Deep within the Cueva de los murciélagos, or Bat Cave, in southern Spain, archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable discovery: the oldest known remnants of archery in Europe. This unexpected find, nestled among the debris of a failed 19th-century mine, sheds new light on the ancient practices of this region.
the cave,located in the coastal province of Granada,has a rich and complex history. For a time, it served as Spain’s primary source of natural nitrogen fertilizer, thanks to the guano deposits left by its resident bat colony. miners, mistaking reddish veins in the rock for lead-rich galena, delved into the cave’s depths.However, the cave’s true treasure lay not in minerals but in its ancient past. It functioned as a necropolis for over 3,000 years,a final resting place for generations.
Sadly, much of the cave’s archaeological wealth was lost. In the 19th century, the 70 bodies interred there, along with their funerary objects and offerings, were largely removed, some ending up as souvenirs or scattered throughout the cave. However, a dedicated archaeologist, Manuel Góngora y Martínez, managed to recover a significant portion of these artifacts, wich now reside in the National Archaeological Museum.
Now, a century and a half later, a team of researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona has made a groundbreaking discovery amidst the remnants of the abandoned mine. “We found one of the ropes between the rocks, where most of the bodies were thrown,” explains Ingrid Bertin, a researcher from the Department of Prehistory at the UAB.The othre bowstring was found among the artifacts preserved in the Archaeological Museum.
“At first glance,they appear to be made of plant fiber,’esparto grass,like many other objects found,'” adds Bertin. But closer examination using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry and Fourier transform spectrophotometry revealed a surprising truth: the bowstrings were primarily composed of collagen, of animal origin.
Further analysis showed that the bowstrings were crafted from the ligaments of different animals – roe deer, goats, and possibly domestic pigs or wild boar. Remarkably, despite being made from different species and originating from different periods, both bowstrings were created using the same twisting technique. “The fact that the manufacturing technique is the same, even though the raw material is different, shows a continuity in the way of making these objects that, on the other hand, are very similar to other strings that we find even now,” notes Raquel Piqué, the senior author of the research and also from the UAB.
“This technique of twisting the fibers is the same one that we use today, although with other materials,” Piqué adds. The use of tendons for bowstrings, she emphasizes, is a unique finding in European prehistory.
This discovery not only pushes back the timeline of archery in Europe but also highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancient ancestors. The cueva de los Murciélagos continues to reveal its secrets, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives and practices of those who came before us.
A remarkable discovery in Spain’s Bat Cave has shed new light on the lives of Neolithic people and their mastery of archery.Archaeologists unearthed a collection of remarkably well-preserved arrows dating back 7,200 to 6,900 years,offering a rare glimpse into the technology and practices of this ancient civilization.
The find included not only arrowheads but also complete arrows with shafts made of cane and feathers still attached. “Although the bowstrings appeared to be of vegetable fiber, they turned out to be made from the sinews of three different animal species and braided using a technique still employed today in traditional archery,” the researchers noted.
This discovery is notably significant as it confirms a long-held hypothesis about the use of reeds for arrow-making in prehistoric Europe.”The shafts are made of cane, which means that the arrows are very light,” explained researcher Dr.Piqué.”The use of reeds for making arrows in prehistoric Europe, a hypothesis considered by researchers for decades, is finally confirmed.”
The arrowheads themselves were crafted from various materials, including wood, specifically wild olive, known for its hardness and density. Analysis revealed that birch tar, a natural adhesive, was used to bind the arrowheads to the shafts.”They obtained it by cooking the tree bark over a slow fire,” said researcher Bertin.
“We have the experimental work pending, because we want to replicate them and check their effectiveness,” Bertin added, highlighting the team’s plans to recreate the arrows and test their performance.
The purpose of these arrows remains a subject of ongoing inquiry. While the Neolithic people who inhabited the cave were primarily farmers and herders, hunting still played a role in their subsistence. “So in life, they could have been used for hunting, but the researchers do not rule out that they were also used for war,” said archaeologist Francisco Martínez Sevilla.
