Unveiling an Ancient Mystery: The Story Behind Prehistoric Bone Tools in Spain

Tuesday - September 26 2023, 03:06 UTC - 1 year ago

Researchers from the University of Cordoba and the University of Bern have unveiled a fascinating glimpse into the past by studying the archaeological treasure trove of the Cave of Marbles in Priego de Córdoba, Spain. Through the use of high-resolution molds and electron microscopy, the research team made a startling revelation: many of the bone remains bore marks and cuts that were not consistent with consumption but pointed towards an alternative purpose – as tools. Carbon-14 dating points to three periods of funerary use ranging from Neolithic to Bronze Age. They concluded that these ancient communities engaged in intricate rituals and used the bones as tools, suggesting ancestral reverence during that time.

Researchers from the University of Cordoba and the University of Bern have unveiled a fascinating glimpse into the past. A statement released by the University of Córdoba sheds light on the ways in which prehistoric societies modified human bones for purposes that extend beyond mere consumption. The study, led by Zita Laffranchi and Marco Milella, delves into the archaeological treasure trove of the Cueva de los Mármoles (Cave of Marbles) in Priego de Córdoba, Spain. Their investigation, published in the journal PLoS ONE, has unearthed a remarkable story of rituals and cultural practices that spanned from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.

Bones as tools .

The heart of this research lies in the analysis of over 400 skeletal remains, both adult and preadult, meticulously preserved in Priego de Córdoba's Archaeological Museum. Through the use of high-resolution molds and electron microscopy, the research team made a startling revelation: many of the bone remains bore marks and cuts that were not consistent with consumption but pointed towards an alternative purpose – as tools. This discovery challenges conventional wisdom in archaeology, where bone marks have often been attributed to cannibalistic practices.

Rafael Martínez Sánchez, a researcher at the University of Cordoba, and part of the team studying the skeletal remains, explained the difficulty in distinguishing whether these marks were due to tools or food. He attributes it to the remains being deposited on the surface of the cave and not buried deep, making them susceptible to taphonomic modifications by animals over the years. However, the study's findings lean toward the notion that these bones underwent a careful cleaning process indicative of their instrumental use. Among the discoveries were a fibula with a pointed end, a modified tibia, and a skull.

The timeline of rituals .

Carbon-14 dating played a pivotal role in unraveling the timeline of these mysterious rituals. The results point to three periods of funerary use in the cave, dating back to 3800 BC, 2500 BC, and approximately 1300-1400 BC. The first period, corresponding to the Neolithic era, aligns with the emergence of dolmens— single chamber tombs with a flat capstone— designed for collective burials, suggesting ancestral reverence during that time. The coexistence of the earliest burials in the cave with the onset of Megalithism, coupled with the nature of the bone marks not aligning with consumption, bolsters the theory that these human remains were intentionally fashioned for use as instruments.

Rafael Martínez Sánchez said, “It seems that there was the idea of grouping the dead in the same place, cleaning the remains, and using the bones as instruments, perhaps related to some type of ritual performed inside the cavity.” .

This study challenges conventional narratives surrounding prehistoric societies and their treatment of human remains. Instead of viewing these bones through the lens of cannibalism, the researchers offer a compelling alternative – that these ancient communities engaged in intricate rituals and cultural practices, using the bones as tools to bridge the gap betwixt the physical and spiritual realms.