Women in...
The Early Neolithic
During the Early Neolithic we observe a growing complexity and diversity brought about by new social and economic practices. These ranged from the progressive introduction of agriculture and stockbreeding to a new way of viewing a territory that was being transformed and humanised, as well as a gradual sedentarisation of populations and new concepts of identity manifested through personal adornment and decoration.
Until now, research into these populations −for which the archaeological record is limited− has focused on aspects related to the new agricultural and stockbreeding productions. Material manifestations and other technologies that were developed at the same time have been largely side-lined and only taken into account where they act as indicators of social or economic change.
Furthermore, most excavations have been carried out in caves, leading to a possible under-representation of open-air habitats, with the limitations this implies for our knowledge of other aspects of daily life in that period.
La Cueva del Toro is a good place to learn about how these communities lived. Here we find the simultaneous remains of domestic activities ─food preparation and consumption, craftwork and stabling of sheep and goats─ and evidence of ritual and funerary activities. This is an archaeological record that also allows us to speak of identity, beliefs, learning and socialisation.
Picture: Daily life and environment in the Early Neolithic. Cueva del Toro (Torcal del Antequera, Malaga). Illustrated by Miguel Salvatierra
Thanks:
Mª Dolores Camalich Massieu and Dimas Martín Socas. PGI El Neolítico en la comarca de Antequera. Dirección General de Bienes Culturales y Museos. Consejería de Cultura. Junta de Andalucía.
I+D+i HAR2011-29068, HAR 2013-38857 y HAR2016-78197-P. Support to the Research of Archaeological Complex Dolmens of Antequera.