c ou ld s i tua te t h em i n ad a tab le c on tex t . We t h e r e f o r e b e l ieve t h a t , b ecau se o f t h e c i r cum s tan ce s o f t h e d i scov e r ie s a nd t h e m ean s a va i lab le t o u s , t h e f o l low ing s t udy i st h e o n ly p o s s ib le w ay t oe s tab l i sh t h e c h rono logy a nd c on t ex t o ft h e t o o l s , a l though a m e ta l log , raph ic s t ud y a nd c ompa ra t ive t e s t s w ou ld r e f ine a nd c l a r if yo u rc onc lu s ion s . 2 .G enera l C la s s i f ica t ion o fA rd share s T h e s ha r e s f o und i nt h e se t wo v a l ley s c o r re spond t o t h r ee d if e r en t t y p e s , t wo o ft h em w i th f l ang e s f o r t h e s o ck e t , a nd f o r wh ich w ew i l lc on t inu et ou se o u r c l a s s if i ca t ion o f P r e -Roman a rd sha r e s i n t h e i n te r io r o f t h e I b e r ian P en in su la ( Ba r r i l 1 999 a nd 2 000 ) . We h ad a dd ed s om e d e ta i l s t ot h i s , a nd i n 1 77

P r e -Roman A id sha r e si nC an tab r ia

f a c t t h e c l a s s if i ca t ion i ss t i l l o p en a s t h e s amp le i s q u i te s ma l l a nd n ew d i scove r ie s a r e s u r e t op rov id e m o r ev a r ie t ie s . T he t h i rd t y p e o fs ha r e h a s at a ng t o b e f i t ted i n to t h e a rd , a nd f o r t h i s o ne w e h ave n eeded t oc r ea te an ew c a tego ry .

R iv e ted S ha r e s T he se a r e c onvex i r on b l ad e s w i th r i ve t s a t t h e p rox ima l e nd t o f i x t h em t ot h e w ood en a rd so le . T hey a r e f o und i n e a s t e rn S pa in ( P lä 1 968 : 3 08 ) . T he s ou the rnmo s tf i nd c om e sf r om E lC iga r r e le jo d e

Ma in p a r t s o fa n a rd : 1 .s o l e ; 2 .s t i l t ; 3 .h and l e ; 4 .b eam ; 5 .y ok e -beam ; 6 .s ha r e ; 7 .c l a sp s . S o l e -a rd f rom Mon t ehermo so , C äcer es , a ccord ing t oM ingo t e , 1 996 ,f i g . 1 . " Sha r e s " a r et h e i r on o b jec t s a t tached t ot h e s o le o f t h e a r d a nd w h ich a r e i n se r ted i n t h e e a r th . T h ey c on s i s to f ap rox ima lp a r t , w i th t h e s o ck e to ff l ang e s t of i xt h e s ha r et ot h ew ood en s o le , a nd ad i s ta lp a r t , t h e b l ad e w h ich e n te r s i nt h e e a r th . T h e t o p f a ce i s t h eu pp e r s i d e o ft h e s ha r e w hen i ti si ni t sw o rk ing p o s i t ion , a nd t h eb o t tom s i d e f a ce s t h e g round . T h e c l a s s if i ca t ion u sed i ss umma r i sed a sf o l low s .

Mu la , Mu r c ia ( Cuad rado 1 987 : 3 87 ) , a nd t h e n o r th e rnmo s t f r om L e s T o ixon e re s d e E l V end re l l , T a r ragona ( MC . R ov i ra 2 000 : 2 73 ) . T h e se a r e c on s id e red a st h eo l d e s tt y p eo fs ha r e . S o ck e t ed S ha r e s T h ey a r e s ha r e s w i th t wo f l ang e s a tt h e p rox ima l e nd w h ich a r e b en t o v e r t of o rm a s o ck e t . T h i s i s m ad e t of i to n t h e s o le o rw ood en u nd e r sha r e o ft h e a rd . T hey a r e t h e m o s t c ommon t y p e o f I b e r ian s ha r e i n C a ta lon ia ( Sanahu ja 1 97 1 ) a nd o n t h e Med i t e r ran ean c oa s t ( P 1á 1 968 ; 3 09 ) . T h ey a r e a l so t h e m a in C e l t ib e r ian a nd C an tab r ian t y p e ( Band 1 999 a nd 2 000 ) . T h e c r i te r ia f o r c l a s s i f y ing t h em i s b a sed o n t h e b a s ic s hap e o ft h e s ha r e , o n i t s l e ng th ( s uppo s ing i t c on se rv e s i t s o r ig ina l l e ng th ) i n r e la t ion w i th i t s w id th , a nd o n t h e l e ng th o f t h e s o ck e ti nr e la t ion w i th t h et o ta ll e ng th .

P rox ima lP a r t S ocke t F l ange s

A no the r v a r ian t o ft h i s t y p e i sp robab ly t h e c on ica l s ha r es m en t ion ed b y M .C . R ov i ra ( 2 000 : 2 73 ) , c on s i s t ing o f at i p w i th ap ra c t ica l ly c l o s ed s o ck e t , a s i n t h e e xamp le f r om Mo l i d 'E sp igo l d e T o rnabou s , L le ida ( MC . R ov i ra 1 996 : l am . 3N o . 5 ) . H ow ev e r , a sw e h av en o ts e en a ny o ft h e se s ha r e s d i r e c t ly ,w ec anno tb ec e r ta in a bou tt h i s .

D i s ta lP a r t B lade

T yp e 1 .T r iangu la r o r o va l s hap e , a nd s ma l l s i zed . T h e l e ng th -w id th r a t io i sb e twe en 3 a nd 5 . T he

P a r t so f as ha r e iron . B o t tom f ace . 1 78

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s o ck e t o ccup ie s b e tween 1 / 3 a nd 2 / 3 o ft h e l e ng th . T h i s t y p e i sf o und o ve r aw id e g eog raph ica l a r ea . I t i se qu iva len t t oo n e o ft h e v a r ian t s o f t y p e l a i n R e e s ' c l a s s if i ca t ion f o r G rea t B r i ta in ( R ee s 1 979 : 5 0 ,f i g . 4 9 ) .

d ep end ing o n t h e c r o s s se c t ion s o f t h e b l ad e . T h i s t y p ei se qu iva len tt oR ee s ' t y pe 2 c .

•6

T yp e 2 .S ha r e s o ft h i s t y pe t e nd t ob e r e c tangu la r , n a r row a nd m ed ium o r l a rg e s i zed . T hey h ave d ep r e s s ion si nt h et o pf a ce a nd /o rs i d e so ft h es o ck e t a s ac on sequen c e o f p r e s su r e a nd u se . T hey a r e f ound i n t h e i n t e r io r a nd n o r th o f t h e P en in su la ( Ba r r i 11999 a nd 2 000 ) .

6x

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2 . 1 . T he L /W r a t io i s 5o r6 .T he s o ck e tt a k e su p 1 / 4 o r1 / 3 o ft h el e ng th .

3

2 . 2 . T he L /W r a t io i sb e twe en 6a nd 9 . a )T he s o ck e t t a k e s u p l e s s t h an aq ua r te r o f t h e l e ng th . T hey a r e f ound i nt h e C e l t ibe r ian a r ea . b )T he s o ck e t o ccup ie sb e twe en 1 / 3 a nd 2 / 5 o f t h el e ng th . F ound i nt h eC an tab r ian a r ea . 2 . 3 . T he L /W r a t io i sg r ea te r t h an 9 .T h e s o ck e t t a k e s u p l e s s t h an 1 / 5 o f t h e t o ta l l e ng th . I t i s t h ough t t h ey m igh t n o t b e a rd sha r e s a ta l l a st h ey s e em t o o u n s tab le , a nd i th a s b e en p ropo sed t h ey c ou ld b e u sed a sa rd -kn ive s , o rt h a t t h ey a r e i ngo t s . T h ey a r ef ound i nt h e C e l t ib e r ian a r ea . T h i sT yp e 2 i sa no the ro ft h ev a r ian t so fR e e s ' t y p e l a .

D is t r ibu t ion m ap o fa rd sha r e s m en t ioned i n t h e t e x t . Re ja s d e t i po 2 . 2 . 1 . C oven tosa , A r red ondo , C an tabr ia . 2 . L a s Q u in tana s , L anga d e D uero , S or ia . 3 . C a s t i l t er r eho , I z ana , S or ia . 4 . T urm ie l , G uada la ja ra . 5 . C a s t i l sabä s , H ue s ca . 6 . Mon t e C i ld ä , 0 1 1 e ro sd eP isuerga , P a l enc ia .

T yp e 3 .A r rowh ead s hap e , w i th at r iangu la r b l ad e a nd ar e c tangu la r s o ck e t n a r rowe r t h an t h e b a se o f t h e b l ad e . T hey c ome f r om t h e u pp e r E b ro V a l ley a nd t h e C an tab r ian c oa s t . Two v a r ian t s c an b e d if e r en t ia ted . a )t h eb a s ic f o rm a sd e s c r ib ed a bov e b ) s ha r e s w i th a s ma l le r b l ad e , t owa rd sa no va ls hap e .

Re ja s d e t i po 3 . 1 . C ov en tosa , A r red ond o , C an tabr ia . 2 .C ueva d eR ey es , Ma t ien zo , C an tabr ia . 3 . B ernor io , V i l lar im , P a l enc ia . 4 . L a H oya , L agua rd ia , A la va . 5 .B er r eaga , Z amud io -M ungu ia , V i z caya . 6 .L aP or ida , L end esca s t i l lo ,A s tur ia s .

T h i s t y p e i se qu iva len t t oR e e s ' t y p e l c o fB r i t i sh s ha r e s( 1 979 : 5 ,f i g . 4 9 ) .

Re ja s d e t i po 1 1 . C ueva d e R ey es , Ma t ienzo , C an tabr ia . 2 . E l R a so d e C and e l eda , A v i la , 3 . C ancho R oano , Z a lamea d e l aS er ena , B ada jo z . 4 . E l J a rd inero , V a lenc ia d e A lcän ta ra , B ada jo z . 5 .M u s eo N uman t ino . S or ia

T anged S ha re s

3 .S o cke ted S hare s

T ype I .T he d i s ta l p a r to ft h e se s ha r e st e nd s t oh ave at r iangu la r o r r hombo ida l s hap e , c ompo sed o f a b l ad e l e ad ing i n to t h e p rox ima l p a r t , f o rm ed b y a t a ng b en t u pwa rd s a t a n o b tu se a ng le . A t t h e p rox ima l e nd t h e t a ng t u rn s d ownwa rd s a g a in . T he t a ng , w h ich i si n comp le te i n mo s t o ft h e e xamp le s w e k now , w ou ld b e f i t ted i n to t h e w ood en s t ruc tu re o ft h es o le a nd t h es t i l t , g o ing t h rough t h eb eam .

T h e s ha r e s c a ta logued a s t y p e 2 . 2b a l l c om e f r om C u eva d eC ov en to sa . T hey a r ea l ln a r row s ha re s ,b u t s l igh t ly w id e r i nt h e a r ea o ft h e s o ck e t , w h ich g i ve s t h em a t r ap ezo ida l a ppea ran ce . O n ly o ne o f t h e s ha r e s i s t r iangu la r , b u t i t s s t ru c tu r e a nd p rof i le a l low i t si n c lu s ion i nt h i sg roup .

t e nd ing

T h e i r p rof i le i s e i the r s l igh t ly c u rved o r a lmo s t s t ra igh t . T he e dge s o f t h e t o p s i d e h ave s ma l l d ep r e s s ion s wh ich c o in c id e a pp rox ima t e ly w i th t h e c en t r e o ft h e s o ck e t a r ea o ri t sb a s e , p robab ly w h e r e t h ey w e r es e cu r ed t ot h es o le . T h ey a l lh ave as qua re

T yp e I . S ha r e s w i th a l a rge t r iangu la r o r s p ea r shaped b l ad ea nd al o ng t a ng t ob ef i t t ed o ve r t h e s o le . V a r ian t s c ou ld p robab ly b e d i s t ingu i shed 1 79

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l i s ted i nt h e A pp end ix : 0 . 5cm t h ick i nt h e f l ange s , l cm i nt h e c en t r e o ft h eb l ad e , a nd 0 . 7cm a tt h et i p . B u t t h i s i sw o rn a nd h a s f l aked o p en , s o i t s r e a l t h ickne s sw ou ld b e al i t t le l e s s ,w i thou tb e ing a b le t o c a lcu la t ei tm o re p r e c i se ly .

t i p , p e rpend icu la r t ot h e l o ng a x i s , e xcep t f o r s ha r e C oven to sa 4 ,w h ich i sw o rn t o a n o va l f o rm , a nd C ov en to sa 3w h ich i sp o in ted . T h e se C an tab r ian s ha re s h ave b e en i n c lud ed i nt h e s ame t y p e2 . 2 w i th o t he r sf r om C e l t ibe r ian t e r r i to ry , b e cau se t h ey h ave t h e s ame l e ng th /w id th r a t io , b u t t h e i rs o cke t sh ave d if e ren tl e ng th s . T he p a ra l le l sw e

T he c ompa r i son s o ft h e m a in m ea su rem en t s o ft h e s ha r e s b e long ing t o T ype 2 . 2 f r om C oven to sa a nd f r om C e l t ib e r ia , a sl i s ted i nt h ea ccompany ing t a b le , s how s t h a t n on e o ft h em a r e i d en t ica l , b u t t h e re a r e m any s im i la r i t ie s a nd af ew d if e ren ce s t h a t a l low s ome c on c lu s ion st ob er e a ched

c an m en t ion a r e 1 )t h e s ha r e f r om C a s t i l T e r r e i io a t I z ana ( So r ia ) f o und i n al i v ing a r ea t og e th e r w i th o t h e r i r on f i t t ing s ( Ta racena 1 927 : 1 7 ) d a ted i nt h e 2 nd a nd i s t C en tu r ie s BC , a nd f o r w h ich w e h av e p ropo sed a m e thod o f f i x ing t h e s ha r e t o t h e s o le u s ing t h e f i t t ing s f ound w i th i t( Ba r r i l 1 999 f i g . 3 ) ; 2 ) t h e s ha re f r om T u rm ie l ( Guada la ja ra ) w i th a b l ad e t h a t i ss l igh t ly a s ymme t r ica l a tt h e t i p , w h ich w a sf ound i n at omb w i th o th e rf a rm t o o l s , i n c lud ing t wo i r on c l a sp s , a nd wh ich w e h ave d a ted b e twe en t h e e nd o f t h e 3 rd C en tu ry a nd s t a r t o f t h e i s t C en tu ry BC ( Ba r r i l 1 993 ) ; 3 )t h e e xamp le f r om L a s Q u in tana s d e L anga d e Du e ro ( So r ia ) o n ly k nown f r om ap ho tog raph ( Ta ra cena 1 929 : l am . X l .3 ) a nd d a ted i nt h e 2 nd o r i s t C en tu ry BC ; 4 )a nd a no th e r w h ich h a s n o t b e en p ub l i shed y e t f r om C a s t i l sabä s ( Hu e sca ) i n I b e r ian t e r r i to ry n ea r t h e b o rd e r w i th C e l t ibe r ian l a nd s , a nd wh ich w a s a ppa r en t ly f ound w i th f a rm ing t o o l s s im i la r t ot h o se f r om t h e o t he r s i t e sm en t ioned a bove ( Buh l , i np r e s s ) .

T h e s ha r e s C oven to sa 3 a nd C a s t i l sab ä s a r e v e ry s im i la r e x cep tf o rt h e l e ng th o ft h e s o ck e t , w h ich i s n ea r ly t w ice a sl o ng i nt h eo n ef r om C ov en to sa . T h e e xamp le f r om L ang a d e D ue ro , p ho tog raphed b y T a ra cena , w ou ld b ev e ry s im i la rt ot h e se . I ta l so h a s at r iangu la r s hap e a nd w e c a lcu la t e i tw a s a bou t 4 1cm l o ng . B u ta sw eh ave n o t s e en i tp e r sona l ly w e c anno tb ec e r ta in a bou tt h i s . T he o t he r s ha r e s f r om C ov en to sa , n umb e r s 4t o 1 0 , h av e s ma l l d if e ren ce s . T h i s i sp robab ly b ecau se t h e a r t i san , a lmo s tc e r ta in ly t h es am e ,w o rked t h em o na f o rg e , a nd t h ey w e r e a dap ted b yb end ing t h ef l ang e s m o re o rl e s s o ve rt h ew ood en s o le , a nd a l so b e cau se t h ey h av eb e en w or nm o r eo rl e s sb yu s e . T he s o ck e t o ft h e s e i st w ic e a s l o ng a s t h a t o ft h e C e l t ib e r ian s ha r e s . T he i r m ax imum w id th a nd l e ng th i s l e s s t h an t h e C e l t ib e r ian s ha r e s , b u t t h e l e ng th /w id th r a t io s a r e s im i la r . T he se m ea su r emen t s p robab ly s how t h a tt h es o le o ft h ea rd t o wh ich t h eC oven to sa s ha r e s w e re a t tached w a s n a r rowe r t h an i nt h e c a se o ft h e C e l t ib e r ian s ha r e s , a nd a s ar e su l t t h e s o ck e t h ad t ob el o ng e r .

A s s a id a bov e , t h e c r i te r ia o fu s ing t h e t o ta l l e ng th o ft h e a rd sha r e s hou ld b et ak en w i th p recau t ion , a s w e c anno t k now h ow much w ea r a nd t e a r h a s r educed t h i s , b u t w e s t i l l t h ink i ti s v a l id a s a s t a r t ing p o in t . A c l ea r e xamp le o f t h i s q u e s t ion i st h e a rd sha r e f r om as i te i nt h en o r th o ft h e p rov in ce o fP a len c ia : Mon t e C i ldä , a t0 1 1e ro s d eP i sue rga . T h i s s h a r ew a s a s c r ib ed t ot h e p r e -Roman l a y e r o ft h e s i te ( Ga rc ia , I g le s ia s & C a loca 1 973 : f i g . 1 7 .5 : R u iz 1 993 , 2 81 . L äm . 2 0 )w h ich w a sd a ted b e tw een t h em idd le o ft h e i s t C en tu ry BC a nd t h e m idd le o ft h e i s t C en tu ry AD , b u t w i th a p o s s ib le e a r l ie r o ccupa t ion . T he m ea su remen t s o ft h e w id th a nd l e ng th o fi t s s o ck e t a r e s im i la r t o s ome o f t h e s ha r e s f r om C ov en to sa , b u t t h e b l ad e i sc on s id e rab ly s ho r t e r . I n 1 997 w e c a lcu la ted i t s m ea su r emen t s a nd p ropor t ion s f r om t h e s c a le o ft h e p ub l i shed d raw ing , a nd i n c lud ed i t w i th in o u r g r oup 1 ,a l though n ea r t h e l im i t w i th g r oup 2 ( Band 1 999 : f i g .2 .4 ) . B u t m ea su r em en t s t a k en d i r e c t ly f r om t h e o b jec ts i tua t ei ti ng r oup 2 . 2 , a l though v e ry n ea rt h e l im i tw i th t h e i s t g r oup . We s uppo se t h i s s ma l l d if e rence , m ak ing i tc hang e g roup , a nd p l a c ing i ti n t h e s am e g roup a s t h o s e f r om C oven to sa , c ou ld b e b ecau se t h e s c a le o ft h e d raw ing i ss l igh t ly d i s tor ted , o rw e m ad ea ne r ro ri n t h e c a lcu la t ion s . I n a ny c a se , t h e t h ickne s s o ft h i s s ha r ei sa l so c ompa rab le w i th t h eC oven to sa o ne s , a s

T h e h e igh t o ft h e s o ck e t i ss omewha t g r e a te r i nt h e C oven to sa s ha r e s , a nd i ti ss em i c lo sed ( l ik et h eo ne f r om Mon t e C i ldä ) , w h e r ea s t h e f l ang e s o f t h e C e l t ibe r ian s ha r e s a r e p r a c t ica l ly s t ra igh t . T he se d if e ren ce s c ou ld r e f le c t d if e r en t w ay s o f s e cu r ing t h es ha r et ot h e s o le . T he C oven to sa s ha r e sw ou ld b e w rapp ed r ound t h e s o le t ob e mo re f i rm ly a t tached , a nd w e r e p o s s ib ly r e in f o r ced b y o t he r e l emen t s t ha t h ave l e f tt h e i rm a rk i nt h ed en t s o nt h et o pf a ce a nd o n t h e s i d e s o ft h e s o ck e t s . I nc on t ra s t , t h e s ho r te r , s t ra igh tf l ang e so ft h eC e l t ib e r ian s ha re sw ou ld n eed as y s tem o f f i t t ing s l i k e t h e o ne p ropo sed f o r t h e I z ana s ha r e , o ro t h e rs y s t em sn o ty e tk nown . T h i s t y p e o fa rd sha r e s h av eb een f ound o ve r much o fE u rope , s u ch a st h e e xamp le s f r om t h e o pp idum Man ch ing i n A u s t r ia ( J a cob i 1 974 : l am . 2 7 ) o r Wood cu t s a nd Wa l tham s tow , L ondon ( Re e s 1 979 : f i g . 5 6a nd 5 8 ) ;t h i sl a t t e ro ne i sp o s s ib ly R om an . I n

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f a c t , A udouze a nd B u ch sen s chu tz s t a te t h a t t h e C e l t s u sed a rd s f r om t h e 5 t h C en tu ry o nwa rd s , b u t t h e n a r row s ha r e s c ame i n to u se i nt h e i s t C en tu ry AD ( 1 989 : 2 4 , 1 99 ) . I n t h e I b e r ian P en in su la t h i s

Ma r lan te s d e s c r ibed a s a n a rd sha re b y G a r c ia G u inea a nd R incön ( 1 970 )w a si nr e a l i ty l a s tu sed a s as pud ( Ba r n ! 1 998 ) .

Max imum O r ig in

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I z ana T u rm ie l C a s t i l sabä s

T ab l e : T ype 2 . 2S ock e t ed s ha r e s t y p ew a sd ef in i te ly u sed b yt h e C e l t ib e r ian s , s u ch a s t h e e xamp le f r om T u rm ie l ( Guada la ja ra ) , w h ich p robab ly c om e s f r om a f une ra l c on tex t , d a ted b e tw e en t h e3 rd a nd i s tC en tu r ie s BC ( Ba r n ! 1 993 ) . T he s ha r e s o fT yp e 3a r e f ound i nt h e C an tab r ian a r ea a nd t h e u ppe r E b ro v a l ley . A pa r t f r om t h e e xamp le sf r om C ov en to sa a nd C u eva d eR ey e s , t h ey a r e : 1 ) as ha re f r om t h e h i l l f o r t B e rno r io ( V i l la r en , P a len c ia ) , f ound i n s id e ac i r cu la r h u t t o g e th e r w i th o t he rt o o l s , ad agge rw i th ad i s co id f e r ru le d a tab le i n t h e 4 th o r3 rd C en tu r ie s BC , a nd p o t te ry b o th h and m ad ea nd o nt h ew hee lo f aC e l t ib e r ian t y pe , d a tab le i nt h e 3 rd a nd 2 nd C en tu r ie s BC ( S an V a le ro 1 966 , B a r r i l 1 996 ) ; 2 )t wo t r iangu la rs ha r e sf r om l a ye rA 3 o ft h es e t t lemen tL aH oya ( Lagua rd ia , A lava ) ,w h ich w a s t h e s e cond m a in p ha se o ft h e s e t t lem en t , w h en t h e p rodu c t ion o fc e rea l s b ecam e i mpo r tan t ( L lano s 1 983 : 1 6 ) ; 3 ) a n e xamp le w i th a n o va l b l ad ef ound a tL a P o r ida ( L lend e ca s t iecho , L u a r ca , A s tu r ia s ) , a h i l lf o r tp o s s ib ly o fR oman a g e ( Maya 1 988 : 9 0 , f i g . 2 5 f ) ; a nd 4 ) a no th e r e xamp le f r om B e r r eaga ( Zamud io -Mungu ia , V izcay a ) , a n i nd igenou s R oman h i l l f o r t ( Unzu e ta 1 993 ) . T h i s t o o l i sa l so s l igh t ly o va l i n s hap e , a nd i sq u i t e s ma l l , s o i ti s p o s s ib le t h a t i tw a s b e ing u sed a s a" spud " , t h e t o o l u s ed t o s c rape e a r th o ft h e b l ad e o ft h e a rd s ha r e . We s im i la r ly b e l ieve t h a t t h e t o o l f r om C e lada

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T h es ha r ef r om B e r r eaga i sa bou t 1 0cm l o ng . We d o n o t k now h ow l o ng t h e e xamp le f r om L a P o r ida i s , b u t b o th o f t h e se e xamp le s w e r e f o und i n l a te i n d ig enou s c on tex t s , a nd h av e a na lmo s to va lb l ad e . S ot h ey m igh tb ec on s id e red av a r ian to fT ype 3 ,b u t i nt h ea b s en ce o fe xa c tm ea su r emen t st h i sc anno tb e c onf i rm ed . H owev e r , t h e c ompa r i son o f t h e m ea su rem en t s o f t h e o t h e re xamp le s i sh igh ly i n te re s t ing . T he s ha r e s f r om B e rno r io a nd L aH oya ,b o th f r om c on tex t sw i th d agg e r s o f t h e Mon t e B e rno r io t y p e , a r e q u i t e s im i la r , a nd a r e c ompa rab le w i th t h e s ha r e s f r om C ov en to sa a nd R ey e s ,a sc an b es e en i nt h et a b le . Wh en c ompa r ing t h e se m ea su r emen t s , t h e f a c to r o f t h e s ha r e s ' c on se rva t ion s hou ld b e t a k en i n to a c coun t . T h e t i p o f t h e B er n o r io s ha r e i ss l igh t ly w o rn a nd i r r egu la r , a nd L a H oya 2 h a s as qua r e e dg e , p e rhap s b ecau se t h e t i p b rok e a nd t h e s ha r e w a sr e -u sed f o rc ov e r ing t h e s e ed b ed so r manu r ing . I nt h es am ew ay , t h ee xamp le sf r om C ueva d eR eye s a nd C ov en to s a a r e v e ry s im i la r , a nd t h re e o ft h em o n ly d if e ri nh ow t h ey h av eb een w o rn d own a nd i n t h e i rs t a t eo fc on se rva t ion , w h i ch i sv e ry p oo ri nt h e o n e s f r om Ma t ienzo a nd g ood i n t h e o ne s f r om A r redond o . R ey e s 1h a s t h e s am e s hap e a nd w id th , b u tt h eb l ad ei ss ho r t e rw i th aw id e rt i p .

P r e -Roman A rd sha r e si nC an tab r ia

I ti si n te re s t ing t on o te t h e s im i la r i t ie s i nt h e w id th

B e rno r io i nt h e n o r th o fP a lenc ia , o rt h e a r e a o ft h e V acc e i s u ch a s t h e e xamp le f r om L a s R ueda s a t P ad i l la d e D ue ro ( Va l lado l id ) , o r t h o se f r om t h e a r ea o f t h e V e t tone s , w ho se f i r s t k nown e xamp le w a s f r om L a s C ogo ta s ( Av i la ) . A nd B e rno r io h ad a v e ry s im i la ra rd sha r et ot h eo ne sf r om L aH oya ,b u t n one w i th t h e s ame c ha ra c te r i s t ic s a r e k nown f r om t h e o t he r s i t e s m en t ioned , o rf r om a nywhe r e i nt h e C e l t ib e r ian a r ea .

a nd l e ng th o ft h e s o ck e t s , a st h i sp a r ti sf i xed t ot h e w ood en s o le , w h ich m ean s t h a t n o t o n ly t h e i r on s ha r e s b u t a l so t h e w ood en p a r t o f t h e a r d s h ad s t anda rd i sed m ea su remen t s . T he t a b le h a s t h e e x te r io r m ea su rem en t s o f t h e s o ck e t s , a nd t h e t h ickne s s o f t h e f l ang e s v a r ie s b e tw een 0 . 4 a nd 0 . 9cm . T h e t h ickne s s o fR eye s 1i s1 . 1cm , b u t m o s t o ft h i s i sd u et ot h e e xpan s ion c au sed b yt h ef l ak ing o ft h em e ta l .

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Max imum

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T ab l e : T ype 3S ock e t ed S ha r es T h i s c o inc id enc eo fs ha r e sa nd w eapon s i nB e rno r io a nd L a H oya h a s a l read y b een n o ted ( Ba r r i l 1 997 :165 ) , c on f i rm ing a d i r ec t o r i nd i r e c t r e la t ion sh ip b e twe en t h e t wo s e t t lemen t s , wh ich p robab ly c ommun ica ted v i a t h e E b ro v a l ley . T he f a c t t h a t n o s im i la r a rd sha re s a r e k nown i n t h e o t he r s i te s w i th t h i s k ind o f w eapon c ou ld b e b e cau se t h ey d i dn o te x i s t , o rb ecau se t h ey w e re u sed u n t i l c omp le te ly w o rn d own , o r b ecau se t h ey h ave n o t b e en d i s cov e red y e t ( Ba r r i l 1 999 :100 ) , b u t i t c ou ld a l so b e b e cau se t h e re w a s n o d i re c t r ou te o f c ommun ica t ion b e tween t h e se d if e ren tg eog raph ica l a r ea s . I t i s m o re l i k e ly t h a t t h ey t r ad ed w i th p re s t ig iou s o b je c t s s u ch a st h e w eapon s w i th i n la id d eco ra t ion i n b ronze a nd s i lve r , t h an w i th h eavy w o rk ing t o o l s . T he i r t r an spo r t f r om o n e p l a ce t o a no the r w ou ld b e ap rob lem , a l though t h e r e c ou ld a n i n te r chang e o f i d ea s o r o f p eop le w ho moved a mong t h e d if e r en t s e t t lemen t s a nd p a s sed o n t h e i r e xpe r ience . We mu s t a dd t h a t t h e a rd sha r e s i n C e l t ib e r ian o r I b e r ian a r ea s a r e l i gh te r , b e long t o d if e r en t t y p e s , a nd h ave av a r ied c h rono logy . F o r i n s tance , as i t e n ea rL aH oya i sE chau r i i nN ava r ra , a nd e xamp le sf r om h e re a r ed a ted i nt h e4 th C en tu ry BC ,b u ta r ea l so o f ad if e ren tt y p e( Ba r r i l 1 999 :93 ) .

T h i s h ypo th e t ica l s t anda rd i sa t ion i n t h e m ea su r emen t s o f t h e s ha re s c ou ld b e d u e t o t h e i r m anu f a c tu re b y t h e s am e a r t i san , o r a r t i san s w ho w o rk ed t o g e the r . T h i s l e ad s u s t o n um e rou s q ue s t ion s a bou t t h e e xa c t a g e o ft h e i mp lemen t s o r t h e i rp l a ce o fm anu f a c tu r e , b u t t ob e a b le t oa n swe r t h em w e w ou ld n eed a l a rg e s amp le o f m e talog raph ic a na ly se s o f t h e s ha re s a nd o f t h e p o s s ib le s ou r ce so fi r on o r e . T he e x c e l len t r e c en t s t ud y b y A lon so , C e rdän a nd F i l loy ( 1 999 ) a bou t t h e w eapon s f ound i nL a H oya c em e t e r y e x p la in s t h a t t h e s e t t lemen t o f L a H oya w a s c l ea r ly m anu f a c tu r ing i r on i nt h e s e cond p ha se o fi t se x i s ten ce , d a ted b e twe en 4 50 a nd 2 50 BC . T he a rd sha r e s b e long t o t h i s p ha s e a nd a r e t h e re f o re c on t empo ra ry w i th t h e c eme te ry t h a t p rov ided t h e g rav e -good s o fd agg e r s a nd s h ea th s s t ud ied i nt h e i r r epo r t . T hey c on s id e r t h a t s ma l l i mp lemen t s c ou ld h ave b e en m anu f a c tu red t h e re , w i thou t s pe c i f y ing w ha t k i nd , a nd t h a t t h e a rd sha re s w e r e a n i nnova t ion c om ing f r om t h e C e l t ibe r ian a r ea . T he p re senc e o f t h e s ha r e s c o inc id ed w i th t h e d eve lopmen t o f c e r ea l f a rm ing , w h ich g ene ra ted s u rp lu se s f o r t r ad e , e nab l ing t h e s o c ia l e l i te t o a cqu i r e ar ang e o f p r e s t ig iou s a r t ic le s ( A lon so & o the r s 1 999 : 2 5 -26 ) . T he s e a r t ic le s i n c luded p re c i s e ly d agg e r s a nd s h ea th s l i k e t h e o ne s f r om

We c on s ide r t h i s q u e s t ion o f i r on -wo rk ing , t h e p o s s ib le s t anda rd i sa t ion o ft o o l s , a nd t h e i r t r ad e t o

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b e o f g r ea t i mpo r tanc e . S t ud ie s m ad e a bou t t h e I b e r ian o r C e l t ib e r ian a r ea s h ave c ome t o t h e c on c lu s ion t h a t , a l though p l ac e sw he r e i r on o r ew a s m ined o rt h em e ta lw a s s me l ted a r ek nown , t h ey a r e o n as ma l l s c a le a nd c ou ld o n ly h ave s e rved t h e s e t t lem en t w he r e t h ey w e re l o ca ted . S o f a r n o l a rg e m e ta lwo rk ing c en t r e h a s b e en d i s cove red f o r s u r e , a nd i ti sn o t k nown whe th e r t h ey e x i s t ed a ta l l ( S . R ov i ra 2 000 , L o r r io & o t he r s 1 999 , M .C . R ov i ra 2 000 ) .

T h e T yp e 3a rd sha r e w a s t o g e the r w i th a Mon te B e rno r io t y p ed agg e ri nt h eh u t a tB e rno r io . B u tt h e t y po log y e s tab l i sh ed b y S anz ( 1 990 ) c l a s s e s t h i s d agg e ri nw ha t h ec a l l s" d eve lopmen tp ha s e " , g o ing f r om t h e 4 t h C en tu ry t o t h e m idd le o f t h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC . I n c on t ra s t , t h e d agge r sf r om L aH oya b e long i n t h e " exp an s ion p ha se " , al i t t le m o r e r e c en t , f r om t h e e nd o f t h e 4 t h C en tu ry t o t h e m idd le o ft h e 2 nd C en tu ry BC , a sh es e t s t h eo r ig in o f t h i s t y p e o f d agg e r i nt h e m idd le D u e ro v a l ley . We s hou ld m en t ion a no the r c onne c t ion b e twe en d agg e r s a nd T ype 3 a rd sha r e s , a s t h e b l ad e o f a d agg e rw a sf ound i n ac ave v e ry n ea rR eye s , C ueva d e C o f r e snedo , t o ge the r w i th a n a x e , o t h e r o b je c t s a nd p o t t e ry ( Sm i th a nd Mu i loz 1 985 : 1 30 , l am . I V ) . S an z a l so i n c lud e s t h i s e xamp le i n h i s " expan s ion p ha se " , b u t t h e r e a r e h oweve r d oub t s a st ow he the r i tr e a l ly b e long s t o a Mon t e B e rno r io t y p e o r a b ig lobu la r t y p e o f d agge r ( Ru iz C obo 1 999 : 3 7 , P e ra l ta 2 000 : 7 2 ) .

