A recent study led by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has revealed the sophistication of Neolithic archery equipment on the Iberian Peninsula (5300–4900 BCE). The analysis of remains found in the Cueva de Los Murciélagos in Albuñol (Granada, SpainCordage fragments from Cueva de los Murciélagos identified as possible bowstrings.) has not only reconstructed the art of archery from 7,000 years ago but also uncovered a technical skill that is surprising even in the European context.
Among the identified remains are the oldest bowstrings in Europe, made from animal tendons. These strings, crafted from materials such as goat, boar, and roe deer tendons, reflect a deep understanding of the properties of natural materials. According to Ingrid Bertin, the lead researcher of the study, the twisting of tendons to create strong and flexible strings demonstrates a degree of technical specialization that marks a milestone in the study of prehistoric weaponry.
In addition to the bowstrings, researchers discovered intact arrows, many still preserved with their original feathers. These artifacts reveal not only expertise in manufacturing but also sophistication in material selection. The use of olive wood and cane for the shafts, combined with birch tar application, suggests a design process aimed at optimizing ballistic properties.
The use of birch tar, obtained through a thermal treatment of the tree’s bark, adds another layer of complexity. This material not only protected the arrow shafts but may also have had an aesthetic function, elevating the design of the equipment beyond mere functionality.
The findings are significant not only for their technical value but also for what they reveal about the Neolithic societies of the region. The sophistication of these artifacts suggests that archery was not merely a tool for hunting or combat but likely held an important symbolic role. The placement of these objects in a funerary context within the cave suggests they may have had ritual or spiritual significance, pointing to a symbolic dimension that transcended their practical use.
Raquel Piqué, the study’s coordinator, highlights that the combination of advanced techniques and the use of local materials redefines our understanding of Neolithic technologies. Furthermore, she notes that these findings open new research avenues to explore how early farming communities integrated technical innovation into their daily lives and ritual practices.
The project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, brings together researchers from multiple institutions, including the University of Alcalá, the Institute of Heritage Sciences (INCIPIT-CSIC), and the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), among others. The interdisciplinary approach of the study has been key to achieving such revealing results, combining advanced microscopy techniques and biomolecular analysis to examine proteins, lipids, and organic materials.
Additionally, the research is part of the MUTERMUR project, which aims to update and enrich the knowledge of the Cueva de Los Murciélagos site using state-of-the-art archaeometric techniques. This effort has not only unraveled the secrets of the past but also generated high-quality scientific data that will serve future research.
The findings contribute to enriching our understanding of the craftsmanship and daily life of prehistoric societies and open pathways for the study of ancient weaponry by revealing methods and materials that can be investigated at other Neolithic archaeological sites in Europe, says Raquel Piqué. Moreover, they provide greater insight into the symbolic sphere linked to these grave goods found in a funerary context such as that of the Cueva de Los Murciélagos.
SOURCES
Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona
Bertin, I., Martín-Seijo, M., Martínez-Sevilla, F. et al. First evidence of early neolithic archery from Cueva de los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Granada) revealed through combined chemical and morphological analysis. Sci Rep 14, 29247 (2024). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77224-w
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Human Footprints from the Bronze Age Left by People Fleeing a Vesuvian Eruption and Other Extraordinary Discoveries in Campania
During improvement works on the Diramazione Nocera-Cava dei Tirreni gas pipeline in the municipalities of Nocera Superiore, Nocera Inferiore, Roccapiemonte, and Castel San Giorgio (province of Salerno, Campania) in Italy,…
Herzgruft, the Crypt in Vienna Where the Hearts of the Habsburgs Are Preserved
Saying that the heart of the Habsburgs is in Vienna may sound like a poetic expression to embellish a historical fact, but it can be taken literally if one visits…
Analysis of Fingerprints on Figurines Recovered in Heracleion Reveals Women and Children also Made them
An archaeological study published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology by Leonie Hoff analyzes the fingerprints impressed on terracotta figurines found in the ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion in Egypt (located…
The Oldest Neolithic Settlement of France’s First Farmers, Discovered on the French Riviera
Described as a rare find by the regional archaeology department, one of the oldest Neolithic settlements in France, attributed to the Early Cardial period, is currently being excavated by archaeologists…
A Large Ritual Structure Discovered in Jerusalem with 8 Rock-Cut Rooms and Mysterious V-Shaped Marks on the Floor
A remarkable archaeological find has come to light on the eastern slope of the City of David, within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. This unique structure, spanning approximately 220…
The Incredible Wrangel Island: The Place Where Mammoths Survived Until 2000 BC
Located in the Arctic Ocean, between the Chukchi Sea and the East Siberian Sea, Wrangel Island is a 7,600 km² enclave, equivalent in size to Crete. It is part of…
How Ashurbanipal Destroyed Babylon, Whose King Was His Own Elder Brother
And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…” Revelation, 14:08 This verse from the Bible likely sounds familiar to many; it refers to the conquest of…
The Legacy of the Roman Empire in Germany: A Surprising Study Reveals How It Influences the Current Well-Being of Regions
A recent study published in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology has shown that Roman rule, which occurred over two thousand years ago, continues to leave deep marks on…
Scientists Unravel the Origins of the Sogdians, the Enigmatic Merchants of the Silk Road
In a discovery that promises to reshape our understanding of cultural and genetic interactions along the Silk Road, an international team of researchers has unraveled the complex roots of the…
The remains found in the Octagon Tomb of Ephesus are revealed not to be Cleopatra’s sister but a 14-year-old boy
An interdisciplinary team led by anthropologist Gerhard Weber from the University of Vienna, together with experts from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, has concluded, after analyzing a skull discovered in…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
