Middle Neolithic Catalan

En el punt actual del nostre coneixement no podem establir amb seguretat la funcionalitat d’aquests elements, entre altres raons perquè tots els casos s’han trobat fora de context, formant part de nivells d’amortització. Tot i les semblances entre ells, hem d’incidir en una certa varietat morfomètrica, cosa que podria indicar una funció determinada depenent de la forma definitiva de cada punxó o, fins i tot, una multiplicitat d’utilitats per a un mateix element si s’aplica la lògica d’una inversió de temps considerable en alguns casos. Amb tot, i tenint en compte els possibles usos esmentats anteriorment, proposem una funcionalitat pràctica relacionada amb l’aplicació de les decoracions dels vasos ceràmics. L’anàlisi dels punxons del Camp del Colomer i del Carrer Llinàs 28 mostra, en alguns dels individus recuperats, dife· rents etapes de la cadena operativa de fabricació d’aquest tipus d’eina, de la mateixa manera que aquest procés ha estat documentat en el cas de les destrals, cosa que referma, doncs, la hipòtesi de l’existència d’un taller d’indústria lítica al mateix jaciment del Carrer Llinàs 28 (o en una zona molt propera) per abastir les necessitats de l’hàbitat. Finalment, hem d’apuntar que tots els punxons localitzats a Juberri, recuperats en una estratigrafia prou clara, estan situats en una franja cronològica ben delimitada dins el neolític mitjà inicial (fàcies postcardial). Les semblances dels punxons de Juberri amb el petit catàleg de punxons pirinenc són òbvies, sobretot amb els documentats a la cova de la Fou de Bor, però no es limiten únicament al material lític sinó que van més enllà, com ho demostren les conclusions de l’estudi ceràmic comparatiu entre el jaciment andorrà i la cova ceretana. Aquests resultats podrien evidenciar una contemporaneïtat dels dos hàbitats (com a mínim, coincidents durant aquest període) i, fins i tot, l’existència d’un flux de relacions i intercanvis de diferent tipus entre els dos grups humans, que derivarien en una certa homogeneïtzació formal dels útils i els atuells ceràmics.

This short paper present the excavations made in 2013 on the site of Schwindratzheim (Nothern Alsace, France). If some bones and a reindeer's antler were discovered, the first dwelling phase is dated from the Early Neolithic (LBK culture), followed by a second, a few centuries later: few pits and two graves associated to an enclosure are attributed to the Bischheim group allowed to the decorated sherds. Two storage pits from the Recent Neolithic were also found.

La parte descriptiva de este trabajo se basa en un resumen de los dos trabajos que Imma Guitart Perarnau (1987, 1988)1 efectuó en relación a la necrópolis del Pla del Riu de les Marcetes:
- Un artículo presentado en Tribuna d’Arqueologia y publicado en 1987, con el título: «La necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu de Les Marcetes (Manresa, Bages)».
- Memòria d’excavacións de la necrópolis neolítica del Pla del Riu (Les Marcetes, Bages). Presentada en 1988 en el Departament de Cultura i Mitjans de Comunicació de la Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultura [En línea] <http://calaix.gencat.cat/bitstream/handle/10687/8440/qmem237_web.pdf?sequence=2> [Consulta: 11 de marzo de 2018].
Por ello, los lectores deben acudir a tales obras para consultar con mayor profundidad los detalles referidos a este yacimiento. En nuestro caso, haremos una descripción general de los enterramientos y de los materiales documentados como ajuar. El estudio antropológico realizado por el Dr. Lluis Guerrero (1988) se encuentra adjunto en la memoria anteriormente citada. En el marco del proyecto que estamos dirigiendo, El Pla del Riu de les Marcetes era uno de los yacimientos de obligado estudio por varios motivos: era una excavación relativamente reciente, había una buena documentación, gracias especialmente al hecho de existir una memoria de excavación, se habían realizado los análisis antropológicos y el material estaba bien conservado. Sin embargo, siendo para nosotros y otros investigadores un referente continuo en nuestras publicaciones (Gibaja 2003, 2004; Gibaja et al., 2010), era una de esas necrópolis prácticamente olvidadas. Tanto es así, que cuando requerimos al Museu de Manresa, y en concreto a su director Francesc Vila, el poder estudiar los materiales de esta necrópolis, su sorpresa fue enorme, puesto que desde su depósito en el Museu nadie había solicitado su consulta.
En este capítulo dedicado al Pla del Riu de les Marcetes queremos de alguna manera reivindicar su importancia en el marco de los contextos funerarios de este periodo. El grupo de investigadores que estuvimos trabajando los materiales de este yacimiento presentamos en las próximas páginas los resultados de nuestros estudios.