I ti su sua l ly p ropo s ed t ha tt h e r ei sn oc l ea re v id enc e o f s t anda rd i sed p rodu c t ion i n t h e a r ea s w h e r e t h i s t o p ic h a s b e en e xam ined m o s t c l o se ly . T hu s , i n C a ta lon ia , i th a s b e en s t a t ed t h a t i mp lemen t s a r e m o rpho log ica l ly h e te rog eneou s , m o s t o f t h em c om ing f r om l a y e r sd a ted b e tw een t h ee nd o ft h e3 rd C en tu ry a nd s t a r t o f t h e 2 nd C en tu ry BC , i n s e t t lem en t s p robab ly a band oned b e cau se o f t h e S econd P un ic Wa r . T h i s i st h e s am e c h rono logy a s m any o ft h eI b e r ian i r onwo rk st h a ta r ek nown t o day ( M .C . R ov i ra 2 000 : 2 77 -278 ) . I n t h e s ame w ay , s t ud ie s o fm a te r ia l s o ft h e l a t e I r on A g e i nE u rop e s e em t o i nd ica t e t h a t p rodu c t ion w a s n o t u n if ied , a nd t h e r ew a s al a rg ed if e r en ce i nt h eq ua l i ty o ft h e o b je c t s( We l l s 1 988 : 1 32 ) .

T he a u tho r s o f t h e m e ta l lu rg ica l s t ud y o f t h e w eapon s f r om L a H oya d i sag re e w i th t h e l o ng c h rono logy o f t en g i ven t o Mon te B e rno r io t y p e d agg e r s , a nd c onc lude t h a t t h e t e chn iqu e w a s s o e l abo ra t ei tw a su sed d u r ing as ho r tp e r iod i nt h e4 th C en tu ry , a nd t h a t t h e m anu f a c tu r e t o ok p l ace s omewh e r e n ea r e r a th and t h an s ugg e s t ed b y o t he r a u tho r s ( A lon so & o t he r s 1 999 : 7 6 ) . I ft h e i r t h eo ry i s c onf i rm ed a nd i tc an a l so b e p roved t ha t t h e w eapon s f r om t h e c eme te ry a r e c on tempo ra ry w i th t h e a rd sha r e s f r om t h e s e t t lem en t , t h en t h e se f a rm i mp lemen t s m ay b e o l de r t h an h a s p rev iou s ly b een t h ough t . A s s t a t ed a bove , t h e w eapon s a nd s ha re s a r e i n c lud ed w i th in t h e s e cond p ha se o f t h e s e t t lemen t , d a ted f r om t h em idd le o ft h e5 t hC en tu ry t ot h em idd le o ft h e3 rd C en tu ry BC .

D e sp i t e t h i s s c ep t ic i sm a bou t t h e s t anda rd i sa t ion o f i mp lemen t s , w e t h ink i ti sn o t u n l ik e ly , a tl e a s t i n t h e c a se o f t h e T yp e 3a rd sha r e s . Mo rpho log ica l s t ud ie s o fw eapon s a cc ep t c l a s s if i ca t ion s a nd t y p e s t h a ta r e d i s t r ibu t ed o ve rw ide a r ea s . S ome t ime s i ti s s a id t h i s d i s t r ibu t ion w a s ar e su l to ft r ad e , o ro ft h e e xchang e o fp r e s t ig iou s g ood s , o r s po i l s o fw a r . S o p e rhap si ti st im et oc on s id e rt h a ts ome th ing s im i la r c ou ld h av eh app ened w i th c e r ta in i mp lem en t s . T he s t ud y o f t h e w eapon s f r om L a H oya h a s d i scove red a g r ea t d ea l a bou t t h e i r s oph i s t ica ted m anu f a c tu r ing t e chn ique s , b u t t h e l o ca t ion w he r e t h ey w e r e m ad e w i l l r ema in u nknown u n t i l s im i la r s t ud ie s a r e c a r r ied o u t i no t h e r p l ac e s . J u s t a s i ti s a s sumed t h a t t h e w eapon s o fL aH oya a nd B e rno r io h ad ar e la t ed o r ig in , t h e a rd sha r e s o fT yp e 3c ou ld h ave b een m anu f ac tu red i n t h e s ame p l ac e , o r a t l e a s t h ave b e en d eve loped i n o ne p l ace . I t i s i n te r e s t ing t h a t ar e cen t d i g i n C an tab r ia , a t t h e h i l l f o r t o f C a s t i lneg ro ( Med io C ud eyo a nd L ii rgane s ) , h a s d i scove red a n a r ea o f c ombu s t ion w i th i r on s l ag . T h i ss i te h a sd a t e sf r om t h ef i r s th a l f o ft h e 5 t h C en tu ry t o t h e s t a r t o ft h e 4 t h C en tu ry BC , a nd n o s i gn o fC e l t ib e r ian o rR oman i n f luen ce ( Va l le 2 000 : 3 58 ) . T he m anu f a c tu r e o f i r on i n C an tab r ia i s t h e r e f o r e , a t l e a s t a s o l d a s t h e t r an s i t ion f r om t h e e a r ly t o t h e l a t e I r on A g e , a l though w e s t i l l d o n o t k now h ow t h e t e chno logy r e ach ed t h er e g ion .

T he a rd sha r e s f r om C oven to sa a nd R ey e s a r e v e ry s im i la r i n s i ze , a l though a l i t t le l a rge r t han t h e e xamp le s f r om B e rno r io a nd L a H oya . I fw e a pp ly t h e c r i t e r ia o fa u tho r s l i k e G u i la in e ( 1 991 : 8 4 ) , t h e i n c r ea se i ns i ze a nd w e igh t o fi mp lem en t s i s as i gn o f mod e rn i ty , b u t w e p r e f e r t ob a s e t h e c h rono logy o f t h e se t o o l s o n t h e p o s s ib le a g e o f t h e o t he r i mp lem en t s r e cove red i n C u eva d e R eye s , a s e xp la ined b e low . T he N a t iona l A r chaeo log ica l Mu seum i n Mad r id h a s s e ve ra l R oman a rd sha r e s wh ich , l i k e t h e o ne s w e a r e s t udy ing h e r e , a r e a r row shaped a nd h ave f l ange s . B u t i n t h i s c a se t h e b l ade h a s ac onvex c r o s s se c t ion , a s i th a s t wo f a ce s , ac i r cu la r c l amp c omp le t e s t h e s o ck e t , t h e t i p i sr e in f o r ced , a nd i n g ene ra l t h ey a r e l a rg e r a nd h eav ie r ( A r t if lano 1 919 : 1 75 ) . T h i s c ompa r i son s ugg e s t s t h ey a r e a mo r e e vo lved m od e l , h av ing t h e T yp e 3s ha r e s a s a n a n te ced en t . 1 83

P r e -Roman A rd sha r e si nC an tab r ia

I n F ranc e t h i s mod e l o f s ha re i s f ound i n G a l lo -Roman s i t e s l i k e R ouche ro l l e s ( S e ine -Ma r i t ime ) o r T a rqu impo l ( Mo s e l le ) ( F e rd iü-e s 1 988 : 3 1 , 3 4 ) . I n B r i ta in , R ee s i n c lud e s t h i s m od e l i nh e r t y p e 2 ,a nd d a te s t h em f r om t h e i s t C en tur y BC . A s c an b e s e en , t h e S pan i sh a r d sha r e s s e em t oh av eb een i nu se e a r l ie rt h an t h e k nown e xamp le sf r om o t he rE u rop ean c oun t r ie s . 4 .T anged S hare s T h e t wo t a nged s ha r e s f r om Ma t ienzo a r e i n comp le t e , b u t w e p ropo se t oi n c lud e t h em i no u r T yp e I . S ha re s o f t h i s t y p e h ave a n a r row r h ombo ida l o r t r iangu la r b l ad e a nd a r a i s ed t a ng f o rm ing a n o b tu se a ng le w i th t h eb l ad e . T h i st y p ei s i d en t if i ed , b y u s ing t h e e xamp le C u eva d e R eye s 3 , w h ich w e c on s id e r t ob e as im i la r t y pe t o t h e o n e f o und i n h ou se 9 o f p ha se I I o f t h e V e t ton e s s e t t lem en t , E l R a so d e C and e leda i n A v i la ( F ' e rnänd ez & L op e z 1 990 : f i g . 1 0N o . 9 87 ) . T h i si s d a ted b yt h ea ge o ft h e g r oup o fh ou se sw he r ei tw a s f o und , b e twe en t h e e nd o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry a nd t h e m idd le o ft h e i s tC en tu r y BC ( F er n änd ez 1 986 : 4 55 a nd 5 20 ) . T he N uman t ine Mu seum i n S o r ia h a s a no th e r s omewha t s im i la r s ha r e , f r om a n u nknown l o ca t ion , a nd wh ich i sd a t ed , w i th d oub t s , i n t h e R oman a g e . T h i se xamp le f r om S o r ia h a s ab l ad ei n t h e s hap eo fa ni s o sce le st r iang le , a nd ac u rved t a ng w i th ar e c tangu la r c r o s s sec t ion t h a t t h in s f r om i t s s t a r tt oi t se nd . T he s ha r ef r om E l R a so h a s ar a i sed t a ng o ft h e s ame w id th a st h eb l ad e , a l though i tl a t e r t h in s a nd b end s d ownwa rd s ; t h i s p a r t s e em s t ob e i n comp le te .

A rd -sha r ei nN umanc ia Mus eum . O r ig in u nknown .

A rd sha r e f rom E l R a so d e C and e l ed a , a cco rd ing t o F e rnänd e z a nd L ope z 1 990 : f i g 1 0 , 9 87

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A rd f r om H uesca p rov ince ,f r om A i tk en a nd A i tk en 1 935 ,f i g8 . 1 84

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T he p rof i le o f t h e se s ha r e s i ss im i la r t o t h a t o f p l an t ing t o o l s , s u ch a st h e o ne s f r om S a r r ia d e T e r a nd Empu r ie s ( S anahu ja 1 97 1 : f i g . 1 0 ) , b u t t h e se h av e amu ch w id e rb l ad e a nd t h et a ng i sb en t a ta n a cu t e a ng le . T he t a ng o f t h e a r d sha r e s m ak e s a n o b tu se a ng le , a nd t h i si si mpo r tan tt od e te rm ine h ow i tw a s u s ed . I ti sn o t ac ommon t y p e o fs ha re , a nd a f t e r e xam in ing e t hno log ica l p ub l ica t ion s a nd c on su l t ing w i th J o sé L u i s M ingo te , t h e a u tho r o f s e ve ra l s t ud ie so ff a rm t o o l s o fe t hno log ica l i n te r e s t , w e c an f i nd n o c l ea r p a ra l le l s . N eve r the le s s , w e t h ink i tc ou ld b er e la t ed w i th ak ind o fb ow a rd f r om H u e sca w h ich t h e A i tk en s c on s id e red t ob e a n o l d f o rm o f" Ca s t i l ian " p l ough , a si td oe s n o t h ave t h e w ooden p i e ce s a te ach s i d e o ft h e s o le t h a t a r eu sed t o w id en t h e f u r row . I th a s as p ea r shaped s ha re w i th t h e t a ng f o rm ing a n o b tu se a ng le w i th t h e b l ad e r e s t ing o n aw ood en s o le ( A i tk en & A i tk en 1 9 35 : 1 27 ,f i g . 8 ) .

T he s ha re f r om E l R a so h a s s ome u nu sua l c ha rac t e r i s t ic s , s u ch a s t h e s ho r t b l ad e , w id e t a ng a nd i t s d ownwa rd c u rve . I tw a s p robab ly u s ed o n a v e ry s ho r t s o le , a nd t h e b en t t a ng e i the r f i t ted b eh ind t h i s o rw a s s t u ck i n to t h e w ood . R ega rd ing t h ee xamp le i nt h eN uman t in e Mu seum ,t h es t i l ta nd s o le / sha r e w ou ld f o rm as i ng le p i ec ew i th t h e s ha r e i n c luded . I tw a s p o s s ib ly s uppo r t ed o n as t eep ly i n c l ined s o le . A n o b je c t f r om C ancho R oano , a tZ a lam ea d e l a S e r ena ( Bada joz ) h a s r e cen t ly b e en i d en t if i ed a sa n a rd sha r e , a nd w et h ink c ou ld b e as ma l le re xamp le o fo u r T yp e I .I ft h i s i sc onf i rmed , i tw ou ld b e t h e o l d e s t k nown t a nged s ha r e ( Ku r tz i n p re s s ) , a s i t a ppea red i n ac l o sed c on tex t d a t ed i n t h e 5 t h C en tu ry BC . A t f i r s t i tw a s t h ough t t ob e ad agg e r , a nd w a s d r awn w i th af r agmen t o ft h e t a ng c u rved o ve r i t( Ma luque r 1 981 : 36 , f i g . 4 4 ) . B ecau se i ti s s oo ld , a nd d o e s n o tf i ti nw i th t h et h eo r ie sb e l ieved u n t i l n ow , a nd a l so b ecau se a l a rg e n umb e r o f a rd sha r e s a r e b e ing f ound i n t h e a r ea , G u i l le rmo K u r tz t h ink s t h a t i tc ou ld b e a n i n t ru s ion e ven t h ough t h es i t ew a sd ug w i th mod e rn a r chaeo log ica l m e thod s . T he r e p ea ted p l ough ing o f af i e ld o ve rt h e c en tu r ie s m ean s i ti sn o t i mpo s s ib le t h a t as ha r e

T he s p ea r shaped a rd sha r e s k nown i n S pa in i n m od e rn t im e s w e re u sed o n b ow a rd s , p l aced o n a n o t ch i nt h e s o le wh ich w a s f i t t ed i nt h e b eam , a nd f i rm ly f i xed i n p l ace w i th t h e p re s su r e o f w edg e s j ammed b e twe en t h e s ha r e , t h e b eam a nd t h e s o le . T he se a ng led s ha re sb e ing d e s c r ibed p robab ly h ad a ef e r en tw ay o ff i t t ing a nd s uppo r t ing t h em . T o ta l

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T ab l e : T yp e IT ang ed S ha r e s . 1 .T he m ea sur emen t sa r ec a lcu la t ed f rom t h ed raw ing t os ca le p rov id ed b yF ernand oF ernänd ez , a nd t h e m ea sur emen to f3 2cm f or t h ee x t end ed l e ng th . 2 .T he m ea sur emen t sa r e c a lcu la t ed f r om ad raw ing a nd t h el e ng t h o f3 53mm g i v en b yF ernänd e z ( 1 986 : 1 4 1 N o . 6 6 ) . 3 . T he m ea sur emen t s a r e c a lcu la t ed f r om t h e s en t ence "t h e b l ad e i t s e lf m ea sur es 2 60mm" a nd t h e d raw ing i n Ma luquer ( 1 98 1 : 3 36 a nd f i g . 4 4 , N o . 2 07 ) . 4 .T he m ea sur emen t sa r et h o s eg i ven b yt h ee xca va tor s ; i ti s2 cm t h ick ( Bueno & o t her s 1 988 ; 9 5 ) . 5 .T he c omp l e t em ea sur emen t sh a ve b een p rov id ed b yE l ia sT eH s , d i r ec tor o ft h eN uman t ine Mu seum .

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c ou ld b e l o s t a nd a r chaeo log ica ll a ye r s .

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1 999 ) . T h e e v id ence i sf o und i n t h e p i c tu re s o n p o t t e ry s u ch a st h e e xamp le f r om A lco r i sa ( Teru e l ) , t h e i mag e s o n c o in s f r om I b e r ian a nd C e l t ib e r ian t e r r i tor y , a nd m in ia tu r e a rd s l i k e t h e o ne f r om C ova l ta ( Va lenc ia ) . N ev e r the le s s ,b eam a r d so fe a r ly I r on A g e d a te a r e k nown i n E u rop e , s u ch a s t h e e xamp le f r om D onne rup lund i nD enma rk ( F e rd ie r e 1 988 : 3 4 ) , a nd a n I r on A g e s o le a rd i sk nown f r om V ebb e s t rup i nt h es ame c oun t ry ( Gu i la in e 1 991 : 8 4 ) . T h e d if e ren ce i nt h et y p e o fs ha re s c ou ld i nd ica t e a d if e r ence i nt h et y p eo fa rd .

t h e

A no th e re xamp le f o rm E lR a so d eC and e leda i sv e ry s im i la r i ns i ze a nd s hap e a st h e s ha r e s f r om C ueva d e R eye s , b u t i ti sb rok en a ti t s p rox ima l e nd , a nd t h e r e f o r e l a ck s t h e t a ng . I ta pp ea red i nt h e k i t chen o fh ou s e A -4 , s t u ck i nt h e g round ( F e rnänd ez 1 986 : f i g . 6 6 N o . 6 6 ; 4 55 ) . T ak ing i n to a ccoun t Ku r tz 's o p in ion , i tc ou ld b e s i gn if i c an t t h a t i tw a s f ound i n t h i s p o s i t ion a nd n o t d epo s i ted o n t h e g round , b u t t h e d ig h a s a l l t h e g ua ran tee s o fb e ing c o r rec t . L ik e t h e o t he r e xamp le m en t ioned a bove f r om E l R a so , t h i s s ha re c am e f r om P ha se I I o f t h e s e t t lemen t . A no the r t wo o b je c t s w i th r hombo ida l b l ad e s h ave b e en d e sc r ibed f r om h ou se s C -3 a nd S -26 o f t h e s am e s i te ( F er n änd ez 1 986 : 4 55 ) w i thou t b e ing d ef ined f u r th e r , a nd t h ey s hou ld n ow b e c ompa r ed w i th t h ea rd sha re s .

Wh i le t h e b eam a nd s o le a r d s a r e c on s id e r ed t ob e e a r ly i n t rodu c t ion s i n to t h e I b e r ian P en in su la , t h e q uad rangu la rt y pe i ss uppo sed t oh ave b een b rough t b y t h e S wab ia n s ( D ia s 1 942 i nM ingo t e 1 996 : 4 3 ) . B u t o t he r a u tho r s s t a t e t h a t w hen t h i s h ypo the s i s w a s m ad e , t h e r e a l d i sp e r s ion o fq uad rangu la r a r d s i n s id ea nd o u t s id e S pa in w a sn o tt a k en i n to a c coun t , a nd t h e r e f o r e i tc anno t b e p roved t h a t t h ey d id n o t

A no the r i mp lemen t c l a s s if i ed b y i t s d i scove r e r s a s a n a rd sha re w a sf o und a tE l J a rd ine ro d e V a lenc ia d eA lcän ta ra ( Cä ce r e s ) , as i te d a ted b e twe en t h e 4 t h a nd 3 rd C en tu r ie s BC . I t i s n o t d rawn , b u t i s d e sc r ib ed a s r hombo ida l a nd w i th s im i la r m ea su r emen t s t o t h e e xamp le s w e a r e s t udy ing ( Bueno & o t he r s 1 988 : 9 5 ) , s ow e c an i n c lud e i ti n t h i st y p e ,w i th t h es ame r e s er ve sa st h eo t he r s .

e x i s t i n S pa in b e f o re t h a t t im e ( M ingo t e 1 996 : 4 4 ) . T h e b ow t y p e o f a rd w a s u sed i n I t a ly s i n ce t h e B ronze A g e , b u t w e d o n o t k now w hen i tr e ached t h e I b e r ian P en in su la . P e rhap s s ome o ft h e s ha r e s t h a t h ave b e en c l a s s if ied a s " i nde te rm ina te " c ou ld b e long t o t h i s t y pe o f a rd ( Ba t h ! 1 999 :96 a nd 2 000 :302 ) , s u ch a s t h e e xamp le f r om E l R a so d e C and e leda o r t h e r e c en t ly r e d i scove r ed o ne f r om C an cho R oano . B ow a r d sa r ed ep ic ted i ne ng rav ing s i nt h en o r th o fI t a ly .

We mu s t a l so m en t ion t h e v i s i t s S chu l ten m ad e t o p r e -Roman h i l l f or t s i n t h e C an tab r ian r eg ion . A t S an ta Ma r ina n ea r Ma tapo rqu e ra , h e d i scove r ed , i n al a ye rw i th a she s a nd a dobe , af ragmen t o fp a in t ed p o t t ery a nd t wo a rd i r ons . S chu l t en e xp la in st h a t h e d epo s i ted t h e m e ta l a r te f a c t s h e f ound i n t h e N a t iona lA r chaeo log ica l Mu seum ,w h ich i ndeed h a s r eg i s te r ed i n i t s i n ven to r y m e ta l o b je c t s f r om V a ldeo l ea d epo s i ted b y S chu l t en . T hey m ay b e t h e s ame o b je c t s , b u t u nf o r tuna te ly t h ey h ave n o t b e en i d en t i f ied s of a r . H e p ub l i sh ed ap ho tog raph o fi r on i mp lemen t s , a nd o ne o ft h e se l o ok ss im i la rt os ha re s 3a nd 4 f r om C ueva d e R eye s ( S chu l ten 1 942 : f i g . 1 2 .10 ) ,b u tw ec anno tb es u re . 5 . P reh i s tor ic S hare s E thnograph ica lE xamp le s

C ompared

T he d if e renc e b e twe en t h e se t y p e s o fa r d s i si nt h e w ay t h ep a r t so ft h ea rd a r ej o ined t og e th e r . I nb eam a rd s t h e b eam i sj o in ed a tt h e j unc t ion o ft h e s o le a nd t h e s t i l t o r h and le . I n q uad rangu la r a rd s t h e b eam i sj o in ed t o t h e s t i l t a nd a p e rpend icu la r c r o s sp iece c onne c t s i tt ot h e s o le . T he b eam a nd t h e s t i l t a r eb o th f i t ted i n to t h es o le i nas o l ea rd ; wh i le i n b ow a rd s i ti s t h e s o le a nd t h e s t i l t t h a t a r e a s s emb led i nt h eb eam . T he s o ck e t ed s ha re s a r e p l a ced o n t h e e nd o f t h e s o le a nd f i xed i np l ac e w i th t h e f l ang e s , s ome t ime s s t r eng thened w i th p in s o rc l amp s . T he s p ea r shap ed s ha r e u sed w i th b ow a r d s i ss e t o n t op o ft h e s o le wh ich c ou ld h av e ag r oov e f o r i t , a nd a r e h e ld i n p l ac e w i th aw edge w h ich p a s s e s t h rough t h e b eam a nd aw ood en o rm e ta l p in f i xed b e tween t h eb eam a nd t h es o le .

w i th

T he s ha r e sd e sc r ib ed i nt h i s s t udy a r es e en t ob e long t os e ve ra l o ft h ed if e ren tt y p e so fa rd sk nown i nt h e I b e r ian P en in su la b y e t hno log ica l s t ud ie s ( A i tk en 1 931 , C a ro 1 985 , M ingo te 1 990 ) . T he se h ab i tua l ly c l a im t h a t t h e s o ck e ted s ha r e s w e re f o r b eam , q uad rangu la r o r s o le t y pe s o f a r d s , w he r ea s t h e t a nged s ha r e s a r eu sed i nb ow a rd s . T he c ompa r i son o f a r chaeo log ica l a nd e t hno log ica l s ha re s , c a r r ied o u tb y d if e r en ta u tho r s i nd ica te t h a tt h e s o le t y pe o f a rd w a s i n u s e i n t h e I b e r ian P en in su la i n P r e -Roman t ime s ( Ca ro 1 985 , P l ä 1 951 , B and

B o th T yp e 2 . 2 a nd T yp e 3s h a r e s h ave e t hnog raph i c p a ra l le l s i nb eam , q uad rangu la r a nd s o le a m t s . F o r e xamp le , as ha r e s im i la r t oT yp e 3w a s u s ed o n a s o le a rd f r om B u ja lance , C ö rdoba , a l though t h e s o ck e ti s much l o ng e rt h an t h eb l ad e( M ingo t e 1 990 : 7 8 ) , o ri n aq uad rangu la ra rd f r om E l izondo -Baz tän , N ava r ra , t h i s t ime w i th a s ho r t s o ck e t ( M ingo t e 1 990 : 7 4 ) . As ha r el i k eT yp e2 . 2 C oven to s a 3i ss e en 1 86

P r e -Roman A rd sha re si nC an tab r ia

o n ab eam a rd f r om M ixo s . O ren se , a l though i th a s al o ng e r s o ck e t ( M ingo te 1 990 : 7 9 ) . O the r s ha re s

m anu re ( A i tken 1 935 : 1 24 ; O lmo 1 988 ; 1 4 ) . S ha re s w i th s qua re . r a the r t han p o in ted , t i p s a r e k nown i n e t hno log ica l s t ud ie s , f o ri n s tance t h e s ha re u sed w i th af a c tor y -p roduced a rd i n B ada joz ( M ingo te 1 990 : 6 2 ) .

s im i la rt oT yp e 2a r e k nown o n aq uad rangu la r a rd f r om N ava , A s tu r ia s ( M ingo te 1 990 : 5 9 ) , o r o n a b eam a rd f r om S an ta C ruz d e C ampezo . Ä lava , w i th ac l o sed s o cke t t a k ing u p a lmo s t h a lf t h e l e ng th o f t h e s ha re ( Ca ro 1 985 : f i g . 2 3 ) . We d o n o t t h ink i ti s n ece s sa ry t og i ve m o r ee xamp le s a si tc an a l ready b e s e en t h a t t he m o s t i mpor tan t t h ing a bou t e ach t ype o fa rd i st h e w ay t h e s o le i sf i xed , a nd n o t t he k ind o f s ha r e , wh ich w ou ld d epend o n f a c to r s l i k e t h e k ind o f g round t o b e p loughed o r l o ca l c u s tom s . Many o ft h e s ha re s r epor ted i ne t hno log ica l s t ud ie s h ave a r e inf o r ced c on ica l t i p , a nd mu ch s t ronge r h eav ie rf l ange st h an t h ep reh i s to r ic e xamp le s . I nt h e s ame w ay t hey s ome t ime s h ave ap e r f o ra t ion s ot h a t

B ow a rd s . w i th a s p ea r shaped s ha re , h ave a w id e d i s t r ibu t ion a c ro s s t h e I b e r ian P en in su la , a nd t h e Me se ta i s c on s id e red t o b e t h e c en t re o f t he i r e xpan s ion ( M ingo te 1 996 : 3 9 ) . T he s p ea r shaped s ha re s u sua l ly h ave t h e b l ad e a nd t h e t a ng i n t h e s ame p l ane , b u t i nc e r ta in c a se s , l i ke t ot h e n o r th o f S a r i f iena i nt h ep rov ince o fH ue sca , t he s ha re h a s a n a ng led p rof i le . B u t , a cco rd ing t oM ingo te , med ieva l i lu s t ra t ion s s how t y pe s o f a rd s t ha t a r e n o t k nown t oday , s o w e r ep ea t t ha t t h e t yp e s u sed i n t he P r e -Roman e r a n e ed n o t h ave b een e xac t ly t he s ame

t h ey c an b e f i xed mo re f i rm ly t o t h e s o le w i th a m e ta lp in . I nr a re c a se s ab ow a rd c an u se as ocke ted

a s mo re r e cen t e xamp le s . I nt h e s ame w ay , M ingo te ( 1 996 : 8 6 ) i nd ica te s t ha t i nD enma rk q uad rangu la r a rd s h ave b een u sed w i th w ood en s pea r -shaped s ha re s s i nce t h e M idd le A g e s . A l though w e h ave n o

s ha r e , a nd q uad rangu la r a rd s a r e k nown t o h ave c a r r ied s p ea r shaped s ha re s i n D enma rk i n t h e M idd le A ge s( M ingo te 1 996 : 8 6 ) .

e xamp le s i n S pa in o fs pea r shaped s ha re s f o r o the r t yp e s o fa rd s d if e ren t f r om t h eb ow o ne , t h ey m igh t h ave e x is ted a nd n o t b e en c on se rved b ecau se t hey

N eve r the le s s i n t h e a r ea o f mod e rn -day C an tab r ia , w he r e t h e se s ha re s w e re f ound , e t hnog raph ica l s t ud ie s h ave n o t r ep or ted e i the r s o le o r b eam a rd s . Quad rangu la r a rd s m ay h ave e x i s ted , p e rhap s a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e 2 0 th C en tu ry , b u t t h ey h ad d i sappea red l ong b e f o re C a ro B a ro ja i n 1 949 ( 1 983b : f i g . 15 )

w e re m ad ei n ap er i shab le m a te r ia l . 6 . T he A rchaeo log ica l C on tex t o f t he D epo s i t i n C ueva d eR eye s

a nd G onzä lez E chega ray ( 1971 : 1 53 ) c a r r ied o u t t he i r r e sea rch . I n t h e s u r round ing a r ea , i tc an b e s a id t h a t q uad rangu la r a rd s h ave b een d ocumen ted i np l ace s i n A s tu r ia s a nd t h e B a sque C oun t r y , s o le a rd s i n moun ta in a r ea s o f t h e n o r th o f L eon , i n

A s s t a ted i nt h e i n t roduc t ion , t h e s ha re s f r om C ueva d e C oven to sa h ave n o a r chaeo log ica l c on tex t . T he h oa rd w a s a n i s o la ted f i nd , t h a t m ay o r m ay n o t b e r e la ted w i th t h e o t he r m a te r ia l s f ound i n d if e ren t

E x t remadu ra a nd w e s te rn Anda luc ia , a nd b eam a rd s i n t h e P y renee s , N ava r ra a nd n o r thwe s t o f t h e p en in su la . I fw e c ompa re t h e d i s t r ibu t ion o f t h e se t y pe s o fa rd s o n t h e map s p re sen ted b y C a ro B a ro ja i n 1 949 ( 1983b : f i g . 17 ) a nd M ingo te ( 1996 : f i g .2 ) t h e re a r e d if e rence s i nd ica t ing m o re b ow a rd s , wh ich r e f lec t s a n i n c reas e i n i n ten s ive l o ca l

c hambe r s i n s id e t h e c ave w h ich s e em t oi nd ica te i t w a s u sed a s ab u r ia l c ave i nt h e I r on A g e . P e rhap s t h e s ha re s w e re h idden i n t h e v es t ibu le t o p ro tec t t h em , a nd i tw a s i mpo s s ib le t o r e tu rn f o r t h em , a l though o the r r e a son s f o r t h e d epo s i t h ave b een s ugge s ted a nd t h ey w i l lb ed i scu s sed l a te r .

r e sea r ch . A s ar e su l t , i tc anno tb e s a id t ha t t h e t yp e s o f a rd s u sed i n t h e r e cen t p a s t w e re t h e o n ly o ne s t ha te x is ted i np reh i s to r ic t ime s .

T he d epo s i t i n C ueva d e R eye s h a s t he s ame p rob lem s , a l though h e re t h e o n ly p o t te ry f ound i s s im i la r t ot h e t yp e i nC u eva d e C of re snedo t ha t h a s b een d a ted i nt h e C ha lco l i th ic o re a r ly B ronze Age . N eve r the le s s , t h e o t he r i r on o b jec t s c ou ld i nd ica te w ha t k ind s o fa c t iv i t ie s w e r e c a r r ied o u t i nt h e a r ea a r ound t h e c ave , a nd a l so a n a pp rox ima te c h rono logy .

I na ny c a se , t h ea id s wh ich u sed t h e s o ck e ted s ha re s w e a r e s t udy ing w ou ld h ave h ad a n a r row s o le , e xcep tf o rt h eo ne u sed w i th s ha re C oven to sa 3 ,a nd t h ey w ou ld n o t h ave b e en p a r t icu la r ly h eavy . T hey m ay h ave b een u sed l e an t t o o ne s i d e , a s t h e t wo s i d e s o f t h e s om e o f t h e s ha re s a r e w o rn d own t o d if e ren t d eg ree s . T he t i p s o f s ome o f t h e s ha re s s how c l ea r s i gn s o ft h e i ru se . a nd o t he r s a r eb lun t a s i ft he y h ad h i t s ome th ing , p e rhap s s t one s . I th a s

S ome o f t h e i mp lemen t s f ound i n C ueva d e R eye s w e re u sed t op repa re a nd m a in ta in t h e l a nd . i . e . t o c l ea r t h e g round o fo ld p l an t s , o p en f u r row s o rw eed t h e c r op s when t h ey h ad s t a r ted t o g row . F o r t he se t a sk s w e h ave i n t h e f i r s t p l ace t h e a rd s , wh ich t o j udge f r om t h e s i ze a nd w e igh t o f t h e s ha re i ron s mu s t h ave b e en h eavy a nd p u l led b y ap a ir o f a n ima l s . A no the r i mp lemen t c ou ld b e u sed a s ah oe i fi tw a s o n ab en t h a f t , o r as hove l i ft h e h a f t w a s

b een p o in ted o u ti ne t hno log ica l s t ud ie s t h a t n a r row s ha re s w e re u sed t o p l ough s t ony g round , a nd f o r t h i sp u rpo se s p ea r shaped s ha re sm igh te ven b eu sed b ack t of r on t . I nc on t ra s t , w id e rs ha r e sw e re u sed f o r s o f t g round , a nd a l so t o c ove r t h e s e ed o r s p read 1 87

P r e -Roman A id sha r e si nC an tab r ia

s t ra igh t ( f ig . 1o np ag e3 8 o ft h i sv o lume ) . We t h ink t h a t i ti st o o w id e f o r d igg ing o rw eed ing , a st h e s e j ob s n e ed a n a r rowe r e dg e , a nd w a s t h e r e f o r e u sed w i th s of t e r m a t e r ia l a nd f o r s p read ing e a r th o r m anu re . T h i s p r a c t ice h a s b een d ocumen ted a tt h e I b e r ian s i te o f Ma s C a s te l la r d e P on tö s i n G e rona ( B la sco —B ux i i 1 998 : 2 2 ) .

H oya ( L lano s 1 983 : 1 5 )a nd i nl a te C e t l t ibe r ian s i te s l i k eL anga , I z ana o rC a la ta i iazo r( Ba r r i l 1 992 : 8 ) . T he s ma l l p run ing o r w e ed ing h ook a l r ead y d e sc r ibed c ou ld b e u sed f o r h a rve s t ing , n o t f o r g r ap e s a st h ey a r e n ow u sed , b u t f o r o t he r k ind s o f f r u i t o r p l an t s . A pa r t f r om t h e p a ra l le l s m en t ioned a bove , a n e xamp le w a s f o und a tL a H oya ( L lano s 1 983 : 1 5 ) , a l so w i th av e ry c urved b l ad e .

A no the r t o o l c an b e i d en t if i ed a s as ma l l h ook o r c u t te r ( f ig . 3o n p age 3 8 ) . I tc on s i s t s o f at u bu la r s o ck e t a nd h a s n ume rou s p a ra l le l s i n I b e r ian a nd C e l t ibe r ian s i t e s ( P lä 1 968 : f i g . 1 , 1 4 ; S anahu ja 1 971 : f i g . 1 5 , 1—7 ;B a r r i l 1 992 : 8 ) . I tc ou ld b eu sed i n s e ve ra l w ay s , o ne o f wh ich i sf o r c u t t ing s ma l l b ranche sa nd r o o t s , i no the rw o rd su sed a si fi tw e r e ak ind o fb r a ck en c u t te r o r e ven aw e ed ing h oe . I n f a c t T a ra cena u se s t h a t t e rm f o r t h e h ook s d i scove red a tL ang a d e D ue ro ( Ta racena 1 932 : 5 2 , l am . XXV .4 ) a nd t h e c ap i ta l o f am ed ieva l c o lumn a t B e le f ia d e S o rbe ( Guada la ja ra ) h a s a s c en e i lu s t ra t ing t h e w eed ing o fc r op s a nd al a bou re r c an b e s e en u s ing o ne w i th a l o ng h and le h e ld u p s id e d own ( M ingo t e 1 996 : 11 ) .

