TY - JOUR
T1 - First evidence of early neolithic archery from Cueva de los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Granada) revealed through combined chemical and morphological analysis
AU - Bertin, Ingrid
AU - Martín-Seijo, María
AU - Martínez-Sevilla, Francisco
AU - McGrath, Krista
AU - Santana, Jonathan
AU - Herrero-Otal, Maria
AU - Martínez Sánchez, Rafael M.
AU - Palomo, Antoni
AU - Regert, Martine
AU - Théry, Isabelle
AU - Piqué, Raquel
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12/5
Y1 - 2024/12/5
N2 - The extraordinary preservation of Cueva de Los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Spain) provides a unique opportunity to identify the materials and the techniques involved in archery during the Early Neolithic period. Arrows with preserved feathers, tied fibres, adhesive substance, and two probable bowstrings have been studied trough an unprecedented multi-proxy investigation, including microscopy and biomolecular methods, to unravel archery techniques. The study has identified the oldest known sinew bowstrings, the first evidence for the use of olive tree (Olea europaea) and reed (Phragmites sp.) to produce arrow shafts in prehistoric European archery, and the identification of birch bark tar as a coating on the shafts. The results of this study provide insights into ancient craft, technological solutions, and adaptations to local resources in the production of these reed-shafted hardwood tipped arrows and bowstrings. Their deposition in a burial cave sheds new light on the role of these artefacts in a Neolithic farming community.
AB - The extraordinary preservation of Cueva de Los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Spain) provides a unique opportunity to identify the materials and the techniques involved in archery during the Early Neolithic period. Arrows with preserved feathers, tied fibres, adhesive substance, and two probable bowstrings have been studied trough an unprecedented multi-proxy investigation, including microscopy and biomolecular methods, to unravel archery techniques. The study has identified the oldest known sinew bowstrings, the first evidence for the use of olive tree (Olea europaea) and reed (Phragmites sp.) to produce arrow shafts in prehistoric European archery, and the identification of birch bark tar as a coating on the shafts. The results of this study provide insights into ancient craft, technological solutions, and adaptations to local resources in the production of these reed-shafted hardwood tipped arrows and bowstrings. Their deposition in a burial cave sheds new light on the role of these artefacts in a Neolithic farming community.
KW - Agriculture/history
KW - Archaeology
KW - History, Ancient
KW - Humans
KW - Olea
KW - Spain
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/ce5bc986-561e-368c-bd51-6281d2cf24ff/
UR - https://portalrecerca.uab.cat/en/publications/524e79c6-1fb4-44a7-a521-2ab10e637b2d
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-024-77224-w
DO - 10.1038/s41598-024-77224-w
M3 - Article
C2 - 39639061
AN - SCOPUS:85210979027
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 14
SP - 29247
JO - SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
JF - SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
IS - 1
M1 - 29247
ER -