A groundbreaking archaeological study, led by Asier García-Escárzaga, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) and the Department of Prehistory of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), sheds new light on the lives of the first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia. Their findings reveal that these pioneering settlers established permanent residence on the island of San Fernando, Cadiz, approximately 6,200 years ago, challenging previous assumptions about their lifestyle and subsistence strategies.
Previous research in the region had already hinted at the transition from a hunter-gatherer to an agrarian society, with early Neolithic communities relying predominantly on agriculture and livestock for sustenance. However, lingering questions remained regarding the seasonal patterns of occupation and the utilization of marine resources following this socioeconomic shift.
In their latest study, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Science, the research team employed oxygen stable isotope analysis on marine shells to address these lingering questions. The shells, recovered from the archaeological sites of Campo de Hockey in San Fernando, Cadiz, provided a wealth of insights into the dietary habits and seasonal activities of these ancient inhabitants.
The necropolis of Campo de Hockey, discovered in 2008 by Eduardo Vijande from the University of Cadiz, offered a glimpse into the burial practices and social organization of these early Neolithic communities. With 53 graves documented, including some of remarkable complexity and monumentality, the site provided a fertile ground for further investigation into the lifeways of its ancient occupants.
Adjacent to the necropolis, the excavation of Campo de Hockey II in 2018, overseen by María Sánchez and Eduardo Vijande, unearthed a trove of archaeological structures, including hearths, shell heaps, tombs, and stone structures. The abundance of hearths and the presence of mollusk and fish remains in the middens hinted at the significance of marine resources in the daily lives of these ancient settlers.
By analyzing stable oxygen isotopes in marine shells, the research team was able to reconstruct the seasonal patterns of shellfish consumption. Their findings revealed a consistent pattern of shellfish collection throughout the year, with a notable increase during the colder months from November to April. This seasonal peak in shellfish consumption coincided with the period of maximum profitability due to gamete formation, suggesting a strategic exploitation of this valuable food resource.
Despite transitioning to an agrarian lifestyle, these early Neolithic communities continued to rely heavily on the marine environment for sustenance, underscoring the importance of adaptation and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. The discovery of year-round occupation on the island of San Fernando challenges conventional notions of prehistoric settlement patterns in Andalusia, offering new insights into the complex interplay between humans and their environment during the Neolithic period.
As Eduardo Vijande remarks, “The size of the necropolis already led us to believe that it was an annual habitat, but these studies confirm the existence of a permanent settlement 6,200 years ago.” This revelation not only enriches our understanding of ancient lifeways in Andalusia but also highlights the enduring importance of marine resources in shaping human societies throughout history.