Modified and Employed: The Narrative of Ancient Human Bones in Iberian Caverns

Inside view of the entrance to the Marmoles cave. Recent investigations led by the University of Bern and Universidad de Córdoba disclose that prehistoric caves in the Iberian Peninsula functioned as interment grounds where human bones were deliberately altered for functional and potentially symbolic objectives. Credit: J.C. Vera Rodríguez, CC-BY 4.0

The discoveries contribute to an existing pattern of human interment and skeletal alterations in the Iberian Peninsula.

According to research released on September 20, 2023, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, caves in the Iberian Peninsula have been used for millennia as burial locations and subsequent modification sites for human remains. The study was conducted by Zita Laffranchi and Marco Milella from the University of Bern, Switzerland, along with Rafael Martinez Sanchez from Universidad de Córdoba, Spain, among other contributors.

Mortuary Customs and Skeletal Transformations

The tradition of utilizing caves for burials is a widely observed cultural occurrence, both geographically and temporally. In the southern areas of the Iberian Peninsula, such practices gained significant prevalence around the 4th millennium BCE. Evidence of intentional manipulation of buried human bones is also prevalent in the region’s archaeological sites, although the cultural significance of these actions remains largely undefined. The current study focuses on altered human remains discovered in the Marmoles Cave in southern Spain.

Skeletal remains were examined, belonging to a minimum of 12 individuals. Radiocarbon analysis determined that these burials ranged from the 5th to the 2nd millennium BCE. The researchers also found intentional post-mortem changes to the bones, such as fractures and abrasions, possibly stemming from attempts to harvest marrow and other tissues. Among the examined remains were a tibia seemingly repurposed as a tool and a cranium potentially modified for practical or dietary functions, referred to as a “skull cup.”

Interpretive Conclusions and Prospective Investigations

The findings align with other cave burial sites in southern Iberia, confirming a common practice of later altering and employing buried human remains for utilitarian and alimentary purposes. The study’s authors speculate that there could be additional symbolic significance to these alterations, which may become clearer through future research.

The authors conclude: “Neolithic human remains from the Marmoles Cave imply intricate funeral practices in Andalusia during the prehistoric era.”

For additional context on this research, consult the study “Neolithic Bone Modifications Indicate the Ritual Use of Human Remains.”

Reference: “As above, so below: Deposition, modification, and reutilization of human remains at Marmoles cave (Cueva de los Marmoles: Southern Spain, 4000–1000 cal. BCE)” by Zita Laffranchi, Marco Milella, Juan Carlos Vera Rodríguez, María José Martínez Fernández, María Dolores Bretones García, Sylvia Alejandra Jiménez Brobeil, Julia Brünig, Inmaculada López Flores, Juan Antonio Cámara Serrano and Rafael M. Martínez Sánchez, published on 20 September 2023 in PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291152

Funding: The research was financially supported by the Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación de la Junta de Andalucía under the Operational Program FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020. Grant number: A-HUM-460-UGR18. Project title: Arqueobiología del Neolítico del Sur de la Península Ibérica – NeArqBioSI. Furthermore, the funders had no influence on the study’s design, data collection and interpretation, decision to publish, or the preparation of the research manuscript. Additional funding was provided by the Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación de la Junta de Andalucía. Grant number: Proy_Exc00002. Project title: Dynamics of Continuity and Transformation between the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic in the Upper Guadalquivir (DINAGUA). Again, the funders had no role in the study’s methodology, data analysis, or the decision to publish the paper.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Iberian Peninsula Burial Practices

More about Iberian Peninsula Burial Practices

• PLOS ONE Journal
• University of Bern Research Publications
• Universidad de Córdoba Research
• Archaeological Practices in the Iberian Peninsula
• Radiocarbon Dating Methodology
• Cultural Significance of Burial Practices
• Operational Program FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020