O th e r i mp lemen t s f r om C u eva d e R eye s who se u se i sn o tt o o c l ea ra r et wo d if e ren tk ind so fh ook s( f ig . 5a nd 4 ) . O n e c ou ld b e u sed t o m ak e k no t s t ot i e s heave s o fh ay a nd t h e o t he r t op i ck t h em u p . T he s e cond h a s as im i la r s hape t ot h e p run ing h ook , b u t w i thou t ac u t t ing e dg e . I t h a s ap a ra l le l a t t h e F r en ch s i t e o f Ma i lha c , a l though t h i s o ne h ad a no the rk ind o fh a f t( Cha rdenon 2 000 : 2 90 , f i g . 5 ) . T he w edge s c ou ld b e u t i l i sed f o r d if e r en t t a sk s , f o r e xamp le t ok e ep t h e a rd sha r e s i np l ac e o n t h e s o le ( a l though w ood en w edge s a r e n o rma l ly u sed f o r t h i s ) . T h e i r on w edge s f r om C ueva d e R eye s ( f ig . 7 a nd 1 3 o n p ag e 3 8 ) a r e mo re l i k e ly t o h ave b een u sed t o s p l i t t r e e t r unk s t o e x t ra c t p l ank s o r f o r f i r ewood , o rp e rhap s t ob r eak u p r o ck s . Wedge s a r e q u i t e o f t en f ound i n a r chaeo log ica l d epo s i t s , f o r i n s tan ce t h ey w e re f ound a tt h e V e t ton s e t t lemen to f E l R a so ( F e rnänd ez 1 986 : 4 56 ) o ra tt h eI b e r ian s i t e o fL aB a s t ida ( P lä 1 969 : 3 21 ) .

F o r p l an t ing s e ed s w e h ave t h e a rd s a nd ap l an t ing t o o l w i th a n a r row s p ea r shaped b l ad e a nd a lmo s t t u bu la r s o ck e t ( f ig . 2o np ag e 3 8 ) . T h i s m ay s ugg e s t t h a tt wo s y s tem sw e re u sed o rt h e r ew e r ed i ve r s if ied c r op s . T he a r d s o p en t h e f u r row s w he r e t h e s e ed s a r e p l an ted , a nd t h e se a r e t h en c ove red b y p a s s ing t h e a rd a ga in o rw i th ah oe . T h i s s y s tem w ou ld b e u s ed t o p l an t c e r ea l s . I n c on t ras t t h e p l an t ing t o o l w a s u sed t om ak e ah o le a nd p l an t t h e s e ed s wh ich w e r e l a te r c ove r ed w i th t h e f o o t o r ah oe . T h i s t e chn ique i ss u i tab le f o rv eg e tab le g a rd en s . P lan t ing t o o l sw ou ld a l so b em ad eo u to fb ranche s , a cco rd ing t oe t hnog raph ic p a ra l le l s ( M ingo t e 1 990 : 11 ) a nd n o t b e p re se r v ed i n a r chaeo log ica l d epo s i t s . B u t g i ven t h e n a tu r eo ft h ed epo s i ti nC u eva d eR ey e s , i t i sl i ke ly t h a t w ood en t o o l s w ou ld n o t h ave b een l e f t w i th t h e i r on o b je c t s . S im i la rt o o l s t ot h i s o ne f r om Ma t ienzo , a l though u s ing a d if e ren t h a f t ing m e thod , a r e t h e p l an te r 's s poon s f r om C a ta lon ia n a nd Med i te r ran ean I b e r ian s i te s ( S anahu ja 1 971 : 9 1 ; P 1á 1 968 : 3 13 ) .

T he c h is e l s ( f ig . 6a nd 1 2 o n p ag e 3 8 ) w e r e a l so u sed i n w oodwo rk . B o th e xamp le s f r om C ueva d e R ey e sh ave at a ng f o rt h eh and le a nd aw ide rs e c t ion a bove t h e s t ra igh t b l ad e w i th a n a r row e dg e . T h ey a l so h ave ac i rcu la r c l a sp r e s t ing o n t h e w ide r p a r t t o s e cu r e t h e h and le s , w h ich w e re m ad e o f a n t le r . T he se c h i se l s h ave t h e i r c l o se s t p a r a l le l s i n l a te C e l t ib e r ia n s i t e s , f o r i n s tance L a s Q u in tana s a t L anga d e D u e ro ( Ba r r i l 1 992 : 1 6 ) , I z ana , w he r e a n e xamp le s t i l l h ad a n a n t le r h and le t o o ( Ta ra cena 1 927 : 1 6 , l am X I ) , o ra tE lR a so , wh ich h ad ac l a sp ( F er nänd ez & L opez 1 990 : f i g . 1 0 ) . T h e d epo s i t i n C ueva d e R eye s a l so h ad a c ha in m ad e o f l o ng o va l l i nk s s queezed t o g e the r i n t h e m idd le s o t h a t t h ey h av e t h e f o rm o f af i gu re " 8 " . T h i s t y pe o f c ha in i sa l so c ommon i n C e l t ibe r ian s i te s , a nd i nt h en ec ropo l i sa tL uzaga i nG uada la ja ra o ne w a s f o und a r ound a c i ne ra ry u rn ( Agu i le ra 1 911 : l am . X I I I ,I ) .B u tt h eu rn b e long st ot y pe 1 0o f p o t t e ry m ad e o n aw he e l ( Ga r c ia H ue r ta 1 990 ) , a t y p e w h ich h a s al o ng l i f e f r om t h e 4 t h C en tu ry o nwa rd s , s o t h e c ha in c anno t b e d a ted i nt h i s w ay w i th a ny p re c i s ion .

F o r h a rve s t ing a nd h and l ing t h e c r op s w e h ave s e ve ra l t o o l s , a l though s om e o f t h em a r e q ue s t ionab le . I nf i r s t p l a ce t h e r e i s af r agm en t o fa s i ck le w i th at a ng w i th r i ve t s ( f ig . 1 ) , t h a t w a s a t f i r s t d e sc r ib ed a sa n u n id en t if iab le f r agmen t ( Sm i th 1 997 ; N o . 1 8 ) . T h i st y p eo fs i ck le i sv e ry c ommon i n S pan ish p r e -Roman s i te s , a nd o n e o f t h e o l d e s t i s f r om C ancho R oano , d a ted i nt h e 5 t h C en tu ry BC ( Ce le s t ino 1 992 : f i g . 8 g ) . T hey a r e f ound i n e a r ly I b e r ian s i te s l i k e C ova l ta a nd L aB a s t ida ( P 1á 1 968 : X I I ) , i nt h e l a s tp ha se o ft h eB e ron s e t t lemen t o fL a

T he l a rg e r i ng w i th t h re e h ook s o fd if e r en t l e ng th s ( f ig . 8o np ag e 3 8 ) , h a sb e en c l a s s if ied a s ap o thook . 1 88

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B u ta st h e s i ze a nd l e ng th o ft h e h ook s a r ed if e ren t i ti s p o s s ib le t h a t wh i le o ne h ook w a s u s ed t o s u sp end ac ook ing p o to ve rt h ef i r et h eo t he r s c ou ld h av e h e ld s ma l le rp o t s , o rf o od t ob e s mok ed f o r i t s c on se rva t ion . I n t u rn , t h e l a rg e r i ng w ou ld n eed s om e o t h e r o b jec t t o h o ld i ti n p l ac e a bove t h e h ea r th . T he k nown p o thang e r su sua l ly h av et wo f e e t f i n i sh ing i n h ook s o f t h e s am e s i ze , s u ch a s t h e e xamp le f r om Man ch ing ( J acob i 1 974 : l am . 3 4 ) , s o a l though t h i s a r t ic le f r om C u eva d e R eye s h a s n o e xac tp a ra l le l , i tm ay mo s tr e a sonab ly b ec on s id e red ac ook ing h ook . T h ec ha in d e s c r ibed a bove c ou ld b e r e la ted w i th i t .

d i scove ry o f h oa rd s o f m e ta l t o o l s i sn o t u nu sua l , a nd t h e i r i n t e rp r e ta t ion n o rma l ly d ep end s o n t h e c i r cum s tanc e s o f t h e d i scove ry . C a se s i n C en t ra l E u rop ei n c lud et h ed epo s i ta tK appe lw h ich h ad 1 26 m e ta l o b je c t s a nd a n a n t le r h and le , a nd i su sua l ly c on s ide r ed a sb e long ing t o am e ta lwo rk e rb e cau se o f t h e l a rg e n umb e ro fb l a ck sm i th 's t o o l s i tc on ta ined . O the r d epo s i t s h av e u nwo rk ed i ngo t s , l i k e a t A ub s tad t , w h ich h ad 2 3 i r on i ngo t s , a nd c ou ld b e t h e s t o r e o f a n i r on s m e l t e r o r am e r chan t , o r r e p re sen tu n i t s o fv a lue f o r aw ea l thy p e r son ( We l l s 1 988 : 1 62 , 1 35 , f i g . 4 8 ) . I n o t h e r o cca s ion s t h e d epo s i t s a r e g i ven a r el ig iou s -vo t ive i n te rp re ta t ion , a si nt h ec a se o ft h eh oa rd a tK o l in ( Bohem ia ) i nt h e i s t C en tu ry BC , a nd w h ich c on ta ined w eapon s a nd d ome s t ic , a g r icu l tu ra l a nd m e ta l -wo rk ing t o o l s ( Mo tykovä & R ybovä 1 991 ) .

I n s umma ry , t h e d epo s i t h a s p a ra l le l s w i th o b je c t s f ound i nd if e r en t a r chaeo log ica l s i t e s i nS pa in a nd E u rop e , o f ten w i th t y pe s t h a t w e re i n e x is tenc e i n t h e 5 t h o r 4 th C en tu ry BC . B u t t h ey w e r e a r t ic le s t h a t s t ay ed u n changed f o r al o ng t im e , s o p e rhap s t h ec h i se l sc an b eu sed t og i ve am o r ep re c i se i d ea o f t h e d epo s i t 's a g e . T h e k nown p a ra l le l s o ft h e s e a r e d a ted b e twe en t h es e cond h a lf o ft h e3 rd C en tu ry BC t ot h eR oman e r a . T he f a c tt h a t t h e s ha r e i ron f r om Mon t e C i ldä w a s d a t ed a tt h ee nd o ft h ep r e -Roman p e r iod , b u tw i thou t ac l ea rc on tex t , a nd e x i s t ing t h e p o s s ib i l i ty o f a n e a r l ie r o ccupa t ion , o n ly s uppo r t s t h i sc h rono logy .

I n t h e C an tab r ian r eg ion t h e r e a r e f ew d epo s i t s o f t o o l s i n ac l o sed a r chaeo log ica l c on tex t , a nd i nh i s s t udy o fP r e -Roman C an tab r ia , P e ra l ta ( 2 000 : 1 09 ) s t r e s se s t h e f i nd s a tV ega l la r e s ( Ru eda d eP i sue rga , P a lenc ia ) a nd C ueva d e l A sp io ( Rue sga , C an tab r ia ) , b o th o f w h ich c ou ld r ep r e sen t t h e g r ave g ood s o f m e ta lwo rk e r s . T h i s f a c t i so fg r ea t i n te re s t , b ecau s e P l iny ( X 3O C IV , 1 49 , i n P e ra l ta 2 000 : 10 ) w ro t e t h a t i r on w a s t h e mo s t a bundan t m e ta l o r e i n C an tab r ia , a nd i r on w o rk ing h a s b een d o cumen ted a tt h ea bove -men t ioned s i t eo fC a s t i lneg ro . I r on w a s e xp lo i ted m o re i nC an tab r ia i nt h e R oman e r a , b u t t h e re i se nough e v id en ce t o e s tab l i sh t h a t i tw a s a l r ead y a ne conom ic a c t iv i ty i nt h eI r on A g e . A nd i t i s c l ea r t h a t a g r icu l tu re b enef i ted f r om t h e i mp rovemen t s i n m e ta lwo rk ing t e chn iqu e s a s t h ey m ad ep o s s ib le t h em anuf ac tu re o fb e t te ri mp lemen t s .

O u r p ropo sa l t o d a t e t h e d epo s i t s o f R eye s a nd C oven to sa i sb a sed o n t wo p r em i se s : t h e a ge o ft h e T yp e 3a rd sha r e s , c e r ta in ly i n u s e i n t h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC a nd p robab ly a t t h e e nd o f t h e 4 t h C en tu r y a t L a H oya a nd B e rno r io ; a nd t h e c h rono logy o ft h e i mp lem en t sf r om C ueva d eR ey e s w h ich c ou ld d a te f r om t h e m idd le o re nd o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry , t h e s ame a st h e a rd sha r e T yp e If r om E l R a so , a l though t h i s m od e l c ou ld a l so b e o ld e r . We t h e r e f o r ec on s id e rt h a tt h et wo d epo s i t sc an b ed a t ed b e twe en t h i s t im e a nd t h e R oman e r a . T h i s c h rono logy m igh t s e em al i t t le o l d , a s C an tab r ia i s u sua l ly t h ough tt oh ave d eve lop ed t e chno log ica l ly a s ac on sequ en ce o f al a te C e l t ib e r iza t ion o ft h e a r ea , d ue t oi n f luen ce s c om ing f r om t h e Me se ta . B u t w e t h ink i ti sp o s s ib le t h a t c on ta c t s w i th t h e E b ro a nd D ue ro v a l ley s c ou ld h av e s t a r ted b e f o r e t h a t t im e , a nd i th a sb e en s e en t h a t i r on w a s m anu f a c tu red i n t h ea r ea a ta ne a r l ie rd a t ea l b e i to n as ma l ls c a le .

8 .C rop sa nd t he E xp lo i ta t ion o ft he L and C la s s ica l w r i te r s l i k e S t rab o ( I I I , 4 , 7 ) g i ve t h e i mp re s s ion t ha t i n C an tab r ia i n P r e -Roman t ime s t h e r e w a s s ub s i s ten ce f a rm ing , i n t h e h and s o f w omen . T hey s ugge s t t h a t w h ea t w a s s c a r ce , a nd t h a t a co rn s w e re t h eb a s i s o ft h e d i e t . H oweve r , t h e p r e senc eo fa rd sha r e s , a nd t h en umbe ro ft h em w i th m a rk s o fu se , c on t rad ic t s t h e e s tab l i shed v i ew . T h e l a nd mu s t h ave b e en c u l t iva t ed i n t en s ive ly , a nd t h e a g r icu l tu ra l s y s tem w ou ld h ave a l lowed s u rp lu se so f f o od t ob es t o red o re xchang ed .

7 .T he S i gn i f icance o ft he D epo s i t s T he u se o fa rd sh a s at e chn ica l s i g n if ic an ce ,b u ta l so as o c ia l o ne . A t t h e t e chn ica l l e ve l , t h e u se o fa rd s w i th i r on s ha re s m ean s t h a t d e ep e r f u r row s c an b e p l ough ed , w i th t h e c on sequ en ce t h a t t h e e a r th i s a e ra ted m o re a nd d ra in s b e t te r . T h i s r e su l t s i n a m o r e ef i c ien t u se o f t h e l a nd a nd m o r e i n t en s ive a g r icu l tu r e .

I ti sh a rd t oe xp la in t h e r e a son f o r t h e d epo s i t s o f i mp lemen t si nC oven to sa a nd C u eva d eR eye s . T hey c ou ld h av e b e en h idden t h e r e f o r s om e r e a son a nd n obody r e tu rned f o r t h em ; t h ey c ou ld b e r i tua l d epo s i t s , w h ich i st h e i n t e rp re ta t ion L o r r io m ak e s f o r ad epo s i to ft o o l sa nd w eapon sa tE chau r i ( 1 993 : 3 02 ) ; o r t h ey m ay s imp ly h ave b een a s t o r e b e long ing t o af a rme r , a r t i san o r i r on sm i th . T he 1 89

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g r own u n t i l q u i te r e cen t ly i nL iebana a nd u n t i l t h e e nd o ft h e 1 9 th C en tu ry i n t h e r e s t o ft h e r eg ion . T h e s umm e r c e rea l w a s m i l le t u n t i l i t w a s s ub s t i tu ted b y m a ize i nt h e 1 7 th C en tu ry . T hey s a y t h a t b a r ley w a s g rown s i nce p r e -Roman t ime s a nd w i th as im i la rd i s t r ibu t ion t ow hea t ,w he r ea sr y ew a s l e s si mpo r tan ta nd w a sr e p la ced b yw hea t . T he m a in p u l se sw e r eb road b ean s , k idney b ean sa f te rt h e 1 8 th C en tu ry , v e t ch i nt h e 1 8 th o r e a r ly 1 9 th C en tu r ie s , a nd c h ickp ea s . V ine s w e re c ommon f r om t h e M idd le A g e s u n t i l t h e p hy l lox e ra p l ague a tt h e e nd o ft h e 1 9 th C en tu ry .

T h i s s y s t em o fa g r icu l tu re i sr e la ted w i th ac hang e i n t h e m od e l o f o wne r sh ip o f t h e l a nd , w h ich b ecome s p r iva te ly o wned r a the r t h an p ub l ic . T h i s l e ad s t ot h e c r ea t ion o f as o c ia l c l a s s o fl a ndowne r s ( Audouze & B uch sen schu tz 1 989 : 2 4 ) . I n t h i s r e spe c tw e c an n o t e t h e i n te r e s t o fs ome C e l t ib e r ian g roup si no b ta in ing f ann ing l a nd i no rd e rt os uppo r t t h em se lv e s d u r ing t h e w a r s a ga in s t R om e ( Ap iano 1 980 : 1 4 1 ,142 ) , wh ich s ugge s t st h a t l a nd w a sb e ing c onc en t ra ted i n t h e h and s o f f ew o wne r s ( Lo r r io 1 996 : 2 97 ) , a nd t h e i n t e rp r e ta t ion w e mad e o ft h e m a te r ia l d i scove r ed i n t h e c eme t e ry a t T u rm ie l ( Ba r r i l 1 993 : 1 6 ) . H oweve r , t h i s t op ic h a s n o t b een c omp le te ly a g r eed u pon b y h i s to r ian s a nd a r chaeo log i s t s .

A s s a id a bov e , w e h av e n o i n f o rma t ion a bou t c r op s i n t h e Ma t ienzo a r ea , b u t w e d o k now w ha t w a s g rown i n o t he r r e g ion s i n t h e I r on A g e ( Cub e ro 1 999 ; B uxo & P on s 2 000 ) . T he m a in c r op s w e r e w hea t : n ak ed w hea t T r i t icum a e s t ivum/d urum ; a nd e mme r T r i t icum d ic occum a nd T r i t icum m onococcum : a sw e l l a sb a r ley : H ord eum v u lga r e , h u l led b a r ley ; a nd H o rd eum n ud um , n aked b a r ley . T h e s e w e r e t h e mo s t c ommon c r op s i n t h e w ho le P en in su la , s o i ti s n o t p o s s ib le t o m en t ion a ny s p e c ia l c a se s . O the r c e rea l s w i th mo re p a r t icu la r d i s t r ibu t ion s a r e f o r e xamp le o a t s , p r e s en t o n t h e C an tab r ian c oa s t a t I n txu r ( A lb i s tu r -To lo sa , G u ipüxcoa ) , a ne a r ly I r on A ge s i te , a nd a tA l to d el a C ruz , a tC o r t e sd eN ava r ra , a nd a l so m i l le tP an icum m i l iaceum , w h ich w a s s own i n s p r ing a nd a l lowed t wo p e r iod s o fh a rve s t ing a nd s ow ing . I ts ome t im e s a ppea r s a l one , a sa tA l to d el aC ruz , b u ti sn o rma l ly a s soc ia ted w i th o th e r c e r ea l s . A no the r r e la t ive ly f r equ en t c r op i st h e b road b ean , V i v ia f aba , w ho se p r e sen ce a ts i te s l i k e S o to d e Med in i l la h a s r a i sed t h ep o s s ib i l i ty t h a ti tw a sa l te rna ted w i th c e r ea l sa nd f a l low l a nd , a s i ta dd s n i t rog en t o t h e s o i l . P ea s , P is um s a t ivum , a r el i k eb road b ean s s u i ted t oh um id a r ea s s u ch a st h e C an tab r ian r e g ion , a nd h ave b een f ound a tI n txu r . Mo r e p l an t s h ave b e en f ound , s u ch a st h ev e t ch v a r ie t y ,L a thy ru ss p . , a l though t h e r ea r e d oub t s w h e th e r t h i s w a s d e l ib e ra te ly g r own o r n o t , a nd i ti sb e t t e r s u i ted t od r ie r a r ea s . I t a l ian m i l le t , S e ta r ia i t a l ica , h a s n o to f ten b e en f ound i nI r on A ge s i t e s , b u t o n e p l ac e i s I n txu r a ga in . R ye , E ca l e c er ea l e , i sa n a p t c r op f o r p oo r moun ta inou s s o i l s , a nd o ne o ft h er a r ep l a ce sw he r ei th a sb e en f ound i n t h eI b e r ian P en in su la i sL anga d eD u e ro ,j u s tb e f o r e t h e a r r iva l o f t h e R oman s ( Cube ro 1 998 : 7 5 ) . N eve r the le s s i nE u rop e i ti sk nown s i nc e t h e e a r ly I r on A g e , a nd A udouze a nd B uh s sen shu tz ( 1 989 : 2 43 ) c l a im t h a t t h i s c e rea l w a s a dded t ot h e w hea t a nd b a r ley g r own b y C en t ra l E u ropean C e l t s w hen t h e a r d i mp rov ed y i e ld s , i n o rd e r t o mak e b e e r . Many o t he r p l an t s f ound a t S pan i sh s i t e s i n c lud e f l ax , w h ich n eed s h um id l a nd a nd a ppa ren t ly w a s g rown i nC an tab r ia ,v ine s , a nd f i g s .

I n t h e s ame w ay , C a ro B a ro ja ( 1 986 : 4 7 ) s t r e s sed t h a tc u l t iva t ion u s ing h oe s , a s ac omp lemen tt os t o ck r e a r ing , w a s u sua l ly w omen 's w o rk , a nd h e a c tua l ly g av e a s a n e xamp le S t rabo 's d e sc r ip t ion o f C an tab r ian w omen . H e t h ough t t h a t t h e p re sence o f a r d s i mp l ied a c hang e i n m a le a c t iv i ty . I n o t he r w o rd s , a c co rd ing t o h i s t h eo ry , a f te r t h e a rd h ad b e en i n t roduc ed w omen w ou ld h e lp w i th , f o r e xamp le , t h e s ow ing o r w eed ing , wh i le m en w ou ld d o t h e p l ough ing , wh ich h ad b e com e o ne o ft h e i r m a in a c t iv i t ie s . I n f a c t t h i s h a s b een t h e u sua l s i tua t ion i n m o s t p a r t s o f S pa in i n r e c en t t ime s , e xcep t f o r i n t ho se p l a ce s w he r e m en h ad o t he r t a sk s , l i k e l o ng -d i s tan ce t r an spo r t . A l though s om e w r i te r s b e l iev e t ha t C a ro B a ro ja w a s s imp l if y ing m en a nd w omen 's r o le s t o o mu ch , b ecau se o f t h e m any e x cep t ion s ,w ec on s id e rt h a ti ti sa no th e rp o in t t ot a k e i n to a ccoun t when i n te rp r e t ing t h e p r e sen ce o f a rd s ha r e s a nd t h e s o c ia l a nd e conom ic c on tex t w i th in w h ich t h ey w e r e manu f ac tu red a nd u s ed . T he a rd sha r e s a l so m ean t h a t t r a c t ion a n ima l s , i . e . o xen o r s im i la r , mu s t h ave e x i s ted , a s w e l l a s a s y s t em o f p a s tu re s o r c r op s t o f e ed t h em . I n C an tab r ia n o f a una l s t ud ie s h ave b een m ad e , a nd e ven l e s sr e sea r ch i n to ma rk s o na n ima l h oov e st h a t m igh t p rov e t h ey p u l led a rd s o rc a r t s , b u t t h i s k ind o fs t ud yh a sb een m ad ef o rp l a ce sl i k eH o rnaga l I ,i n V alado l id ( Mo ra le s &L ie sau 1 995 : 4 83 ) . T he A sön v a l ley a nd Ma t ienzo a r e h um id v a l ley s , a nd p robab ly w e r e s oi nt h eI r on A g e . A tt h ep r e sen t t ime t h e l a nd i s u sed f o r m a ize , p a s tu r e s a nd f o r e s t ry , b u t w e c anno t s a y w ha t c r op s w e r e g rown i nt h eI r on A g ea sw eh ave n op o l len o rc a rpo log ica l s t ud ie s a t p r e sen t e i th e r f o r Ma t ienzo o r i n t h e s u r round ing a r ea . G onzä lez E chega ray a nd D ia z G öme z ( 1 988 : 18 -121 ) s t udy t h e e vo lu t ion o fc r op s i n C an tab r ia t h roughou t h i s to ry , a nd s t a t e t h a t t h e t r ad i t iona l c e rea l s g rown w e r e t h e w hea t v a r ie t ie s e mme r a nd s p e l t , a l though n o rma l w hea t T r i t icum v u lga r e w a s 1 90

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T h e f a c t t h a t t h e r e a r e t wo o r t h re e t y pe s o f a rd sha r e s i n t h e d epo s i t s o fR eye s a nd C oven to sa s ugge s t s t h a t t h e se c ou ld h av e b een u sed t o p l an t d if e ren t k ind s o f c r op s w i th d if e r en t t e chn iqu e s , p e rhap s a s as e a sona l r o ta t ion o f c r op s o r i n i nd ep end en t f i e ld s . B u t w e m u s t i n s i s t t h a t w e d o n o t k now w ha t w a s g rown i n Ma t ienzo i nt h e I r on A g e , o n ly t h e p rodu ce o f s u r round ing a r ea s w h ich c an b er e la ted d i r e c t ly o ri nd i r e c t ly . I ti st ob eh op ed t h a t t h e a r cha eo log ica l d i g s t h a t a r e n ow b e ing c a r r ied o u tw i l l b e a b le t oc l a r i f y i nt h ef u tu r ew ha t w a sb e ing g rown , w ha tt y p eo fa g r icu l tu r en eed ed s o m any i r on a rd sha r e s , a nd w ha tk i nd o fs o c ie ty t h ey s uppor ted .

R e f erence s A i tk en , R . &A i tk en , B . 1 9 35 : E l a r ado c a s t e l lano . E s tud io p r e l im ina r , A na l e s d e l Mus eo d e l P ueb lo E spano l ,I ,Mad r id ,p p . 1 09 138 . A gu i le ra yG amboa , E . , Ma rque s d e C e r ra lbo , 1 9 11 : P äg ina s d e l a H is to r ia p a t r ia . O b r a m ecanog raf iada ,v o l . I I . A lon so , J . , C e rdän , R . & F i l loy , I . 1 999 : N ueva s M cn ica s m e ta lürg ica s e n a ma s d e l aHE d ad d e l H ie r ro . A rqueome ta lurg ia y C ons er vac iön A na l i t ica e n l a N ec röpo l is d e l a H oya ( L ag ua rd ia ,A la va ) , V i to r ia . A p ian o , " Sob r e I b e r ia " , H is tor ia R omana . Mad r id , G red o s 1 980 . A r t i f iano , P . M . D e , 1 9 19 : C a tä logo d e l a E xpo s ic iön d e H ier ro s A n t iguos E spano le s . Mad r id : S o c iedad E spar io la d e Am igo s d e l A r te . A udou ze , F & 0 . B u ch s en schu tz , 1 989 : V i l l e s , v i l lag e s e t c ampagnes d e l ' E u rope c e l t ique . P a r i s :H a ch e t t e . B a r r i l V ic en t e , M . , 1 992 : I n s t r iunen to s d e h i e r ro p ro c ed en te s d e y a chn ien to s c e l t ib d r ico s d e l a p rov in c ia d e S o r ia e n e l Mu seo A rqueo lög ico N a c iona l . B o le t in d e l Mus eo A rqueo lög ico N ac iona lX , Mad r id ,p p . 5 24 . B a r r i l V ic en t e , M . , 1 993 : i Tumba d e l a b r ado r ? c e l t ib d r i co p roc ed en te d e T u rm ie l ( Guad a la ja ra ) e ne lM .A .N . B o l e t in d e l Mus eo A rqueo lög ico N ac iona l ,X I , Mad r id ,p p . 5 1 . B a r r i lV ic en t e ,M . , 1 997 : C omen ta r io ss ob r ee lf ondo d e c abar i ' ade Mon t e B er no r io . A c ta s d e l C ong r e so d e H is tor ia d e P a l enc ia , m a r z o -abr i l 1 995 . P a len c ia : D ipu ta c iön P rov in c ia l ,p p . 1 5 3 17 3 B a r ri l V ic en t e , M . , 1 999 : A rado s p r e r romano s d e l a P en in su la I b d r ica : L a s r e ja s ys u d i s t r ibu c iön z ona l e n e l i n t e r io r p en in su la r . I V s impos io s obr e C e l t ibero s . Da roca , Z a rago za , s ep t iembr e 1 997 . Z a ragoza ,p p . 8 9 101 . B a r r i l V icen t e , M . , 2 000 : A rado s p re r romano s d e l i n t e r io r d e l ap en in su la I b d r ica : t i po s , r e ja s y e l em en to s d eu n ion , e n B uxö , R . iP on s ( e d s . ) 2 000 ,p p . 2 97 -307 . B la s co , S . —B uxö , R . ( c oo rd . ) 1 998 : E l g raner d e l ' Empo rd ä . Ma s C a s t e l la r d e P on tö s al ' eda t d e l F e r ro . G i rona : Mu seu d 'A rqueo log ia d e C a ta lunya . B u eno , P . , Mun ic io , L . , A lva rado , M . d e , & G onzä lez , A . 1 988 : E l y a c im ien to d e E l J a rd ine ro ( Va len c ia d e A lcän ta ra . C ä ce re s ) , E x t r emad ura A rqueo lög ica I .Mi r ida : E d i to ra R eg iona ld eE x t r emadu ra ,p p . 8 9 102 . B ux6 , R & P on s , E . ( e d s . ) 2 000 : E i s p rodu c te s a l im en ta r i s d ' o r ig en v eg e ta l al ' eda td e lF e r ro d e l ' Eu ropa O cc id en ta l : d e l a p rodu cc iö a l c on sum . A c t e s d e l XX I I C o l .loqu i

A cknow ledgemen t s T h ea u tho rw ou ld l i k et ot h ank t h ef o l low ing p eop le f o rt h e i ra s s i s tanc ei nt h ep r epa ra t ion o ft h i sa r t ic le : T h e d i r ec to r o f t h e C an tab r ian Mu seum o f A r chaeo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry , Ampa ro L opez O r t iz , f o ra l lt h ef a c i l i t ie sg i ven w hen t h ei mp lemen t sf r om C oven to sa a nd R eye s w e r e e xam ined , a nd f o r a u tho r i s ing t h ep ho tog raph so ft h es am e . T he d i r e c to r o fÄ lava A rchaeo log ica l Mu seum , D ra Am e l ia B a ld eön , f o rt h e m ea su rem en t so ft h es ha r e s L aH oya 1a nd 2 . D r S a lvado rR ov i ra , o ft h eN a t iona l A r chaeo log ica l Mu s eum f o r h i s c omm en t s o n t h e a r t ic le , p a r t icu la r ly o nt h et o p ic o fi r on w o rk ing . D r F e rnando F er nänd ez , d i r e c to r o f t h e a r chaeo log ica l d i g s a tE l R a so d e C and e leda a nd o f S ev i l la A r chaeo log ica l Mu seum f o r p rov id ing p ho tog raph so ft h et a ng ed s ha r ef r om E lR a so . T h e d i re c to r o f S o r ia Mu seum , E l ia s T e rd s , f o r a p ho tog raph a nd m ea su remen t s o ft h e t a ng ed s ha r e i nt h e mu seum . H e r c o l leagu e a t t h e N a t iona l A r chaeo log ica l Mu seum , J o sé L u i s M ingo t e , f o r h i s c ommen t s a bou t e t hnog raph ic i mp lemen t s a nd t h i s a r t ic le i n g ene ra l . T h e d i rec to r o fB ada joz Mu s eum , G u ile rmo K u r tz , f o r p rov id ing t h e t e x t a bou t t h e s ha r e f r om C ancho R oano , t a k en f r om h i sf o r thcom ing p ub l ica t ion " Lo s H ie r ro sd eC an cho R oano " . T he c u ra to r a tt h e Mu seum o fP a lenc ia , D . P e r ez ,f o rh i sc o l labo ra t ion .

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Manch ing ,v . 5 , W ie sbad en . L eön G a rc ia , J . , 1 993 : An te ceden te s h i s tö r ico s d el a s e xp lo rac ione s e n l a C ueva C oven to sa . F ed e rac iön C än tabra d e E spe l eo log ia , n ° 9 ,

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n ov . 1 993 , p p . 2 1 -23 L lano s O r t iz d e L anda luce , A . , 1 983 . L a H oya u n p ob lado d e l p r imer m i len io a n t es d e C r is to .

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C e le s t ino P e rez , S . , 1 992 : C ancho R oano . Un c en t ro c ome rc ia l d e c a räc te r p o l i t ico re l ig io so e i n f luenc ia o r ien ta l . R iv is ta d i S tud i F en ic i , XX ,p p . 1 9 -45 .

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c e räm ica i b e r ica .Z ephy rus XL I I ,p p . 2 93-303 Ma luque r d e Mo te s , J . , 1 981 : E l S an tua r io p ro toh i s tö r ico d e Z a lamea d e l a S e rena ( Bada joz ) . I n J . Ma luque r d e Mo te s - M a E .

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M in is t e r io

d e

Ag r icu l tu ra ,P e sca yA l imen tac iön ,2 04 p . Mo ra le s , A .& L ie sau , C . 1 995 : A näf i s i s c ompa rado d e l a s f a una s a rqueo lög ica s e n e lv a l le m ed io d e l Due ro ( p rov . V a l lado l id ) d u ran t e l aE dad d e l H ie r ro . I n G . D e l ibe s e t a l i i ( ed s . ) A rqueo log ia y m ed io a mb ien te . E l p r imer m i len io a .C . e n e lD uero Med io , V a l lado l id , J un ta d eC a s t i l la yLe on , : 4 55 -5 14 .

