TYPE Original Research PUBLISHED 11 December 2023 DOI 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 Early husbandry practices in OPEN ACCESS highland areas during the Neolithic: the case of Coro Trasito EDITED BY Lídia Colominas, Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica, Spain REVIEWED BY Leïa Mion, cave (Huesca, Spain) Cardiff University, United Kingdom Francesco Carrer, Newcastle University, United Kingdom Vanessa Navarrete1,2*, Angel Viñerta3 , Ignacio Clemente-Conte4 , Rosalind Gillis, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Germany Ermengol Gassiot5 , Javier Rey Lanaspa6 and Maria Saña3,7 1 *CORRESPONDENCE Herança Cultural, Estudos e Salvaguarda (HERCULES) Laboratory, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Vanessa Navarrete Portugal, 2 Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and vanessa.navarreteb@gmail.com Territory, Évora, Portugal, 3 Laboratori d’Arqueozoologia, Departament de Prehistòria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 4 Grupo de Arqueología de las Dinámicas Sociales, Institución RECEIVED 08 October 2023 Milá y Fontanals de Estudios en Humanidades del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, ACCEPTED 20 November 2023 Barcelona, Spain, 5 Grup d’Arqueologia de l’Alta Muntanya (GAAM), Departament de Prehistòria, PUBLISHED 11 December 2023 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 6 Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural, CITATION Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain, 7 EarlyFoods, Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Navarrete V, Viñerta A, Clemente-Conte I, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Gassiot E, Rey Lanaspa J and Saña M (2023) Early husbandry practices in highland areas during the Neolithic: the case of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). Research on animal management strategies in high mountain areas during the Front. Environ. Archaeol. 2:1309907. early Neolithic (5,700–4,500 cal BC) has been conditioned by the presumption doi: 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 that human occupations in highland areas had a prominent seasonal character and COPYRIGHT the economic practices focused mainly on the exploitation of wild resources. The © 2023 Navarrete, Viñerta, Clemente-Conte, results obtained in the framework of research developed recently on settlement Gassiot, Rey Lanaspa and Saña. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms dynamics during the early Neolithic in the highland areas indicate the existence of the Creative Commons Attribution License of relatively permanent occupations and the exploitation of domestic resources. (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction Regarding livestock, the role of caprine transhumance in highland areas has in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) been highlighted traditionally, conferring a marginal role to husbandry activities are credited and that the original publication in and emphasizing principally the temporary maintenance of herds of sheep and this journal is cited, in accordance with goats. In this study, we use the archaeozoological data and δ13 C and δ15 N stable accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which isotopes composition of the faunal bones collagen to characterize the husbandry does not comply with these terms. practices in Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). The results obtained demonstrated the presence of diverse herd foddering strategies within husbandry practices characterized by taxonomic diversity and multipurpose exploitation suggests that during the Neolithic, Coro Trasito cave played a more complex role than sheepfold. Moreover, the presence of the four main domestic species indicates the adaptation of herds of Coro Trasito to the cave environment, flocks with diverse dietary needs and reproductive behaviors. The results are discussed with an integrated analysis of the data related to animal management strategies in highland areas (more than 1,500 m. asl) during the early Neolithic, in particular in the central Pyrenees area. This study offers new elements to study the complexity of neolithization processes in the central Pyrenees and how these areas were quickly integrated into a broader economic system. KEYWORDS central Pyrenees, δ13 C and δ15 N isotopes, livestock practices, animal management, Iberian Peninsula Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 01 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 1 Introduction In this context, settling in mountain regions may not exclude greater permanence and/or more intensive management of these The study of animal management strategies in high mountain areas. It can involve specialized husbandry practices, leading to the regions of the Iberian Peninsula during the Early Neolithic (c. simultaneous management of domesticates, different productive 5,700–4,500 cal BC) has been influenced by the assumption that purposes and specific feeding practices. These strategies can settlements in these areas were primarily seasonal. This assumption encompass activities within the local grazing areas, through has linked the settlements to pastoral or transhumant activities mobility strategies, or involve the provision of forage. Considering from the beginning of the Neolithic, emphasizing the role of that each domesticate exhibits distinct requirements and behaviors, caprine transhumance in highland areas (Martín et al., 2010; Rojo- a combination of planning and control mechanisms becomes Guerra et al., 2013, 2014; Lancelotti et al., 2014; Tornero et al., essential to ensure the wellbeing and reproduction of the herds. 