One aspect that defines the Neolithic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula is its funeral register. The graves are so numerous that already in the early twentieth century Professor P. Bosch Gimpera considered that they had to belong to the same culture, the culture of « Sepulcres de Fossa ». Many studies have been conducted on the funerary practices of this group, but atypical graves or human remains deposits are generally
unnoticed, whereas they exist. In this paper we present some of these structures and propose a first series of reflections on these non-normative deposits.

The Sepulcros de Fosa is a historical period which has an extensive bibliographical record for northeastern
Iberia. It has been attributed to the Middle Neolithic and dated to c.4000-3600 cal. BC. However, recent
archaeological research and several new radiocarbon dates indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa culture
emerged earlier, during the Postcardial Neolithic period for nearly 800 years until the middle of 4th millennium
cal. BC. These dates were obtained as part of the project «Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas
del NE Peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias». The data indicate that the Sepulcros de Fosa began
first in the Penedès region and then moved to the Vallès region, where it reached its peak at c. 3500-3450
cal. BC.

(The neolithic period in Juberri, Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra (I). Models of settlement and material culture): The knowledge of the neolithic period in recent years has increased steadily thanks to the data from new findings in this area. The research show us two different models of settlement (camp del Colomer and carrer Llinàs 28) probably related to the archaeological site of Feixa del Moro which is located very close to these. The first one presents only a few arrangements easy to assimilate to habitat structures, storing underground silos and some pits of unknown functionality. From carrer Llinàs, in a open area with no underground structures, it is documented a several number of polished stone axes and interesting pottery for the late epicardial neolithic period. All this together indicates the existence of a stable community dedicated mainly to agriculture for a livelihood.

"En este artículo se hace balance de los resultados obtenidos sobre la primera explotación europea de sal minera desarrollada alrededor
de la Muntanya de Sal de Cardona (España), la única montaña de sal gema de Europa occidental. Se considera que esta actividad
minera se inició entre 4.500-4.200 a.C. y fue una explotación a cielo abierto durante el Neolítico medio catalán.
Se han analizado los procesos de producción utilizados en la Vall Salina y los procesos mecánicos que intervienen en la extracción
de la sal a partir del análisis de 225 herramientas de piedra pulida. Por último, se valoran los flujos de intercambios existentes
durante el Neolítico medio y la importancia socioeconómica de la sal gema de Cardona.

This article presents results concerning the earliest exploitation of rock salt in Europe at the Muntanya de Sal, Cardona (Spain),
a unique salt mountain in Western Europe. This mining activity began c. 4,500-4,200 B.C. and was an open quarry during the
Catalan Middle Neolithic.
We analysed 225 polished stone tools to determine the processes of production used in the Vall Salina and the mechanical processes
used in salt extraction. Finally, we stress the importance of the exchanges and the trade during the Middle Neolithic and
the socio-economical value of rock salt from Cardona.
"

The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (what we call Middle Neolithic I and until recently was considered as belonging to the late early Neolithic).
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].