Mad r id : Un ive r s idad C omp lu ten se . G onzä lez E chega ray , J . , 1 971 : Yugo s ya rado s e n l a p rov inc ia d e S an tand e r , P ub l icac iones d e l I ns t i tu to d e E tnog raf ia y f o lk lore " Ho o x S a inz" , I I . S an tande r , p p . 1 23 169 . G onzä lez E chega ray , J .& D iaz G ömez , A . , 1 998 : Manua l d e E tnog raf ia C än tabra . S an tande r : L ib re r ia E s tud io . Gu i la ine , J e an ( d i r .) 1 991 : P our u ne A rcheo log ie a g ra ir e .Al ac ro is ee d es s c iences d e l ' homme

Mo r lo te , J .M . , Mu r loz , E . , S e rna , A . & V a l le , M .A . 1 997 : L a s c ueva s s epu lc ra le s d e l aE dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia . L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s c än tabro s . A c ta s d e l aP r imera R eun iön s obr e

e td e l an a ture . P a r i s , A rmand C o l in , 5 76 p . 1 92

P re -Roman A rd sha r e si nC an tab r ia

l aE dad d e l H ier ro e n C an tabr ia . S an tand e r . F unda c iön B o t in ,p p . 1 95 -279

e n C a ta luna . P y renae , 7 .B a rc e lona 1 971 , p p . 6 1-110 . S an V a le ro A pa r is i , J . , 1 966 : Mon te B e rno r io , Agu i la r d e C ampoo ( Pa lenc ia ) : C ampar ia d e

Moykova , K .& R ybova , A . 1 991 : I d epo s i to d i u t en s i l i d e K o l in . I n IC e l t i , M i lan , F abb r i , p . 5 45 . Munoz , E . , S an M igu e l , C . & C .A .E . AP .

e s tud io e n 1 959 . E x cavac iones A rqueo lög ica s e nE spa i ia ,4 4 .

1 988 :

C ar ta a rqueo lög ica d e C an tabr ia . S an tand e r : T an t in . O lmo G uada r rama , J . L . d e l 1 988 : E l c i c lo d e l a i l ( ) p a ra e l l a brador . V a l lad ol id C en t ro

S anz M ingue z , C . , 1 990 : Me ta l i s te r ia p r e r romana e n l ac u enca d e l Due ro . U na p ropue s ta s e cuenc ia l

E tnog räf i co d e Documen tac iön . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . , 2 000 : L os c än tabros a n tes d e

A rqueo log ia , LV I . V a l lado l id ,p p . 1 70 -188 . S chu l ten , A . , 1 942 . C a s t ro s p r e r romano s d e l a R eg iön C an täb r ica . A rch ivo E spaho l d e A rqueo log ia 4 6 . Mad r id . Sm i th , P . , 1 997 : E l d epö s i to a rqueo lög ico d e l a C ueva d eR eye s ( Ma t ienzo ) . I nL aA rqueo log ia d e l o sc ä n tabros . A c ta sd e l aP r ime ra R eun iön s obr e l a E dad d e l H ier ro e n C an tabr ia .

p a ra l o s p ur ia le s d e t i po Mon te B e rno r io . B o l e t in d e l S em inaar io d e E s tud ios d eA r t e y

R oma . Mad r id : R ea l A cad em ia d e l aH i s to r ia ( B ib l io the ca A rchaeo log ica H i spana , 5 ) P lä B a l le s te r , E . , 1 951 : Un a r ado i b e r ico v o t ivo . N o ta s ob re l o s a r ado s a n t iguo s . S a i tab i V I I I , p p . 1 2 -27 . P lä B a l le s te r , E . , 1 969 : E l i n s t rumen ta l m e tä l ico d e l o s o b re ro s i b e r ico s . X C ong reso N ac iona l d e A rqueo log ia . Mahön , 1 967 . Z a ragoza , 1 969 , p p . 3 06 337 . P l in io , 1 883 :H is to ire n a tur e l l e . P a r i s , F i rm in -D ido t e tC ia .

S an tand e r : F undac iön B o t in ,p p . 1 73191 . Sm i th , P . & Munoz , E . , 1 985 : O cupac iön d e l a s C ueva s e n l a E dad d e l H ie r ro . B o le t in C än tabro d e E spe l eo log ia , 4 . S an tande r , p p . 1 29 139 . Sm i th , P . & R u iz C obo , J . , 1 999 : A vance a l I nven ta r io A rqu eo lög ico d e l a D ep r e s iön C e r rada d e Ma t ienzo . S au tuo la V I , p p . 2 43-255 . S t rabo ( E s t rabön ) 1 992 : G eog raf ia I I -IV . Mad r id ,

R ee s , S i an . E . 1 979 : Ag r icu l tu ra l i mp lemen t s i n P r eh is to r ian a nd R oman B r i ta in . B .A .R . B r i t ish S er ies 6 9 ( 2v . ) Ox f o rd . R ov i ra iH o r ta lä , M . C . 1 996 : Ma te r ia l s m e tä ll ic s i b e r ic s d e l Mu seu C oma rca l d e L 'U rgel , T ä r reg a . U r tx . T ä r r ega , d e l 'U rge l l ,p p . 6 7 -80 .

Mu seu

C oma r ca

G redo s . T a ra cena Agu i r re , B . , 1 927 : E xcavac ion e s e n l a s p rov inc ia s d e S o r ia yL og ror io . Memo r ia d e l a s e xcavac ione s p ra c t i cada s e n 1 925 -26 . J un ta S uper io r d e E xcavac ione s yA n t igüedad es 8 6 ,

R ov i ra iH or ta lä , M . C . 2 000 a : Ap rox imac iön a l a a g r icu l tu ra p ro toh i s tö r ica d e l N o re s te d e la P en in su la I bd r ica m ed ian te e l u t i l la je m e tä l ico . I n B uxö , R iP on s , E . ( e d s . ) 2 000 ,

Mad r id T a racena Agu i r r e , B . , 1 929 : E xcavac ion e s e n l a s

p p . 2 69 -280 . R ov i ra iH o r ta lä , M . C . 2 000 b : L o s t a l le re s d e

p rov inc ia s d e S o r ia yL og ror io . Memo r ia d e l a s e x cavac ione s p ra c t icada s e n 1 928 . J un ta S uper ior d eE xcavac iones yA n t ig üedad es 1 03 ,

h e r re ro e ne l mundo i b e r ico : a sp ec to st d cn ico s ys oc ia le s . I n Ma ta P a r rer io , C . &P e rez J o rdä , G . ( e d s . )2 000 ,p p . 2 65 -270

Mad r id T a racena Agu i r r e , B . ,

R ov ira L lo r en s , S a lvado r 2 000 : C on t inu i smo e i nnovac iön e n l a me ta lu rg ia i b e r ica . I n Ma ta P a r rer io , C . &P e rez J o rdä , G . ( e d s . ) 2 000 , p p . 2 09 -221 . R u iz C obo , J . , 1 999 : L a C ueva d e C of re snedo ( Ma t ienzo , C an tab r ia ) : B a se s p a ra s u e s tud io . I n J .M . I g le s ia s & JA : Mu fl iz ( e d s . ) : R eg io C an tabrorum . S an tand e r : C a ja C an tab r ia , p p . 3 1-40 . R u iz

e n e l a r co s u r d e l ab ah ia d e S an tand e r . E l C a s t ro d e C a s t i lneg ro . I n On tar ion P e redo , R . ( c oo rd .) A c tuac iones A rqueo lög icas e n C an tabr ia 1 984 -1999 . S an tande r : C on se je r ia

G u t ie r r ez , A . , 1 993 . E s tud io h i s tör ico a rqueo lög ico d e Mon t e C i ldä ( Agu i lar d e C ampoo ,

P a lenc ia ) .

U n ive r s idad

1 932 : E x cava c ione s e n l a

p rov inc ia d e S o r ia . J un ta S up er ior d e E xcavac ionesyAn t ig i iedad es 19 , Mad r id U nzue ta P or t i l la , M . , 1 993 : I nd ig en i smo p re r romano e n l a v e r t ien te C an täb r ica d e l P a i s V a sco . I l lunza r9 4 , G ue rn ica ,p p . 1 01-112 . V a l le G ömez , A . , 2 000 : E l p ob lam ien to p reh is tö r ico

d e

d eC u l tu ra ,p p . 3 57 -358 . We l l s , P e te r S . 1 988 : G ran jas , a ld eas y c i udad es .

C an tab r ia . D epa r tamen to d e C ienc ia s H i s tö r ica s . Unpub l ished D oc to ra lt he s i s . S anahu ja Y l l , M . E . ,1971 : I n s t rumen ta l d e h ie r ro

B a rce lona . L abo r .

a g r ico la ei ndus t r ia l d e l ae poca i b e ro romana

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1

2

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A rd -sha res f rom C ueva d e C oven tosa a nd C ueva d e R eyes . I . C oven tosa 1 ,b o t tom f ace ; 2 . C oven tosa 2 , b o t tom f ace ; 3 .C oven tosa 1a nd 2 ,s i d ev i ew s ; 4 .C oven tosa 3 ,s id ev i ew ; 5 .C oven tosa 3 ,b o t tom f ac e ; 6 .R eyes 1 ,b o t tom f ace ; 7 .R eyes 2 ,b o t tom f ace ; 8 .R eyes 3 ,t op f ace ; 9 .R eyes 3 ,s id e v i ew ; ! O . R eyes 4 ,t o pf ace ; 1 . R eyes 4 ,s i d ev i ew . 1 94

P re -Roman A rd sha re s i nC an tab r ia

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7

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6

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C oven to sa 3 .S o ck e t ed s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 4 0 .5cm ; S ock e t l e ng th 1 2 .7cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 6 . 4cm ( w i th f l ang e s o p en , t h e r e a l w id th w ou ld 5 . 5cm ) ; B lad e w id th 5 . 3cm , S o ck e t h e igh t 4 . 7 -2 .2cm . T h ickne s s b l ad e 1 . 7 -1 .2cm ; T h ickn e s ss o ck e t0 . 8 -0 .5cm . I th a s at r iangu la r s hap e , a nd c u rved p rof i le o n t h e t o p f a ce , w h ich i ss unk en i nt h e t r an s i t ion f r om t h e s o ck e t t o t h e b l ad e . T h e b o t tom f a c e , l i k e t h e p r ev iou s t wo , h a s a n i n t e rna l s t ep i nt h e s ame a r ea , s o t h e m e ta l i sv e ry t h in h e r e . I ti sn o t c omp le t e ly s ymm e t r ica l a s t h e r i gh t h and s i d e o f t h e b o t tom f a ce i s mo r ew o rn n ex tt ot h es o ck e ta r ea .

A ppend ix : C a ta logue o fC an tabr ian a rd share s C ueva d eC ov en to sa ( Arredondo ) C oven to sa 1 .S o ck e ted s ha r et y pe 3 . C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 5 1cm , S o ck e t l e ng th 1 2 .5cm . Max . w id th 8 . 4cm ; S ock e t w id th 4 . 3cm ; S ock e t h e igh t 4 . 6cm . T h ickn e s s b l ad e 1 . 8 -0 .6cm ; T h ickn e s ss o ck e t0 . 4cm . I ti si nt h e s hap eo fa na r rowhead , w i th at r iangu la r b l ad e a nd n a r row e r s t ra igh t s o ck e t . T h eb o t tom f a ce h a s as t ep w h e r e t h e i ngo t w a s b ea t en t of o rm t h e f l ange s , w h ich a r e s l igh t ly c l o sed s t a r t ing a t t h e c o rne r so ft h eb l ad e . On t h et o pf a ce , t h eb l ad eh a sa c on cav e c r o s s sec t ion i n i t s u pp e r t wo th i rd s ; t h e s o ck e t a r ea h a s ar ound ed c r o s s se c t ion n ea r i t s u pp e re dg ea nd f l a tn ea rt h eb l ad e . T he s ha re s how s s i gn s o f h av ing b e en b ea ten a nd r ed s t a in s . T h e b l ad e i sn o t t o ta l ly s ymme t r ica l a s , o n t h e b o t tom f a c e n ex t t ot h e s o ck e t , t h e l e f t s i d e i sw id e r a nd s l an t s m o r e t h an t h e r i gh t . T h e o u t l ine o ft h e b l ad e n a r row s s udd en ly 1 7cm a bov e t h e s t ra igh t t i p , a nd a tt h i sp o in ti th a ss ome d en t s .

7

4

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C oven to sa 4 .S o ck e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r chaeo log ya nd P reh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 5 .4cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 1 0 .4cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 4 . 2cm ; B lad e w id th 2 . 8 1 .5cm ; S ock e t h e igh t 3 . 5 1 .8cm . T h ickne s s b l ad e 1 . 3-0 .3cm ; T h ickn e s s s o ck e t 0 . 6 -0 .4cm I ti se l onga t ed w i th c l o s ed t r ap ezo ida l f l ang e s , a nd h a s as l igh t ly c u rved p rof i le . T h et i pi s aw or no va l . S een f r om t h e b o t tom f a ce , t h e r i gh t s i d e i s mo r e w or nn ea rt h ef l ang e s , a l though t h el ef t -hand s i d ei s m o r e d en t ed a l ong a l l i t s l e ng th . I ta l so h a s ad e ep s t ep f r om t h eb l ad et ot h ei n t e r io ro ft h es o ck e t . C oven to sa 5 .S o ck e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta ll e ng th 2 5cm ; S o ck e tl e ng th 1 2cm Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 3 . 7cm ; B lad e w id th 2 . 9 -2 .3cm ; S ock e t h e igh t 3 . 5 -2 .2cm . T h ickne s s b l ad e 1 . 1-0 .4cm ;T h ickn e s st u bu la rs o ck e t0 . 3cm . E longa ted w i th c l o sed f l ange s , i t h a s as t ra igh t p rof i le . T h eb o t tom f a ce h a s ad e ep s t ep b e tw een t h e b l ad e a nd t h e f l ang e s . T h e t i p i ss l igh t ly c u rved , b l un t a nd w o rn , a nd t h e b l ad e h a s ac on cav i ty j u s t b e f o r e t h e t i p . T he f l ang e s a r e a symme t r ica l , a nd s how c l ea r m a rk s o fb e ing b ea t en t of o rm t h em o u t o ft h ei ngo to fi r on u sed t om ak et h es ha r e .

9

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D e ta i lo ft h et i p so ft h r ee a rd s ha r es f r om C oven to sa C oven to sa 2 .S ock e t ed s ha re t y p e3

C oven to sa 6 .S ock e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r cha eo logy a nd P reh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 7 .5cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 10 .3cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 3 . 9cm ; B lad e w id th 2 . 9 -2 .3cm ; S ock e t h e igh t 3 . 5 -2 .0cm . T h ickne s sb l ad e 1 . 2 -0 .4cm ; T h ickne s ss o ck e t0 . 5cm E longa ted w i th c l o sed f l ange s . T he t o p f a ce h a s b road m a rk s a tt h e j unc t ion o ft h e s o ck e t a nd t h e b l ad e ,b u tt h er e s to ft h es u r f ace i sw el c on se rved .

C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 4 7 .8cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 1 0cm . Max . w id th 7 . 5cm ; S ock e t w id th 4 . 0cm ; S o ck e t h e igh t 4 . 0cm . T h ickne s s b l ad e 1 . 5 -0 .6cm ; T h ickne s ss o ck e t0 . 4cm . L ik et h e p r ev iou s s ha r e , i th a s as t ep d own f r om t h e b l ad e t ot h e i n te r io r o ft h e s o ck e t . T h e t o p f a ce h a s s i gn s o ft r an sv e r sa l w ea r , a tb o th t h e p rox ima l e nd a nd t h e d i s ta l e nd , i n c lud ing t h e s t ra igh t t i p w h ich i s2 cm w id e . T he c r o s s sec t ion o ft h e s o ck e t a r ea i s a na ngu la r" U " .

C oven to sa 7 .S ock e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r cha eo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 3 .5cm ; S ock e t l e ng th 9 . 8cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 3 . 8cm ; B lad e

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w id th 3 . 0 -2 .5cm ; S o ck e t h e igh t 3 . 7cm . T h ickn e s s b l ad e 1 . 4 -0 .4cm ; T h ickne s ss o ck e t0 . 4cm . E longa ted w i th c l o sed f l ange s . T h e t i p i ss t ra igh t w i th s ma l l d en t s . Ap ronounc ed s t ep o n t h e b o t tom f a c ew i th l o ng i tud ina li n te rna lm a rk s . S e en f r om t h e b o t tom f a ce , i ti sw o rn m o s t o nt h e r i gh t h and s i d e . T h e c r o s s sec t ion o ft h e u ppe r p a r t o ft h e s o ck e t i s i nt h es hap eo f a" U " w i th r i gh ta ng le s , w he rea st h e l ow e rp a r ti si nt h ef o rm o f ac u r ved " U " .

a r ea 8 . 1cm ; M in . w id th a tt i p 3 cm ; S ock e t w id th 4 . 4cm . T h ickn e s sb l ad e 1 . 8 -0 .9cm , T h ickne s ss o ck e t 0 . 9 -0 .5cm T h i s s ha r e h a s ag r ea t d ea l o f e a r th a nd g r ave l a t tached a nd t h et i pi sf l ak ing o p en . T h el ef ts i d eo f t h e b o t tom f a c e i sm o r e w or n , p e rhap s b ecau se i t w a s u sed m o re o n t h a t s i d e . T he s ha r e h a s s i gn s o f b e ing b ea ten ,b u ti sp oo r ly c on se rved . I ti sa l toge the r b ad ly a f e c ted b yr u s t .

C oven to sa 8 .S o ck e t ed s ha r et y p e2 . 2 . C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry D im en s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 6 .5cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 1 0cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 3 . 9cm ; B lad e w id th 3 . 1-2 .1cm . T h ickne s s b l ad e 1 . 0 -0 .5cm ; T h ickn e s ss o ck e t0 . 5 -0 .15cm E longa t ed w i th c l o sed f l ang e s . I ts how s s i gn s o f w ea ro nt h et o pf a ce i nt h el ow e rp a r to ft h eb l ad e , a nd t h e t i p i sd en ted . O n t h e b o t tom f a ce , t h e l e f t f l ang e i sw o rn , a nd a l so t h e m idd le p a r t o ft h e l e f t s i d eo ft h eb l ad e .

C ueva d eR eye s2 .S ock e ted s ha r et y p e3 C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r cha eo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry , i n v en to ry n umb e r5 210 D im en s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 5 1cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 1 2 cm ; S o ck e t h e igh t 3 . 6cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 8 . 4cm ( b u t t h e r i gh t c o rn e r o f t h e b l ad e i s m i s s ing ) ; M in . w id th a t t i p 2 . 2cm ; S ock e t w id th 4 . 8cm . T h ick ne s sb l ad e 1 . 8 -0 .3cm ; T h ickne s ss o ck e t 1 . 1cm ( t h ick ened b yf l ak ing ) T h et r an sv e r sa l c r o s s se c t ion o ft h eb l ad ei sc oncav e o nt h eb o t tom f a c e . T h ep rof i le o nt h et o pf a ce h a sa d ep r e s s ion a t t h e j un c t ion o f t h e b l ad e a nd t h e s o ck e t . Wh en f o und , t h i s s ha r e h ad a w edg e a t ta ch ed t ot h e b l ad e w i th r u s t , a nd t h i s h a s s i n ce b e com e l o o s e . B u t i ts t i l l h a s at h in p i ec e o f i r on s t u ck o v e rt h es o ck e ta r ea .

C oven to sa 9 .S ock e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 4 .5cm ; S o ck e t l e ng th 1 0 .5cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r e a 3 . 3cm ; B lad e w id th 2 . 7 -1 .7 cm ; S ock e t h e igh t 3 . 0 -2 .1cm . T h ickn e s sb l ad e 1 . 2 -0 .3cm ; T h ick n e s ss o ck e t0 . 3cm . E longa ted w i th c l o sed f l ange s . T h e i n te r io r s t ep o n t h eb o t tom f a ce i sr e f lec ted o nt h et o pf a c ea sm a rk s a tt h ej un c t ion o ft h e f l ange a nd t h e b l ad e , w i th a c hang ei nt h e t h ickne s s o ft h em e ta l . O nt h eb o t tom f a ce t h eb l ad e h a sa no l dn o tch o nt h e l ef ts i d e . T he s t ra igh tt i pi su s ed , b u tn o td amag ed . T he l ef tf l ang e i sm o r ew or no nt h ei n s id e .

C ueva d eR eye s3 .T anged S ha r eT ype I C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry , i n ven to ry n umb e r5 203 D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 3 9cm ; B lad e l e ng th 3 5 .5cm . Max . w id th 5 . 3cm ; M in . w id th a tt h e t i p 1 . 1cm . Max . t h ickne s s 2 . 5cm , t h ickne s s a tt h e t i p 1 . 1cm . T ang : w id th 2 . 4cm a t t h e b a se 1 .2cm , t h ickn e s s 1 . 4cm T he b l ad ei sm o re o rl e s sr hombo ida l w i th at a ng a t a bou t 10 ° t ot h e l i n e o ft h e b l ad e . I th a s as t rong r e c tangu la r c r o s s se c t ion , a nd a p o in ted t i p 4 . 5cm l o ng . T he w id e s t p a r to ft h eb l ad ei s1 9cm f r om t h e t i p . T he b l ad e h a s s i gn s o f w ea r o ve r al e ng th o f 1 0 cm . T h e t h ick e s t p a r t o ft h e s ha r e i st h ej unc t ion b e tween t h ed i s ta la nd p rox ima lp a r t s .

C oven to sa 1 0 . S ock e ted s ha r et y p e2 . 2 C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r cha eo logy a nd P r eh i s to ry ( Box P . 13 ) . D im en s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 2 5 .2cm ; S ock e t l e ng th 1 0 .7cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t a r ea 3 . 8cm ; B lad e w id th 2 . 7cm ; S o ck e t h e igh t 3 . 5cm . T h ickn e s s b l ad e l cm ;T h ickne s ss o ck e t0 . 8cm . E longa t ed w i th a s t ra igh t p rof i le a nd s o ck e t w i th r ound c r o s s se c t ion . T h ef l ang e s a r ep a r t ia l ly c l o sed a nd i tl o ok sa si ft h ey h av eb e en f o r c ed o p en . T h et i p i ss t ra igh t a nd w o rn . T h e f l ang e s a r e e qua l ly w o rn a nd d amaged . T h i s s ha r e i st h e o n ly o n e d ef in i te ly r e g i s t e r ed i n t h e Mu seum a s c om ing f r om C ov en to sa .

C ueva d eR eye s4 .T ang ed S ha r eT yp eI . C an tab r ian Mu seum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry , i n v en to ry n umb e r5 208 D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 3 7 .5cm ; B lad e l e ng th 3 5 .8cm . Max . w id th 4 . 2cm ; T ip w id th 1 . 4cm . Max . t h ickn e s s 2 . 5cm ; T ip t h ickn e s s 0 . 2cm . T ang : W id th 1 . 5cm . S im i la r t ot h e p r ev iou s s ha r e , b u t i to n ly c on se rv e s t h e s t a r t o ft h e t a ng . T h e b l ad e h a s s i gn s o fw ea r 1 2 cm l o ng f r om t h e t i p , a s t h i s p a r t i sv e ry t h in c ompa r ed w i th t h e t h ickn e s s i n t h e c en t r e o f t h e b l ad e . L ik et h ep r ev iou ss ha r e , t h eg r ea te s tt h ickne s s i si n t h e j un c t ion b e twe en t h e b l ad e a nd t h e p a r t f i x ed t ot h es o le .

C ueva d eR eye s( Ma t ienzo ) C ueva d eR eye s1 .S o ck e ted s ha r et y p e3 C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fA r chaeo logy a nd P reh i s to ry , i n ven to ry n umb e r5 209 . D imen s ion s : T o ta l l e ng th 3 9cm ; S ock e t l e ng th 1 2 cm ; S o ck e t h e igh t 3 . 9cm . Max . w id th i n s o ck e t 1 97

Ob serva t ion so nP ro toh i s tor ic Me ta lwork ing i nC an tabr ia w i th r egard t ot wo f i nd s i nt he C ave so fC of re snedo a nd Mo l ino (Ma t ienzo ) C a rme lo F emändez I bä i lez " Sau tuo la" I n s t i t u t eo fP r eh is t ory a nd A r chaeo logy a nd P a l enc ia A r cha eo log ica l Mu s eum 1 .I n troduc t ion

r i v e t s . T h ey h av e c onv ex h ead s , w h ich a r e a l so d eco ra t ive , 6 . 4 a nd 7 . 2nun i nd i am e te rr e spec t ive ly , w h i le o nt h e r e v e r se t h ey a r ef a s tened t ot wo a lmo s t s qua r e p i ec e s ( 8 .4 x 9 . 3 x1 . 4nun a nd 8 . 7 x9 . 5 x 1 . 4mm ) . T h et o pf a ce o ft h ep l aqu ei sd e co ra ted w i th e ng raved o r d i e s tamped l i ne s a nd m a rk s ; t h e d eco ra t ion b e ing g roup ed i nt wo a r ea s . O ne i n c lud e s t h e r ound ed e nd a nd o ccup ie s a pp rox ima te ly t wo th i rd s o f t h e f a ce . I tc on s i s t s o f t wo r ow s o f s ma l l c y l ind e r s o rd o t s ( " g r en e t t i " ) , a r ound t h e e dg e o ft h e p l aqu e . U s ing t h e s am e t e chn ique ak eyho le s hap ed f i gu r e w a s p rodu ced i n t h e c en t re o f t h e p l aqu e , a nd t h i s m ay r e p r e sen t a n a n th ropomo rph . T h e s e cond d eco ra t iv e a r ea o ccup ie s t h e s qua re e nd o f t h e p l aqu e , f o rm ing a s mal r e c tangu la r a r ea . F ou r p a ra l le l b and s , o f d if e r en t w id th s , a r e a r rang ed b e tw een i n c i sed l i n e s . T h ef i r s tb and h a s a r ow o f" SSS " ma rk s p rodu ced w i th as ha rp g r av e r , a no the rb and i se mp ty ( a pa r tf r om b e ing t h el o ca t ion o fo n e o ft h e r i ve t s ) , t h et h i rd b and h a sa no the rr ow o f " SSS " , a nd f i na l ly t h e r e i s as e r ie s o f s ho r t p a ra l le le ng raved m a rk sa l ong t h ee nd o ft h ep l aqu e .

O u r k now ledg e o ft h e o ccupan t s o ft h e p re sen t -day t e r r i to ry o fC an tab r ia d u r ing t h e c en tu r ie sb e f o r e i t s r oman iza t ion i ss t i l l i n comp le t e . T h i s i sn o t f o r t h e l a ck o f a r cha eo log ica l m a te r ia l o r e xcava t ion s , w h i ch e x i s t i n s uf i c ien t n umb e r s e v en i f n o t a bundan t . B u t w eb e l iev e t h a t t h e s t udy o fa r t e f a c t s t h a t a r e a l ready k nown , f r om d if e r en t s o c ia l a nd c u l tu ra l p o in t s o fv i ew , i sn ow a p r io r i ty . Av e ry s ma l l s amp le o f t h e p o s s ib i l i t ie s o ft h i s a pp roa ch , s e en f r om o n es i d eo ft h ep rob lem , i sr ep r e sen t ed b y t h ep r e sen ta r t ic l e . T h e q u e s t ion o fm e ta l o b jec t s i st a ck led h e r e u s ing a so u r s t a r t ing p o in t t wo i n te r e s t ing a r t e f a c t s f o und i nd if e r en t c av e s i n Ma t ienzo , f o l low ed b y ab r ie f r e v iew o f t h e m o s t r ep r e sen ta t iv e m e ta l o b jec t s o f t h i s p e r iod t h a t h av eb een f ound i nC an tab r ia . T h ey a r ee xam ined n o to n ly i nt e rm so ft h e i ru se , b u ta l so c on s id e r ing t h e s o c ia l , r e l ig iou s a nd c u l tu ra l i mp l ica t ion s o f t h e i r l o ca t ion . Wh en s t ud ied i n d ep th , t h ey p rov id e i mpo r tan t e v id ence , l i k e t h e t i p o fa ni c eb e rg , o f am o r e c omp lex r e a l i ty . E a ch f i nd , i fs u i tab ly a s se s sed , r e v ea l s ac u l tu ra l p e r sona l i ty , r e qu i r ing t h e a c t iv e u se o f t h e b inom ia l a na ly s i s r e f lec t ion .

T h e r e v e r se i su nd eco ra ted , b u t t h e c en t r e o f t h i s s i d e , m idway b e tween t h e t wo r i v e t b a se s , a nd c o in c id ing a pp rox ima t e ly w i th t h e c u rved p a r t ( h ead ? )o ft h ea n th ropomo rph o nt h et o pf a ce , s how s t h e s i gn s o f af a i led a t t emp t t o m ak e at h i rd p e r f o ra t ion i nt h ep l aqu e . I tw a sp l a ced u p s id ed own o n ac y l ind e r o f a bou t t h e s am e d i ame te r a s t h e r equ i red p e r f o ra t ion . T h e r e ve r se s i d e w a s h i t , p o s s ib ly u s ing a p un ch t h a t w a s n o t a l tog e th e r s u i tab le , a t t emp t ing t o p e r f o ra te t h e p l aqu e w i th h amm e r b l ow s . T h i s w a s n o t s u c ce s s f u l , a l though t h ep l aqu ew a sd e f o rm ed .

2 .D e scr ip t ion a nd c i r cum s tance so ft he f i nd s O u r m a in a im i st o s t udy t wo o b jec t s t h a t w e r e f o und i n Ma t ienzo c av e s af ew y ea r s a go . T he i r a na ly s i s w i l l l a t e r b e u sed f o r f u r th e r r e f lec t ion s a bou tt h eI r on A g ei nC an tab r ia . 2 . 1 D ecora t ive p l aque Manu f a c tu red i n c opp e r a l loy , i t s d imen s ion s a r e 4 8 .5 x2 5 .0 x1 . 1nun . I tw a sf o und b yL .M i l l si nt h e S a la d e l o s P endan t s i n C u eva d e C o f r e snedo , i n 1 988 ( P AU , Mu f ioz & Sm i th 1 981 , Mo r lo t e & o t h e r s 1 996 : 2 48 -249 ) , a nd i s d epo s i t ed i n t h e C an tab r ian Mu s eum o fP reh i s to ry a nd A r chaeo logy .

T h e s t a t e o fp re se rva t ion i sa d equa t e . T h ep l aque i s c omp le t e , a l though i tf o rmed p a r t o f al a rg e r o b je c t , a nd i ti s o n ly d e f o rm ed a s d e sc r ib ed a bov e . T h e m e ta l c o r e i ss o l id , c ov e red w i th as moo th b l ack i sh f i lm p o s s ib ly o f c up r ic o x id e , w h ich i sd i s t r ibu ted r egu la r ly o v e r t h e p l aqu e . I t o v e rl i e s a no the r b r ick r ed c ov e r ing o fc up r i c o x id e , w h ich c an o n ly b es e en i nc e r ta in p l a ce s .

T h i s p l aqu e w ou ld h av e f o rm ed t h e t o p p a r t o ft h e s y s tem u s ed t os u sp end ad agg e rs h ea th f r om ab e l t . I ti s at h in p l a t e i n t h e s hap e o fa n e l onga ted " D " ( i . e . w i th as qua r ee nd a nd ar o und ed e nd ) , w i th t wo 1 99

O b se rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

o fd agg e r s u sp en s ion w i th in t h e l a t e I r on A g e . T hu s e xamp le sa r ef ound i nt h ec eme te ry a tV i l lanueva d e T eba ( Bu rgo s ) h o ld ing s h ea th s o fG roup sI I a nd I V o ft h e c l a s s if i ca t ion m ad e f o r t h e s i t e , b o th g roup s h av ing d i s c s hap ed f e r ru le s . T he se t y p e s o fs h ea th s h ave s i d e s m ad e o f i r on r od s w i th a V shap ed c r o s s sec t ion ( Ca s t i l lo 1 997 , R u iz Wle z & E lo rza G u inea 1 997 : 2 83 -290 ) . T he s hea th s u se t wo d if e r en t k ind s o f f a s ten ing s f o r t h e i r s u sp en s ion . S ome o f t h em h ave a s ma l l m e ta l s t r ip e nd ing i n r i ng s , w he r e t h e s u sp en s ion p l aqu e s a r e l i nked , r i ve t ed o b l ique ly t ot h eb ack o ft h e s hea th , wh ich i s a no the r i r on p l a te . T he o t he r h a s U shaped c l a sp s r i ve ted t o e a ch o ft h e s i d e s o ft h e s h ea th , a nd t h i s s y s t em w a s f r equ en t ly u sed i n C e l t ib e r ian a r ea s f o r t h e s h ea th s o f b ig lobu la r d agg e r s . T h i s s i te o f V i l lanueva d e T eba h a s b e en d a ted i nt h e 3 rd a nd 2 nd C en tu r ie s BC .

2 . 2B e l tp l aque Mad ei nc opp e ra l loy , i t sd imen s ion sa r e4 9 .2 x4 2 .6 x1 . 1mm . I tw a s f ound i nC ueva d e l Mo l ino ( Sm i th 1 985 : 6 0 , Mo r lo te & o t he r s 1 996 : 2 72 -273 ) o n t h e r i gh t o f t h e f i r s t c hamb e r . I ti s d epo s i ted i n t h e C an tab r ian Mu seum o fP r eh i s to ry a nd A rchaeo logy . I ti sa n a lmo s t s qua r e p l a te w i th r ounded c o rne r s , w i th s i x c i r cu la r p e r f o ra t ion s , i n l i ne s o f t h r ee o n e ach o f t h e s hor te r s i d e s . T he p e r f o ra t ion s a r e a l l e mp ty , a pa r tf r om o n e i nt h em idd le o f as i d e wh ich s t i l l h a s ar i ve t w i th a c i r cu la r h ead 1 0 .2nun i n d i ame te r . T h e p e r f o ra t ion i n t h e m idd le o f t h e o ppo s i t e s i d e i s b l ocked w i th t h e p rodu c t s o f o x id i sa t ion . T he d i ame te r o ft h e p e r f o ra t ion s i nt h e c o rne r s i s 4mm , w he r ea s t h e o t he r t wo a r e s om ewha t s ma l le r , a bou t 2 . 5nun i n d i ame t e r . T he t op f a ce h a s as imp le d eco ra t ion , c on s i s t ing o f a s e r ie so fs ho r tp a ra l le ll i n e s , p a cked c l o se ly t og e the r , b e twe en t wo e ng raved l i ne s t h a t r un p a ra l le l t ot h e p e r ime te ro ft h e p l aque . T he r e ve r s e i su nd eco ra ted , a nd o n ly s how s t h e n ega t ive s o f t h e m a rk s l e f t b y t h e d i e s o rg r ave r s u sed t od e co ra t e t h e t o pf a ce , a s w e l la st h em a rk so ft h eh amme ru s ed t ob ea to u tt h e p i ec eo fc oppe rw i th wh ich t h ep l aqu ew a s mad e .

A no th e rc eme t e r y whe r et h i st y pe o fo b je c t h a sb e en f o und i sa tL a H oya ( Ä lava ) . Twen ty -f iv e e xamp le s h av eb een r e cove red i nt h ed ig s , s om eo f wh ich h ave b ronze d eco ra t ive p l aque s l i k e t h e o n e f r om C o f r e snedo . T hey s uppo r ted s hea th s w i th U shaped c l a sp s ( F i l loy N ieva 1 990 : 2 43 -244 a nd f i g . 2 3 ) . R ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r t h i s s i te r ang e b e tw een t h e m idd le o ft h e 5 t h C en tu ry a nd t h em idd le o ft h e 4 th C en tu ry BC , a l though t h i s c h rono logy i sc on s id e red a s t o o o l d b y S anz M inguez ( 1 990 : 2 41 ) , w ho p ropo se s t h e s i t e c an b e d a ted f r om t h e m id 3 rd C en tu ry BC o nwa rd s .