“In the Levant, although they are somewhat older, there are cave paintings of interpersonal violence,” added Dr. Piqué. “The oldest warlike use of arrows has also been found on the Iberian Peninsula, so they could well have had a dual use.”
The Bat Cave itself held cultural meaning beyond its use as a burial site. “There is no sediment there, so those who were arriving saw what others had left, adding their things, more dead, more offerings or whatever,” explained Dr. Piqué. Sadly, the cave was later looted by miners, who used its contents to fill in pathways, causing irreparable damage to this valuable archaeological site.
Despite this destruction, the recovered artifacts, including the remarkable arrows, continue to provide invaluable insights into the lives and practices of the first Neolithic people of the region.
Hidden deep within the rugged mountains of Spain, the Bat Cave, or Cueva de los Murciélagos, holds secrets that whisper of a past shrouded in mystery. This subterranean labyrinth, carved by the relentless forces of nature, has long been a sanctuary for bats, its echoing chambers resonating with the flutter of wings and the soft chirps of these nocturnal creatures. But the cave’s history extends far beyond its winged inhabitants, reaching back to a time when early humans sought refuge within its protective embrace.
Archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts within the cave’s depths,revealing glimpses into the lives of our ancient ancestors.Stone tools, meticulously crafted by skilled hands, speak of a time when survival depended on ingenuity and resourcefulness. Fragments of pottery, adorned with intricate designs, hint at the artistic sensibilities and cultural practices of these early communities.
“The Bat Cave offers a unique window into the past,” says Dr. Maria Sanchez, a leading archaeologist working on the site. “These artifacts provide invaluable insights into the daily lives,beliefs,and social structures of the people who once called this place home.”
The cave’s strategic location on the Iberian Peninsula, a crossroads of ancient civilizations, suggests it may have served as a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange. Researchers believe that the cave’s inhabitants interacted with other groups, exchanging goods, ideas, and perhaps even stories passed down thru generations.
As excavations continue, the Bat Cave continues to yield new discoveries, each one adding another piece to the intricate puzzle of human history. The story of this remarkable site is still being written, promising to unveil even more secrets about our distant past.
For those eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Bat Cave, a weekly newsletter from EL PAÍS USA Edition offers a window into the latest archaeological findings and insights from experts in the field.
Sign up today to embark on a journey through time and uncover the hidden wonders of the past.
This is a engaging and well-written piece about teh archaeological revelation in the Cueva de los Murciélagos in spain! Here are some thoughts and suggestions:
**Strengths:**
* **Engaging Narrative:** The story unfolds chronologically,pulling the reader along with each discovery.
* **Vivid Descriptions:** The text nicelyevokes the history of the cave and the significance of the find.
* **Scientific Detail:** The article balances accessible language with specific details about the bowstrings, arrowheads, and manufacturing techniques.
* **Multiple Perspectives:** Quotes from researchers add depth and credibility.
**Suggestions:**
* **Image Placement:** The placement of the images could be improved. Consider adding captions and placing them more strategically within the text for better flow. For example, the image of the arrowheads and shafts could be placed near the description of those artifacts.
* **Conciseness:** The piece is slightly repetitive. Some sentences or phrases could be combined or trimmed. For example, the repeated mention of “researchers” could be varied occasionally.
* **Flow:** Consider adding transitional phrases or sentences to connect some of the paragraphs more smoothly.
* **Conclusion:** A stronger concluding paragraph could leave a more lasting impression. perhaps summarize the key findings and emphasize the broader significance of the discovery for our understanding of prehistory.
**Specific Feedback:**
* **Paragraph 1:** The sentence “This unexpected find, nestled among the debris of a failed 19th-century mine, sheds new light on the…” could be made more active and concise.
* **Paragraph 6:** Consider clarifying the phrase “lost, some ending up as souvenirs or scattered throughout the cave.” What does “souvenirs” refer to in this context?
* **Paragraph 8:** Sentence starting with “Further analysis showed…” could be rewritten for clarity. Something like “Further analysis revealed that the bowstrings were crafted…”
**Overall:**
This is a compelling article that effectively conveys the excitement of this archeological discovery. With a few minor adjustments, it could be even stronger.
