Shepherds and karst: the use of caves and rock-shelters in the Mediterranean region during the Neolithic
Abstract
Several Neolithic to Iron Age sites of the Mediterranean region contain archaeological sediments, called fumiers, which are composed mainly of burnt animal dung and vegetal remains, and are commonly interpreted as the product of pastoral activities. Here we address three main topics about these sediments, which occur almost exclusively in the entrance areas of karstic caves and rock-shelters: their characteristics; methodological aspects of their excavation and study; and their archaeological interpretation. For such purposes, we briefly review the information available about Neolithic fumiers and present the first data from the sites of El Mirador (Burgos, Spain) and Riparo Gaban (Trento, Italy).
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The human remains found in S100 and levels MIR204 and MIR205 of S200 are associated with artifact dispersion from livestock activities, which led to the accumulation of manure and other archaeological remains often subjected to periodic burning.
“The human remains found in S100 and levels MIR204 and MIR205 of S200 are associated with artifact dispersion from these activities, which led to the accumulation of manure and other archaeological remains, often subjected to periodic burning to sanitise the space and reduce dung volume23,24.”
From Evidence of neolithic cannibalism among farming communities at El Mirador cave, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain (2025) · cites this paper as [24]
Manure in these contexts was frequently affected by bioturbation, as seen throughout the El Mirador cave sequence.
“Manure in these contexts was frequently affected by bioturbation, as seen throughout the El Mirador cave sequence24.”
From Evidence of neolithic cannibalism among farming communities at El Mirador cave, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain (2025) · cites this paper as [24]
The presence of dung layers throughout the El Mirador cave sequence suggests numerous dung-burning events inside the cave, during which other materials, including human remains, may have been mixed in and affected by the fire.
“The presence of dung layers throughout the El Mirador cave sequence23,24 suggests numerous dung-burning events inside the cave, during which other materials, including human remains, may have been mixed in and affected by the fire.”
From Evidence of neolithic cannibalism among farming communities at El Mirador cave, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain (2025) · cites this paper as [24]
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Saladié, P., Marginedas, F., Morales, J. I., Vergès, J. M., Allué, E., Expósito, I., Lozano, M., Martín, P., Iglesias-Bexiga, J., Fontanals, M., et al. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-10266-w · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“The human remains found in S100 and levels MIR204 and MIR205 of S200 are associated with artifact dispersion from these activities, which led to the accumulation of manure and other archaeological remains, often subjected to periodic burning to sanitise the space and reduce dung volume 23,24 .”
Self-citation
- Authors
- Angelucci, D. E., Boschian, G., Fontanals, M., Pedrotti, A., & Vergès, J. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Trento (IT)
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
- Corresponding author
- Angelucci, Diego E.
- Venue
- World Archaeology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-06
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 191-214
- ISSN
- 0043-8243 (ISSN-L)
- 1470-1375
- OpenAlex
- W1972926361
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- World Archaeology (publishedVersion)
- CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion)
- Institutional Research Information System (Università degli Studi di Trento) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Provincia Autonoma di Trento
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Archaeological and Geological Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil and Environmental Studies
- Keywords
- Neolithic, karst caves, rock shelters, pastoralism, sheep and goat husbandry, archaeological sediments, Mirador, Mediterranean Neolithic, Iron Age
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