I t s s t a te o f c on se rva t ion i s a c cep tab le . I t i s p rac t ica l ly w ho le e x cep t f o r o n e c o rne r b e ing b rok en . I ts e em s t oh av e as o l id m e ta l c o r e , c ove red w i th r edd i sh c up r ic o x ide o n t h e r e ve r se , a nd a g r een f i lm o f c opp e r s u lpha te o r c a rbona te o n t h e t o pf a ce a s ak ind o fp a t ina . Sma l l p i e ce so fc a lc ium c a rbona t ea r ed i s t r ibu ted i r regu la r ly o v e rt h i sf a c e .

T he se o b jec t s a r e c on s id e red a s c ha ra c te r i s t ic o f C e l t ib e r ian s i te s ,b u ta l so a ppea ri nc eme t e r ie si nt h e t e r r i to ry o f t h e V acce i , i n t h e w e s ter n p a r t o f t h e N o r th Me se ta . T h r ee f r agmen t s o f s u spen s ion p l aque s , mad eo fi r on , w e r ef ound i nt h ec eme t e ry a t L a s R u eda s ( Va l lado l id ) . U n f or tuna te ly t h ey a r e a mong t h e o b jec t s t h a t w e r e f ound i n as e conda ry p o s i t ion , a nd n o t i n t h e i r o r ig ina l l o ca t ion . T hey o n ly d if e rf r om t h e e xamp le s i no t h e rc eme te r ie s i n t h a t t h ey h ave a r i ng r i ve ted t o t h e s i d e s o f t h e s h ea th , w h ich h av e aU shaped c r o s s se c t ion . T h ey a r e t h ough t t ob e p a r t o f ar e la t ive ly mod e rn s y s tem o fs u spen s ion , i nt h i ss i te d a ted a tt h es t a r to ft h e i s t C en tu ry BC ( Sanz M ingu ez 1 997 : 2 14 , n o . 1 029 -1034 a nd 4 49 ) .

3 .F orma la nd c u l tura la na ly s i s 3 . 1 T he s u spen s ion p laque a nd o ther f i nd s i n C ueva d eC o fre snedo S t a r t ing w i th t h e f i r s t o f t h e a r t e f a c t s d e sc r ibed a bov e , i tf i r s t mu s t b e s a id t h a t t h i s i s ad e co ra t iv e e l emen t w he r e p robab ly t h e m o s t i mpo r tan t p a r t o f t h e o b je c t w a s t h e i r on p i ece t h a t i td eco ra t ed . T h i s o b jec t c on s i s t ed o f d oub le o b long o r p en tagona l p l a t e s f a s tened w i th r i v e t s t o t h e e nd o f al e a the r b e l t . J o in ing b o th p l a te s , as ma l l s t r ip w a s b en t i n t h ef o rm o f ar i ng , w h ich w a sa t tach ed t oo n es i d eo f ad agg e r s hea th . L og ica l ly , e ach w eapon h ad t wo o f t h e se o b jec t s , o n e o n e ach s i d e o f t h e s hea th , a nd e a ch w eapon h ad i t s o wn b e l t . We c an t h e r ef o r e d ef in e t h i s p l aqu e a s t h e d e co ra t iv e p a r t o f am e ta l o b je c tu sed t os u sp end ad agg e rs he a th f r om ab e l t .

F ina l ly , r e ga rd ing t h ed e co ra t ion o nt h ep l aque f r om C o f r e snedo , t h e s e r ie s o f " SSS " i s av e r y c ommon t h eme o nm e ta lo b jec t si nt h eI r on A g e , a nd t h ey a r e s ome t ime s t hough t t ob e s c hema t ic r e p r e s en ta t ion s o f b i rd s . T he l i ne s o f s ma l l d o t s o f " g r en e t t i " a r e e qua l ly f r equen t , a nd e ven i ti sn o t u nu sua l t of i nd b o th mo t i f s d eco ra t ing d if e r en t p a r t s o f t h e s ame o b je c t . a s i nt h i s c a se . E xamp le s t h a t c an b e g i ven i n c lud e t h eb e l tp l aque so ft h e I b e r ian t y pe f r om t h e s e t t lemen t o f L a C u s tod ia i n N ava r ra ( Labeaga

T h i ss u sp en s ion s y s tem , a sa na r chaeo log ica lr e a l i ty , h a s b een d i scove r ed r e cen t ly , a nd i sa s so c ia ted w i th t h e t omb s o f" wa r r io r s " , u sualy f o rm ing p a r t o ft h e g r ave g ood s . C h rono log ica l ly , t h i s i s am od e rn t y p e 2 00

O b s e rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

Mend io la 1 991-92 ) , o rf u r the rb e l tp l aqu e s f r om t h e 3 rd o r 2 nd C en tu ry c eme te r ie s o f V ilanueva d e T eba ( G roup s Ia nd I ) a nd B u s to d e B u reba i n B u rgo s ( Rov i ra L lo ren s & S anz N ä je ra 1 986 -87 ; R u i z V e lez , E lo rza G u inea & A bä so lo A lva r ez 1 999 ) T he " SSS " m o t i f a l so a ppea r s o n s imp le p l aqu e s o ft h e i s t C en tu ry BC , f r om t h e h i l l f o r t o f C e lada Ma r lan te s i n C an tab r ia ( Ga r c ia G u in ea & R in cön 1 970 : f i g . 3 2 1 ) o r Mon te C i ldä i nP a lenc ia ( F er n änd ez I b ä f lez 1 999b ) . E qua l ly , i ti so n h and le s a nd c l a sp s o fr ound s h ie ld s ( c ae t ra ) i nt h ec eme te ry o f L a s R ueda s , d a ted i n t h e f i r s t h a l f o f t h e 4 th C en tu ry BC ( Sanz M ingu ez 1 997 : 2 16 , n o . 1 039 , 1 045 a nd 1 046 , a nd 4 49 -453 ) .Th e s am e m o t i f c an e v en b ef ound o nd agge rs u sp en s ion p l aqu e su sed b y t h e R oman a rmy ( w i th i n d ig enou s i n f lu en ce s ) , a nd d a t ed i n t h e r e ign o f A ugu s tu s ( F er n änd e z I b ä t iez 1 999a ) .

s ame t im e ( Boh iga s R o ldän 1 986 -87 : 1 20 a nd f i g .2 , R u iz C obo 1 999 : 3 6 37 , Sm i th & Mu t ioz 1 984 : 1 30 ) . I ti st hough t t h a t t h e se i t em s f o rmed p ar t o f t h e g r av e g ood s b e long ing t o o ne o f t h e b u r ia l s , p e rhap s t h e m o s t i mpo r tan t o n e , t h a t w e r e c a r r ied o u t i n t h e c ave i n t h e l a te I r on A g e ( Ru iz C obo 1 999 : 4 0 -41 ) . I ti sa l so i n te r e s t ing t h a t t h e R ecen t P r eh is to ry o f Ma t ienzo P ro je c t h a s j u s t o b ta ined a t h e rmo l tun in e scenc e d a te f o r as im i la r p o t te ry t y p e t ot h eo ne d i scov e r ed w i th t h ei r on o b jec t s . T he d a t e , p ub l i shed f o r t h e f i r s t t ime i n t h i s p ub l ica t ion , i s 2 435 ±2 33 B P . O f a l l t h e i r on a r t e f a c t s l i s ted a bove , t h e d agg e r b l ad e n eed s t ob e e xam ined i ng r ea te r d e ta i l . I th a s o f t en b e en c l a s s i f ied , n o t t o o s a t i s f ac to r i ly , a s b e long ing t o a" Mon te B er no r io " t y p e o f d agg e r ( Sm i th & Mu i io z 1 984 : 1 33 , B la s C or t ina & F er n änd e z Manzano 1 992 : 4 12 ) , d e sp i te l a ck ing t h e h i l t a nd s hea th , w h ich a r e t h e e l emen t s u sed t o d ef ine t h i s t y p e o f w eapon . I t i s t r ue t h a t t h e c onv ex /concave s hap e o fi t se dg e s , t o g e the rw i th t h e t h ick c en t ra l n e rvu r e , i sc ha rac te r i s t ic s o ft h eb l ad e s o f " Mon te B e rno r io -M i raveche " d agg e r s . T h ey c o r re spond t ot h e t y p e I lb i n G r if io ' s c l a s s if ica t ion ( G r i f iö F ron te ra 1 986 -87 : 2 69 a nd t a b le I ,G r if iö 1 9894 : 4 1-42 ) ,o rt ot h e3 rd o r" e xpan s ion " p ha se i n t h e c l a s s if i ca t ion o f S anz M ingu ez ( 1 990 : 1 80 a nd f o l low ing ) . T he se d agg e r s h ave b een d i scove r ed , a pa r t f r om a tt h e e ponymou s s i t e s , a tL a O se ra a nd L a s C ogo ta s i n A v i la , A lmazän i n S o r ia a nd P a lenzu e la i n P a len c ia . T hey w e r e a l l u sed w i th s h ea th sw i th ad i sc shaped f e r ru le .

A s w e l l a s o n m e ta l o b jec t s , t h e m o t i f i su s ed o n p o t t e ry . T ak ing t h en or th o fP o r tuga la sa ne xamp le , i ta pp ea r s o n v e s se l s o ft h e Ip ha se ( 5 00 138 / 136 BC ) a nd t h e I Ip ha se ( 1 38 / 136 BC -F l av ia p e r iod ) . I n g en e ra l , t h e mo t i f i s o f ten r ep ea t ed , b o th i nd iv idua l ly a nd a bove a l l f o rm ing b and sw i th o t he r l i ne a r a nd g eome t r ic p a t t er n s ( Coe lho F e r r e i ra d a S i lva 1 986 : 6 5 ) . A t t h e m omen t , w e c anno t a dd a ny mo r e a bou t t h e k eyho le s hap ed d e s ign i nt h e c en t r e o ft h e p l aqu e , a nd w h ich w e b e l ieve t o b e a s c hema t ic a n th ropomo rph . T he e x t r em es imp l ic i ty o ft h ef i gu r e d oe sn o ta l low f u r the rc on s id e r a t ion sa tp r e sen t . A no th e ro b je c tw h ich s hou ld b e m en t ioned h e r e i sa p l aque f r agmen t ( 2 5 x2 8nun ) m anu f a c tu r ed i n a c opp e r a l loy , f r om t h e h i l l f o r t o fC e lada Ma r lan te s ( Ga r c ia G u inea & R incön 1 970 : l am XV I I I -7 ) . I ti s v e ry l i k e ly t h a ti tb e long st oa no b jec to fv e ry s im i la r c ha rac te r is t ic s t ot h e o ne f r om C o f r e snedo , e ven a s r e ga rd s i t s d e co ra t ion . T h i s h i l l f o r t h a s b e en d a ted i n t h e 2 nd a nd i s t C en tu r ie s BC , a l though t h e r e h av ea lway sb een d oub t sa bou tt h ee x i s t en ce o fo l d e r o b jec t s .

H owev e r , t h e c ha rac t e r i s t ic s o f t h i s b l ad e a r e a l so s e en i nt h eb l ad e o f ad agg e r w i th ab ig lobu la r h i l t f r om t omb n o . 4a tt h eC e l t ib e r ian c eme te ry a tO sma i nS o r ia . T h i s i si n c lud ed i nL o r r io ' s I 1 B I I I p ha se , d a t ed i nt h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC ( Lo r r io 1 997 : 1 83 , 1 88 a nd f i g7 5 -D ) . S im i la rb l ad e sh ave b e en r e cove red a t t h ec em e t e ry a tL aH oya , d a ted i nt h es e cond h a l fo f t h e4 t hC en tu ry BC ( F i l loy N ieva 1 990 , F i l loy N ieva & G i l Z ub i l laga 1 997 ) . O the r e xamp le s f r om t h e c em e te ry a t V i l lanueva d e T eba a r e d a ted i n t h e s e cond h a l f o f t h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC . T he i r c ha rac te r i s t ic s a r e i n c lud ed i n Mod e l I V , wh ich h ave a d i s c shaped f e r ru le o n t h e s hea th s , a n e l emen t t h ey s ha r e w i th b ig lobu la r d agg e r s o r e ven w i th g r oup I% o f Mon t e B er no r io -M i rave ch e d agg e r s , w h ich i sa na r gum en tt os ugg e s tt h ey c ou ld b e s ynch ron ic ( Ru iz V e lez & E lo rza G u inea 1 997 : 2 85 -290 a nd 3 00 ) . F ina l ly , a no th e r c l ea r p a ra l le l i s t h e d agg e r b l ad e f r om t h e s i t e o f C a rab ia i n A s tu r ia s , d a t ed b e twe en t h e 3 rd a nd 2 nd C en tu r ie s BC ( Maya 1 988 : 7 8 -79 ) .

A l though t h ep l aque w a sf ound o nt h es u r f a ce o ft h e c av e f l oo r , f o r tuna t e ly w e h av e ac on tex t o f o t he r o b jec t s f ound e a r l ie r i nt h e s ame c hambe r , S a la d e l o s P endan t s , i n C of r e snedo . I n A ugu s t 1 982 D . H a r tnup a nd L . M i l l s d i s cov e r ed t e n i r on a r t e f a c t s , i n c lud ing t h eb l ad eo f ad agg e r 1 84nun l o ng , as p ea r f e r ru le 7 4 inm l o ng , af r agm en t o f a n a x e w i th d im en s ion s o f 9 5 x 7 7nun , v e ry s im i la r t o a n e xamp le f ound i n t h e d i g s a t C e lad a Ma r lan te s ( Ga r c ia G u in ea & R incön 1 970 : f i g 2-4 ) , a nd t wo p o r t ion s o f a n i r on s t r ip w i th a V shap ed c r o s s sec t ion , 1 00 .7 a nd 2 8mm l o ng . P a r to ft h e r im a nd s hou ld e ro f al a rg e p o t t e ry u rn w a sf ound a tt h e 2 01

O b se rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

A t t h e m om en t M . A . G a r c ia G u inea , R . B oh iga s a nd t h e p r e sen t a u tho r a r e s t udy ing t h e m a t e r ia l s r e cove r ed i nl a t e rd ig s a tt h i s s i te , c a r r ied o u t i nt h e 1 990 s ( Ga rc ia G u inea 1 999 ) . As ma l le r n umb e r o f m e ta l o b je c t s h ave b e en f o und e i the r i nc ave s o ri n h il f or t s a nd s im i la r ( P e ra l ta L ab rado r & O ce jo H e r re ro 1 996 ) . We h ave s e le c ted f r om t h i s s e cond s e t o fa r t e f a c t st h o se wh ich a r et h e mo s t s i gn if ican t a nd w h ich m ay n o t h ave b e en a na ly sed i nd ep th , i n o rd e r t o m ak e af ew n o te s a bou t t h e i r o r ig in a nd a bove a l l t h e i r c h rono log y , a sa n i n t rodu c t ion t ot h e n ex ta nd f i na ls e c t ion o ft h i sa r t ic le .

I ti s ac u r iou s f a c t t h a t a l l t h e s e w eapon s , a nd t h e d agge r si np a r t icu la r , u sua l ly a pp ea ra sg rave g ood s , s how ing t h em a te r ia lv a lue t h ey h ad a sw e l l a sb e ing i nd ica to r s o ft h e s o c ia l s t a tu s o ft h e i r b ea re r s . T hey a r e c l ea r ly m ino r i ty a r t ic le s , f o rm ing p a r t o f t h e m o s ti mpo r tan t a nd d i s t inc t ive w eapon so f aw a r r io r e l i te ,p e rhap sw i th t h er a nk o fc h ief t a in . I n C ueva d e C o f r e snedo , a s i n a l l t h e c eme te r ie s m en t ioned a bov e , t h e r e a r e a l so f r agmen t s o f a s hea th , t ob ep r e c i se t wo i r on s t r ip sw i th aV shap ed c r o s s se c t ion , w h ich a ppa ren t ly c o r re spond t o t h e s hea th ' s s i d ep i e ce s . P e rhap st h eo t h e ri r on f r agmen t e nd ing i n ar i ng c ou ld b ep a r to f as t r ip l i k et h eo ne s o n t h e s hea th s a tV i l lanueva d e T eba ; a s e xp la ined a bov e , t h ey w e r e a t ta ched t ot h e b ack o ft h e s hea th a nd s e cu red t h i s t o t h e s u sp en s ion p l aque s o n t h e b e l t .

Among o rnamen ta l a r t ic le s , f i bu lae a r e t h e mo s t s i gn if ican t . P e rhap s t h e f i bu la f ound o u t o fc on tex t a tB a rago ( Gonza l ez E ch ega ray 1 983 ) i st h e o ld e s t e xamp le . I t i s o f t h e " d oub le s p r ing w i th c r o s s shap ed b r idg e " t y p e , w h ich i s as l igh t ly mo re m od e rn a nd e vo lved mod e l o f t h e " doub le s p r ing " t y p e . T h i s t y p e i sw e l l k nown i n t h e D u e ro v a l ley a nd t h e Me se ta , a nd a c co rd ing t o d if e ren t a r cha eo log i s t s c an b e d a ted : f r om t h e l a s tq ua r t e ro f t h e 5 t h C en tu ry t o t h e f i r s t q ua r te r o f t h e 4 t h C en tu r y BC , T yp e3 D ( A rg en te O l ive r 1 994 : 5 7 -58 ) , f r om t h e 6 t h C en tu ry t o t h e m idd le o f t h e 4 t h C en tu ry BC ( Lo r r io 1 997 : 2 08 ) , o rf r om t h e e nd o f t h e 5 t h C en tu ry t ot h e s t a r t o ft h e 4 th C en tu r y BC ( Sanz M inguez 1 997 : 3 67 -369 ) . S e cond ly , a f r agmen t o f af i bu la o f t h e " t u rned b a se " t y p e , d eco ra ted w i th ab and o f" 888 " l i nk ed t o g e th e r , w a s f ound i n A b r igo d e l P uyo . T h i s t y p e i s q u i t e a bundan t i n t h e e a s ter n Me se ta , a nd i s d a ted b e twe en t h e 4 t h a nd 3 rd C en tu r ie s BC , T ype 7 D ( A rg en t e O l ive r 1 994 : 8 2 -83 ) . O ne o ft h e t umu l i i n t h i sr o ck she l t e rh a sp rov ided ad a te o f2 240 E8 0B P ( F er n änd ez A cebo 1 994 : 9 9 , Mo r lo te & o t he r s 1 996 : 2 75 -276 ) .

3 . 2 T he b e l tp laque f r om C ueva d e l Mo l ino B e l t p l aqu e s a nd b rooche s a r e o b jec t s t h a t o f t en a pp ea r a mong t h e g r ave g ood s i n C e l t ibe r ian c eme te r ie s i nt h e e a s t e rn Me se ta , a l though m o s t o f t h ek nown e xamp le sw e re f ound o u to fc on tex t . T he e xamp le f r om C ueva d e l Mo l ino c ou ld b e i n c lud ed w i th in t h e " I be r ian " t y p e o f b rooch . T h i s t y p eo fo b jec ti s ar a r ef i nd , e sp e c ia l ly i nt h en o r th o f t h e P en in su la a nd w i th t h e c ha rac t er i s t ic s t h a t i t h a s . S im i la r e xamp le s a r e k nown , a l though s om ewha tl a rg e ri ns i ze , s uch a st h eb rooch f o und a t S igüenza i nG uada la ja ra . I b e r ian typ eb rooche s , a l so k nown a s " quad rangu la r p l aque s " , w e r e g r ouped t y po log ica l ly i n at y p e " C " b y A . L . L o r r io , i n h i s c l a s s if i ca t ion o f a l l t h e a r te f ac t s f ound a t C e l t ibe r ian s i te s . T h ey a r e e spe c ia l ly a bundan t b o th i n s e t t lemen t s a nd c em e t e r ie s i nt h e e a s t e rn p a r t o ft h e N or th Me se ta . A s t h e t yp e s w e r e n ec e s sa r i ly s ub -d iv ided , t h e p l aqu e f r om Mo l ino e n te r s i n " C1B1-G roup 1 " , d ef ined a s r e c tangu la r p l aqu e s w i th h em i sphe r ica l r i ve t h ead s i n t h e c en t re a nd e a ch o f t h e f ou r c o rne r s , l i k e t h e e xamp le f r om S i güenza . T h ey a r e d eco ra t ed a r ound t h e i r e dg e s , w i th t wo p a ra l le l i n c i sed l i ne s . T h i s s ub typ e w a s d a ted b y L o r r io i n h i s p ha se s IA a nd I r B , wh ich d eve lop ed b e twe en t h e e nd o ft h e 4 t h C en tu ry a nd t h e w ho le o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC ( Lo r r io 1 997 : 1 78 -188 ) .

A t h i rd f i bu la w a s f ound o n t h e s u r f ace a t t h e h i l l f o r to fC u e to d e l Agua . I ti s af i ne e xamp le o ft h e " t owe r w i th t r unca ted c on ica l b a se " t y p e , e x t rao rd ina r i ly w e l l d eco ra t ed a nd i n ag ood s t a te o f c on se rva t ion , o n ly m i s s ing t h e s p r ing a nd n eed le . I t c an a l so b e c l a s s if i ed a s b e long ing t o G roup 8 ( o f c auda l a ppend ix o rL a T ene ) T yp e A 2 ( t ow e r ) i nJ . L . A rg en te 's t y po logy ( A rg en t e 1 994 : 8 4 a nd 8 8 ) . A l though t h i s m od e l i s c on s id e red t y p ica l o f t h e N or th Me se ta ( whe r e t h ey a r e s uppo sed t o h ave o r ig ina ted ) , e xamp le s a r e i n f a c t k nown f r om a l l p a r t so ft h en o r th o ft h eI b e r ian P en in su la , i n c lud ing t h e u ppe r E b ro v a l ley , A s tu r ia s , G a l ic ia a nd n o r ther n P o r tuga l . T hey h av e a mo r e a dvanced c h rono logy , s t a r t ing i n t h e m idd le o f t h e 4 t h C en tu ry ( A rg en t eO l ive r 1 994 : 9 3 ) o re nd o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry ( Sanz M ingu ez 1 997 : 3 73-374 ) t o t h e m idd le o r e nd o ft h e 2 nd C en tu ry BC . I n f a c t t h i s t y p e o f f i bu la i s p r ez i l t r e s idua l ly a nd t o ta l ly c i r cum s tan t ia l ly i n t n . : l a te R oman p e r iod

4 .O ther m e ta lo b jec t s T he n umb e r o f m e ta l o b jec t s , i n i r on , c opp e r a nd a l loy s , k nown i nC an tab r ia a nd c o r r e spond ing t ot h e l a te I r on A ge , i sn o t p ar t icu la r ly h igh . Mo r e t h an h a l f o f t h em c ome f r om t h e f i r s t e x cava t ion s a t C e lada Ma r lan te s ( Ga r c ia G u ine a &R incön 1 970 ) . 2 02

O b se rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

A

5

1 0 Cm .

A , D ecora t ive p laque f or d agger s uspens ion s y s t em . B , B e l tp laque w i th r i ve t -head . C , D agger b lad e w i th c en t ra l n ervur e a nd S -shaped e dge . D &E ,f ragmen t s o f as hea th s i d e -s tr ip . F , P os s ib le f ragmen t o fa n i r on s t r ip t o s uspend a s hea th . A l lf rom C ueva d e C of r esnedo , e xcep tf or B ,f rom C ueva d e l Mo l ino ( f rom S m i th & Munoz 1 984 ) . [ T he d raw ing o ft h e d agg er s how s i t s o r ig ina l c ond i t ion i mmed ia t e ly a f t er i t s d i scovery i n 1 982 , i n c on t ras tw i th t h e d raw ing o np age 1 22 s how ing i t sp r esen ts t a t e a f t er ap roces s o fc onso l ida t ion a nd r e s tora t ion a tt h eR eg iona l Mus eum o fP r eh is tory a nd A rchaeo logy .] 2 03

Ob serva t ion so nP ro toh is tor ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

A

e-

A &B , Dagger s hea ths w i th s uspens ion p laques o fG roup I I( b ur ia ln o . 3 3 ) a nd I V( b ur ia ln o . 9 )f rom t h e c eme tery o f V i l lanueva d e T eba i n B urgos ( f rom R u iz ff l ez & E lor za G u inea 1 997 ) . C , S hea th f ragmen tf rom t h e c eme tery o fL a Hoya i nA lava ( f rom F i l loy N ieva 1 990 ) .

2 04

O b se rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

( F er nänd ez I b är i e z 2 000 : 1 89 ) . H oweve r i th a sb e en n o ted t h a tt h eb r idg e s o ft h i s k i nd o ff i bu la b ecom e d i symme t r ica l ( r a the r t h an a r ounded a r ch ) , a s i n t h i s c a se , a f t e r t h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC ( Gonzä lez Z amo ra 1 999 : 1 36 ) .

2 62 a nd 1 46mm l o ng r e sp e c t ive ly , w i th ab i convex b l ad e , a lmo s t l o zeng e shaped i n t h e f i r s t c a se , 3 2 , 2 8 a nd 3 2m in w id e . T he i r h a f t ing s y s tem i st h e u sua l o n e , w i th t h e m e ta l s h e e t b en t o ve r i n t h e s h ap e o f ac on e . R ega rd ing t h e l a rge s p ea r h ead f r om R iar i o d e I b io , c l a s s if i ed a s b e long ing t o t h e l a te I r on A ge ( De ib e B a lba s 1 986 /88 ) , w e h ave c e r ta in d oub t s , a si t sc ha rac te r i s t ic sa r e mo r es im i la r t ot h e f ew e xamp le s k nown f r om t h e e a r ly M idd le A g e s ( V i s igo th ic w eapon s ) t h an t o p ro toh i s to r ic o n e s .

F ina l ly , t h e m o s t m od e rn e xamp le i s t h e f i bu la f o und i nC ueva d eZ igu s te ( Boh iga s &o t he r s 1 999 : 8 4 -86 , Mo l in e ro 1 992 : 1 59 ) , b e ing af r agmen to ft h e t y p e " La T en e I 'M " ( A rg en t e ' s t y p e 8 C ) . I n t h e e a s ter n Me se ta t h ey a r e f ound i ns i te s c ove r ing t h e w ho le o ft h e 1 s tC en tu ry BC a nd e ven i n t h e f i r s t c en tu ry AD ( A rg en te O l ive r 1 994 : 9 0 , 9 4 ) .

A no the r o b jec t f o und a t t h e h i l l f o r t o f P er i a d e S ämano i s af r agm en t o f a n i r on s t r ip w i th a U shap ed c r o s s se c t ion , w i th t wo i r on f r agmen t s w i th r i ng s w e ld ed t r an sve r s a l ly , wh ich i sp a r t o fa d agg e r s h ea th . I ng ene ra l , a l l t h e se a r te f a c t s c an b e d a ted b e tween t h e 4 t h a nd 3 rd C en tu r ie s BC , a l so t ak ing i n to a c coun t t h e f i bu la w i th a r e cen t c h rono logy f r om C ueva d e Z igu s t e , a s d e sc r ibed a bove .

R ega rd ing o t h e r t y pe s o f f i nd s , af r agmen t o f a p l aqu e w a s f ound w i th " Ce l t ib e r ian " p o t te ry a nd h uman r ema in s i n C ueva d e C oven to sa . I t h a s e ng raved d eco ra t ion o f " 888 " l i nk ed t o g e th e r , w i th p a ra l le l l i ne s a nd p e r f o ra t ion s ( Mo r lo t e & o t he r s 1 996 : 2 51 -253 , l am XV I 15 ) . We b e l iev e t h i s c ou ld b e ab e l t b rooch , p o s s ib ly o f t h e " Ce l t ic " t y p e , a l though i ti sd i f f icu l t t o a s s ign i td ef in i te ly i n a n e xac t t y p e w i th in G roup C o f C e rd er io ' s c l a s s if i ca t ion , w h ich a r e f r equ en t i n t h e n o r th -ea s t o ft h e Me se ta . N eve r the le s s , i tm igh tb ei n c lud ed i n t h e s ubg roup s I I -I V w i th a s i ng le h ook , d a ted b e tween 6 25 a nd 4 50 BC ( Ce rd er io S e r rano 1 978 : 2 82 -283 ,f i g6 8 ) .

5 .H i s tor ica le va lua t ion C on s id e r ing i nf i r s t p l ace t h e f i nd s f r om Ma t i enzo , s e pa ra te ly o r t o g e the r , w e h av e s e en t h a t t h ey p robab ly f o rmed p a r t o fg r ave g ood s . B o th t h e b e l t p l aqu e f r om C u eva d e l Mo l ino a nd t h e d eco ra t iv e p l aque ( a nd d agg e r ) f ound i nC uev a d e C o f re sn edo a r e s im i la r t o o b jec t s c o r re spond ing t o r i te s t h a t w e r e c ommon a c ro s s t h e N o r th Me se ta , w he r e t h ey o r ig ina ted , a s w a s p ropo sed s om e y ea r s a go ( Boh iga s R o ldän 1 986 /87 : 1 2 1 ) . W i th in t h i s l a rg e g eog raph ica l a r ea , t h e n ea re s t p a ra l le l s a r e i n t h e n o r th -ea s t er n z on e a nd s u r round ing a r ea , t h e t e r r i to r ia l n uc leu s o f C e l t ibe r ian s e t t lemen t s . H owev e r , h i s to r iog raphy h a s t r ad i t iona l ly s umma r i sed t h i s a r ea o f i n f luenc e f o r a n c ien t C an tab r ia w i th t h e g en e r ic t e rm " Eb ro V a l ley " , g i v en t h e i mpo r tan ce t h a t t h e r i ve r h a s h ad f o r t h e a r ea , a nd i ng en e ra l f o r t h e w ho le n o r th er np a r t o f t h eI b e r ian P en in su la , o ve rt h ec en tu r ie s .

F ina l ly w e s ha l l a na ly se i r on a r te f a c t s wh ich , l i k e e v e rywhe r e e l se , c o r re spond t ot o o l s a nd w eapon s . P e rhap s t h e m o s t s i gn if i can t f i nd s m ad e s o f a r a r e t h o se f r om t h e h i l lf o r t o fP er i a d e S ämano ( Ca s t ro U rd ia le s ) a nd i n t h e n ea rby c av e s o f C ova r rub ia s , L o s S an to s a nd Z igu s te . I n f i r s t p l ace , a n a xe w i th t r an sve r sa l f l ang e s w a s d i scove r ed i n C ova r rub ia s ( Boh iga s & o t h e r s 1 999 : 8 7 , Mo l in e ro & o the r s 1 992 : 1 61162 , Mo l ine ro 2 000 : 2 12 -215 ) . T h i s t yp e o f i mp lemen t h a s b e en f ound i n v e ry d if e ren t p l a ce s , s u ch a s : V i l lamo rön i n B u rgo s ( S chü le r 1 969 : t a f e l 1 54 11 ) C a s t i l te r r er io a nd N umanc ia i n S o r ia ( Ba r n! V icen te 1 992 : 1 4 , J im eno & o the r s 1 999 : f i g 4 A -8 ) , a nd Megadou ro i nP o r tuga l ( Höck & C oe lho 1 972 : 2 48 -249 ) . T h e s e t o o l s a ppa r en t ly h ad t h e i ro r ig in i nt h e Med i te r r an ean a r ea i nt h e4 th C en tu ry BC , a pp ea r ing i nt h e N o r th Me se ta i nt h e 3 rd C en tu ry ( Ba t h ! V icen te 1 992 : 2 4 ) , a nd t h ey c ou ld h ave e v en c on t inued i nu se i nt h e l a t eR oman e r a , a sh a s b een s hown b y t h e s e t o ft o o l s f ound a t V i l la r robe jo i nP a lenc ia ( F e rnänd ez I b är i e z 1 999 ) .

C u l tu ra lr e la t ion sw i th t h ep eop le l i v ing i nt h i sl a rg e d r a inag eb a s in b egan t ol e av et h e i rt r a ce i nt h en o r th o f t h e P en in su la a s e a r ly a s t h e N eo l i th ic ( A r ia s C aba l 1 991 : 3 60 ) . Ab r ie f r e v iew t h a t w a s m ad e a f ew y ea r sa go f o und p a ra l le l si nt h el a te B ronze A g e b e tw een t h e t r un ca ted c on ica l ur nf r om C ueva d e l a C e rva je ra ( Gu r ie zo ) w i th e xamp le s e x cava t ed f r om L ay e r P 1B o f t h e s e t t lem en t o f C o r te s d e N ava r ra ( Nava r ra ) a nd o t he r s i te s i nL a R io ja a nd N ava r ra ( B la s C o r t ina & F e rnänd e z Manzano 1 992 : 4 12 ) . T h e se c on ta c t s a ppea r t o h av e i n c r ea sed i n i mpo r tan c ei nt h el a te I r on A g e( a tl e a s ti nt h es ou th o fC an tab r ia ) , a sh a sb een s hown b yt h es t udy o ft h e p o t t e ry f r om t h e h i l l f or t o f C e lada Ma r lan t e s ( Ma r co s G a r c ia 1 987 /89 : 2 44 ) . T h e f i nd s o f

I ti sd if i cu l t t oe s tab l i sh t h e a g e o ft h e s p ea r h ead f ound i n S pea r P o t i n Ma t ien zo ( Sm i th 1 985 : 6 0 ) , w h ich i s m o re o r l e s s o f t h e s am e t y p e a s t h e e xamp le f r om C u eva d eL o s S an to s o re ven t h e o ne f r om P e l la d e S ämano h i l lf o r t ( Boh iga s R o ldän & o t he r s 1 999 : 8 7 , Mo l ine ro & o t h e r s 1 992 : 1 57 159 , Mo l ine ro 2 000 : 2 07 -211 ) . T hey a r e w eapon s 2 52 , 2 05

O b serva t ion so nP ro toh is tor ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

c z A

-

-

C

P ro toh is tor ic m e ta l a r tef ac t sf rom C an tabr ia . A . S pear h ead ( F e ) f rom S pea r P o t i n Ma t ienzo ( Sm i th 1 985 ) , B .F ibu la f ragmen t( Cu )f rom A br igo d e lP uyo ( M or lo t ee ta l l i . 1 996 ) , C .F ibu la e nd ( Cu )f rom n ea r C ueva d e Z igus te ( Boh igas e ta l / i . 1 999 ) , D . F ragmen to f ab e l t b rooch ( Cu ) a nd r i ng ( F e )f rom C ueva d e C oven tosa ( M or lo t e e ta l / i . 1 996 ) , Ea nd F , S pear h ead s ( F e )f rom C ueva d e Z igus t e a nd C ueva d e l o s S an tos , G .A xe ( F e )f rom C ueva d e C ovar rub ias ( Boh igas e ta l l i 1 999 ) , H . D oub le s pr ing f i bu la ( Cu )f rom B ärago ( Gonza lez E chegaray 1 983 ) . 2 06

O b s e rva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

C en tu ry a nd s t a r t o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry BC ( A rgen te O l ive r 1 994 : 8 8 ) . I nt h ec en t r eo ft h eP en in su la t h i s s ame m od e l i sd a ted b e twe en t h e s e cond h a lf o ft h e 3 rd C en tu ry a nd t h ef i r s th a l fo ft h e2 nd C en tu ry BC ( Gonza l e z Z amo ra 1 999 : 1 83 -184 ) . T h i s t yp e o f f i bu la i sp a r t icu la r ly c ommon i nt h ea r ea a tt h eh ead o f t h e D ue ro V a l ley , a nd i s o ne o f t h e mo s t c ha rac t e r i s t ic o f t h e N o r th Me se ta . C e l t ibe r ian p o t te ry m ad eo nt h ew h ee l h a sb e en r e cove red a tt h e h i l l f o r t o f Ma rue leza ( V izcaya ) , d a tab le i n t h e s e cond h a l fo ft h e2 nd C en tu ry BC ( Va ld d s 1 986 ) . I t i st h e r e f o r e s omewha tm o r er e cen tt h an t h e s t e lae a t t h e n ea rb y s h r ine o f G a s t ibu ru , o f t h e s t a r t o f t h e 2 nd C en tu ry .

