Gavà Mines: Difference between revisions
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The main feature of the site is a collection of ancient [[mining|mines]] that are among the largest and oldest in [[Europe]]. The site is spread over 200 [[hectare]]s and comprises more than a hundred known mines, with many more possibly to be still unidentified. Among them are the only known Neolithic mines of [[variscite]], a green [[mineral]] used to make body ornaments. <ref name=calpena>Enric Calpena (2007-05): "Dins de les entranyes de la prehistòria" (in Catalan). ''[[Sàpiens]]'', issue 55, page 63. {{ISSN|1695-2014}}</ref> |
The main feature of the site is a collection of ancient [[mining|mines]] that are among the largest and oldest in [[Europe]]. The site is spread over 200 [[hectare]]s and comprises more than a hundred known mines, with many more possibly to be still unidentified. Among them are the only known Neolithic mines of [[variscite]], a green [[mineral]] used to make body ornaments. <ref name=calpena>Enric Calpena (2007-05): "Dins de les entranyes de la prehistòria" (in Catalan). ''[[Sàpiens]]'', issue 55, page 63. {{ISSN|1695-2014}}</ref> |
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From the [[ |
From the [[Iberians|Iberian]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times through the [[Middle Ages]], the mines were re-exploited to obtain [[iron ore]]. |
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Notable finds from the site are the [[Venus of Gavà]] and the [[Trepanation Skull of Gavà|Trepanation Skull]]. |
Notable finds from the site are the [[Venus of Gavà]] and the [[Trepanation Skull of Gavà|Trepanation Skull]]. |
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Revision as of 22:34, 19 February 2019
41°18′37.54″N 2°0′0.75″E / 41.3104278°N 2.0002083°E
The Gavà Mines, also known as Can Tintorer Mines, is a pre-historic (Neolithic) archaeological site that occupies the Can Tintorer, Ferreres and Rocabruna areas in the municipality of Gavà (Baix Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain).[1] The site is under care of the Gavà Museum and the Gavà Mines Archaeological Park.
The main feature of the site is a collection of ancient mines that are among the largest and oldest in Europe. The site is spread over 200 hectares and comprises more than a hundred known mines, with many more possibly to be still unidentified. Among them are the only known Neolithic mines of variscite, a green mineral used to make body ornaments. [2]
From the Iberian and Roman times through the Middle Ages, the mines were re-exploited to obtain iron ore.
Notable finds from the site are the Venus of Gavà and the Trepanation Skull.
Geographic and geological situation
The Gavà mines are located on the West side of the Llobregat River, at the foot of the eastern slopes of the Garraf Massif, in the sectors known as Ferreres, Rocabruna and Tintorer.
The geological structure of the area is dominated by slates and limestones of the Paleozoic era, formed between the Silurian and Devonian periods, about 408 million years ago. Slates and limestones are arranged in strongly inclined layers with numerous folds, faults, and overlays, due to folding during the Variscan orogeny (290 million years ago) and the Alpine orogeny (65 million years ago). There are two geologic alignments that vary between WNW-ESE and W-E. A limestone crust and red clays formed at the beginning of the Quaternary (1.64 million years ago), covering the Paleozoic slates and limestones. [3]
Modern history
The site was discovered in 1975 when construction in the neighborhood of Can Tintorer revealed openings to the rock. However, the presence of "holes" in the ground was known to the local population, which had been using some of them since antiquity.
In 1978 the original nucleus of the CIPAG (Collective for the Investigation of Prehistory and Archeology of the Garraf-Ordal) began the first archaeological excavations. The Gavà Museum was created later in that year, with the mission to explore the site and research, store, and divulge its finds. Until the year 1980, the located mines were excavated and the ground was reduced mechanically to locate new ones. In 1991 the Gavà Museum assumed the excavations, and part of the museum was opened to the public in 1993.
