Ivory ornament objects from the Cerro de la Virgen site (Orce, Granada)

• The totality (31) of the ivory objects recovered in Cerro de la Virgen (Orce, Gramada) site during the archaeological interventions made between 1963 and 1970 have been studied here. Morpho-typological study, raw material characterization and the traceological analysis have been carried out. Two different categories of ornaments (pendants and buttons) have been identified, in some cases with subdivisions. Temporal differences can be suggested with the increase in variability in Beaker moments (phase 2) and the presence of some types only in certain phases. The last phases of manufacturing and repair processes have been identified, and traceological analysis supports the relationship of the so-called "buttons" with the clothing. As for the raw material, the optical study has been able to determine the use of elephant and hippopotamus ivory, in addition to elements made on cetaceans and wild boar samples. Through FTIR, it has been possible to distinguish between Asian and African elephant ivory. In contrast to what has been observed in other sites, hippopotamus ivory use can be seen from the beginning of the site occupation in a pre-Beaker moment and Asian elephant ivory continues to be used until Early Bronze Age.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- Archaeology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

pendants

buttons

raw materials

ivory

iberian peninsula

elephant

Archaeology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)