2018; Tejedor-Rodríguez et al., 2021). However, new research as Although more works address this problem in the Iberian well as the discovery of new archaeological sites have revealed a Peninsula (Navarrete et al., 2017, 2019; Tornero et al., 2018; Sierra wide range of situations, evidencing many complex mixed farming et al., 2019; Martin et al., 2021; Navarrete et al., Accepted; Tejedor- models involving interactions between plant and animal herding Rodríguez et al., 2021), there is still a gap in information on animal (Ebersbach, 2010; Antolín et al., 2018; Villalba-Mouco et al., management strategies during the Neolithic in mountain areas, and 2018; Sierra et al., 2019; Gassiot et al., 2021, 2022). In Iberian the characterization of grazing areas, foraging strategies, and the Pyrenees, Antolín et al. (2018) demonstrate that the settlement relation of the herds with the environmental characteristics of the dynamics during the Early Neolithic could have been characterized area, the type of site and the use of the settlement. The combined by relatively permanent occupations and the exploitation of use of archaeozoological and stable isotope analysis can provide domestic resources. Clear evidence of permanent activity at the us with the keys to the study of pastoral management strategies mountain sites would include agriculture practices, along with (Madgwick et al., 2012; Balasse et al., 2016; Navarrete et al., 2017, other practices linked to medium-to-long-term strategies, such Accepted). as the storage of plant-based products (Antolín et al., 2017). The main objective of this research is to characterize husbandry Regarding livestock, the presence of the four main domestic practices at the Coro Trasito site during the early Neolithic, species (Bos taurus, Sus domesticus, Ovis aries, and Capra hircus) emphasizing the management strategies of domesticates. Using has been evidenced in the archaeological sites located above archaeozoological and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis 900 m in the Iberian Pyrenees during the Neolithic (with the in bulk collagen, we will evaluate the animal ecology, herd exception of the Zatoya site: Antolín et al., 2018, p. 88). In the management and feeding strategies implemented in Coro Trasito. sites where domesticates have been identified, various uses and The results will also be discussed within the framework of the exploitations of these animals have also been documented (Viñerta, neolithisation models proposed for the Iberian Peninsula and, 2015; Antolín et al., 2018; Sierra et al., 2019; Viñerta and Saña, especially, for the central area of the Pyrenees. 2019). Recent research about the Neolithisation process and the socioeconomic dynamics trends of the Neolithic in the central 2 Coro Trasito (Tella-Sin, Huesca) Pyrenees has revealed livestock management practices in the surrounding areas of the Neolithic settlements documented at Coro Trasito is a large cave located on the southern slope of altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 m asl (Clemente-Conte the Sierra de Las Tucas in Tella-Sin, Huesca, Spain, at 1,540 m et al., 2014; Antolín et al., 2018; Gassiot et al., 2018, 2022; Obea a.s.l (Figure 1). This cave has an entrance that is 30.2 m long et al., 2021). Sites such as Coro Trasito cave, Cueva Lóbrica, Els and 4.4 m high, with a maximum depth of 16.4 m (Clemente- Trocs, and Cova del Sardo demonstrate well-established human Conte et al., 2014). According to the climatic classification of J. communities engaged in agricultural and husbandry activities by Papadakis, the site is located on the border of the cold temperate the end of the sixth millennium and the beginning of the fifth and humid Patagonian climate (MAPAMA, 1996), with an average millennium cal BC (Clemente-Conte et al., 2014; Gassiot et al., temperature of 7.3◦ C (Ninyerola et al., 2005). The site is located 2018, 2022). Activities related to local deforestation were observed in a current area of moors and heathland (CORINE Land Cover, at Els Trocs and Cova del Sardo. These activities included the 2018). Between the highest areas of the Sierra de Las Tucas and the clearing of vegetation and the presence of species associated cave, natural grasslands provide grazing access