"Fold but not sheepfold" : The Chalcolithic level (3000-2500 cal BCE) of the Abrigo de la Castañera (Obregón de Villaescusa, Spain)
Mata Ferrer, Sergi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Prehistòria)
Sierra Sainz Aja, Alejandro (Università di Pisa. Dipartimento di Civiltà e Forme del Sapere)
Vega Maeso, Cristina (Palencia. Servicio Territorial de Cultura, Turismo y Deporte)
Marín-Arroyo, Ana B. (Universidad de Cantabria. Departamento Ciencias Históricas)
Carmona Ballestero, Eduardo (Universidad de Burgos. Departamento de Historia, Geografía y Comunicación)

Data:	2026
Resum:	The functional interpretation of cave deposits known as fumiers (organic accumulations generated by livestock stabling) has traditionally been linked to the keeping of small ruminants, particularly sheep and goats. However, recent archaeozoological research suggests that such deposits may reflect a wider range of herding practices and species management strategies. This study examines the Chalcolithic faunal assemblage (3000-2500 cal BCE) from the rock shelter of El Abrigo de La Castañera (Obregón de Villaescusa, Cantabria, northern Spain) to reassess the nature of these contexts. A total of 6,874 faunal remains were analyzed using taxonomic, taphonomic, and mortality-profile criteria. The results confirm the presence of a typical fumier deposit, characterized by the abundance of neonatal remains, burnt layers and a high bone fragmentation, but with an atypical taxonomic composition. Unlike Mediterranean sheepfold caves dominated by ovines and caprines, the assemblage from La Castañera is overwhelmingly composed of cattle (Bos taurus) and pigs (Sus domesticus), while sheep and goats (Ovis/Capra) play a secondary role. Mortality profiles and butchery marks indicate species-specific management strategies: cattle were used for meat and milk; pigs were raised intensively for fast meat and fat production; and caprines played a minor economic role. These data reveal a diversified herding system adapted to the humid Cantabrian environmental conditions, challenging the taxonomic definition of fumiers and emphasizing their interpretation as multifunctional stabling and consumption deposits reflecting the economic and social complexity of Chalcolithic communities.
Nota:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Nota:	This project was supported by the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Government of Cantabria, which funded the excavations carried out between 2011 and 2019.
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Chalcolithic husbandry ; Cantabrian Region ; Archaeozoology ; Fumier deposits ; Livestock stabling ; Iberian Peninsula
Publicat a:	Journal of archaeological science: reports, Vol. 71 (May 2026) , art. 105695, ISSN 2352-4103
Obra relacionada:	Mata Ferrer, Sergi; Sierra Sainz-Aja, Alejandro, 2026, "Replication Data for “Fold but not sheepfold”: The Chalcolithic level (3000–2500 cal BCE) of the Abrigo de la Castañera (Obregón de Villaescusa, Spain)", CORA.Repositori de Dades de Recerca, V1 https://doi.org/10.34810/DATA3270

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105695

11 p, 3.5 MB

El registre apareix a les col·leccions:
Articles > Articles de recerca
Articles > Articles publicats