Pyrenees Cave Shows 4,000-Year Prehistoric Occupation, Copper Processing

Archaeologists excavating Cave 338 in the eastern Pyrenees of Spain have uncovered evidence of repeated prehistoric human occupation at an altitude of 2,235 meters, including hearths containing fragments of a green mineral likely used for copper processing, spanning more than 4,000 years from around 5,000 B.C. to 890 B.C.

The site, located near the Núria and Freser valleys in Girona province, yielded a rich archaeological record during digs conducted between 2021 and 2023. Researchers, led by Carlos Tornero of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution, documented 43 stratigraphic layers across just 6 square meters at the cave entrance. Among the finds were 23 combustion structures or hearths, more than 170 angular fragments of green mineral not native to the cave, 333 handmade pottery sherds, 945 animal bones primarily from sheep and goats along with pig, dog, hare and brown bear remains showing signs of butchery and burning, and a few stone tool flakes.

Radiocarbon dating places the earliest activity between 5,000 and 4,360 B.C., with the most intensive phase from 3,464 to 2,532 B.C. and later use around 1,109 to 890 B.C. The green fragments, concentrated...