Early Neolithic Pottery at El Mirador Cave

Abstract

This work presents the results of a study of the Early Neolithic pottery remains from El Mirador cave. The pottery selection is relatively large considering the 6 m2 test pit from which it came. The morpho-typological approach with which these pottery sherds were analyzed has established that medium-sized vessels predominate in the assemblage, while large vessels are scarce. The decorations in this collection are typical of the Early Neolithic on the inner Iberian Peninsula, and include abundant impressions, incisions, incised-printed combinations and the occasional presence of the boquique technique. We also analyzed the taphonomic features of these remains. These analyses, combined with the fragmentation of the record, the location, the effect of post-combustion phenomena of the fumier and the refit, indicate the occurrence of opportunistic piling up phenomena and point to the low mobility of these remains