Santander, February 19th-22nd 2008 - Aranzadi

The use of marine shell in Cingle Vermell and Roc del Migdia (Vilanova de Sau, Barcelona, Spain), two prehistoric sites in the western Mediterranean. First approach
At nearly sites 65% in the of Ebro the total Valley number this species of molluscs represents
rez-Fernández, 2006) and their known presence (Álva-
the Epipalaeolithic is increasing in the in
ments Mediterranean at Roc del area. Migdia TheColumbella present the rusticaornaracteristics
following a established pattern: same 22 cha-
them are an entire shell, with spire, and a high of
Figure 6. Fire action and abrasive traces, detailed at 60x and 80x.
Figure 7. Ornaments examples from Roc del Migdia.
143
number remaining are 9 burned shells, or the have spire fire is alterations; absent, taken for the
with an intentional abrasive action to allow them off
be threaded, preserving the spiral cord. (Fig. 8). to
perforation All of Columbella in the body rusticaornaments whorl, at the shoulder. have one
irregular perforations also follow a size standard The
(4mm controlled - 7 mm) percussion but they or show pressure, different abrasive techniques:
and concentric rotation with a tool. Wear from action,
king appears around the perforations and also wor-
the abrasive surface of the spire zone. on
in the Abrasion same suggestive parts of of the use shell frequently and, appears
Columbellashells with spires intact, are interpreted for the
shell a possible then being system sewed of fixation to another by 2 object. points, For the
Columbellaornaments system is also suspected without but under spire a light suspension
copy are not remarkable. The differences between micros-
natural rimentalerosive Columbella action (Fig around 9, photograph the lip area of labelled expe-
‘B’) Columbella and the (Fig 9, wear photograph on the labelled archaeological
suggest that the archaeological object ‘A’) has clearly
subject to wear resulting from human-induced been
tors, for example being in contact with leather. fac-
small number of the Columbellaornaments showA
variations corners, fractures, such as regular and a second perforations peforation with straight
spire (Fig 10). in the
and The their relation ornamental between use in malacological clothes is sustained remains
other types of evidence. Indeed, almost 20% of the by
lithic for working remains skin analyzed or hide. appear There is to also have a remarkable been used
quantity some of them of pebbles present suitable traces for of pigments use in tanning, of different and
colours.Columbellawas Palaeolithic and Epipalaeolithic used frequently periods and during finds the
Columbella contemporary with those at Roc del of
Absolute chronology BP uncal Total (*) Traces of work (**)
Species 8190 8190/8800 8800 with without
Columbella rustica 19 2 21 21
Glycymerissp.
Dentalium vulgare 4 1 5 2
Mytilussp.
13 2 1 16 3 13
Pectemsp.
1 2 2
Conus mediterraneus 1
1
1 1
1
Total 38 7 1 46 28 18
Figure 8.
Only elements
Table
with
with
chronological
absolute chronology
assignation.
and working
(**) Fire action
presence
not
of
included.
the different species of malacofaunal remains in the Mesolithic levels of the Roc del Migdia. (*)
MUNIBE Suplemento - Gehigarria 31, 2010
S.C. Aranzadi. Z.E. Donostia/San Sebastián