It was during those years that two of the unique pieces of the site were discovered: the Venus of Gavà and the Trepaned Skull. In parallel to the excavations and the dissemination, the works of conservation and restoration began with the collaboration of the Department of Mining and Natural Resources of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. After a break, the excavations and restoration and consolidation work were resumed between 1998 and 2000. Additional excavation, conservation, and research were carried out by the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona
Due to an urban development project, in 1998 a new sector of the site was identified in the Serra de les Ferreres. The works will last until 2009. New Neolithic and Iberian-Roman mines (number 83, 84 and 85) were located and excavated, yielding funerary artifacts with exceptional pieces such as a red coral necklace, an obsidian plate, square-shaped ceramics and honey silex.
Timeline
The Neolithic mines were continuously exploited between the Advanced Old Neolithic or Postcardial and the Middle Neolithic, as evidenced by ceramics characteristic of the Molinot culture of the Postcardial and to the Ditch Tomb Culture of the Middle Neolithic .
Carbon-14 dating puts the Postcardial sites between 3350 and 2950 BCE (not calibrated) and those of the Middle Neolithic between 2950 and 2550 BC (not calibrated). This would place them between 4200 BC and 3400 BC. [4]
It must be borne in mind, however, that dating comes from samples belonging to the mining waste after the mines became inactive; therefore, the exploitation may be earlier. Indeed, varascite from Gavà has been found in the Can Sadurní Cave near Begues with Postcardial dates prior to those identified in Gavà. [5] Other samples, found in Huesca province at the Chaves Cave (near Bastarás) and Moro Cave (near Olvena), were chemically confirmed as Gavà but located in burials of the Old Neolithic from the 6th millennium BCE. [6]
There are no agreed-on dates for the Ibero-Roman mines, but the exploitation would be located between the 4th and 9th centuries CE. [7]
See also
References
- ^ M. J. Villalba, L. Bañolas, J. Arenas, and M. Alonso (1983): Les Mines Neolítiques de Can Tintorer, Gavà. Excavacions 1978-80 (in Catalan). In the series Exacavacions Arqueològiques a Catalunya, volume 6. Published by the Generalitat de Catalunya.
- ^ Enric Calpena (2007-05): "Dins de les entranyes de la prehistòria" (in Catalan). Sàpiens, issue 55, page 63. ISSN 1695-2014
- ^ Alícia Road (2007): Guia del Parc Arqueològic Mines de Gavà / Guide to the Archaeological Park of Mines of Gavà. Municipal Institute for the Management of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Gavà. ISBN 978-84-606-4395-1
- ^ J. Bosch Argilagos, A. Estrada Martín, and M. J. Noain Maura (1996): "Minería neolítica en Gavà (Baix Llobregat, Barcelona)" (in Spanish). Trabajos de Prehistoria, volume 53, issue 1, pages 59-71.
- ^ M. Edo, F. Antolín, and M. J. Barrio (2012): "Can Sadurní (Begues, Baix Llobregat), de la captación de recursos abióticos al inicio de la minería de aluminio-fosfatos (10500-4000 cal ANE) en el macizo de Garraf" (in Spanish). Rubricatum, issue 5 (Actes del Congrés Internacional Xarxes al Neolític), pages 299-306.
- ^ Vicenç Baldellou, Pilar Utrilla, Jesús García-Gazólaz (2012): "Variscita de Can Tintorer en el Neolítico Antiguo del valle medio del Ebro" (in Spanish). Rubricatum, issue 5 (Actes del Congrés Internacional Xarxes al Neolític), pages 307-314.
- ^ Amaia Bordas, Roger Molinas, Manuel Saa, Joan Carles Melgarejo, and Saleh Lehbib (2010): "Les mines històriques al sector de la serra de les Ferreres: darreres aportacions a l’estudi de la minería del ferro a Gavà" (in Catalan). Rubricatum, issue 4 (Intervencions arqueològiques a les Mines de Gavà (sector de les Ferreres) - years 1998-2009. De la varisicta al ferro: neolític i antiguitat), pages 247-262}}