The excavation and study of the archaeological materials recovered in the 8 postcardial Neolithic layers of cova de Can Sadurní give proof of the mining activity that the group was carrying out since the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (what we call Middle Neolithic I and until recently was considered as belonging to the late early Neolithic).
This mining activity, initially focused on the exploitation of quartz in the outcrops found in the Garraf Massif, particularly in the area known as Garraf negre (“black Garraf”), ended up with the discovery of variscite and other green-coloured minerals present in the same geological context. These groups started exploiting the green stone along with quartz.
The first distribution networks were developed. Prestige goods arrived to Can Sadurní thanks to the exchange networks connected to the green stones (also called callaite). There was a population increase. Suddenly, around the change of millennium, the presence of the community in the cave stopped. From this moment onwards, the mining community of Can Tintorer, now in the Middle Neolithic II phase or Sepulcres de Fossa culture, appears and grows, which makes us think of a population migration from Can Sadurní Cave to Can TIntorer, which are ca. 8 km apart, within the same territory. This is one of the working hypotheses with which the CIPAG is working within the running research project (2014-2017) “Les comunitats prehistòriques del massís de Garraf nord. Orígens, genètica, patrons d’assentament, trets culturals, recursos i mobilitat durant la prehistòria recent” [The prehistoric communities of the Northern Garraf Massif. Origins, genetics, settlement patterns, cultural traits, resources and mobility during recent prehistory].

As a consequence of our study on the only mountain of mine salt in western Europe, we present the results obtained
of the first European mine salt exploitation of Cardona Muntanya de sal. Moreover we focus our study on the role of the salt in
the exchange of different Middle Neolithic material and specific values. Therefore, we analyse the origins and the distribution of
different raw materials and products in order to reconstruct the exchanges of other worthy values (variscite pearls, shells bracelets)
and other exogenous materials (alpine axes, blond flint, etc.). Crossing the information, it is possible to evaluate the salt socio-economic
role in the intercommunity exchanges and to propose a dynamic model of circulation with privileged axes of exchanges and
key regions like Solsonià and Vallès.

Barremian-Bedoulian flint from the Vaucluse region (western Provence, SE France), is traditionally considered one of the most significant chrono-cultural markers of the Chassé en culture during the Middle Neolithic (end of the 5 th and beginning of the 4 th millennium BC). Diffusion of Provençal flints became massive during the first half of the 4 th millennium BC, penetrating in several neighbouring cultural spheres such as the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in northeastern Iberia. The integrated study of the lithic assemblages from the variscite mines of Gavà (Barcelona) and its contextualization within the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in northeastern Iberia have revealed unexpected complexity in the modes of consumption, use and status of imported Barremian-Bedoulian industries in northeastern Iberia during the 5 th to 4 th millennia cal. BC transition. Local communities within this region, already controlling extraction and regional diffusion of variscite ornaments, exerted control over the fluxes of Vauclusian flint south of the Pyrenees, where it had a triple status (functional, symbolic and both). In addition, the results provide complementary data to better understand relevant aspects of the nature and organisation of Barremian-Bedoulian flint exploitation and early supply systems at the Provençal producing sites during the later phase of the Chas-sé en culture.

La presente comunicación tiene por objetivo dar a conocer la muy completa secuencia estratigráfica que el denominado Neolítico Postcardial de Can Sadurní ofrece a caballo entre el final del Neolítico Antiguo y durante todo el Neolítico Medio I. Los casi 800 años de duración de esta facies cultural se hallan presentes en dicha estratigrafía a partir de la constatación de 12 episodios distintos que se irán desgranando i que permiten su división en cuatro fases que, por sus características, ayudan a forjarnos un conocimiento relativamente profundo de este periodo caracterizado por el paso de la economía de autoabastecimiento a la economía excedentaria, por el rol adquirido por los elementos económicos del segundo y tercer sector (materias primas, minería, producciones estandarizadas, redes de intercambios), y por la convivencia entre dos estilos cerámicos: Molinot y Montboló, aspecto cada vez más palpable a nivel geográfico, y su evolución hacia el estilo “sepulcros de fosa” ya en el Neolítico Medio II.

Palabras clave: Neolítico Medio I, Postcardial, Montboló, Molinot, Nordeste peninsular.

El hallazgo entre 2011 y 2014, en las excavaciones de los niveles postcardiales del Neolítico Medio I de la cueva de Can Sadurní (Begues, Barcelona), de la constatación de un uso funerario de la cavidad, con un relativamente estructurado ritual en la segunda mitad del quinto milenio que ha permitido establecer un modelo funerario, permite hacer participar de dicho modelo a los yacimientos sepulcrales en cueva del nordeste peninsular adscritos, tradicionalmente, al llamado grupo de Montboló del Neolítico Medio I.
Por su parte la excavación y posterior publicación de los hallazgos en la necrópolis al aire libre de Sant Pau del Camp, ya en el último cuarto del quinto milenio, atestiguan el traslado de los centros de interés y de producción a los llanos litorales y prelitorales y la evolución de ese modelo funerario hacia un modelo de necrópolis de enterramiento individualizado, al aire libre, manteniendo aún, no obstante, muchos de los elementos rituales y formas funerarias anteriores.