for livestock during with anthropic action. This suggests activities associated with the summer. Below the cave mouth, there are slopes suitable for local grazing and agriculture (Gassiot et al., 2012, 2022; Uría, cultivation and with historic terraces. Adjacent to these historic 2013; Rodríguez-Antón, 2020). However, the scenario is more terraces are mixed forests and coniferous forests (CORINE Land complex. While Els Trocs and Cova del Sardo document the Cover, 2018). main domesticates, it is characterized as an occupation closely Although the cave was documented in the 1970’s, it was linked to the seasonal exploitation of caprines (Navarrete and Saña, not until 2011 that systematic archaeological work began with a 2013; Rojo-Guerra et al., 2013, 2014; Gassiot et al., 2018), while test pit (2011 and 2013) in order to evaluate the archaeological Coro Trasito reflects a diverse and complex economic spectrum sequence and, since 2014, an excavation in extension (Figure 2). (Clemente-Conte et al., 2016; Viñerta and Saña, 2019). Additionally The first survey carried out in 2011 and 2013 uncovered antrophic in Cova del Sardo and Coro Trasito provide evidence of dairy occupations from the early Neolithic (5,320–4,365 cal BC), during consumption (Tarifa, 2019). the second half of the Second Millennium cal BC (1,430–1,130 cal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 02 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 FIGURE 1 Location of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). BC) and, finally, to the Contemporary era (Clemente-Conte et al., tools such as grinding stones and sickles, along with storage pits, 2014, 2016; Gassiot et al., 2018). Regarding Neolithic occupations suggest that Coro Trasito could have functioned as a relatively three phases were identified dating from 5,300–5,000 cal BC, 4,990– stable occupation throughout most of the year, rather than being 4,885 cal BC, and 4,785–4,585 cal BC (Figure 3). The initial phase a specialized and seasonal site (Clemente-Conte et al., 2016, 2020; of cave occupation is characterized by its use as stable for animals. Clemente-Conte and Mazzucco, in press). From c. 4,800 cal BC, the presence of domesticates and the use of space for storage in small pits, as well as for habitation and work area was documented (Clemente-Conte et al., 2020). The analysis of archaeological remains suggests the complexity of the occupation 3 Materials and methods dynamics at the site. The predominance of domestic animals 3.1 Archaeozoological analysis remains was recorded, highlighting pigs (Sus domesticus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in the early layers (Viñerta, 2015). Additionally, the A total of 822 faunal remains corresponding to the Neolithic consumption of dairy products is evidenced from the analysis levels from Coro Trasito have been analyzed. Three hundred and of organic residues (Tarifa, 2019). Carpological remains of naked twenty faunal remains belong to the occupations dated ca. 5,300– barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum) and naked wheat (Triticum 4,900 cal BC (N-I), and 502 faunal remains to those dated ca. aestivum s.l./durum Desf./turgidum L.) were recovered (Antolín 4,900–4,700 cal BC (N-II). In this study, only the remains that et al., 2018). The presence of Bromus sp., Polygonum convolvulus, have been identified anatomically and taxonomically are presented Galium aparine, and Chenopodium sp. has also been documented (NISP_total = 395; NISP_N-I = 194; NISP_N-II = 206), focusing (Antolín et al., 2018). Pollen analysis reveals a high representation on domestic herds. of cereals, suggesting the existence of nearby crop fields (Obea The bones were systematically classified both anatomically and et al., 2021). Among the ceramic fragments recovered, both culinary taxonomically using the reference collection at the Laboratori and storage use have been identified (Díaz Bonilla et al., 2016). d’Arqueozoologia of the Autonomous University of Barcelona The presence of tools related to ceramic production indicates the (Spain), in addition to several reference manuals. For this study, carrying out of various artisanal activities at the site (Clemente- the archaeozoological analysis has focused on the study of Conte et al., 2016). Furthermore, the presence of a wide range of taxonomic representation frequencies and the estimation of the Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 03 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 FIGURE 2 (A) Above: Image of the southern slope of Sierra de Tucas (Huesca, Spain). The arrow indicates Coro Trasito cave. Below: Entrance to Coro Trasito cave. (B) Plan view of Coro Trasito cave, showing the location of the 2011 and 2013 test-pit and the area of the extended excavation. The isocotes indicate every 20 cm. FIGURE 3 North, east and south profiles of the 2011–2013 test-pit of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). age of death. Quantitative assessment