C e l t ib e r ian c o in s o r d ena r i i i n C an tab r ia g ene ra l ly p r ov id e m o re e v id ence o ft h e s ame . T h e n ine c eca s a mong t h e e l even c o in s t h a t a r e c u r r en t ly k nown w e r e m in ted i n C e l t ib e r ia a nd o t he r p o in t s o f t h e E b ro V a l ley , c ove r ing ap e r iod f r om t h e l a s tq ua r te r o f t h e 2 nd C en tu ry BC t o a bou t 7 0 BC ( Cepeda O c ampo 1 999 : 2 60 , V ega d e l a T o r r e 1 983 : 2 59 -260 ) . C a to s pok e o f t h e r e la t ion sh ip b e twe en b o th a r ea s( O r ig in s , V I I ) . I ti su sua l ly s uppo sed t h a tt h er ou te o fi n f lu ence a nd p ene t ra t ion o f t h e se c u l tu ra l m ovem en t s w a s t h e n a tu ra l r ou te f o rmed b y t h e v a l ley o f t h e R ive r B e saya ( Boh iga s R o ld än 1 986 /87 : 1 36 ) . We b e l ieve t h a tt h i sw ay h a so f t en b een o ve r ra ted i nt h i sa sp ec t , e v en t r an sf o rmed i n to t h e m i l i ta ry r ou t e f o r t h e R oman l e g ion st h a t c onque red C an tab r ia a tt h e e nd o ft h e i s t C en tu ry BC ( Ga r c ia yB e l l ido 1 953 : 2 00 ) . We d o n o t w an t t om in im i se t h i s a n c ien t w ay , b u t s uppo se t h a t n e ce s sa r i ly t h e r e mu s t h ave b e en mo r e t h an o ne r ou te . O n e e xamp le t h a t c an b e g i ven h a s b e en s ugge s ted b y t h e r e cen t d i scov e r ie s o fR oman m i l i ta ry c amp s , s ome o ft h em i nt h ep ro ce s so fb e ing e x cava ted . T hu sa no the rr ou t ec ou ld h av eg on ef r om C ua r tango v a l ley i n A lava , t o t h e c amp a t A ndago s te ( Unzu e ta P or t i l la & O cha ran L a r rondo 1 9 99 ) , a nd e n t e r ed C an tab r ia f r om t h e s ou th ea s t . I t w ou ld h ave p a s sed t h e s e r ie s o f s i te s i n S i e r ra d e l E scudo , p a ra l le l t ot h e R ive r P a s ( P e ra l ta L ab rado r 1 996 , 1 998 a nd 1 999 ) , a nd r e a ched t h e B ay o f S an tand e r . T h i si sc l ea r ly t h em o s td i re c t r ou t ef r om t h e E b ro v a l ley , a nd w e h ave a l r eady s e en t h e i n f luen ce o f t h i s a r ea , C e l t ib e r ian t e r r i to ry c onque red a c en tu ry b e f o r e b y R om e , w ho c a r r ied o u t r e c ru i tm en t a mong t h e i r p opu la t ion ( Ro ldän H e rvä s 1 986 ) .

B u t t h e p r eh i s to r ic p opu la t ion s o n t h e n o r th e rn S pan i sh c oa s tw e re n o ts ou n if o rm i ne ve ry a sp ec ta s t h e s e a r t e f a c t s m igh t s ugge s t . A r chaeo log ica l r e sea r ch h a s i nd ica ted t h a t , e x c lu s ive ly i n C an tab r ia , c ave s w e r e u sed d u r ing c en tu r ie s a s b u r ia l p l a ce s . T h i s c u l tu ra l p henomenon i s n o t k nown i n t h e B a squ e C oun t ry , e xc ep t f o r t h e o cca s iona l u se o f t h e c ave o f S o lacueva d e L acozmon t e , i n A lava ( L lano s O r t iz d e L anda luce 1 991 ) , c onf i rm ing t h a t c u l tu ra l p henomena t e nd t o d if e r i n t h i s r eg ion a nd C an tab r ia i n r e cen t p reh i s to r i c p ha s e s ( Go n za le z S a in z & G onza l ez Mo ra le s 1 986 : 3 13 ) . L ik ew i se , o n t h e o ppo s i te s i d e o f C an tab r ia i n A s tu r ia s , C e l t ibe r ian p o t te ry , d a ted i nt h e m idd le o ft h e i s t C en tu ry BC , h a s o n ly b e en f o und i nC u eva d e l aZ u r ra i nL lane s ( A r ia s C aba l 1 991 : 2 43 , n o te 2 5 ) . 6 .P rov i s iona lC onc lu s ion A l though i th a s o f t en b een s a id t h a t i nt h e l a t e I r on A g e t h e t e r r i to ry o f t h e p r e sen t -day r eg ion o f C an tab r ia h ad ab ackwa rd a nd e ndogam ic c u l tu r e , f r om t h e a bov e e xp lana t ion s a nd a na ly s i s t h e f i r s t c on c lu s ion t h a tc an b er e a ched i st h a ti tw a s , i nf a c t , a n e x ten s ion o ft h o se c u l tu r e s e x i s t ing i nt h e N o r th Me se ta . I tw a s , h ow ev e r , m o r ec l ea r ly i n f luen ced b y t h e C e l t ib e r ian a r ea i nt h e n or th ea s t a nd i ng en e ra l i n t h e E b ro V a l ley , t h an b y t h e V a cce i a r ea t ot h e w e s t . T h i s g eog raph ica l cu l tu ra l r e a l i ty w a s a l so t o b e t h e n o rm i nl a t e rc en tu r ie s , e sp ec ia l ly d u r ing t h e R oman d om ina t ion a nd t h e m ed ieva l r e -popu la t ion . B u t t h e i nd ig enou s p opu la t ion s o f C an tab r ia m a in ta in ed c e r ta in c ha ra c te r i s t ic s o f t h e i r o wn , i nh e r i t ed f r om t h e i ra n ce s to r s . T h e se c omb ined w i th t h e e x t e rna l i n f luen ce s , c r ea t ing an ew c u l tu re t h a t s e em ing ly h ad ap e r sona l i ty o fi t s o wn , a l though i t i si mpo s s ib le t od ef in e i tf u r the r d u e t ot h e p re sen t l e ve lo fr e sea rch . We t h e r e f o r ef i nd an o r th er ne dge , o r h in t e r land , t o t h e c u l tu r e o f t h e Me se ta w h ich c ov e r ed t h e a r ea t o t h e s ou th o f C an tab r ia . T he s i tua t ion w a s a ppa r en t ly s im i la r a l ong t h e e n t i re

H oweve r , t h e c u l tura l c ha ra c t e r i s t ic s t h a t w e h ave d e sc r ib ed f o r C an tab r ia a r e v e ry s im i la r ( f o r t h e m omen t ) t o t ho s e t ha t a r cha eo log ica l r e s ea r ch i s s t a r t ing t o s how f o r t h e w ho le o ft h e n o r th o f t h e I b e r ian P en in su la . B eg inn ing i n t h e w e s t , i n A s tu r ia s , s om e o ft h e mo s t t y p ica l o b je c t sf ound a r e s im i la r t o t h o se w e h ave d e s c r ib ed f o r C an tab r ia : s u ch a sf i bu la ew i th at owe ro rt u rned b a se ,o rC e l t ic b e l t b roo ch e s l i k e t ho se f r om t h e h i l l f o r t o f S an C hu i s( Maya 1 988 : 9 5 108 ) . E qua l ly , t ot h ee a s t i nt h e B a sque C oun t ry t h e r e a r e s i t e s l i k eB e r r eaga ( V izcaya ) w i th p o t t e ry a nd m e ta l a r t e f ac t s t h a t c ha ra c te r i se a l o ca l f a c ie s o f C e l t ib e r ian t y p e ( Unzue ta P o r t i l la 1 991 , 1 994 : 10 ) . O ne o b jec t t h a t i s t y p ica l o f t h e Me se ta i s a s ymme t r ica l f i bu la ( Schu l e , 1 969 -1 : 1 51 ) w i th z oocepha lou s e nd s ( Unzue ta P o r t i l la 1 994 : 1 08 ) , a L a T dne t y p e o r o f d oub le p ro longa t ion e nd ing i n d i ve r se a do rnmen t s ( Type 8 ,1 . 2 ) i nJ .L . A rgen t e ' s t y po logy , d a t ed b e tween t h e s e cond h a l f o ft h e 4 th 2 07

O b serva t ion so nP ro toh i s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

B oh iga s R o ldän , R . e ta l i i . , 1 986 /87 . L a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia . E s tado d e l a c ue s t iön . A c ta s d e l C o loqu io I n t ernac iona l s obr e l a e dad d e lH ier ro e n l a Mese ta N or t e , Z ephy rus = W C -XL , S a lamanca , p p .119 138 .

n or the rn c oa s t , b o th i nt h ew e s t a nd a bove a l l i nt he e a s t ,t h ep re sen t -day B a sque C oun t ry . I n t h i s w ay w e c an c l ea r ly s e e t ha t t he f i r s t o b jec t s c om ing f r om t he se c on tac t sw i th t he S ou th a r r ive i n t he 4 th C en tu ry BC , o r e ven e a r l ie r . T he c on tac t s

B oh iga s R o ldän , R . e t a h. , 1 999 . E l c a s t ro d e l a P e i la d e S ämano : O p idum ( S )amanorum , R eg io C an tabrorum , S an tande r , p p .79 -89 .

w e re i n ten s if ied i nt h ef o l low ing c en tu r ie s , a si nt he e xamp le o fC e lada Ma r lan te sh i l lf or t , i nt h e 2 nd a nd i s t C en tu r ie s . E ven h e re a f ew a r tef ac t s h ave b een f ound , s uch a s af r agmen t o f al i d , who se o n ly p a ra l le l s a r e i n s e t t lemen t s i nt h e E b ro v a l ley g o ing b ack t o t he 4 th C en tu ry BC ( Ma rco s G a rc ia 1 987 /89 ) .

C a s t i l lo I g le s ia s , B . , 1 997 . P ur ia l c on v a ina , H ispan ia R omana . D esd e T i er ra d e C onqu is ta aP rov inc ia R omana d e l I mper io , Mad r id , p . 340 . C e rd e f lo S e r rano , M al . , 1 978 . L o s b roche s d e c i n tu rön p en in su la re sd et i po c d l t ico , T raba jos d eP reh is tor ia 3 5 , Mad r id , p p .280 -306 .

I t i s p robab le t ha t t h e e xpan s ion t ha t h a s b een p ropo sed f o r C e l t ibe r ian p opu la t ion s a t t he e nd o f

C epeda , J . J . , 1 999 . L a c i r cu la c iön mone ta r ia e n l a C an tab r ia r omana . D el ac onqu i s ta a ls i g lo I I ,

t he 5 th C en tury o rs t a r to ft h e4 th C en tu ry ( Labeaga Mend io la 1 991-92 : 3 22 ) a f ec ted C an tab r ia a nd t he

R eg io C an tabrorum , S an tand e r , p p .259 -268 .

a rea a r ound Ma t ienzo i n s ome w ay t ha t c anno t y e t b e d e te rm ined . T he e xamp le s o f p r e -Roman me ta lwo rk ing t ha t w eh ave a na ly sed h e re c ou ld b e a r e f lec t ion o ft h is .

C oe lho F e r re i ra d a S i lva , A . , 1 986 . A c u l tura c as t re ja n o n oroes t e d e P or tuga l , P aw s d e F e r re i ra . D e ibe B a lba s , M a .A . , 1 986 /88 . Una p tu i ta d e l anza d e R iar io d e I b io , S au tuo la V . S an tande r , p p .63-69 .

A cknow ledgemen t s

F er nänd ez A cebo , V . , 1 994 . E s tud ios , P a t r imon io e i nven ta r io d e l a s c av idad es d e l Mun ic ip io d e M iera , B o le t in C än tabro d e E spe leo log ia 1 0 ,

T he a u tho r w ou ld l i k e t o t hank I do ia F i l loy , c o -d ir ec to r o ft h e e xcava t ion s a tL a H oya c eme te ry , f o r k ind ly p rov id ing u npub l i shed i n f o rma t ion a bou t t he d e co ra t ive b ronze p laque sf ound a tt he s i te .

S an tand e r . F er nand ez I b ar i ez , C . , 1 999a . P laca d et a ha l i p a ra l a s u spen s ion d e l ad aga e n e le j d rc i to r omano : e n t re l aR epub l ica y e lI mpe r io ap ropö s i to d e i mh a l lazgo e ne lc ampamen to d el aL eg io l i l I Macedön ica ( He r re ra d e P i sue rga , P a lenc ia , E spar i a ) , S au tuo la &V I , S an tand e r , p p .335 -346 . F er nänd ez I bär i ez , C . , 1 999b . B roche d e c i n tu rön , C än tabros . L a GMes is d e u n P ueb lo ,

R eference s A rgen te O l ive r , J . L . , 1 994 . L a sf i bu las d e l a Edad d e l H ier ro e n l a Mese ta o r ien ta l . V a lorac iön t i po lög ica , c rono lög ica y c u l tura l , E xcavac iones A rqueo lög ica s e n E spana 1 68 , Mad r id . A r ia s C aba l , P . , 1 991 . D e c a zadores a c ampes inos . L a t r ans ic iön a l n eo l i t ico e n l a r eg iön c an täbr ica , S an tand e r . A r ia s C aba l , P . ,

S an tand e r , p . 278 . F er nänd ez I b är i ez , C . ,

1 999 . An te s d e l o s C än tab ro s .

C an tabr ia .

" He r ranüen tas d e

P ueb lo , S an tande r , p . 346 . F i l loy N ieva , I . , 1 990 . T aha l ie s yo t ro s e l emen to s d e a nc la je e nl an ec röpo l i sc e l t ibd r ica d eL aH oya ( Lagua rd ia -A lava ) , N ecröpo l is C e l t i Hr ica s . I ° S impos io s obre l o s C e l t iberos , Z a ragoza , p p .241-246 . F i l loy N ieva , I .& G i l Z ub i l laga , E . , 1 997 . L a s

P ano rama d e l n eo l i t ico yd e l a s e dade s d e l o s m e ta le s e n C an tab r ia , j e r E ncuen t ro d e H is tor ia d e p p .209 -245 .

1 999c .

c a rp in te r ia y c an te r ia . V i l la r robe jo ( Pa lenc ia )" , C än tabros . L a GMes is d e u n

S an tande r ,

B a r r i l V icen te , M a .M . , 1 992 . I n s t rumen to s d e h ie r ro p roceden te s d e y ac im ien to s c e l t ibe r ico s d e l a p rov inc ia d e S o r ia e n e l Mu seo A rqueo lög ico N ac iona l , B o le t in d e l Museo A rqueo lög ico N ac iona lX , Mad r id ,p p .5 -24 . B la s C o r t ina , M .A . yF ernänd ez Manzano , J . , 1 992 . A s tu r ia s yC an tab r ia e n e l p rune r m i len io a .C . , P a leoe tno log ia d e l a P en insu la lUr ica

a rma s d el a sn ec ropo l i s c e l t ibd r ica sd eC a ra s ta y L a H oya ( A lava , E spana ) , L 'Equ ipmen t M i l i ta ir e e tl Armemen t d e l aI Upub l ique ( B /9 -r s . a van t J . -C . ) , J ourna l o f R oman M i l i tary E qu ipmen t p p .137 -150

( M .A lmag ro -Go rbea y G .Ru iz Z apa te ro e d s .) , C omp lu tum 2 3 , Mad r id , p p .399 -416 .

S tud ies

8 ,

(W ord ,

G a r c ia y B e l l ido . A . , 1 953 . L a e xcavac iön d e l a a n t igua c i udad c än tab ra d e I u l iob r iga ,A rch ivo E spano l d e A rqueo log ia ) 0 CV I , Mad r id , p p .193 -207 . 2 08

Ob se rva t ion so nP ro to lü s to r ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

Mo l ine ro A r royabe , J .T . , A l io to Mo l ine ro , T . & A rozamena V izcaya , J . F . , 1 992 . C a s t ro d e l a P er ia d e S ämano ( Ca s t ro U rd ia le s ) , T raba jos

G a r c ia G u inea , M . A . & R incön , R . , 1 970 . E l a sen tam ien to c än tabro d e C e lada Mar lan tes ( S an tand er ) , S an tand e r . G a rc ia G u inea , M . A . , 1 999 . S ign if icado d e l a e xcava c iön a rqueo lög ica e n e lc a s t ro d e L a s R aba s ( Ce lada Ma r lan te s ) , R eg io

d e A rqueo log ia e n C an tabr ia , Monog raf ias A rqueo lög icas 4 ,S an tand e r , p p .153-166 . Mo l ine ro A r royab e , J .T . , 2 000 . C ar ta a rqueo lög ica d e C as t ro -U rd ia les , C a s t ro U rd ia le s . Mo r lo te , J .M . e ta l i i . , 1 996 . L a s c ueva s s epu lc ra le s

C an tabrorum , S an tand e r ,p p .99 -106 . G onza lez E chega ray , J . , 1 983 . F ibu la d e d ob le r e so r te h a l lada e n B a rago ( Can tab r ia ) , T raba jos d e P reh is tor ia 4 0 , Mad r id , p p .307 -308 .

e n l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n C an tab r ia , L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros , S an tand e r , p p .195 -279 . Pa i l , J . , Mur ioz , E . & Sm it h , P . , 1 981 . L a c ueva d e

G onza lez S a inz , C . &G onza lez Mo ra le s , M . , 1 986 . L ap reh is tor ia e n C an tabr ia , S an tand e r . G onza lez Z amo ra , C . , 1 999 . F ibu la s e n l a

C of re snedo , A .C .D .P .S . Memor ia s 1 980 -81 , S an tand e r ,p p .47 -51 . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . &O ce jo H e r r e ro , A . , 1 996 . E l p ob lam ien to d el aE dad d e lH ie r ro e ne ls e c to r c en t ra l c an täb r ico , L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s

C a rpe tan ia , Mad r id . G r ir iö F ron te ra , B . d e , 1 986 /87 . L o s p ur ia le s d e t i po Mon te B e rnor io -M i raveche , A c ta s d e l C o loqu io I n ternac iona l s obr e l a E dad d e l H ier ro e n l a Mese ta N or t e , Z ephy rus 3 00 CD C -XL , S a lamanca , p p .197 -306 .

C än taros , S an tand e r , p p .21-82 . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . , 1 998 . E lü l t imo b a lua r te d el o s C än tab ro s , R ev is ta d e A rqueo log ia 2 12 , Mad r id , p p .40 -47 . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . , 1 999 . E l a s ed io r omano d e l c a s t ro d e l aE sp ina d e l G a l lego ( Can tab r ia ) y e l p rob lema d e A race l ium , C omp lu tum 1 0 ,

G r ir iö , B . d e , 1 989 . L os p u t la les d e t i po Mon t e B ernor io -M ira veche . U n a rma d e l aS egunda E dad d e l H ier ro e n l a C uenca d e l D uero 2 V l s . ,B .A .R .1 -S . 5 04 , Ox f o rd .

Mad r id , p p .195 -212 . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . , 1 999 . L o s c a s t ro s c än tab ro s y

H öck , M . yC oe lho , L . , 1 972 . Ma te r iao s m e tä l ico s d a c o lecc k a rqueo lög ica d o Mu seu A bad e d e B aca l e n B ragan ca , 0A rqueö logo P or tugu& s V I ( S e r ie HP ) ,L i sboa , p p .219 -251 .

l o s c ampamen to s r omano s d e T o ranzo y d e I gur ia . P ro sp ecc ione s y s ond eo s ( 1996 -97 ) , L a s G uer ra s C än tabra s , S an tand e r , p p .203-297 . R o ldän H e rvä s , J .M . , 1 986 . L o s r e c lu tanüen to s r omano s e n e l v ale d e l E b ro , e n e poca r epub l icana , E s tud ios e n H omena je a l D r . A n ton io B e l t rän Mar t inez , Z a ragoza , p p .761-779 . R ov i ra L lo ren s , S .& S anz N ä je ra , M a .S . , 1 986 /87 .

J imeno , A . e t a l i i . , 1 999 . E l u t i l la je d e h i e r ro e n Numanc ia y s u i n f luenc ia e conöm ica , A c ta s d e lI V °S impos io s obre C e l t iberos . E conom ia , Z a ragoza , p p .103 -113 . L lano s O r t iz d e L anda luce , A . , 1 991 . E xcavac ione s e n l a c av idad d e S o lacueva d e L akozmon te ( J öcano -A lava ) C uad ernos

c ampar ia s d e

P reh is tor ia -Arqueo log ia p p .121-155 .

d e

1 980 -81 , S ecc iön .

4 , S an

S eba s t iän ,

A p rox imac iön a l e s tud io d e l a t e c iüca d e e l abo rac iön d e l o s b ro che s d e c i n tu rön d e l a r ea c u l tu ra l M iraveche -Mon te B e rno r io , A c tas d e l C o loqu io I n t ernac iona l s obr e l a E dad d e lH ier ro e n l a Mese ta N or t e ,Z ephy rus

L abeaga Mend io la , J .C . , 1 991-92 . L o s b roche s d e c i n tu rön e n e l p ob lado d e L a C u s tod ia . V iana -Nava r ra , T raba jos d e A rqueo log ia Na var ra 1 0 , P amp lona ,p p .317 336 .

) 00 W C -XL , S a lamanca ,p p .353 -363 . R u iz C obo , J . , 1 999 . L a c ueva d e C of re snedo ( Ma t ienzo , C an tab r ia ) : b a se s p a ra s u e s tud io , R eg io C an tabrorum , S an tand e r , p p .31-41 . R u iz V e r lez , I .& E lor za G u inea , J .C . , 1 997 . L o s

L or r io , A .L . , 1 997 . L os c e l t iberos , Mad r id . Ma rco s G a rc ia , M . A . , 1 986 /87 . E s t ruc tu ra s d ef en s iva s e n l o s c a s t ro s c än tab ro s d e l a c abece ra d e l E b ro , A c ta s d e l C o loqu io I n ternac iona l s obre l a Edad d lH ier ro e n l a Mes e ta N or t e , Z ephy rus ) 00 C IX -XL , S a lamanca , p p .479 -483 . Ma rco s G a rc ia , M . A . , 1 987 /89 . L a c e räm ica c omo

p ur ia le s d e l a n ec röpo l i s " p ro toh i s tö r ica" d e V ilanueva d e T eba ( Bu rgo s ) , B o l e t in d e l a I ns t i tuc iön " F en ian G onzä le z" 2 15 , B u rgo s , p p .273-303 . R u iz V e r lez , I . , E lo rza G u in ea , J .C . & A bä so lo A lva rez , JA . , 1 999 . L a n e c röpo l i s p ro toh i s tö r ica d e V i l lanu eva d e T eba

f u en te p a ra e l c onoc inüen to h i s tö r ico -e tnog räf ico d e C an tab r ia e n l a a n t igüedad , P ub l icac iones d e l I ns t i tu to d e E tnog raf ia y F o lk lor e " H oyos S ä inz" X I I I ,

( Bu rgo s ) : l a s p l aca s d e t i po a nda luz , E s tud ios e n Homena je a l P rf MA .G arc ia G u inea , S au tuo la V I , S an tand e r , p p .297 -306 .

S an tand e r , p p .233-244 . Maya , I L . , 1 988 . L a c u l tura ma t er ia ld e l o sc a s t ros a s tur ianos ,B a r ce lona .

2 09

O b serva t ion so nP ro to lü s tor ic Me ta lwo rk ing i nC an tab r ia

S anz M inguez , C . , 1 990 . Me ta l i s te r ia p re r romana

U nzue ta P or t i l la , M . , 1 993 . I nd igen i smo p re r romano e n l av er t ien te c an täb r ica d e l P a is

e n l a c uenca d e l Due ro . U na p ropue s ta s e cuenc ia l p a ra l o s p u i la le s d e T ipo Mon te B e rno r io , B o le t in d e l S em inar io d e A r t e y

V a sco : f uen te s d ocumen ta le s y c on tex t° a rqueo lög ico , P rob lemä t ica d e l a R econs t rucc iön d e l P ob lam ien to e n e l P a is V a sco : U n e nf oque I n t erd isc ip l ina r ,I l lunzar —

A rqueo log ia LV I , V a l lado l id , p p .170 -188 . S anz M inguez , C . , 1 997 . L os B acheos : c u l tura y

9 4 , G e rn ika , p p .101-112 .

r i tos f unerar ios d e u np ueb lo p r er romano d e l v a l le m ed io d e l D uero . L a n ec ropo l is d e L a s R ueda s , P ad i l la d e D uero ( V a l lado l id ) , V a l lado l id . S chü le , W . , 1 969 . D ie Mes e ta -ku l turen d er I ber ischen Ha lb inse l —2T omo s , B e r l in .

U nzue ta P or t i l la , M . & O cha ran L a r rondo , J .A . , 1 999 . A p rox imac iön a l a c onqu is ta r omana d e l c an täb r ico o r ien ta l : e l c ampamen to y /o c ampo d e b a ta l la d e A ndago s te ( Cua r tango , A lava ) , R eg io C an tabrorum , S an tand e r , p p .125 142 . V a lde s , L . .G . , 1 986 . E l c a s t ro d e Ma rue leza , V izcaya . L a s p r ime ra s c e ränüca s at o mb c e l t ibe r ica s , P ro toh is tor ia C a ta lana . C o l loqu i I n ternac iona l d 'Arqueo log ia d e P u igcerdä ,P u igc e rdä , p p .395 -401 .

S erna , A . , V a l le , W.A . & Mu l ioz , E . , 1 996 . P ob lado s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n e l a r ea c o s te ra d e C an tab r ia , L a A rqueo log ia d e l o s C än tabros . A c ta s d e l a P r imera R eun ion s obr e l a E dad d e l H ier ro e n C an tabr ia , S an tand e r ,p p .83-93 . Sm i th , P . & Mu t ioz , E . , 1 984 . L a o cupac iön d e l a s c ueva s e n l a E dad d e l H ie r ro , B o le t in C än tabro d e E spe leo log ia 4 , S an tande r ,

V a ld e s , L .G . , 1 986 . C a s t ro d e Ma rue leza 8 4 , V i to r ia , ( Navärn iz ) , A rk eo ikuska p p .64 -66 . 1 993 . S an tua r io d e G a s t ibu ru V a ld e s , L .G . , A rk eo ikuska 9 2 , V i to r ia , ( A r razu ) ,

p p .129 -139 . Sm i th , p . , 1 985 . R e s to s d e l a E dad d e l H ie r ro e n Ma t ienzo ( San tand e r ) , A l tam ira XLV , S an tand e r ,p p .45-66 . Unzue ta P or t i l la , M . , 1 991 . R ec in to f o r t if icado d e

p p .137 141 . an tua r io V a ld e s , L . , 1 994 . L a s e s te la s d e l s A r r a z u a , p ro toh i s tö r ico d e G a s t ibu ru , V izcaya . Ap rox imac iön a l mundo e s t i l is t ico d e l o s c a r i s t io s ( s . I I -a .J .C . ) , A c ta s d e l V ° C ong r eso I n ternac iona ld eE s t e la sF unerar ias V o l .I , S o r ia , p p .139 -145 .

B e r reaga ( Mung ia , G am iz -F ika , Z amud io ) , A rk eo ikuska —9 0 , V i to r ia ,p p .53-54 .

V ega d e l aT o r re , J .R . , 1 983 . Num i smä t ica a n t igua d e l a p rov inc ia d e S an tande r , S au tuo la I I , S an tand e r , p p .235 -270 .

2 10

P ar tF our

H e l ic t i tes i n aMa t ienzo C ave , a nd t h e d agg er a nd r e touched f l in tb lad ef rom C of r esned o

T he S equen ce o fH uman O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

R e su l t s : T he S equence o f Human O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

1 .I n troduc t ion

I tc an b e d if i cu l t e nough t oe s tab l i sh h ow ac e r ta in t e r r i to ry w a s o ccup ied a nd u sed b y ah uman g roup e v en i n h i s to r ica l t ime s , w h en m uch m o r e i n f o rma t ion i sa va i lab le . F o rp r eh i s tor ic p opu la t ion s t h et a sk b ecome ss od if i cu l tt h a ta ny a mb i t iou sa im s i nt h i sr e sp ec th ave t ob ed i s ca rd ed .

A s ar e su l t , t h eh ypo th e se so u t l in ed i nt h ef o l low ing s e c t ion s , o rgan i sed i n c h rono log ica l o rd e r a nd r e con s t ruc t ing t h e s e quence o f h um an u s e i n t h e d ep r e s s ion . s hou ld b e u nd e r s tood a s a p ar t ia l i n te rp r e ta t ion , o b ta ined i n g r ea t p a r t f r om t h e r e ad ing o f ab i a sed s e lec t ion o fm a te r ia l .

I n a ny c a s e . t h e p rob lem s i n t h e r e con s t ruc t ion o f t h e s e quence o f h uman o ccup a t ion i n Ma t ienzo t h roughou t P r eh i s to ry d o n o t l i e s o m uch i n t h e s c a r c i ty o f i n f o rma t ion a s i n d oub t s a bou t i t s r e p r e sen ta t iv i ty . T ha t i s , w e d o n o t k now i ft h e k nown p a r t o fe a ch s i te i sr e p r e s en ta t ive o ft h e s i t e a s aw ho le , o r i ft h e k nown s i t e s o f a ny g i ven a r cha eo log ica l p er iod a r e r ep r e s en ta t ive o ft h e r e a l h uman u s e d u r ing t h a t p e r iod . T he c ho ic eo fs amp le s i t e sa nd m a te r ia l sa lway s i n vo lv e sb i a sed f a c to r s . a s w e l la sc hanc e , a l though t h ee xp lo ra t ion o ft h ec av e s i n Ma t ienzo h a sb e en r e la t ive ly s y s t ema t ic .

2 .P a laeo l i th ic a nd E p ipa laeo l i th ic T he e a r l ie s t p ha s e s o f h uman o ccup a t ion i n C an tab r ia a r es t i l l n o tk nown i n Ma t ienzo . A l though t h ea pp ea ranc eo fs t on ei mp lemen t so ft h el owe ra nd m idd le P a laeo l i th ic i s r e la t ive ly c ommon i n C an tab r ia . b o th i n c av e s a nd i n t h e o pen a i r . n o e xamp le s h av eb een f o und i n Ma t ienzo . T h e n ea r e s t s i te sa r ep robab ly t h e l owe rP a laeo l i th ic r i v e rt e r ra ce i n R ama le s d e l aV ic to r ia ( Mon te s 1 999 ) , a nd t h e Mou s te r ian d epo s i t i nA b r igo R o jo , a l so i nR ama le s ( Mu t loz & o t he r s 1 987 ) . O n m any o cca s ion s i n C an tab r ia l ow e r P a laeo l i th ic s i te s h av e b een f o und d ur ing b u i ld ing w o rk , i n vo lv ing l a rge s c a le m ovemen t s o fe a r th , a nd t h e s e c ond i t ion s h av e n o t a pp l ied i n Ma t ienzo . S o . t h eo l d e s tp e r iod sk nown i n t h ed ep re s s ion c o r re spond t ot h eU pp e rP a laeo l i th ic .

T h i s p rob lem i sg r ea te s t i n m o r e r e cen t p e r iod s , i n t h eH o lo cene . w h en t h eu se m ad eo fc ave sb yh uman g r oup s w a s t r an s f o rmed . B e f o r e t h a t t h ey h ad b een p l a ce s o fs he l t e r o rm o r e o r l e s s s t ab le h ab i ta t s . b u t a s s oon a s t h e h ab i ta t w a s e s tab l i shed i nt h e o p en a i r , c av e s w e r e u s ed f o r mo re m a rg ina l p u rpo s e s . I t t hu s b e come s d i ff icu l t t o k now t h e w ay o f l i f e o f h uman g r oup sf r om t h em a te r ia l sl e f tb yt h e se u se s .

l ti sl i ke ly t h a t m any c ave s w e r e u s ed i nt h e U pp e r P a laeo l i th ic , d ue t ot h e l o ng t ime s p an i n vo lved , b u t t h e o n ly d i g t ob e c a r r ied o u t h a sb een i nC u eva d e C o f r e sn edo . E x cep t f o r t h i s s i t e , t h e o n ly ma t e r ia l s k nown h av eb e en f ound o nt h es u r f ace o ft h ef l oo ro r w a l l s o f s om e s e v en o r e i gh t c ave s . T he se a r e : S o ta r rar i a , Embo scado s , C obu r ruyo , R a scav ie ja , Mo l ino , A b r igo d e L a C uevona , E l R i sco , a nd A b r igo d el o sC ub ilon e s .

T h e m a in p rob lem i s t h e r e f o r e t h e l a ck o f i n f o rma t ion a bou t p o s t -Pa laeo l i th i c o pen -a i r s i t e s . T he C an tab r ian r e g ion h a s m any d i sadvan tag e s i n t h i s r e sp e c t ; i t s d en se v ege ta t ion c ov e ra nd c omp lex g eomo rpho logy m ean t h a t a r cha eo log ica l s i t e s o n ly b ecom e v i s ib l e w hen t h e g round i sd i s tu rbed , a nd w h en t h a t h app en s t h e s i t e s h av e u sua l ly b een d amag ed .

C o f r e sn edo i s i n m any w ay s t y p ica l o f U pp e r P a laeo l i th ic c av e si nC an tab r ia . I ti sl o ca t ed n ea rt h e v a l ley f l oo r , b u t i n ad om inan t p o s i t ion , c on t ro l l ing f r om i t se n t ran ce t wo o ft h ev a l ley s i nt h e Ma t ienzo d ep r e s s ion . T he v e s t ibu le f a ce s e a s t , i ti sw e l l l i t f r om t h e e n t r anc e , a nd i sg en e ra l ly d ry . I th a s a n a va i lab le a r ea o f o v e r 1 000 s qua r e m e t r e s . P a la eo l i th ic ma t e r ia l s h av e b e en f ound i n s e ve ra l p o in t s a nd i ti sp robab le t h a t al a rg e p a r t o f t h e v e s t ibu le w a so c cup ied .

