Into the circle. Animal and human deposits in a new Upper Guadalquivir site from the beginning of the 3rd millennium Cal BC (Grañena Baja, Jaén)

Abstract

In 2014 due to the projected layout of the Madrid – Jaén high-speed railway line,a preventive archaeological intervention was carried out on a hill near the Guadalbullón riverbedwithin the farmland of Grañena Baja (Jaén). A multi-sequential Late Prehistory occupation was documented during the work, starting from the mid-5th millennium and reaching the end of the 3rd millennium. The phase corresponding to the last quarter of the 4th and the beginning of the 3rd millennium Cal BC stands out for circular features containing complete or partial human and domestic animal skeletal remains, which, in some cases, are clearly related. The isotopic values of human collagen are relatively homogeneous (δ15N = 9.0 ± 0.6; δ13C = -18.9 ± 0.4) and consistent with a diet based on proteins of animal origin.