El uso de brazaletes de piedra es uno de los fenómenos arqueológicos más destacado asociado a las primeras sociedades neolíticas en gran parte del Occidente Mediterráneo. Estos adornos se relacionan con el Neolítico Antiguo, caracterizado por el horizonte de las cerámicas decoradas cardiales y otras impresiones. En este libro se presenta el estudio petrológico, tecnológico, tipológico y traceológico realizado a estos adornos en la península ibérica. Estos análisis han permitido identificar culturalmente, a partir del uso, distribución y producción de los brazaletes, dos grupos culturales con un desarrollo social diferente y paralelo. Estos grupos son los tradicionalmente denominados como el Neolítico andaluz y el Neolítico valenciano. La distribución geográfica y cronológica de los brazaletes los convierte en un definidor cultural de las sociedades del Neolítico Inicial en estos ámbitos geográficos. De la misma forma, su artesanía, circulación y uso permite determinar parte del devenir socioeconómico de estas primeras poblaciones neolíticas.

The use of stone bracelets is one of the most fascinating archaeological phenomena associated with the first Neolithic societies in most of the Western Mediterranean. These adornments are associated with the Early Neolithic, characterised by the advent of pottery with cardial and other impressed decorations. This book presents a petrological, technological, typological and traceological study of these bracelets in the Iberian Peninsula. Through these analyses, based on the use, distribution and production of the bracelets, the author identifies two cultural groups with different and parallel social developments. These groups are those traditionally known as the ‘Andalusian Neolithic’ and the ‘Valencian Neolithic’. The geographic and chronological distribution of the bracelets makes them a cultural marker of Early Neolithic societies in these geographical areas. Similarly, analysis of their craftsmanship, circulation and use allows the author to determine aspects of the socioeconomic evolution of these first farming populations.

AUTHOR
Francisco Martínez-Sevilla es especialista en tecnología lítica de la Prehistoria Reciente. Su línea de investigación se centra en el surgimiento de las comunidades agropecuarias y el cambio hacia sociedades complejas en el sur de la península ibérica. Licenciado en Historia (2009, UGR), Máster en Arqueología (2011, UGR) y Doctor en Prehistoria (2016, UGR).

Francisco Martínez-Sevilla is a specialist in the lithic technology of Late Prehistory. His research focuses on the emergence of farming communities and the shift towards complex societies in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. He holds a first degree in History (2009, UGR), an MA in Archaeology (2011, UGR) and a PhD in Prehistory (2016, UGR).

REVIEWS
‘A landmark study. … It is an excellent contribution to our understanding of the technologies and economies of early agrarian communities in Iberia, as well as of one of the ways that identity was no doubt constructed at the time.’ Prof. Katina Lillios, University of Iowa

‘This is a worldwide work, as stone rings of this type were made in many parts of the world and in different periods of history. … The fact that this study takes into account the final products, semi-finished products, tools and production waste is really original and crucial to understanding the whole technological process.’ Dr Laure Salanova, École Normale Supérieure

‘This subject has not been previously studied with such rigour nor from an holistic perspective, combining analyses of the type of raw materials used, the methods and techniques involved in their manufacture and their symbolic importance. … The scale of the assemblage is impressive, allowing a very deep study.’ Dr Xavier Terradas, Institución Milá y Fontanals (CSIC)