A no the r b i a s i st h e u s e o f t h e h i l l r i dge s a r ound Ma t ien zo a st h e l i m i t s o fo u r a r ea o fs t udy . On ly a s ho r td i s tanc eo u t s id et h i sa r t if i c ia lb ounda ry w ec an f i nd a r cha eo log ica l s i t e s o f d if e r en t p e r iod s a nd t y pe s , i n c lud ing Me so l i th ic r o ck sh e l te r s a nd m egal i th i c s t ru c tu r e s . I tc an b e s uppo sed t h a t , f o r t h ed if e r en tp r eh i s to r ic g roup s , Ma t ienzo w a sj u s ta p a r t o f amu ch w id e rt e r r i to ry , i n c lud ing p a r to ft h e M ie ra v a l ley a nd t h eu pp e ra nd l ow e rc ou r se s o ft h e R iv e rA sön . S i t e sa c ro s st h i sw id e ra r ea h av es im i la r p rof i le sa nd h omog eneou sa s semb lag e s .

T h el i th ic a s semb lag ef o und i nt h ee x cava ted a r ea i s n o t e spe c ia l ly s i gn if ican t , b u t i sc ompa rab le w i th t h a t o fo t h e r C an tab r ian s i te s . S eve ra l t y pe s o fr aw m a t e r ia l w e r e u sed , i n c lud ing d i v e r se t y p e s o ff l in t , f r om Ma t ienzo a nd a bov e a l l f r om o u t s id e a r ea s . 2 13

R e su l t s : T h eS equen ce o fH uman O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ien zo

S ome o f t h e s e t y p e s c an b e i d en t if i ed a s c om ing f r om t h e p r e sen t -day c oa s t o fC an tab r ia . B u t o t h e r s c om e f r om u nknown l o ca t ion s , a nd mu s t h ave b e en i mpo r ted f r om q u i te l o ng d i s tanc e s . A no th e r c ommon m a t e r ia l i s ak ind o f s i l iceou s m a r l t h a t e x i s t s i nt h ef o rm o fn odu le s , t h e n ea r e s tl o ca t ion o f wh ich i s i n t h e b ed o f t h e R ive r G ända ra , n ea r R ama le sd el aV ic to r ia . Among t h e o t h e ro b je c t sf o und t h e r e a r e af r agm en t o f a n a n t le r r od a nd p e r f o ra ted m a r in e s he l l s . T h e m o s t i mpo r tan t a n ima l s p e c ie s i d en t if ied a r e r e d d ee r a nd h o r se , a sw e l l a s i b ex a nd c a rn ivo re s ( f ox a nd c ave b ea r ) . S o t h e p r e l im ina ry r e su l t s f r om t h e f i r s t t r ia l d i g i nd ica te t h a t C o f re snedo c ou ld h ave b een u sed l i k e o t he r c en t ra l h ab i ta t s i te s i n t h e r e g ion . I tc ou ld h ave b een o c cup ied b y ac omp le t e h uman g r oup . T he g ame h un ted i n t h e s u r round ing a r ea ; d e e r , h o r se s a nd i b ex , w a s c on sumed a r ound f i r e s , a nd b one a nd f l in t t o o l s w e r e m anu f a c tu red . T he c ha ra c te r o ft h e l i th ic a s semb lag e . a nd t h e p r e sen ce o f i t em s o f a do rnmen t l i k e t h e p i e r ced s h e l l s , s ugg e s t t h a t t h e o ccupa t ion w a s m o r e o r l e s s p e rmanen t . I n t h e s am e h i l l a s C o f re snedo , b u t a t ah ighe r a l t i tud e , C obu r ruyo a nd R a scav ie ja h ave f u r th e r e v id en ce o fo c cupa t ion . T he f i r s t o ft h e se i s al a rg e e n t rance , a l though n o t s o d eep a nd s h e l te r ed a s C of r e snedo , w he r e a l a y e r c an b e s e en w i th f r e eze thaw s ha t te r ed s t one s , b one s a nd f l in t s . R a scav ie ja i s as ho r t d i s tance t o t h e e a s t , a nd i t s e n t rance h a s a t h in l a ye r o f m a t e r ia l w i th a P a laeo l i th ic a pp ea ran ce .

E ng ra v ing o f ah i nd ' s h ead a nd n eck i n C ueva d e l o s Embo scad os ( f i gur e 2o np ag e 1 51 ) T h e o t h e r P a laeo l i th ic c av e s i n Ma t ienzo a r e f o und i n d if e r en t p a r t s o f t h e v a l ley . C ueva d e l o s Embo s cado s , a tt h e n o r th er n e nd o ft h e d ep re s s ion h a s a g roup o f Magda len ian e ng rav ing s a nd p a in t ing s , b u t n o e v id en ce o f h ab i ta t ion h a s b een f o und i n t h e s e r ie s o f r o ck she l te r s a ti t s e n t ranc e . H owev e r t h i s m ay s imp ly b e b ecau se n o d ig s h av e b een c a r r ied o u t t h e r e . o rb ecau se t h e s ed im en t h a s b een e r od ed a way . O n ly s ma l l r ema in s o f a Me so l i th ic s h e l l -m idd en a r e f ound c a lc i ted t o t h e w a l lo ft h er o ck she l t e r , a nd t h e r e s to ft h a td epo s i ta t l e a s t h a s d i sappea r ed . C e r ta in ly t h e s ou th f a c ing p o s i t ion , i t s l o ca t ion a bov e t h e r i ve r s i nk , a nd p ano r am ic v i ew o v e r t h e v a l ley m ak e i ti d ea l f o r a h ab i ta t . T he s am e i st r u ef o rA b r igo d eL aC uevona , w h e r e as i ng le f l in ti s ,h ow ev e r , t h eo n ly e v id en ce o f t h ec av e 's u se .

L owe r d own t h e h i l l s id e , C ueva d e S o ta r raf i a i sa c oo le r , m o r e h um id c av e . E v id en ce h a s b een f ound o f aP a la eo l i th ic l a ye r i nt h ef i r s t p a s sage , a l though w e k now l i t t le o fw ha t w a s f ound . T h i s s am e c av e h a s a n e ng rav ing o f ah ead le s s a n ima l wh ich i s p robab ly o f Magda len ian a g e . A tt h ef o o to ft h e h i l l , t h e r i ve rs i nk s i n to C ueva d e l Mo l ino , w h ich i tf l ow s t h rough b e f o r e r e appea r ing i n t h e v a l le y o fL a S e cada . B o th e nd s o f t h e c ave h ave e v id en c e o f P a laeo l i th ic u s e . I n t h e p r e sen t e n t rance a n ima l b on e s a nd an umb e r o ff l in t s h ave b een f ound a t as ho r td i s tance a bove t h e r i ve r . N ea r t h e o t he r e nd o ft h e c ave , w he r e a n e n t rance wh ich mu s t o nce h ave e x is ted i sn ow b l o cked , a n a r t if ic ia l s t ruc tu r e h a s b e en f ound i n t h e f o rm o f al ow s em ic i r cu la r w a l l . T h e s t a lagm i te t h a t h a s g r own o ve ri ti sp roo fo fi t sg r ea ta g e .

S ima -Cu eva d e l R i sco i s ,l i k e C ueva d e l Mo l ino , a n e xamp le o f ac av e w h e re P a laeo l i th ic ma te r ia l sh av e b een f o und i n s id e a b l ock ed e n t ranc e , o v e r a k i lom e t r e f r om i t s p r e sen t e n t ran c e . Ab one a s sega i

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p e rmanen to ccupa t ion . T he s t on ec i r c le i nC ueva d e l Mo l ino i sf u r the r e v id en ce o ft h e r i tua l u se o ft h e c av e s . O ne o ft h e a im s o ff u tu r e r e se a r ch , w h en t h e c ave sa r e s t ud ied mo r ep r e c i se ly , w i l lb et os e ei ft h e p a r t icu la r c ond i t ion s o f t h e d ep r e s s ion d id i n f a c t h ave a ny i n f luence , d if e r en t ia t ing t h e o ccupa t ion s i n Ma t ienzo f r om t ho se o fc ave s i nt h e s u r round ing a r ea .

p o in ti st h em a in a r te f ac td i scov e red , a sw e l l a sd e e r a n t le r sa nd o t he rb one s . A b r igo d e l o s C ub i l lone s i s l o ca ted a t ah igh e r a l t i tud e t h an t h e o t he r c av e s m en t ioned , a bov e t h e p a s s b e twe en Ma t ien zo a nd t h e v a l ley o fL lueva . I t i s ad e ep r o ck sh e l te r , o f e r ing a na mp le l e ve l s u r f ac e a r ea , a l though i t s p o s i t ion i s s om ewha t e xpo sed , f a c ing n o r thw e s t . Mar ine s h e l l s , L i t tor ina , h av e b e en f ound , a nd t h e t y p e o ff l in t u sed i sa l so f r om t h ec oa s ta la r ea .

N a tu ra l ly , t h e t e r r i to ry o f t h e S t one A ge h un t e r -ga the r e r s c ove r ed a mu ch w id e r a r ea t h an Ma t ien zo a l one a nd t h e o c cupan t s o f C o f r e sn edo h ad c on tac t sw i th t h ec oa s ta l s t r ip a nd p l ace sf u r the r a f i e ld , w he r e t h ey o b ta ined s om e o ft h e i r f l in t , a nd s he l l sl i k et h ep e rf o ra ted e xamp le s .

I n t h i s p r e l im ina ry s t ag e o f o u r k now ledg e o f t h e P a laeo l i th ic i n Ma t ienzo i tb e com e sq u i te d i ff i cu l tt o a s s ign t h e e v id en ce f ound t oa ny p a r t icu la r p e r iod . B o th t h e p a in t ing s a nd t h e d epo s i t i n C u eva d e C o f r e snedo c an b e d a ted p r ov i s iona l ly i n t h e S o lu t rean , w h i le t h e m a te r ia l o r a r t i n S o ta r rar i a , R i sco a nd Embo scado s p robab ly c o r r e spond t o t h e Magda len ian . I ti si mpo s s ib le , h ow eve r , t op ropo se

I n g ene ra l i t c an b e s a id t h a t i n t h e U pp e r P a laeo l i th ic t h ey m ad eu se o fa l lt h e" good c av e s " i n Ma t ienzo , t h e o ne s w i th l a rg ev i s ib le e n t rance s a nd f l a t d r y v e s t ibu le s . Mo s t o f t h em f a ce s ou th . T he a ve rag e h e igh t o ft h e se c ave s a bove t h ev a l ley f l oo r i s c ompa ra t ive ly l ow , y e t t h e e n t ran ce s n o rma l ly h av e c ommand ing v i ew s o v e r l a rg e p a r t s o f t h e d ep re s s ion .

a n e xa c t p ha se o f t h e se p e r iod s . A b r igo d e l o s C ub i l lon e s i sd a t ed i n t h e A z i l ian o r e nd o f t h e Magda len ian . T he l a y e r i n C obu r ruyo , u nd e r l a rg e c olap sed b ou ld e r s , a pp ea r s t o b e o ld e r , f r om a n e a r l ie rp ha se o ft h eU ppe rP a la eo l i th ic .

3 . Me so l i th ic S ome o ft h e se s i te s s how c on t inu i ty i n o c cupa t ion f r om t h e P a la eo l i th ic t o t h e E p ipa la eo l i th ic o r Me so l i th ic . T h i s i st h e c a se o fC o f r e sned o a nd a l so p robab ly Embo scado s . S eve r a l i mpo r tan ts i te si nt h e r e g ion s how t h e s ame c on t inu i ty . T h e m a jo r P a laeo l i th ic c ave o fL a G a rma w a s a l so o ccup ied i n t h e Me so l i th i c ( A r ia s & o t h e r s 1 999a ) , a nd t h e c ave s M i rön a nd E l H omo a tR ama le s w e r e u s ed t h roughou tt h eU ppe rP a laeo l i th ic a nd i nt h eA z i l ian ( Gonzä le z Mo ra le s & S t rau s 2 000 ) . T h e c ave s o f P e r ro a nd L a F ragua b y t h e c oa s t a t S an tor i a , a nd C ho ra a nd O t e ro i nt h el owe rv a l le y o ft h eA sön a r e e xamp le s o f g r oup s o f s i t e s w i th P a laeo l i th ic o c cupa t ion s a nd c av e a r t , a nd a l so Me so l i th ic s h e l l -m idd en s( Gonza lez Mo ra le s &o t he r s2 000 ) .

F o r t h e s t udy o f t h i s p e r iod w e h ave e v id en ce i n s e ven s i te s , a nd i nt wo o ft h em a r chaeo log ica l d i g s h av e b een c ondu c ted . Two c ave s u sed i n t h e Me so l i th ic h ad b een o c cup ied i nt h ep rev iou sp e r iod , C o f r e sned o a nd Embo scado s . T he o t he r f i ve , C ub io R edondo , S ima d e l D ien t e , C ub ia d e S e ld e su to , C ueva Ma r co s a nd C ueva d e l o s C a raco le s , h ave t h e i rf i r s tk nown o ccupa t ion i nt h e Me so l i th ic . We a r en o ta b le t od a te t h eo p en -a i rs i t e so nt h eh i l l s o f Mue la , Mu l l i r a nd L a P i luca , w he r ef l in t n odu le s w e r e e xp lo i ted . I t i s p o s s ib le t h ey w e r e b e ing w o rk ed d u r ing al o ng p e r iod f r om t h eP a laeo l i th ic t o t h e C ha lcol i th ic , w hen f l in t c e a sed t o b e u sed s y s tema t ica l ly . H oweve r t h i s l o ca l b l a ck a nd g r ey f l in t i sf ound mo s t f r equ en t ly i nE p ip a laeo l i t lüc a nd a bov ea l l Me so l i th ic s i te s .

T h i s i so ne w ay i n wh ich t h e e v id enc e o f h uman o ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo f i t s i n w i th t h e g en e ra l p a t te rn k nown f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e r eg ion . A t t h i s p r e l im ina ry s t ag e l i t t le m o r ec an b e s t a t ed , b u tu n t i l q u i te r e c en t ly t h e r e w a s h a rd ly a ny e v id en ce o f P a laeo l i th ic a g ei n Ma t ienzo . T he r ew e r er e a son s t o s ugge s t t h a t p e rhap s Ma t ienzo h ad n o t b e en o c cup ied . A s a n i s o la ted d ep r e s s ion i tm igh t h ave b e en o ft h e u sua l m ig ra to ry r ou t e s o ft h e h e rd s o f h e rb ivo r e s ; i t sr i ve r , c u t o ff r om t h e s e a , n ev e r h ad s a lmon ; i t s c l ima t e m igh t h av e b een e sp ec ia l ly h a r sh . H owev e rw e s e et h a t Ma t ienzo d ef in i t e ly w a s u s ed , a nd C o f r e snedo c ou ld h ave b een a c en t ra l , m o r eo rl e s s s t ab le h ab i ta t . R ed d ee r , h o r se a nd i b ex w e r e h un ted , a nd s e ve ra l o f t h e c ave s w e r e d e co ra ted , p r obab ly a no the r s i gn o f m o r e o r l e s s

T h e n umb e r o fs i te s o ft h i s p e r iod i sc ompa ra t ive ly h igh , t a k ing i n to a ccoun t t h ey c ove r ap e r iod o f a bou t 5 000 y ea r s . T he e i gh t o r n ine P a laeo l i th ic s i t e s r e p r e s en t o v e r 1 5 ,000 y ea r s , s o i n t h e Me so l i th ic t h e d en s i ty o fo ccup a t ion i sn ea r ly t h r ee t ime sa sh i gh . T he c ave s a l l f a ce s ou th , e xcep t f o r C u eva d e l o s C a raco le s , a nd mo s t o f t h em a r e l o ca ted o n t h e n o r th s i d e o ft h e v a l le yf r om S e ld e su to t oL a V ega . N o s i te s a r e k nown o n t h e o ppo s i te h il s id e . I nt h i s r e spe c t i ti ss i gn if i can t t h a t t h e n ea r e s t s i te s o ft h i s t y p e o u t s id e Ma t ienzo a r e a c ro s s t h e p a s s o f C r uz 2 15

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t h e v a l ley a nd o n t h e m o r e o p en r o ck y h i l l s id e s . N u t s a nd f r u i t s w ou ld h av e b e en c o l le c ted t o o , a nd a bov e a l l t h e l a nd s na i l C epaea n emora l is . I ti st h e a c cumu la t ion o ft h e se s na i l s he l l s t h a t c ha rac t e r i se s t h e se Me so l i th ic d epo s i t s .

U sar io , a nd a ga in f a ce s ou th , s uch a s t h e c ave s S i r iue lo Ia nd S ir iue lo I . T he se Me so l i th ic c ave s a r e u sua l ly o n t h e l owe r s l op e s , i n as im i la r p o s i t ion t ot ho se o ft h e e a r l ie r p e r iod , a l though t h e i r a v e rage h e igh t a bove s e a l e ve l , 2 56m , i s s l igh t ly h i ghe r t han t h a t o f t h e P a laeo l i th ic s i te s ; 2 34m . T hey a r e t h e r e f o re j u s t a bove t h e v a l ley f l oo r , w h ich mu s t h ave b een c ove red b yd en se m ixed o akwood s a tt h a tt ime . T he t y p e o fc ave u sed d if e r s c on s id e rab ly h oweve rf r om t h e u sua l P a laeo l i th ic t y p e . E ven when a c ave l i k e C of re snedo w a s r e u sed , t h e Me so l i th ic d epo s i t i s f ound i nt h er o ck she l t e ra tt h ee n t ran ce , w h e rea st h e P a laeo l i th ic o ccupa t ion w a s i n s id e t h e v e s t ibu le . C ueva Ma r co s a nd L o s Embo scado sf o l low t h e s am e p a t te rn . L a C ub ia d e S e ld e su to i s l i k ew i se a r o ck she l t e r , a nd i tw a s p robab ly t h e r o ck she l te r o u t s id e S ima d e lD ien te t h a tw a s o ccup ied , w i th t h e m a te r ia l s f a l l ing i n to t h e c av e . A t t h e s ame t ime , s ma l le r c ave s w e r e u sed t o o , o f wh ich t h e c l ea r e s t e xamp le i sC ub io R edondo , as i ng le p a s sag e 2m w id ea nd 1 2m l o ng .

T he r aw m a t e r ia l s a pp ea r ing i n t h e l i th ic a s semb lag et e nd t ob el e s sd i ve r se t h an i nt h ec a s eo f t h e U pp e rP a la eo l i th ic . Mo r e u se w a s m ad e o fl o ca l f l in t , a nd w hen o t he r t y p e s w e r e w o rk ed t h ey w e re a lway sf r om t h ep r e sen t -day c oa s ta la r ea . C on tac t sw i th t h ec oa s th ave a l so b e en d emon s t ra ted b y t h e p r e s enc e o f m a r ine s he l l s i n t h e d epo s i t s . Mu s se l s h e l l s h ave b een f ound i n C ub io R edondo , S im a d e l D ien t e , Embo s cado s a nd C o f r e snedo , O s t r ea s p . i n S ima d e l D ien t e , P a t e l la i n C ub io R edondo a nd C u eva d e l o s C a ra co le s , a nd T rochococ lea c r a s sa a l so i n L o s C a raco le s . I ti s p r obab le t h a t t h e t e r r i to ry o fh uman g r oup s i nt h i s p e r iod c ove r ed a w id e a r ea , a nd t h e c ave s a nd r o ck she l t e r s w e r e o ccup ied f o r s ho r t t im e s a s s ma l l p a r t ie s m oved a r ound t h e a r ea f o l low ing t h e i r q ua r r ie s . S i t e s h av e b e en s e en i n t h e u pp e r a nd l ow e rc ou r se so ft h eR ive rA sön , i nt h eM ie ra v a l ley , a nd o n t h e c oa s t e spec ia l ly n ea r S an tor ia , a t t h e m ou th o ft h eA sön .

T he d i g i n C ub io R edondo h a s s hown h ow t h e e nv i ronm en t w a s e xp lo i ted b y t h e H o loc ene h un te r -ga the re r s . T he a n ima l s c on sumed w e re r e d d e e r , r o e d e e r , i b ex , c hamo i s a nd w i ld b oa r , wh ich w ou ld h ave b e en h un ted i nt h e w ood land c ove r ing

V i ew o fS i er ra d e Mu / / jr . T her e i se v id ence o ft h e e xp lo i ta t ion o ff l in t n od u l es o n t h is r i dg e o fh i l l s , e sp ec ia l ly i nt h e Meso l i th ic

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N o t umu l i h ave b een i d en t if ied f o r c e r ta in o n t h e h i l l s a r ound Ma t ienzo , a l though p o s s ib le s t ru c tu re s e x i s t o nt h e r i dg e t ot h ew e s t o fC ruz U sa f io . F l in t s h ave b een f ound n ea rt h ep a s s , a nd i ti sp o s s ib le t h a t as e t t lemen t e x is ted i n t h e a r ea . A l i t t le f u r the r a way , n ea r t h e p a s s o f C ampo d e l aC ru z , t o t h e n o r thea s t o f Ma t ienzo , t wo c l ea re r e xamp le s o f t umu l ia r ek nown , o n eo ft h em 1 7m i nd i ame t e ra nd n ea r ly 2m h igh . S oi ti sa lmo s tc e r ta in t h a tt h i sk ind o fl a nd u s e , a nd s o c ie ty , a f e c ted Ma t ien zo .

A no the rc ha ra c te r is t ic o ft h i st y pe o f Me so l i th ic s i te i st h e i r p oo r s t a t e o fc on ser va t ion . T he se l a ye r s a r e t h e u pp e rmo s t p ar t o ft h e s equ en ce i nt h e c ave s , s o t h ey a r et h ef i r s tt ob ea f ec t ed b ya ny a l te ra t ion s . A s t h ey c on s i s t i n t h e m a in p a r t o f s na i l s he l l s , t h e d epo s i t s a r e u n con so l ida ted , a nd o f e r l i t t le r e s i s tan ce t oe r o s ion . A no the r f a c to r i st h a t s e ve ra l o ft h e c av e s w i th Me so l i th i c d epo s i t s h ave b een , o r s t i l l a r e , u sed t o k e ep c ow s o r g oa t s , a nd t h e s ed imen t w a s d ug o u t t oi n c r ea s e t h e h e igh t o ft h e c ave f o r t h e a n ima l s . O ne v e ry c l ea r e xamp le o u t s id e Ma t ien zo i sC u eva d e l S i f iue lo I ,b u t t h i s i s a l so t h e c a se o f C ub ia d e S e ld e su to a nd p robab ly C o f r e snedo . I n m any c ave s t h e o n ly e v idenc e o f Me so l i th ic o c cupa t ion s i sf ound i n r ema in s o f t h e s ed im en t , c on ta in ing C epaea s h e l l s , c a lc i ted t ot h e c ave w a l l sn ea rt h ee n t rance .

B yt h e3 rd M i l lenn ium t h eh ab i ta th ad b ecom em o r e s e t t led , a nd i nt h eo pen a i r , s ot h ee v id ence f o und i n c ave s i sm o s t o f ten h uman b u r ia l s . I n Ma t ien zo t h e f o l low ing c ave s h av e h uman r ema in s t ha t c an p robab ly b ed a ted i nt h el a t e C ha lco l i th ic o rB ron ze A g e ( m idd le o f 3 rd t o s t a r t o f i s t M i l lenn ium ) : C o f r e snedo , R a scav ie ja , T r e sN ir io s , C u eva 7 09 , a nd S ima d e l D ien te . R ema in s o f s e v e ra l i nd iv idua l s h ave b e en f ound i nC o f r e snedo , a nd a l though s om e o f t h e se m ay c o r re spond t o l a t e r p e r iod s , o ne o f t h em w a si nc l o se a s soc ia t ion w i th al a rge u rn d a t ed i nt h el a t eC ha lco l i th ic . Ah uman b one f r om G a le r ia C ua t ro i nt h e s ame c av e h a s as l igh t ly m o re r e cen t d a t e o f 3 410 B P . Two s e pa ra te b u r ia l s h ave b een f ound i nR a s cav ie ja ,a nd i nb o th c a se s al a rge p a r to f t h e s k e le ton h a s b een r e cove red . I n c on t ra s t t h e h uman r ema in s i n T r e s N ir io s a nd C ueva 7 09 a r e v e ry d i sp e r se . S ima d e l D ien te h ad r ema in s o f s e v e ra lp eop le .

4 .F rom t he N eo l i th ic t ot he B ronze A ge . T h e a b sen ce i n Ma t ienzo o f s he l l -m idd en s c on ta in ing e i th e r p o t te ry o r d ome s t ic f a una m ean s t h a t t h e f i r s t s t ag e s o ft h e N eo l i th ic h ave n o t b een i d en t if ied h e r e . I n t h e i mmed ia t e a r ea , t h e n ea r e s t e xamp le o f as i t e o ft h i s t y p e i sA b r igo d e l A sön , a s he l l m idd en w i th p o t t e ry o f a n o l d a pp ea rance ( Mu i lo z 1 998 ) . H oweve r , s om e o ft h e s h e l l m idd en s c on s id e red a s Me so l i th ic i nt h ep rev iou ss e c t ion may h ave b e en u s ed i n t h e 5 t h M i l lenn ium b y h uman g roup s w ho w e r e f a rm ing i n o t h e r p l a ce s , p e rhap s n ea r t h e c oa s t . T h i s c oex i s ten ce o f n ea rby s i te s , s om e w i th N eo l i th ic f e a tu r e s a nd o t he r s w i th n o e v id en ce o ft h en ew s y s t em so fp roduc t ion , i s at op ic s t i l l b e ing d eba t ed i n C an tab r ia ( A r ia s & o the r s 1 999b ) . T h e d if e ren t n a tu r e o f t h e s i t e s s ugge s t s t h ey a r et h er e su l to f af un c t iona lo rgan i sa t ion o ft h e t e r r i to ry .

T h e se c av e s a r e c on cen t ra ted i n t wo g roup s . O n e g roup , f o rmed b y T r e s N ü lo s a nd C ueva 7 09 , i si n t h e n o r th o ft h e d ep re s s ion , i n L a S e cada , whe rea s t h e o t h e r s a r e a l l o n t h e s l ope s o f Mon te E l N a so . T h i s t y p e o fg roup ing h a sb e en n o t ed i no the rp a r t s o f C an tab r ia , a nd c ou ld m ean t h a t t h e c ave s a r e l o ca t ed n ea r as e t t lem en t . T he t y p e o f c ave u s ed a l so v a r ie s c on s id e rab ly . C o f re snedo a nd R a scav ie ja a r eb o th l a rg ec ave s , a nd t h eb u r ia l sw e r ec a r r ied o u t i n s e le c ted p o in t s i nt h e i n te r io r o ft h e c ave s . T r e s N ir i o s a nd C u eva 7 09 a r e , h oweve r , s ma l l c av e s w i th n a r row e n t ran ce s , a nd t h e h uman r ema in s a r e p ra c t ica l ly w i th in d ay l igh t . T h i s t y pe o fb u r ia l c av e i st h em o s tu sua lo ne i no t he rp a r t so fC an tab r ia .

I ti sg en e ra l ly a c cep ted t h a tf a rm ing e conom ie sw e r e e s tab l i shed i na l t h e r e g ion b y t h e s t a r t o ft h e 4 th M i l lenn ium ( A r ia s 1 992 , G onza le z Mo ra le s 1 992 , 1 995 ) , a nd a tt h i s t im e t h e f i r s t m ega l i th ic b u r ia l s t ru c tu r e s w e r e b u i l t . T h e s equence i n C ueva d e l M i rön a tR ama le s r e f le c t s t h i s m omen t p a r t icu la r ly c l ea r ly . A f t e r a b r ie f g ap a t t h e e nd o f t h e Me so l i th ic , t h e v e s t ibu le w a s o ccup ied i n t h e N eo l i th ic f o r n ea r ly am i l lenn ium ; t h e e a r l ie s t d a te f o r t h i s l a ye r b e ing 5 690BP . H ea r th s h ave b een f ound a s soc ia ted w i th d ome s t ic s p e c ie s l i k es heep o r g oa t s , i n a dd i t ion t o r ed d ee r ( Gonza lez & S t rau s 2 000 ) .

We h av e l i t t le i n f o rma t ion a bou t t h e r i tua l s a c company ing t h eb u r ia l s a so n ly t wo o ft h em h ave b e en d ocumen ted i nd e ta i l : S ima d e lD ien te a nd o n e o ft h eb u r ia l s i nR a scav ie ja . I nt h e c a s e o ft h e l a t t e r c av e , t h eb od y h ad b e en l e f ti n as e le c ted p a r to ft h e m a in c hamb e r , ar e c tangu la r a r ea 2m l o ng a nd 1 m w ide b e twe en al a rg eb ou ld e ra nd t h ew a l l . T he b od y h ad a lmo s tc e r ta in ly b e en l a id d i re c t ly o nt h es u r f a ce o f t h e c ave f l oo r , a l though t h e b one s w e r e f o und s om ewha td i sp e r sed a nd s ome h ad b e come b u r ied i n at h in l a ye r o fs ed im en t . Af ew s he rd s i nd ica te t h a t a n u rn w a s d epo s i t ed w i th t h e b od y . I n S ima d e l

Mega l i th ic s t ru c tu re s a r e n o rma l ly f ound o n h i l l r i dge s , a nd a tP e l la O v iedo i nt h eP i co sd eE u ropa , a g r oup o f t umu l i w e r e n ea r c i r cu la r h u t s w i th a c en t ra l p o s tho le ( D iez C a s t ilo 1 996 -7 ) . A l l t h e e v idence s ugg e s t s t ha t i nt h e 4 t h M i l lenn ium a r ea s o fh igh l a nd w e r e b e ing u sed f o r p a s to ra l f a rm ing . 2 17

R e su l t s : T he S equence o f Human O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

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E xamp les o ft h e k i nd o fc a ves u sed a td if eren tt i mes . C ueva d e T res N ihos a nd C ueva 7 09 b o th h a ve s ma l lo r n ar row p as sages , u s ed f or h uman b ur ia l s i n t h e B ronze Ag e . C ueva 1 79 i s ah um id d escend ing c a ve f ac ing n or th , w here al a rge u rn w as d epos i t ed , p os s ib ly a sr i tua lo f f er ing . T he s he l lm idd en a tt h e e n t rance o fC ueva Marcos i se v id ence o fi t so ccupa t ion ,p robab ly i nt h e Meso l i th ic . C ueva d e C ua t r ibü ( o n t h en ex tp age ) i s al a rg e c a ve , u sed i nt h eM idd l e Ages f or r i tua lp urposes . P o t tery h a s b een f ound a sw e l la s ag roup o fs chema t ic -abs t rac tp a in t ing s( n umber ed o n t h ep lan ) .

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d a ted a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e 2 nd M i l lenn ium BC . I ti s l i k e ly t h a tt h eg r ave g ood so ft h i sb u r ia lo ro the r so f as im i la r d a te i n c luded t h e b a r r e l shap ed b ronze b ead a nd t h eb ronze a r rowh ead f ound a tt h eb a ck o f t h ev e s t ibu le .

C ueva d e C ua t r ibü

P o t t e ry w a sf ound w i th t h eh uman r ema in si nC ueva 7 09 a nd T r e s N ir io s , a nd t h e l a t te r c av e a l so h ad a g round s t on e a dze . G round s t one i mp lemen t s a r e o f ten f ound a s g r av e g ood s a c company ing C ha lco l i th ic b u r ia l s i n C an tab r ia . T h i s o b jec t , a nd t h e q ua l i ty o ft h e a r te f a c t s i n C o f r e snedo , s ugg e s t s t h a t i n t h e e a r ly B ronze A ge c e r ta in a r t ic le s w e r e b e ing u sed a s i nd ica to r s o f p re s t ig e , wh ich w ou ld r e f le c t t h e e x i s ten ce o f aq u i te c omp lex s o c ia l s t ru c tu re . T h i s i s s uppo r ted b y s p e c ta cu la r f i nd s f r om t wo c ave s t h a t a r e o u t s id e Ma t ienzo , b u t i nt h e v a l ley s i mmed ia te ly t ot h e n o r thwe s t a nd s ou th ea s t . I n t h e f i r s to ft h e se , C u eva d e lR u chano i nR iar io , ab ronze s wo rd w a sf o und i nt h e s t r eam 6 0m i n s id et h el owe r e n t ran ce . I n t h e o t he r , C ueva C o l lu sa i n Oga r r io , t h r ee b ronze s wo rd s w e r e f o und a tt h e s t a r t o ft h e 2 0 th C en tu ry . Al a t e rs t ud yf ound ah uman b on ea nd r im she rd s w i th f i ng e r i mp re s s ion s ( Se rna & Ma lpe lo 1 993 ) , s o i ti sl i k e ly t h a t t h e s wo rd s w e r e p a r t o f t h e g r ave g ood s o f ap e r son w i th a h igh s o c ia ls t a tu s .

NM

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3 0 m

A pa r t f r om i nt h eb u r ia l c ave s , m a te r ia l sb e long ing t ot h i s p e r iod h av eb een f o und i ns e ve ra l c ave s , a nd t h ey a r e u sua l ly i n te rp r e ted a s o f f e r ing s . O ne o f t h e se d epo s i t s , w h ich h a s b e en d o cum en ted b y t h e P r eh i s to ry o f Ma t ienzo P ro je c t , i s C ueva d e l a s G ra ja s . H e re s om e f i ve p o t s w e r e d epo s i ted o n a s e r ie so fr amp s a nd h o l low so no n e s i d eo ft h ec ave . P a r t s o f ab ov ine a nd ap i g w e r e l e f t w i th t h e p o t s , wh ich h ave b een d a t ed t o t h e s t a r t o f t h e 2 nd M i l lenn ium . T h i sw a si n t e rp re ted a s ar i tua ld epo s i t , a n o f f e r ing t o as up e r io r b e ing w h ich w a s i n s om e w ay r e la t ed w i th t h ec ave .

D ien t e t h e h uman r ema in s h ad b een d i s tu rbed s o mu ch t h a t i t i s i mpo s s ib le t o r e con s t ru c t t h e i r o r ig ina l p o s i t ion . I n t h e c a se o ft h e o t he r b u r ia l i n R a scav ie ja , d i scove r ed i n 1 975 , t h e b od y h ad b een d epo s i ted i nv e ry s ma l l s i d e chambe r , a nd b o th l e g s w e r e a ppa r en t ly a mpu ta t ed , a st h e f emu r s w e re c u t t h rough j u s tb e low t h e i rp rox ima le nd . T h i sh oweve r c ou ld h av e b e en f o r " p ra c t ica l " r e a son s , t o f i t t h e b od yi n ac on ta ine ro fs ome k ind , r a th e rt h an a sp a r t o f ar i tua l . T he r ei sn o e v id en ce o fc r ema t ion i na ny o ft h es i te sa s s igned t ot h eB ronze A g e .

I nm any w ay s as im i la r c av e i sC u eva 1 79 , w he r ea l a rg es t o rag eu rn h a sb e en f ound . L ik eL a s G ra ja s , i t i s l o ca ted q u i t e h igh a bove t h e v a l ley , w i th a n e n t rance f a c ing n o r th , a nd i ti sc av e wh ich s l op e s d own , w i th b ou ld e r s , a nd q u i te h um id . B o th c ave s a r e u n su i tab le a s ah ab i ta t , a nd t h ey a r e t h e r e f o r e v e ry d if e ren t f r om t h e " good " c av e s u sed i n t h e P a laeo l i th ic .

