First Evidence of Early Neolithic Archery from Cueva de los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Granada) Revealed through Combined Chemical and Morphological Analysis

The extraordinary preservation of Cueva de Los Murciélagos (Albuñol, Spain) provides a unique opportunity to identify the materials and the techniques involved in archery during the Early Neolithic period. Arrows with still preserving feathers, tied fibres, adhesive substance, and two probable bowstrings have been studied trough an unprecedented multi-proxies investigation, including microscopy and biomolecular techniques, to unravel archery techniques. The study has identified the oldest known sinew bowstrings, the first evidence for the use of olive tree (Olea europaea) and reed (Phragmites sp.) to produce arrow shafts in prehistoric European archery, and the southern identification of birch bark tar as a coating on the shafts. The result of this study provides insights into ancient craft, technological solutions, and adaptation to local resources in the production of these reed-shafted hardwood tipped arrows and bowstrings. Their deposition in a burial cave, shed new light on the role of these artefacts in a farming community.

Archery. Arrow shafts. Bowstrings. Wood. Reed. Neolithic. Bronze Age. Cueva de los Murciélagos.