An integrated perspective on farming in the early Neolithic lakeshore site of La Draga (Banyoles, Spain). (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antolín, Ferran; Buxó, Ramon; Jacomet, Stefanie; Navarrete, Vanessa; Saña, Maria
• Is Part Of: Environmental archaeology. Volume 19:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Archaeozoology -- Archaeobotany -- Farming models -- Animal and crop husbandry -- Intensive farming; Environmental archaeology -- Periodicals; Environmental archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Animal remains (Archaeology) -- Periodicals; Plant remains (Archaeology) -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1179/1749631414Y.0000000027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-4103

Abstract

Abstract : A combined analysis of the faunal and charred plant macroremains from the early Neolithic lakeshore site of La Draga (Banyoles, Spain) is presented. The aim was to characterise the farming strategies practiced by the first Neolithic communities in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula in terms of their degree of intensity. The joint discussion of the data allowed the observation that permanent plots could have been kept, that a high harvest would have been practiced and that a low-scale processing of the crop could have taken place within the domestic space, where the grain would be stored. This type of crop husbandry would permit the livestock to access the fields and graze the stubble, which would result in the manuring of the plots. Herds were kept close to the dwellings and different management and consumption practices were observed between the larger and the smaller animals. Smaller animals were probably produced and consumed at a household scale while larger animals would require a cooperative management and consumption. It is concluded that the available evidence points towards an intensive mixed farming model.