Navigation during the early Neolithic in the Mediterranean area: study of wooden artifacts associated with dugout canoes at La marmotta (Lago di Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia, Lazio, Italy)

• Published in: Quaternary science reviews 2023-07, Vol.311, p.108129, Article 108129
• Main Authors: Caruso Fermé, L., Mineo, M., Remolins, G., Mazzucco, N., Gibaja, J.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Early neolithic; Mediterranean; Navigation; Waterlogged site; Woodworking
• ISSN: 0277-3791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108129

In the Mediterranean area, direct archeological evidence proving the existence of navigation during the Neolithic, is not frequent. The only site in the Mediterranean where this direct evidence exists is La Marmotta. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to approach the nautical technology of the first Neolithic communities through the study of artifacts related to five canoes found at the site. The present study has examined seven wooden artifacts linked to navigation. The archaeobotanical study of the artifacts consisted of their taxonomic and techno-morphometric analysis. This was able to determine the taxa used as raw material and the anatomic part utilized to manufacture the artifacts. The taxonomic analysis shows that the most frequently used wood was Alnus sp. and, to a lesser extent, deciduous Quercus sp. and Fraxinus sp. The study also established the operational sequences linked to the manufacturing process of the different artifacts. The technological, morphological and archaeobotanical study of La Marmotta artifacts connected with navigation is of great importance to understand the degree of specialization of the first Neolithic communities that spread in this area. •Naval technology study.•Neolithic societies of the Mediterranean.•Navigation during the early Neolithic.•Use of wood to make naval instruments.•Wooden artifacts related to the navigation activity.