Munibe Antropologia-Arkeologia (Oct 2021)
Un enclave singular del Neolítico antiguo en el Prepirineo de Lleida: la Cova del Tabac (Camarasa, Lleida)
Abstract
La Cova del Tabac representa un hito en la Arqueología de la Península Ibérica al combinar la conservación de registro arqueológico y pinturas esquemáticas. No obstante, ha permanecido largo tiempo en el olvido sufriendo múltiples agresiones que dificultan evaluar su significado. Recientes investigaciones han identificado varias fosas amortizadas con artefactos, destacando un conjunto de cerámicas con decoración inciso-impresa adscritas al Neolítico antiguo. La revisión de las figuras del panel al que se añaden nuevas grafías y el hallazgo de cantos con restos de ocre, incrementan el interés de este enclave. La posición cronométrica del registro material, 5300-5000 cal BC, visibiliza un nuevo evento Neolítico que se rastrea por el Prepirineo Oriental compatible con el rango temporal de las pinturas esquemáticas. Cova del Tabac permite evaluar la irrupción de este fenómeno en los Aspres de la Noguera a finales del VI Milenio BC. ABSTRACT : Cova del Tabac in the eastern Catalan Prepyrenees, can be considered a milestone in the history of the Iberian archaeology. The settlement was discovered at the end of the 19th century, and later in the 80s of the 20th century was identified an enigmatic panel with Schematic art. The combination of archaeological record and rock art composes an interesting singularity, defining this singular enclave. Despite, this it has been abandoned and systematically plundered until today. Recent excavation in a poorly lit area 35m from the entrance of the cave, a hearth and several pits with archaeological materials were detected. Among the findings stands out a set of ceramics with imprinted-incised decoration attributed to the early Neolithic, which it has been dated between 5300-5000 cal BC. Although very altered, the cave preserves a panel with schematic representations with a strong symbolic meaning, such as anthropomorphic and sun-shaped depictions. New signs have been identified in an adjacent area, among others a double “Y”-shaped anthropomorphic sign, confirming the relevance of these symbolic expressions with formal similarities with those recorded throughout the Schematic Rock Art. The discovery of cobbles with use wear traces and mineral residues suggests possible links with the paintings. Cova del Tabac visualizes the incipient neolithization of the Prepyrenees, an independent event which took place slightly later than the Cardial development. This event is closely linked to the consolidation of this organizational system in northern Iberia, seems deeply rooted in the area of Aspres de la Noguera. The possible correspondence between the material assemblage and the art manifestations inside the cave, allow proposing that the Cova del Tabac could play a unique role in the development of this area during the last third of the VIth millennium BC.
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