of the assemblages was 3.2 Carbon and nitrogen analysis based on the Number of Identified Specimens (NISP) and the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI). The MNI was calculated Twenty-one faunal individuals were selected from N-II for by considering the estimated age, anatomical representation and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis in bulk collagen. laterality (Lyman, 1994). We estimate the age of the death We selected a range of herbivores [n = 11, including domestic using a combination of the estimation of stages of tooth wear (Ovis aries, Capra hircus, Bos taurus) and wild animals (Capra (Grant, 1982; Payne, 1985, 1987; Jones, 2006; Lemoine et al., pyrenaica, Capreolus capreolus], omnivores (n = 9, Sus domesticus, 2014), eruption sequences and epiphyseal fusion in postcranial Ursus arctos), and carnivores (n = 1, Vulpes vulpes). Samples for elements (Silver, 1969; Barone, 1976; Amorosi, 1989; Zeder, stable isotope analysis correspond to adult individuals previously 2006). determined through archaeozoological analyses (MNI and age Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 04 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 TABLE 1 Quantification of domestic species in N-I of Coro Trasito cave estimation). The samples included the diaphysis of long bones, (Huesca, Spain). maxilla, mandibular diastema and phalanx. Specimens were selected to represent individual animals by sampling the same- Taxa NISP %NISP MNI∗ %MNI sided portion of a specific element. When this was not possible, Bos taurus 23 12.6 2 (2 9.1 different specific elements from different archaeological layers, the indiv. +24) same level: N-II, were analyzed. The N-I could not be sampled due Sus domesticus 17 9.3 2 (2 9.1 to its high fragmentation and the thermal alterations of remains indiv. 18–21) resulting from the fumier levels. Ovis aries 3 1.7 3 (2 indiv. 13.6 Collagen extraction and stable isotope analysis were performed 18–24 at the Laboratori d’Arqueozoologia (Department of Prehistory) 1 indiv. 6–24) and Unitat d’Antropologia Biològica (Department Animal Biology, Capra hircus 4 2.2 2 (2 9.1 Plant Biology, and Ecology) at the Autonomous University of indiv. 6–24) Barcelona (Spain). Faunal bone samples were collected with a Ovis/Capra 135 74.2 13 (10 indiv 59.1 rotary drill and cleaned to remove contaminating materials. 0–3 Collagen extraction followed a modified Longin (1971) method 3 indiv 6–24) (Brown et al., 1988; Richards and Hedges, 1999; Craig et al., 2010). NISP, Number of Identified Specimens; MNI∗ , Minimum Number of Individuals with age of Collagen samples weighing 0.3 mg were subjected to analysis using death (month). a Thermo Flash 1,112 elemental analyzer (EA) coupled to a Thermo Delta V Advantage isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) with TABLE 2 Quantification of domestic species in N-II of Coro Trasito cave a Conflo III interface, at the Institute of Environmental Science (Huesca, Spain). and Technology (ICTA-UAB) (Spain). The average analytical error Taxa NISP %NISP MNI∗ %MNI was <0.2‰ (1σ) for δ15 N and <0.1‰ (1σ) for δ13 C as determined from the duplicate analyses of δ13 C and δ15 N. As a control, Bos taurus 8 4.4 3 (3 17.6 indiv. +24) the international laboratory standard IAEA 600 (caffeine) was employed. For δ13 C, the Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (V-PDB) was Sus domesticus 26 14.1 6 (6 35.3 indiv. 18–21) used, while air N2 (AIR) served as the standard for δ15 N. To assess the δ13 C values, one-way ANOVA test (α = 0.05) was employed, Ovis aries 12 6.5 3 (2 indiv. 17.7 preceded by the verification of normal distribution through the 12–18 1 indiv. +24) Shapiro–Wilk test for normality (α = 0.05). Thus comparison between the δ15 N values was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis Capra hircus 2 1.1 2 (1 indiv. 11.7 12–18 test (α = 0.05). All statistical tests were performed using PAST 3.x 1 indiv. +24) (Hammer et al., 2001). Ovis/Capra 136 73.9 3 (1 indiv. 0–3 17.7 2 indiv. 6–24) NISP, Number of Identified Specimens; MNI∗ , Minimum Number of Individuals with age of 4 Results death (month). 4.1 Archaeozoological analysis The results of specific variability revealed a slight dominance MNI = 3; goat NISP = 2, MNI = 2), pig (NISP = 26, MNI = 6), of domesticates in the early level (N-I). The percentage of and cattle (NISP = 8, MNI = 3) (Table 2). If the representation domesticates ranged from 93.8% (NISP = 182) in N-I to 89.3% frequencies of domesticates are compared in N-I and N-II, an (NISP = 184) in N-II. Wild species in N-I (6.2%, NISP = 12) were increase in the relative number of pig remains to cattle can be represented by Cervus elephus (NISP = 5, MNI = 1), Capreolus observed, as well as a higher number of sheep remains compared capreolus (NISP = 4, MNI = 1), Sus scrofa (NISP = 2, MNI = 1), to goats in N-II. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) for and Oryctolagus cuniculus (NISP = 2, MNI = 1). In N-II (10.7%, each species in the Neolithic levels is different (MNI_total_N-I = NISP = 22) wild species were represented by Cervus elephus (NISP 22; MNI_total_N-II = 17). In N-II, pigs show the highest increase = 10, MNI = 1), Capreolus capreolus (NISP = 2, MNI = 2), Capra in MNI among domesticates (N-I, MNI_pig = 2; N-II, MNI_pig pyrenaica (NISP = 2, MNI = 1), Sus scrofa (NISP = 1, MNI = 1), = 6). Differences in the level of fragmentation within the faunal Oryctolagus cuniculus (NISP = 5, MNI = 1), Vulpes vulpes (NISP = assemblages could explain the variation in the MNI between N-I 1, MNI = 1), and Ursus arctos (NISP = 1, MNI = 1). The results of and N-II for the Ovis/Capra. slaughtering patterns for wild individuals showed specimens over Slaughtering patterns were analyzed per taxon. Pigs were killed 24 months old. between 18 and 21 months old; and cattle killed at more than 24 The composition of the herds was rather mixed in both levels. months old. For both levels, sheep and goats presented a rather In N-I, the herds would have been composed of caprines (o/c NISP similar pattern, were also primarily killed at between 6 and 24 = 135, MNI = 13; goat NISP = 4, MNI = 2; sheep NISP = 3, months of age in N-I and between 12 and 24 months of age. In the MNI = 3), cattle (NISP = 23, MNI = 2), and pig (NISP = 17, N-I a large proportion of newborn and infantile caprines (41% of MNI = 2) (Table 1). And in N-II, the herds seemed to be composed MNI) were also recovered (0–3 months of age). This proportion of mainly of caprines (o/c NISP = 136, MNI = 3; sheep NISP = 12, neonates decreases in N-II (6% of MNI). Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 05 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 Neonate and infantile individuals <3 months of age have not 2022; Palomo et al., 2022). The importance of domesticates in early been able to be classified into specific categories due to the high Neolithic layers of Coro Trasito is reinforced by the presence of the degree of fragmentation of the remains and, in some cases, the four main domestic species and a diversified husbandry strategy. absence of identifying features of the species. The exploitation of caprines played a central role in the husbandry practices. Sheep flocks acquired progressively greater economic importance, as demonstrated by their increase during the N-II. The 4.2 Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes relative abundance of animal remains from neonate and infantile age, in N-I, could indicate the use of the cave as a stabling and/or Of the 21 samples analyzed, 19 samples exhibited satisfactory breeding area. Martín et al. (2016) clarify that herders usually prefer C% and N% ranged from 22 to 45% and 11 to 16%, respectively, to separate pregnant females from the rest of the herd to minimize with C:N ratios ranging from 3.2 to 3.6 and falling within the values risks during calving periods. In addition, excavations carried out proposed by DeNiro (1985), Ambrose (1990), and Van Klinken in Coro Trasito have documented clearly stratified deposits of (1999) for preserved collagen. Although attempted repeatedly, fumier (Clemente-Conte et al., 2014, 2016; Gassiot et al., 2018). collagen could not be extracted from samples 13 and 14. Data from Additionally, the presence of remains of infantile animals in N- the stable isotope analysis can be found in Table 3 and Figure 4. I and N-II could also be related to dairy exploitation (Helmer, The δ13 C values of the individuals analyzed in Coro Trasito 1992). The analysis of the pottery waste from Coro Trasito shows ranged from −20.99 to −18.57‰, average δ13 C = −20.13‰ (n = how some of the Neolithic containers were used for dairy products 19). The δ15 N values ranged from 6.13 to 2.80‰, average δ15 N = (Tarifa, 2019). Furthermore, the documentation at Coro Trasito 4.13‰ (n = 19). of the agriculture practices (Antolín and Jacomet, 2015; Antolín The average δ13 C values of wild herbivores was −20.11 ± et al., 2018), supports the full development of practices such as 0.17‰ (n = 3). When the Ursus arctos sample was included agriculture and livestock in high mountain areas during the early with wild herbivores, although it is an omnivorous species its Neolithic, leaving behind the character of traditionally granted diet is mainly herbivorous, the average δ13 C values for the wild marginal territory. herbivorous-omnivorous species was −20.08 ± 0.15 ‰ (n = The breeding and maintenance of four different animal species, 4). The average δ13 C values of domestic herbivores was −20.18 with diverse dietary requirements and reproductive behaviors, ± 0.38‰ (n = 8) (Figure 4). Statistical tests showed that there demonstrates an adaptation of herds to the cave environment. are no significant differences in δ13 C between wild and domestic The wide availability of essential natural resources, including water herbivores (p > 0.6) and wild herbivores and domestic herds (p > and a wide variety of animal and plant resources, present