Use-wear analysis of lithic tools from the megalithic cemetery of Panoría (Granada, Spain)

In southeastern Iberia use-wear analyses have not been explored as a proxy for a better understanding of the social, economic and cultural meanings of prehistoric lithic tools. The recent excavation of nine dolmens in the Panoría cemetery (3600 − 2100 cal BC), four of them largely undisturbed, offer...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gibaja Bao, Juan Francisco, Aranda-Jiménez, Gonzalo, Sánchez-Romero, Margarita, Vílchez-Suárez, Miriam, Becerra-Fuello, Paula, Díaz-Zorita Bonilla, Marta, Milesi-García, Lara
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/420127
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/420127
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Use-wear analysis, Traceology, Lithic tools, Megalithic phenomenon, Funerary rituals, Iberian peninsula
Descripción
Sumario:In southeastern Iberia use-wear analyses have not been explored as a proxy for a better understanding of the social, economic and cultural meanings of prehistoric lithic tools. The recent excavation of nine dolmens in the Panoría cemetery (3600 − 2100 cal BC), four of them largely undisturbed, offers an excellent opportunity for a fine-grained study of lithic grave goods. Blades, arrowheads and geometric microliths were the types of objects selected to be deposited at the Panoría dolmens. Use-wear analysis shows the deposition of blades previously used in farming and textile activities or with no evidence of use but in optimal working conditions. Arrowheads and microliths use-wear indicate their use as projectiles. However, some arrowheads are also found without use-wear, probably having been specifically crafted for ritual purposes, especially those with extremely developed barbs. Cross-referencing lithic typology, frequency and use-wear from each tomb with the osteological analysis reveals a positive correlation between the activities identified by the blade use-wear analysis and the intense physical effort evidenced by musculoskeletal stress markers. In contrast, there is a negative correlation between the projectiles and traumatic injuries. Lithic tools found at Panoría can be linked to different social realms, from daily activities to more restricted ritual purposes.