Diversified pottery use across 5th and 4th millennium cal BC Neolithic coastal communities along the Strait of Gibraltar

The region around the Strait of Gibraltar offered Neolithic societies a bridge connecting Iberia and North Africa. Using the sea for access to additional resources, Neolithic groups in the area developed close links with this territory as evidenced by its burial rites and storage practices. Nonetheless, the role pottery and its contents may have had in the labour activities of these groups is not well understood. In light of research in neighbouring regions, this study presents an initial analysis using an acidified methanol extraction of 29 pottery vessels from four Neolithic sites (Benzu Cave, Campo de Hockey, SET Parralejos and La Esparragosa) selected with the aim of assessing its potential for organic residue analysis at the point of confluence between southern Iberian and North African historic dynamics. The presence of appreciable lipid residues in 79% of the studied samples and the high variety in the results, including animal fats, dairy products, plant resins and two previously unreported residue types, support further research in the region.

Automated summary

The region around the Strait of Gibraltar served as a bridge for Neolithic societies between Iberia and North Africa. Neolithic groups in the area had close connections with this region through burial customs and storage practices, but the role of pottery in their labor activities remains unclear. This study conducted an initial analysis of pottery vessels from four Neolithic sites in the area to assess their potential for organic residue analysis. The results showed the presence of lipid residues in 79% of the samples, including animal fats, dairy products, plant resins, and previously unreported residue types, suggesting the need for further research in the region.