in 0.5). Likewise, there are no significant differences in δ13 C between the various ecosystems (river valleys and forests) in the area, domestic herds (p > 0.8). allowed the human communities that lived in Coro Trasito cave The average δ15 N values of wild herbivores was 3.60 ± 0.11‰ to exploit various ecosystems in the immediate surroundings. This (n = 3), and 3.61 ± 0.09‰ with Ursus arctos (n = 4). The average is demonstrated by the archaeozoological results with the diversity δ15 N values of domestic herbivores was 4.28 ± 1.08‰ (n = 8). of wild and domestic species exploited and the results of the Statistical tests showed that there are no significant differences in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analyzed in bone collagen. The δ15 N between wild and domestic herbivores (p > 0.26) and wild herbivore δ13 C values suggest a terrestrial environment dominated herbivores and domestic herds (p > 0.27). Among herds, only the by open C3-plants (De Niro and Epstein, 1978; O’Leary, 1988). δ15 N values were significantly different between cattle and goat The low variation and little dispersion in the δ13 C values of (p = 0.008). Cattle were 15 N-enriched by 2.3‰ compared to the herbivores and omnivores (amplitude of 1.67‰) and the non- goat. Although there are no significant differences between wild existence of significant differences between the specimens analyzed, herbivores and herds, wild herbivores were 15 N-enriched by 0.37‰ could indicate that the feeding areas of the Coro Trasito herds are compared to pigs, 0.58‰ compared to sheep and 1.64‰ compared similar between them. to cattle. Surprisingly, goats have a depletion of −0.67‰ compared The δ15 N values increase due to arid conditions or vary to wild herbivores (Figure 5). depending on soil type and manuring effect (Ambrose and Norr, Carnivores were only represented by one specimen (Vulpes 1993; Handley et al., 1999). The δ15 N values documented in wild vulpes). The δ13 C value was −18.57‰, and the δ15 N value herbivores are low and very little variable compared to sheep, pigs was 5.94‰. and cattle herds. Goat herds have lower δ15 N values than wild herbivores. The low δ15 N values in the goats may indicate grazing in an environment less impacted by humans, for example on soils 5 Discussion that had not been used for agricultural practices or areas with less aridity. The results obtained from archaeozoological and isotopic In contrast, sheep have a different isotopic signature than analysis of Coro Trasito emphasizes the role of domestic animals goats. According to studies by Hodgson et al. (1991) and Dumont in the highland areas and the complexity of the Neolithisation (1997), sheep are more readily including non-herbaceous plants process in the central Pyrenees, where livestock and agriculture into their diet. But Müldner et al. (2014) suggest that incorporating may have played roles different from those traditionally assumed herbaceous or non-herbaceous plants into their diet seldom leads to for medium and high mountain areas (Antolín et al., 2018; Tornero discernible isotopic differences between the species in temperate C3 et al., 2018; Sierra et al., 2019; Alt et al., 2020; Gassiot et al., 2021, environments. Three hypotheses could potentially account for the Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 06 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 TABLE 3 Results from isotopic analysis of faunal samples from level N-II of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). Specimen Layer Taxon Element Laterality %C %N δ13C δ15N C:N ID (‰) (‰) 1 3007 Ovis aries Radius Right 37.69 13.71 −20.07 3.86 3.2 3 3005 Ovis aries Tibia Right 38.76 14.08 −20.23 3.93 3.2 12 3006 Ovis aries Humerus Left 39.66 14.15 −20.78 4.78 3.3 2 N-II Capra hircus Radius Left 37.42 13.57 −19.96 2.80 3.2 4 3006 Capra hircus Mandible Right 37.00 13.36 −20.00 3.08 3.2 5 N-II Bos taurus First phalanx Left 37.51 13.58 −20.73 4.62 3.2 6 3005 Bos taurus Radius Left 37.79 13.66 −19.86 5.01 3.2 7 3006 Bos taurus Metacarpus Right 36.36 13.23 −19.81 6.13 3.2 8 N-II Ursus arctos Maxilla Right 40.64 14.70 −20.00 3.63 3.2 9 3004 Capreolus Humerus Left 37.08 13.43 −20.04 3.61 3.2 capreolus 10 3004 Capreolus Humerus Left 33.01 11.92 −19.97 3.71 3.2 capreolus 11 3006 Capra Humerus Right 32.37 11.69 −20.30 3.49 3.2 pyrenaica 13 3007 Sus domesticus Scapula Left - - - - - 14 3004 Sus domesticus Second Right - - - - - phalanx 15 3003 Sus domesticus Metacarpus Left 40.73 14.76 −19.91 4.97 3.2 16 N-II Sus domesticus First phalanx Right 40.67 14.59 −19.32 2.85 3.2 17 3006 Sus domesticus Maxilla Left 40.26 14.49 −20.64 4.34 3.2 18 3005 Sus domesticus Metatarsus Left 40.37 14.67 −20.40 3.74 3.2 19 3003 Sus domesticus Metacarpus Left 38.79 14.11 −20.99 3.65 3.2 20 N-II Sus domesticus Humerus Left 39.66 14.29 −20.80 4.32 3.2 21 3007 Vulpes vulpes Fibula Left 42.97 15.65 −18.57 5.94 3.2 δ15 N values observed in the sheep of Coro Trasito. Considering the sheep, to factors like