Woodworking technology and navigation during the Early Neolithic: first results of the manoxiles canoes and objects related to navigation site of La Marmotta (Anguillara Sabazia, Roma)

CARUSO FERME, LAURA; MINEO MARIO; NICOLO MAZZUCCO; GIBAJA JUAN FRANCISCO

Barcelona

Conferencia; 1st Conference on the EARLY NEOLITHIC of EUROPE; 2019

CSIC, Museo Maritim Barcelona

The archaeological site La Marmota (Italy) is a singular place in regard toconservation and recovery of wood remains. The exceptional preservationof organic material at the site allowed the recovery of five dugout canoesand six objects related to navigation. This first work summarises the resultsof the techno-morphometric study and taxonomic analysis carried out onthese artefacts. On the one hand, these results have allowed us to knowthe woody species used as raw material to build canoes and their relatedobjects (Deciduous Quercus sp.; Alnus sp.; etc.). On the other, they enableus to suggest that the activities related with the manufacturing of thesenautical artefacts required a high degree of knowledge and skill in the useof certain techniques connected to naval technology and woodworking.In short, these results suggest that even in the first stages/phases of theNeolithic, and more specifically during the occupation of La Marmotta(5690-5250 cal BC), there was a long tradition of naval construction, beingthe aquatic environments a convenient and fast communication route.Woodworking implies a deep knowledge of the natural environment andthe characteristics of the wood. The sets of wooden objects found inLa Marmotta site reflect the meaning of this raw material for Neolithicsocieties. Undoubtedly, it is the reflection of a high technological society.