Cueva de Chaves represents a paradigm of a fully Neolithic ex-novo occupation. However, despite its importance within the chrono-cultural framework of the Iberian Prehistory, there is a lack of empirical evidences about the site's economic organization. While the herding of domesticated animals has been well-documented, agricultural and crafting activities have not been fully characterized. In this paper, we advance a socioeconomic interpretation of the flaked stone assemblage to identify the production processes in which lithic tools were involved. The results of the traceological analysis indicate that both animal and vegetal resources were exploited; food and craft production activities, which could not otherwise have emerged from the archaeological record, have been recognized. A mixed farming economy was practised at Cueva de Chaves, the ‘functional spectrum’ of which can be compared to the one of other open-air stable settlements of the western Mediterranean.

This work has been realized thanks to the financial support of the JAE-Predoctoral grants of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (Ref. JAE-2010: JAEPre007). The study of archaeological materials at the Huesca Provincial Museum has been carried out thanks to the ‘Estancias Breves’ programme also of the CSIC. Additional funds have been provided by the research projects “Análisis ecológico de la culturización del paisaje de alta montaña desde el Neolítico: los Parques Nacionales de montaña como modelo (MAGRAMA — OAPN)” headed by J. Catalan & “Aproximación a las primeras comunidades neolíticas del NE peninsular a través de sus prácticas funerarias (I+D — HAR201-23149)” headed by J.F. Gibaja.

Peer reviewed