access to cultivated fields or the provision of significant presence of neonate and infantile individuals recovered surplus crops as forage. Furthermore, Bogaard et al. (2007, 2013) in Coro Trasito cave, the animal feeding practices could play an document that grains contain higher values of δ15 N than manured important role in ensuring the nutritional wellbeing of the mother, cereal straws. Unfortunately, due to the extensive fragmentation which is essential for the survival of the lambs (Mellor and Stafford, of faunal remains, it has been impossible to conduct analyses on 2004). It has been documented that the cereals were manipulated bone pathologies in the extremities of the studied cattle individuals. inside or in close proximity to the cave (Antolín et al., 2018; Obea These analyses would have been useful to characterize tasks related et al., 2021), which could indicate the consumption of agricultural to activities such as field maintenance. The archaeobotanical record remains by the flocks. The impact of animal dung on plant δ15 N of Coro Trasito suggests the presence of agricultural practices in the values varies significantly and is influenced by factors such as vicinity of the cave during the Neolithic period (Clemente-Conte the manuring rate and the type of fertilizer used (Fraser et al., et al., 2016; Antolín et al., 2018; Obea et al., 2021). The abundance of 2011; Szpak, 2014). Firstly, δ15 N values for Coro Trasito sheep cereals and the existence of adventitious plants in an area previously could reflect the consumption of agricultural surpluses, such as densely forested imply the presence of small-scale crop fields near crop stubble. Secondly, the δ15 N values could indicate that the the cave (Clemente-Conte et al., 2016; Obea et al., 2021). Several sheep flocks had the opportunity to graze in the manured fields. lines of evidence support this hypothesis, including high pollen Thirdly, the enrichment of δ15 N values could be due to feeding in counts from both cereals and adventitious plants, the discovery of a closed place such as a stable. In Coro Trasito, the fumier levels straw from both free-threshing and non-free-threshing cereals, and and the presence of neonates inside the cave have been interpreted the carpological record of cereals at various stages of processing for as the cave serving as a stable for caprines (Viñerta and Saña, 2019; consumption, indicating that cereals were manipulated inside or in Clemente-Conte et al., 2020). close proximity to the cave (Antolín et al., 2018; Obea et al., 2021). The cattle in the analyzed sample exhibit the highest δ15 N Additionally, the discovery of multiple storage pits inside the cave values. This enrichment in δ15 N may be attributed, similar to indicates that the storage of plant products, such as cereals, might Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 07 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 FIGURE 4 Bone collagen δ13 C and δ15 N values compared to the mean δ13 C and δ15 N values ± 1σ s.d for each taxon from the faunal remains recovered at level N-II of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). FIGURE 5 Box plot δ13 C and δ15 N values from faunal remains recovered at level N-II of Coro Trasito cave (Huesca, Spain). have played a significant role in the subsistence strategies at Coro variability in δ13 C values suggests access to a broader range of plant Trasito (Gassiot et al., 2018). Lithic tools were also recovered that resources compared to the other flocks. This could imply that they show the processing of the cereal, both in harvesting and grinding were free to roam in forested environments in addition to the use (Clemente-Conte et al., 2016). of the same landscape areas for grazing. Furthermore, the δ15 N Finally, the δ13 C values of the pigs present the broadest range values indicate that pigs primarily consumed plant-based products, of variation compared to the other specimens analyzed. This with values close to wild herbivores, although also of sheep. The Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 08 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 variability in δ15 N values could be explained by access to products dietary needs and reproductive behaviors. The combination of as by-products of crop production, such as cereals and/or legumes. archaeozoology and isotopic results and archaeological context Alternatively, this variability could be related to the variation in the suggests that Coro Trasito was not primarily a site for short- amount of animal protein ingested (Hamilton and Thomas, 2012). term occupations. For example, the pigs’ diet could have included worms, insects, Furthermore, the presence of transformation activities related or small animals, as well as human food waste such as garbage to dairy and fat products, and the existence of storage structures or the discarding of animal remains from butchery activities. within the cave indicates the complexity of neolithisation processes