Woodworking technology during the early Neolithic: First results at the site of La MARMOTTA (Italy)

Abstract

The archaeological site La Marmotta (AnguillaraSabazia, Italy) is a singular place as regards the conservation and recovery of wood and plant remains. The exceptional preservation at the site allowed the recovery of five canoes and numerous objects related to navigation, house building, agriculture, hunting and craft activities. The wide range of artefacts found, and the time of the occupation between 5700 and 5300 cal BC, make La Marmotta a point of reference for the study of technology in wood during the early Neolithic in the Mediterranean basin. The specific objective of this study is the taxonomic identification of the ligneous species used as raw material to make artefacts for farming activities. An assemblage of complete and fragmented sickles has been studied. Deciduous Quercus sp. Is the most important taxonaccording to the number of sickles identified. However, other taxa were also used. Woodworking implies a profound knowledge of the natural environment and the characteristics of the wood. The assemblage of wooden objects found at the La Marmotta site reflects the significance of this raw material for Neolithic societies. They are undoubtedly the reflection of a technologically skilled society that will revolutionise our conception of Neolithic communities, which were much more advanced than we thought.