Palabras clave: Neolítico Medio I, uso funerario en cueva, ritual, modelo funerario, evolución.

RESUMEN Actualmente, en el noreste de la Península Ibérica, se conocen muy pocos restos humanos pertenecientes a las primeras comunidades agricultoras y pastoriles de inicios del neolítico. Buena parte de las evidencias que tenemos provienen de contextos arqueológicos excava-dos con anterioridad a los años 80, lo que supone que no se dispone del mismo acerbo de análisis que se realizan en la actualidad. La ex-cavación realizada en Ca l'Estrada viene a rellenar en parte ese vacío aportando no sólo dos nuevos enterramientos, sino también toda una serie de análisis tanto del continente como del contenido de las sepulturas. Su estudio nos ha permitido conocer biológicamente a dos de los sujetos protagonistas de aquella su historia, cómo fueron inhumados y qué objetos les acompañaban. Estamos, sin duda, ante una de las pri-meras evidencias funerarias de lo que ha venido a denominarse como " la Cultura de los Sepulcros de fosa ". LABURPENA Gaur egun Iberiar Penintsularen Ipar-Ekialdean bizi izan ziren lehen talde nekazari eta artzainen giza aztarna gutxi ezagutzen dira. Ezagutzen diren ebidentzia gehienak 1980ko hamarkada baino lehenagoko indusketa arkeologikoei dagokie, eta horren ondorioz, egun egiten diren hain-bat analisiren falta dago testuinguru hauetan. Zentzu honetan Ca l'Estradan egindako indusketak hutsune hau bete egiten du, hilobi berri bi ezagutarazteaz gain, bai honen egituraren zein bere edukiaren gain egin diren azterketa guztiek aurkezten duten datuengatik. Ikerketa honek bi gizabanakoren, lurperatzearen testuingurua zein agertzen diren materialei buruzko informazioa eskaintzen du. Argi dago "la Cultura de los Sepulcros de fosa" deritzonaren lehen aztarnetariko baten inguruan ari garela lan honetan. ABSTRACT At present there are few human remains from early agricultural and pastoralists communities of the early Neolithic in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula Most of the evidence comes from archaeological contexts excavated prior to the 80's, then recent analytical are absent. The excavation in Ca l'Estrada partly fills this gap providing not only two new burials, but also a whole set of analyzes of the graves Their study has allowed us biologically meet two of the subjects protagonists of that history, how they were buried and what objects accompanied them. We are certainly at an early funerary evidence of what has come to be known as "Culture of pit graves." There are two burials; The first one comes from a cuvette of 70-80cm wide and 60-70cm deep. A woman 25-35 years old very well represented was depositated on right lateral decubitus with flexed limbs and his body was enveloped into a bundle or shroud. Under the pelvis a sheet of white flint good was found. This blade was used to cut plants near the ground or on it before putting it as dowry. It could not define the structure of the second burial. The remains correspond a part of a child of 5-6 yearsold, possibly a male. The study allows start to know biologicaly the human group that lived the zone. Likewise the detailed study of his grave has allowed to propose that it was wrapped in a shroud, deposited gathered and with the presence of a sheet of silex, attends that it might start to justify a ritual that will become more frequent in the Middle Neolithic.

The archaeological survey and intervention on the Ca l’Arnella site were motivated by the construction works of the Martorell-Figueres pipeline, and led to the finding and excavation of two funerary hypogeal with individual burials from the Middle Neolithic. The structures, buried individuals and materials are studied in this article. A geometric flint implement found near the lumbar vertebrae may have been originally inside the body and shows typical stigma of projectile use. This could be one of the scarce pieces of evidences for violence during this period.
The analysis of archaeological data provided several lines of evidence supporting this possibility.