Phases of occupation and stratigraphy of the neolithic settlement of les guixeres de vilobí (Sant martí sarroca, barcelona)

Abstract

The open-air site of Les Guixeres de Vilobí (Sant Martí Sarroca, Penedès, Barcelona) has an area of approximately 2,500 m2, of which ca 10% have been excavated. It has a 4-phase stratigraphy with occupations from the Cardial Early Neolithic, Epicardial Early Neolithic, Postcardial Neolithic and Late Neolithic. These are characterized by more or less extensive archaeological layers (depending on the phase) and by numerous negative structures: post holes, hearths, pits, and silos. The Cardial Neolithic phase is the richest in terms of material and also has three areas that we suggest are housing units. 9 radiocarbon dates (7 unpublished) indicate that the occupations were almost continous, between 5600-5200 cal BC for phase A, ca 5000-4700 cal BC for phase B, ca 4650-4450 cal BC for phase C and ca 3350-3100 cal BC for phase D. To complement these information, preliminary data on the material culture of the site are shown. Finally, these data are combined with to the information derived from the habitat structures between the Early to Late Neolithic in other regions of the western Mediterranean.