T h e a g e o fd ea th h a s b e en e s t ima ted f o r t h e b od ie s i n R a scav ie ja a nd S ima d e l D ien te , w i th a h igh p ropo r t ion o f y oung p eop le . H ence , i n R a scav ie ja t h e r e w e r e t wo y ou th s , a nd i nS ima d e l D ien te o ne a du l t a nd f o u ry oung p eop le o rc h i ld r en . T h i s mu s t r e f le c tt h ea g es t ruc tu r eo ft h ep opu la t ion a tt h et ime a nd t h eh igh m o r ta l i ty r a te f o ry oung p eop le .

O the r c ave s w i th p o t te ry d a tab le i nt h e B ronze A g e a r e C a l le ja R ebo l lo , C u eva d eR ey e s , C ueva G e rmän a nd C u eva 3 89 . T he f i r s tt wo c ave s h ad l a rge u rn s , l i k e t h o s e d a t ed i no t he r c av e s t ot h e e a r ly B ronze A g e . A ga in , t h ey w ou ld n o t b e i d ea l a s ah ab i ta t , a l though t h ef i r s to ft h em w a si nf a c to ccup ied i nt h e

O ne o f t h e b od ie s a t t r ibu ted t o t h i s p e r iod i n C o f r e snedo w a s d epo s i ted , l i k e t h e o ne s i n R a scav ie ja , h i dd en i n as i d e -pa s s ag e a bove t h e G a le r ia P r in c ip a l . I tw a s a s so c ia ted w i th a n u rn ,

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s i ng le s h e rd o fI r on A g e p o t te ry w a s f o und i n t h e m a in c hamb e ro fR a scav ie ja .

l a s tc en tu ry b ym en i nh id ing a f te rt h eS pan i sh C iv i l Wa r . T h ep o t te ry i nC u eva d e G e rmän w a sf ound i n t h ev e s t ibu le , as ma l lc hambe ru sed u n t i l r e cen t ly a s ac ow shed . I ti sn o t i mpo s s ib le t h a t t h e c ave w a s b e ing u sed i n as im i la rw ay i nt h e l a t eB ronze A g e , w hen t h i s p o t c an b e d a ted . Many o f t h e c av e s , i n c lud ing L a s G ra ja s , C u eva 1 79 a nd C u eva 3 89 , c ou ld b e r e la t ed w i th t h e h e rd ing o f d ome s t ic a n ima l s , a s t h ey a r e l o ca ted o n t h e h i l l s id e s w he r e t h ea n ima l sw ou ld h ave b e en t a k en t og r aze .

A s i n t h e c a s e o f t h e e a r l ie r p e r iod , t h e o p en -a i r s e t t lemen t s o ft h e p opu la t ion h ave n o t b e en f ound e i th e r i n Ma t ien zo o ra nywh e r e i nt h e u ppe rv a l ley s o f t h e A sön a nd M ie ra . I n c on t ra s t , i n a l l t h e s u r round ing a r ea , i th a s b een s e en t h a t t h e u sua l s e t t lem en t t y p e w a s t h e h i l lf o r t , a nd t h e n ea re s t e xamp le s a r e C a s t i l N eg ro , 1 9km t ot h e n o r thwe s t , a nd P e l la S ämano , n ea r C a s t ro U rd ia le s , 2 8km t o t h en o r thea s to f Ma t ienzo . H i l l f or t s a r eo fc ou r se t h e u sua l k ind o fs e t t lemen t i nn ea r ly a l l E u rope d u r ing t h e l a te I r on A g e , a nd t h e r e i sn o r e a son t os uppo se t h a t t h e se C an tab r ian v a l ley s s hou ld h ave b een d if e r en t . P e rhap s t h en , t h e h i l l f o r t s h ave n o t b e en l o ca t ed b ecau se i n t h i s m oun ta inou s a r e a t h e i r c on s t ruc t ion f o l lowed ad if e r en t mode lb a sed n o t s o much o n s t rong w a l l s a so n t h e n a tu ra l d e f ence s o f c l if f sr e in f o r c ed w h e r en ec e s sa ry w i th p a l i sad e s .

Mo s t o ft h e c ave s o ft h i s p e r iod h av e s t o rag e u rn s , b ronze o b je c t so rs t one i mp lemen t st h a tc an b ed a ted i n t h e C ha lco l i th ic o r e a r ly B ronze A ge . I t i s p o s s ib le t h a ta f te rt h i st ime mo s to ft h eb u r ia l sw e r e c a r r ied o u t i n t h e o p en a i r , i nc i s te rn s o r p i t s . T h e o n ly e l em en t s a s s igned t o l a te r m omen t s o f t h e B ronze A g e a r e t h e a bov e -men t ioned p o t te ry i n C ueva d e G e rmän a nd t h e h uman r ema in s i n S ima d e lD ien t e .

T he r e i sh ow eve r e v id en ce t h a t a s w e l l a st h e f o r t s o n t h e h i l l t op s , s ma l le r s e t t lemen t s , p e rhap s f a rm s tead s , w e r e i n u s e n ea re r t h e v a l ley f l oo r . C ueva 1 289 i sv e ry n ea rt h ev a l ley , a nd t h ep o tt h e r e w a s p robab ly t h rown d own t h e s u r f ace s ha f t d e l ib e ra te ly , a st h e s ha f tw a su sed a s ar ubb ish t i p . I f t h i s i st h e c a s e t h en t h e h ab i ta t c ou ld n o tb et o o f a r a way . S im i la r ly , C ueva d e R eye s i sj u s t a bove t h e v a l ley , a nd i ft h ec ave w a su sed f o r ah oa rd , i ts e em s l i k e ly t h a t t h e p eop le i n vo lved l i ved f a i r ly n ea r t h e c ave .

T h roughou t t h e se p e r iod s t h e h ab i t a t w a s a lmo s t a lway si nt h eo p en a i r , a nd t h ec ave sw e re o n ly u s ed m a rg ina l ly . H oweve r , a s e conom ic s t ra teg ie s a nd s o c ia l s t ru c tu re s b ecame i n c rea s ing ly c omp lex , t h i s u se c ou ld t a ke d i ve r se f o rm s , a nd d if e ren t t y pe s o f c ave s w e r e c ho sen f o r d if e ren t p u rpo se s . T he se i n c luded t empo ra ry s he l te r s , a s h i d ing p l ace s , a s s t o r e s , o r t o k e ep a n ima l s , a s w e l l a s f o r b u r ia l s . N ev e r the le s s , t h et u rn ing p o in t i no u rk now ledg e o f t h i s p e r iod w il c om ew hen t h e o p en -a i r s e t t lem en t s a r e d i scove red a nd s t ud ied . P e rhap s , a s s a id a bov e , t h e g roup ing s o ft h e b u r ia l c ave s c an g i ve ac l u e t o t h el o ca t ion o fs ome o ft h es e t t lem en t s .

T he m a in c ave s t h a t c an b e a t t r ibu ted t ot h i s p e r iod i n Ma t ienzo a r e C o f re snedo , L a s B a randa s a nd C oqu i se ra . T he s e t h re e h ave p o t t e ry w i th e ve r ted r im s , i d en t if ied a s t h e " B razada typ e " a nd s ma l le r v e s se l s w i th " S " shaped p rof i le , d a ted i n t h e l a te I r on A g e . T he f i r s t t wo c ave s a l so h ave h uman r ema in s a s soc ia t ed w i th t h e p o t t e r y , a nd i t i s p o s s ib le t h a t t h e a b sence o fk nown h uman b one s i n C oqu ise ra i ss imp ly d ue t ot h ef a c tt h a tt h ec ave h a s n o t b e en s t ud ied s y s tema t ica l ly . T h e se c ave s a l so h ave i nc ommon t h e e x i s tence o fd if e r en t i r on a nd b ronze o b je c t s .

H oweve r , i nt h ea b senc eo ft h eh ab i ta ts i te s , w eh av e e v id enc e o f ad if e ren t n a tu r e f ound i n t h e c ave s , a nd t h e m o s t i n t e re s t ing e l emen t s a r e t h e m e ta l o b je c t s . Mo s t o ft h e se a r e p e r sona l o b je c t s a l though t h ey t a k e v a r ied f o rm s , f r om t h e o mega shaped b roo ch i nC oqu i se ra t ot h ed if e ren tt y p e so fp l aque s i nB a randa s a nd Mo l ino a nd f i na l ly t h ew eapon s i n C o f r e snedo . T hey d o h oweve r h ave e l emen t s i n c ommon , s u ch a st h e d e co ra t ion i nt h ef o rm o fl i ne s o f" SSS" o nt h eb rooch i nC oqu i se ra a nd t h ep l aqu e i nC of r e sn e d o . C a rme lo F er n änd ez h a s d e s c r ibed i n P a r t T h re e o f t h i s p ub l ica t ion h ow t h e n ea re s t p a ra l le l sf o r s ome o ft h e se o b je c t s a r et ob ef ound i n t h e N o r th Me s e ta , i n t h e p r e sen t -day p rov ince s o f B u rgo s a nd A lava . O ne s u ch s i te i sV i l lanu eva d e T eba ,w i th d a te si nt h e3 rd a nd 2 nd C en tu r ie s BC .

F u r the r d i ve r se I r on A g e a r te f ac t s h ave b een f o und i n C u eva d e R eye s , C ueva 1 289 , Mo l ino a nd R a s cav ie ja . R eye s h ad a h oa rd o f i r on t o o l s , i n c lud ing a rd s ha re s a nd h ook s . C ueva 1 289 h a sn o t b e en s t ud ied , b u t c on ta in s ap o t o f I r on A g e a pp ea rance i n at a lu s c one b e low as u r f ace s ha f t . I n C ueva d e l Mo l ino ac oppe r p l aqu e w a s f ound , a nd t h i s p robab ly d e co ra ted a d agg e r b e l t . F ina l ly , a

T he s e m e ta l o b je c t s , t oge the r w i th t h e g l a s s b ead f r om C o f re sn edo . a r e t h e re f o r e e v id enc e o fc on tac t s b e twe en Ma t ienzo a nd a mu ch w id e r r eg ion c ove r ing m o s to ft h en o r th o fS pa in . B yt h e2 nd a nd i s t C en tu r ie s BC C an tab r ia h ad a dop t ed many e l emen t s o ft h em o re p ro sp e rou s C e l t ib e r ian c u l tu re , wh ich h ad a l r ead y s p r ead a c ro s st h e Me s e ta ( Pe ra l ta 2 000 ) . T h i s C e l t ib e r iza t ion o fC an tab r ia c ou ld h ave

5 .T he I ron A ge a nd R oman O ccupa t ion

2 20

R e su l t s : T h eS equ ence o fH uman O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

A l though t h e m e ta l o b je c t s a r e q u i t e h e t e rog eneou s , t h e p o t te ry o ft h i s p e r iod i sm o r e s t anda rd i sed , a nd t h e s ma l l p o t s w i th S shaped p rof i le a nd t h e l a rge r B razada typ e a r e b y f a r t h e m o s t c ommon . T h i s i s p robab ly b ecau se t h e p o t te ry i s al o ca l p rodu c t , w he r ea s t h e m e ta l o b jec t s w e r e o b ta ined b y t r ad e . E xamp le s o f S shap ed p o t s h ave b e en f ound i n C oqu i se ra a nd B a randa s , a nd t h e se c o in c id e i nt h e i r d imen s ion s , w i th mou th s a bou t 1 2cm i n d i ame te r . C ueva d e l aB ra zada i sl o ca t ed n ea r R iba , t o t h e s ou th o f Ma t ienzo , a nd i st h e s i te w he r e F r en ch s p e leo log i s t sf ound awho le p o t wh ich h a s d ef ined a c e r ta in t y p e o fv e s se l . T h i s e xamp le i s3 0cm h igh , a nd t h em ou th i s2 6cm i nd i ame t e r . I ti sc omp le te ly u nde co ra ted a nd h a s ar im w h ich i s e ve r ted , o r t u rn ed o u twa rd s o b l ique ly . S he rd s o f s im i la r p o t s h ave b e en f ound i n Ma t ienzo i n t h e c ave s o f C oqu i se ra , B a randa s , C o f r e snedo , R a scav ie ja , a nd p o s s ib ly C ueva 1 289 . T hey a r e r a r e ly d eco ra ted , a pa r t f r om h av ing b ru shed o rc ombed s u r f ac e s , a nd i n g ene ra l t h ey a r e s omewha t s ma l le r t h an t h e t y p e -examp le , w i th mou th sb e tw een 1 8a nd 2 4cm i n d i ame te r . N eve r the le s s l a rg e r p o t s w i th t h e s am e s hap e a r e f ound o cca s iona l ly , a nd i n t h i s c a se t h e m ou th c an b ea s mu ch a s3 5cm i nd i ame t e r . S he rd s b e long ing t o o ne o f t h e se p o t s , f r om S a la d e l a C o lumna i nC o f re snedo h ave r e cen t ly b e en d a ted b y T Lt o2 435 ±2 33 B P .

b e en b ecau s eo ft h ee xpan s ive t e nd en cy o f aw a r r io r s o c ie ty , a s P e ra l ta p ropo se s , o r b e cau s e o f t h e p r e s en ce o f t h e R oman s i n t h e s ou th o f t h e i r t e r r i to ry . A s t h e R oman s c onqu e r ed m o re t e r r i to ry , t h e c u l tu r e o f t h e C e l t ibe r ian s c ou ld h ave b e en p u shed f u r th e r n o r th o r , a s o t h e r a u tho r s h av e s ugg e s ted , t h i s s i tua t ion c ou ld h ave o f e red mu ch g r ea t e ro ppo r tun i t ie sf o rt r ad ea nd t h ea cqu i s i t ion o f aw id e r r ang e o fg ood s . T he f i nd s i nt h e Ma t ienzo c ave s s how t h a t t h i s p a r t o f C an tab r ia t o ok p a r t i n t h e p roce s s o f C e l t ib e r i za t ion , w h ich h ad a c ompa ra t iv e ly s ho r t l i f e , e nd ing w i th t h e C an tab r ian -Roman Wa r si n2 9 16 BC . T h e i r on t o o l s i n C ueva d e R ey e s ( a nd C ueva d e C oven to sa ) a r e f u r the r e v id enc e o f t h i s c on ta c t b e twe en Ma t ienzo a nd t h e A sön v a l ley , a nd t h e n o r the rn Me se ta . A s t h e s t udy o ft h e a rd sha r e s b y Magda lena B a r r i l h a s s hown , t h e se c on tac t s c ou ld h av eb e en a c t ive a se a r ly a st h e t h i rd C en tu ry . T hey a l so s ugge s tt h a tt h e n o r th er nr eg ion h ad d eve loped i t s o wn t e chno logy i n depend en t ly f r om c en t ra l C e l t ib e r ia , w h ich w a sf u r the rt ot h e s ou th . T he t o o l s a r ea l so e v id en ce o f ac e r ta in " no rma l i ty " i nt h ew ay o fl i f e o ft h e se v a l ley s , w i th a r ab le f a rm ing a sw e l l a s s t o ck r ea r ing , i n c on t ra s t w i th t h e p i c tu r e squ e a c coun t s o ft h e f i r s t R oman a nd G r eek w r i te r s , w ho d e sc r ibed t h e C an tab r ian s a s b r av e b u t s a vag e b a rba r ian s . H oweve rt h ed agg e ra nd a x ef r om o n eo f t h e i n t e r io r c hamb e r s o f C o f r e sn edo a r e c l ea r i nd ica to r st h a tl i f ew a s n o ta lway ss op eace fu l . T h ey p robab ly c o r r e spond t ot h eg rav eg ood so f aw a r r io r .

P a r to f av es s e lo ft h eB razada typ e ,f r om C ueva d e C oqu ise ra T h e se p o t sa r ef o und a ccompany ing b u r ia l si nc av e s , a nd t h e d if e ren t k ind s t e nd t oa ppea r i nt h e s am e p ropor t ion s i ne a ch c av e . T h i s m ay b eb ecau se e a ch k ind h ad i t s o wn r o le ; t h e l a rg e r u rn h o ld ing t h e h uman r ema in s , a nd t h e o t he r s p o s s ib ly h o ld ing f o od o ro t he rg r av eg ood s . T he f un e ra lr i tua li sa no th e rs u rp r i s ing a sp e c to ft h i s p e r iod i n Ma t ienzo . J u s t a s h i l l f o r t s a r e t h e n o rma l

C omp l e t eu rn f rom C ueva d el aB ra zad a ( R iba )

2 21

R e su l t s : T he S equen ce o fH uman O c cupa t ion i n Ma t ienzo

k i nd o fs e t t lemen t , i ti su sua lt of i nd c eme te r ie sn ea r t h e se , w he re t h e c r ema ted r ema in s w e r e b u r ied i n u rn s , w i th t h e i r c o r r e spond ing g r ave g ood s , u nd e r m ound s o f s t on e s . H oweve r t h e s t ud y o f G a le r ia C ua t ro h a sc onf i rmed wh a th ad b e en l o ng s u spe c ted : t h a t i n t h i s p a r t o f C an tab r ia , t h e u rn s w e r e d epo s i ted i n s id e c av e s . T h i s s ma l l s i de -pa s sag e i n C of r e sn ed o h ad m any t i ny f r agmen t s o f c a lc in ed b one s t o g e the r w i th r im s he rd s o f aB r azada typ e p o t . T h i s u nd e rg round f o rm o f t h e f un e ra l r i tua l m ay h ave b een i n t roduc ed a t av e ry p a r t icu la r m omen t , a nd w a s p e rhap s ar e spon se t o at im e o f s o c ia l i n s tab i l i ty i n t h e y ea r s b e f o re t h e R oman c onqu e s t .

s l op e , a nd t h e p o t te ry i nC ub io R edondo w a s f o und a tt h e b a ck o ft h i s s ho r t c ave . T h i s i st h e o n ly o ne f o r wh ich ad a te c an b ep ropo sed : t h e 1 3 th C en tu ry . I ti s l i k e ly t h a t t h e se c av e s w e r e b e ing u s ed f o r d i ve r s e e v e ryday r e a son s , s u ch a s n üdd en s , a s t empo ra ry s h e l te r so rf o od s t o re s , o rt oc o l le c tw a te r . I n c on t ra s t , t wo l a rg e r c ave s , C ua t r ibü a nd C o f re sn edo h ad m ed ieva l p o t te ry , a nd i nb o th c a se s t h i s w a s f ound i nt h e i n t e r io r o ft h e c av e s . T he p o t i nC ua t r ibü w a s a ppa ren t ly f o und a s soc ia ted w i th a " hea r th " , a bou t h a l fw ay a l ong t h e c av e p a s sag e . I t a l so h a sb e en d a t ed i nt h e 1 3 th C en tu ry . T he se c ave s w e re p o s s ib ly u s ed , t h e re f o r e , f o r o t he r m o re c omp lex p u rpo se s . I ti ss i gn if i can tt h a tb o th o f t h em h ave n ume rou sb l ack c ha r coa lp a in t ing so ft h e s chema t ic -ab s t ra c t t y p e . T h e d a t e o f 1 740 B P f o r a p a in t ing i nC o f r e snedo s how s t h a t t h e se w e r eb e ing p rodu ced i n p r e -Ch r i s t ian t ime s , b u t s im i la r p a in t ing s i n C obu r ruyo a nd C ueva R o ja h ave b een d a ted t oa bou t 1 050 1150 AD . T h i st ime s c a le i sn o t t o o d if e r en t f r om t h a t o f s c hema t ic -ab s t rac t p a in t ing s i n c ave s l i k e P o r t i l lo d e l A rena l a nd C a le ro H n ea r t h e B ay o f S an tande r , o r C ueva d e l A rco A a tR ama le s d el aV ic to r ia . T he n a tu r eo ft h e p a in t ing s , a nd t h e i r l o ca t ion mo re o f ten t h an n o t i n l a rg e s p ec ta cu la rc ave ss i tua t ed o ns l op e sh igh a bove t h e v a l ley f l oo r , l e ave s l i t t le d oub t t h a t t h e s e c ave s w e r e b e ing u s ed f o r s om e k ind o f p agan p u rpo se s w e l lw i th in t h eC h r i s t ian a g e .

Much l e s s e v id enc e o f t h e R oman a g e h a s b e en f o und , n o t o n ly i n Ma t ienzo b u t a l so i n t h e u pp e r A sön v a l ley . T h i s i s d e sp i te t h e f ounda t ion o f s e v e ra l R oman p o r t so nt h e c oa s to fC an tab r ia , s u ch a s F l av iob r iga a tp r e sen t -day C a s t ro U rd ia le s . T h e p opu la t ion p robab ly d e cl ined g r ea t ly i nt h e i n te r io r o f t h e r e g ion , b u t Ma t ien zo c ou ld n o t h ave b een t o ta l ly u n inhab i t ed . T he b a se o f ap o t f o und i nL a C u evuca h a s b een c ompa red w i th m a t e r ia l f r om R oman s i te s , s u ch a s t h e b a th s a tP a raya s , o n t h e B ay o fS an tand e r . A nd r im s he rd s f r om C u eva d e l a G a rma R edonda , w i th aw id e h o r izon ta l r im , c an b e d a ted i n ap e r iod b e tween t h ee nd o ft h e i s t C en tu ry a nd t h es t a r to ft h e2 nd C en tu ry AD . F u r the rmo r e , a b l a ck p a in t ing f r om C of r e snedo h a s ad a te o f 1 740 B P . T he p o s t -Roman p e r iod i sn o t r e p re s en ted a ta l l i n Ma t ienzo . T h i s c ou ld e qua l ly b e d ue t o al ow p opu la t ion , a sv i s igo th ic m a te r ia l i sf o und i n c ave s n ea r e r t h e c oa s t . I n C ueva d e l P o r t i l lo d e l A rena l ( P id lago s ) ab roo ch a nd p o t t e ry w e r e f ound ( Mu f ioz & Mo r lo te 2 000 ) , a nd h uman b u r ia l s o ft h e p e r iod h ave b e en f ound i n C ueva d e L a G a rma ( A r ia s & o t he r s 1 999a ).

7 .H i s tor ica lr e f erence s T he f ew m ed ieva ld ocumen t sr e f e r r ing t ot h i sp a r to f C an tab r ia t e nd t o b e r a the r i mp re c i se . T he w ho le a r ea mu s t h av e h ad av e ry s ma l l p opu la t ion d u r ing t h e 8 t h a nd 9 t h C en tu r ie s , w i th t h e h e rd ing o f l i ve s tock a st h e m a in a c t iv i ty ( D iez H e r r e ra 1 990 ) . T h i s w ou ld h ave b een a n e x ten s iv e t y p e o ff a rm ing , w i th c a t t le t a k ing p re ced ence o v e r s heep , g oa t s a nd p i g s( Ga r c ia A lon so 1 997 ) .

6 .T he M idd le A ge s We h ave n o r e f e r ence s t o m ed ieva l c eme te r ie s , c hu r che s o r a ny o t he r k ind o f e a r ly b u i ld ing i n Ma t ienzo . T h e o n ly k nown m a te r ia l o ft h i s t ime i s t h ep o t te ry f ound i n as ma l l n umbe ro fc ave s . T he se t e nd t ob e i s o la t ed f i nd s w i thou t c on tex t , a nd s o i t s e em st h a tc av e sw e r eu sed o n ly s po rad ica l ly . I nd eed m o s t o f t h e f i nd s o f m ed ieva l p o t te ry c an b e c ompa red w i th t h e e x i s t ence o f mu ch m o r e r e cen t p o t s ,p robab ly 2 0 th C en tu ry , i nc e r ta in c ave s .

Ma t ienzo w a s w i th in t h e w id e a r ea o f t e r r i to ry d ona ted b y t h e C oun t d on S an cho d e C a s t i l lo t ot h e m ona s t e ry o f S an S a lvado r d e O f i a , g r an t ing t h e r i gh t s o f s t o ck rea r ing a nd t h e u s e o f p a s tu r e s a nd w ood land ( O r t ega V a lca rce l 1 974 ) . I tc an t hu s b e i n f e r red t h a t a tt h i st im e , i n 1 0 11 , t h ea r ea w a s s t i l l p r inc ipa l ly u sed f o r e x ten s ive s t o ck r ea r ing , w i th a v e ry s ma l lp opu la t ion . F ew m ed ieva l c eme te r ie sa r e k nown i n t h e a r ea ( Boh iga s R o ldän 1 982 ) , i nd ica t ing h ow l i t t le t h i s a r ea w a s a f e c ted b y t h e r e -pop u la t ion , t h er e -occup a t ion o fl a nd sw h ich h ad b een a bandon ed d u r ing t h e d i s tu rban ce s c au sed b y t h ee xpan s ion o ft h e Moo r si nt h eI b e r ian P en in su la .

Many o ft h e se a r e s ma l l c ave s , o r c ave s w he re t h e p o t she rd s a r e f o und w i th in d ay l igh t , v e r y n ea r t h e e n t ran ce . C ueva 7 32 i s av e r y s ma l l c ave t h a t s l op e s d own , a nd p robab ly t a k e sw a t e ri nw e tw ea the r . T h e e xamp le i nL a C uevu ca w a s f ound o n t h e e n t rance 22

R e su l t s : T he S equence o fH uman O ccupa t ion i n Ma t ien zo

T he o ld e s t b u i ld ing i nt h e A sön v a l ley i st h e s ma l l c hape l o f S an J uan , l o ca ted b enea th a ma s s ive o v e rhang ing r o ck she l te r i n S ocu eva . I t h a s a h o r se shoe a r ch , a nd a l though i t s e xa c t d a t e i s u nce r ta in , i tp robab ly d a te s b ack t ot h e 9 t h o r 1 0 th C en tu ry . I t s h idd en p o s i t ion i n ah igh m oun ta inou s a r ea g i ve s a no the r i d ea o f t h e s pa r s e , p reca r iou s p opu la t ion t h ea r ea mu s th ave h ad .

t h an t h e c e r ea l s p r ev iou s ly g r own . I tl e d t o t h e c r ea t ion o fa tl e a s tf ou r l a rg ew a te rm i l l s a nd o ne o r t wo s ma l le r o ne s i n Ma t ien zo a l one . I t w a s d i scov e red t h a t k idney b ean s c ou ld b e p l an ted w i th t h e m a ize s o t h a t t h e b ean s ta lk s g row a r ound t h e ma ize s t em s . Ma ize -b r ead a nd b ean s t h en b ecame s t ap le s i n t h e l o ca l d i e t . T h e v a l ley f l oo r s w e re o ccup ied w i th t h e se c r op s , w i th m ead ow s a nd p a s tu re s o n t h e h i l l s , s ome t ime s o n i n c red ib ly s t eep s l ope s .

T he p owe r o f t h e m ona s t e r ie s g r adua l ly d ec l ined a nd i n 1 300 K ing F er n ando I V c ed ed t h e l a nd s o f S oba a nd R u e sg a t o S ancho S änch e z d e V e la s co . T h i s w a s t h e s t a r t o f af e uda l d om in ion o ve r t h i s p a r to fC an tab r ia b yt h eh ou se o fV e la s co t h a tw a st o l a s t s e ve ra l c en tu r ie s . T he V e la s co s w e re a t t h e i r m o s t p owe r f u l a tt h e e nd o ft h e 1 5 th C en tu ry , a nd t h e c hu rch o f S an Ma r t in ( S t Ma r t in o f T ou r s ) i n Ma t ienzo d a t e sf r om t h i s s am e p e r iod ( d e l aF u en t e P o r re s2 000 ) .

Ma t ien zo mu s t h av e b een a f e c t ed b y t h e C a r l i s t Wa r s i nt h e 1 9 th C en tu ry a st wo i mpo r tan t b a t t le s w e r e f ough t a t n ea rby R ama le s d e l a V ic to r ia i n 1 8 39 a nd 1 875 . I n t h e 1 9 th a nd 2 0 th C en tu r ie s many y oung m en f r om t h i s a r ea e m ig ra t ed t o Mex ico , C uba a nd t h e U SA . T he f ew i nd ianos w ho m ad et h e i rf o r tun ew e r ea b le t or e tu rn t ot h e i rn a t ive v i l lag e a nd b u i ld al a rge h ou s e , u sua l ly i n ad i s t in c t c o lon ia l s t y le . T h e C iv i l Wa ro f1 9 36 -39 w a sh a rd ly f o ugh ti nC an tab r ia ,b u ta s ac on sequ en ce o fi tm any m en h ad t og o i n to h id ing , o f t en i nc ave s . T h i s , w e h op e , w i l l p rove t ob e t h e l a s t t ime t h a t c ave s w i l l n eed t ob eo ccup ied .

T h e o ld e s t w r i t ten r e f e renc e t o Ma t ienzo c ome s f r om 1 396 . I t a pp ea r s i n t h e c onc e s s ion o f t h e " P r iv i lege o fH e rbag e " g ran ted b y K ing E n r iqu e I I t o t h e p eop le o f E sp ino sa d e l o s Mon t e ro s . T h i s d o cumen t c on ced ed t h em t h e p r iv i leg e o f " t ak ing t h e i rl i ve s to ck t og r aze t h ep a s tu r e s , d r ink t h ew a te r , e a t t h e g r a in , s p end t h e n igh t . . ." i n as e r ie s o f v a l ley s i n c lud ing Ma t ienzo , w i th in a s u r round ing a r ea d e sc r ib ed a s " w i ld a nd d e se r ted m oun ta in s " . T h i s d o cumen t i n t h e C an tab r ian R eg iona l H is to r ica l A r ch ive i s q uo ted b y G a r c ia A lon so ( 1 997 ) .

T h e r e tu rn o fd emoc ra cy i nS pa in a nd i t s e n t ry i n to t h e E u ropean C ommun i ty h ave c au sed a r ap id mod e rn i sa t ion o f t h i s p a r t o f C an tab r ia , w i th t h e d i sadvan tag e t h a t t h e o l d f a rm ing m e thod s h ave b e come u ne conom ica l . T h ep opu la t ion i si nd ec l in e , w i th f ew j ob s f o r y oung p eop le i n Ma t ienzo , a nd t o u r i sm n ow o f e r s p ra c t ica l ly t h e o n ly h ope f o r f u tu r ed eve lopmen t . I ft h i si ss u c ce s sf u li tw i l l s u r e ly b r ing a bou t n ew c hang e s i nt h e v i l lag e . B u t a tt h e m omen t w e a r e p r iv i leg ed t os e e t h i s u n ique v a l ley i n i t s m o r e o r l e s s n a tu ra l s t a t e , a nd h ave h ad t h e f o r tune t oe xp lo r e i t sa maz ing c ave s , w h ich s t o re s o mu ch i n f o rma t ion a bou tt h ea r ea ' sp a s t .

T he i nhab i tan t s o f t h e a r ea s ome t ime s r e b e l led a ga in s t t h e a bu se s o f t h e f e uda l l o rd s . P a r t ly i n r e spon se t ot h e n eed f o r o rgan i sa t ion , e a ch v i l lag e f o rmed i t s C onc e jo , ac ounc i l f o rmed b y t h e h ead s o fe ve ry h ou seho ld i nt h ev i l lag e . T he l i v e s tock w a s k ep t o n c ommuna l l a nd o n t h e h i l l s d u r ing mo s t o f t h ey ea r , w h i le t h e c u l t iva ted l a nd , a l so c ommuna l , w a s i n t h e v a l ley a r ound t h e v i l lag e . I n w in te r t h e a n ima l s w e r eb rough t d own t ot h ev i l lag e a nd k ep t i n s t ab le s a nd c ow shed s ( O r t iz R ea l & P e rez B u s taman t e 1 986 ) .

R e f erence s A r ia s ,

T h i s c ommuna l e x ten s iv e s y s t em e ven tua l ly c hang ed t o a mo r e i nd iv idua l i n ten s ive u se . Ma t ienzo w a s i nf lu en ced b y af a rm ing m e thod d eve lop ed i nt h e 1 6 th a nd 1 7 th C en tu r ie si nt h ea r ea a r ound t h e u pp e r P a s a nd M ie ra v a l ley s . T h e P as iego s y s tem w a s b a sed o n t h e r o ta t ion o f p a s tu re s ; t h e f am i ly a nd t h e i r a n ima l s moved f r om o ne c abana ( ab ar n w i th s ma l l l i v ing q ua r te r s ) t o a no the r t h roughou t t h e y ea r s o t h a t t h e a n ima l s , m a in ly d a i r y c a t t le , c ou ld m ak e t h e b e s t u se o ft h e g r az ing . T he i n t rodu c t ion o f m a ize i n t h e 1 7 th C en tu ry w a s a l so v e ry i mpo r tan ta st h i s c r op i sw e l l s u i ted t o t h e t e r ra in , a nd g ave mu ch b e t te r y i e ld s

P . 1 992 . E s t ra teg ia s e conöm ica s d e l a s p ob lac ione s d e l E p ip a laeo l i t ico a vanzado y N eo l i t ico e n l a R eg ion C än tab r ica . I n E l ef an t es , c i er vos y o v icap r ino s , p p 1 63 184 . U n iv e r s idad d eC an tab r ia .

A r ia s , P .&o t h e r s , 1 999a . L a G a rma . U n d escenso a lp a sad o . U n iv e r s idad d eC an tab r ia . A r ia s , P . & o t he r s 1 999b . N ueva s a po r tac ione s a l c onoc im ien to d e l a s p r ime ra s s o c iedad e s p r odu c to ra s e n l a R eg iön C an täb r ica . S agun tum -P la v , E x t ra 2 , p p 5 49 -557 . V a lenc ia . B oh iga s R o ldän , R . 1 982 . L o s r e s tos a rqueo log ica s a l tomed ieva l es e n C an tabr ia . V a l lado l id . 2 23

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Mega l i t ico s . L a e v id enc ia d e l o s c amb io s e n l a s f o rma s p roduc t iva s e n e l p a so a l m ega l i t i smo e n l a C os ta C an täb r ica . I n E lef an tes , c i ervos y o v icapr inos , p p 1 85 -202 .

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O r t iz R ea l , J . & R . P e rez B u s taman te , 1 986 . C an tabr ia e n l aB a ja E dad Med ia . S an tand e r . P e ra l ta L ab rado r , E . 2 000 . L os C än tabros A n tes d e R oma . B ib l io the ca A rchaeo log ica H ispana 5 . R ea l A cad em ia d el aH i s to r ia . Mad r id .

G onzä lez Mo ra le s , M . & L .G . S t rau s , 2 000 . L a P reh i s to r ia d e l V a l le d e l A sön : L a c ueva d e l M i rön ( Rama le sd e l aV ic to r ia ) . E xcavac ione s 1 996 -1999 . I nA c tuac iones A rqueo lög ica s e n C an tabr ia 1 984 -1999 , p p 31-336 . S an tand e r .

S e rna G ancedo , M . &B . Ma lpe lo , 1 993 . L a C ueva L lu sa o C o l lu sa d e Oga r r io ( Rue sga ) . B o l e t in C än tabro d e E spe leo log ia 9 , p p 3 9 -41 . S an tand e r .

G onzä lez Mo ra le s , M . & o the r s , 2 000 . L a P reh i s tor ia d e l a s Ma r isma s : P ro sp ecc iön a rqu eo lög ica d e l a z ona d e l b a jo A sön y ma r i sma s d e S an tor ia y t oma d e mue s t ra s e n l o s y ac inüen to s d e l a s c ueva s d e l O te ro , L a C ho ra y V a l le . I nA c tuac iones A rqueo lög icas e n C an tabr ia 1 984 -1999 , p p 1 51-154 . S an tande r .

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