Similar interpretations have been proposed for prehistoric pigs in the central Pyrenees and how these areas were quickly integrated that were potentially raised within extensive herd management into a broader economic system. systems, characterized by semi-free to free-range regimes with plant-based diets for the Central Pyrenees (Villalba-Mouco et al., 2018) and Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (Navarrete et al., Data availability statement 2017). In addition, the mortality profiles documented in Coro Trasito, where pigs are slaughtered at around 18 and 21 months of The original contributions presented in the study are included age, closely resemble those seen in traditional agricultural societies in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be with extensive systems (Hadjikoumis, 2012). directed to the corresponding author. The increase in MNI of pigs in N-II could suggest a greater interest in pig production. The decrease in subadult caprine individuals and the increase in infantile individuals may indicate Author contributions greater use of derived products such as milk. Pigs could cover the food needs that until now had been met by caprines. This VN: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, change in the composition of flocks during the Neolithic has also Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Writing— been documented in the Can Sadurní cave (Saña et al., 2015). The original draft, Writing—review & editing. AV: Conceptualization, significant increase in the number of pig specimens and access to Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Writing—review & editing, a broader range of plant resources documented by stable isotope Formal analysis. IC-C: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, analysis may be related to the adaptability of this species to different Investigation, Resources, Writing—review & editing. EG: environmental conditions. It is important to note that pigs have Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Resources, a high reproduction rate and can adapt to different husbandry Writing—review & editing. JR: Conceptualization, Investigation, strategies, making them a versatile source of meat and other Resources, Writing—review & editing. MS: Conceptualization, products such as fat or marrow (Crosby, 1986). Furthermore, the Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, use of other pig by-products, such as fat, has been recorded in Resources, Writing—review & editing. Coro Trasito. Tarifa (2019) reports a range of n-alkanoic acids (fatty acids) that are attributable to a source of non-ruminant adipose fat and related to pig fat in 7 of the 19 ceramic containers analyzed. Funding Finally, the presence of the four main domestic species is documented in Coro Trasito and the results of MNI analysis show The author(s) declare financial support was received for that the size of each flock would be composed of a few individuals the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. of each species. This type of flocks with few individuals is also This research was supported by the Ministerio de Economía documented in the Cova del Sardo (Navarrete and Saña, 2013) and y Competitividad, Spain: HAR2017-88304-P (MS), PID2020- Cova Colomera (Martín and Oms, 2021) sites. 115715GB-I00 (MS), PID2020-115205GB-100 (IC-C and EG), and ICREA Academia by MS. 6 Conclusion Acknowledgments The study of highland areas such as the mountainous zone of the Pyrenees has brought new and important data about The authors thank reviewers for their valuable comments on the dynamics of neolithisation process, particularly focusing on this article. The authors thank Dr. Pau Comes (ICTA-UAB) for his economic practices. Husbandry practices played an essential help with the IRMS data. Research by VN was supported by the role in the economic strategies of Coro Trasito during the Research Project CEECIND/03351/2020 (Fundação para a Ciência early Neolithic. e a Tecnologia, Portugal). Part of this research has been carried out The presence of diverse herd foddering strategies within in 2021 SGR 00527 (EarlyFoods). husbandry practices characterized by taxonomic diversity and multipurpose exploitation suggests that during the Neolithic, Coro Trasito played a more complex role than sheepfold. The Conflict of interest increase of MNI pig in N-II shows the importance of this specie in meat production during the Neolithic. Moreover, The authors declare that the research was conducted in the the results obtained demonstrated the rapid adaptation of absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be herds of Coro Trasito to the region, flocks with diverse construed as a potential conflict of interest. Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology 09 frontiersin.org Navarrete et al. 10.3389/fearc.2023.1309907 Publisher’s note organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. 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