Digital Object 2695
Description:
The pit of tomb T8, UE450, has reached us incomplete due to the cuts produced in it by the opening of subsequent tombs (T4 and T7) and it is therefore impossible to know its original complete dimensions.
The pit has only retained between 2.90 m and 2.00 m of its initial length. Of its original depth, there is just 0.24 m below the burial level of tomb T4, and about 1.05 m in the space between tombs T4 and T7. On the other hand, it retains its full width, which is between 2.35 m and 2.73 m. The pit in question has preserved about 6.30 m2 of its original surface, which obviously must have been larger. Assuming that its original depth was around 4.1O m, the preserved part of the tomb must have had an approximate capacity of 26 m3.
T8 is a multiple burial, UE420, in a common grave and filled space, which was partially erased by the construction of tomb T7, and profoundly altered by the opening works of tomb T4. Only some parts of 6 individuals preserved in primary position, plus diverse unconnected human skeletal remains, have been preserved. The identification process was limited by the poor state of conservation of the bones. In addition, there was a very close physical proximity between the T4 and T8 burials, to the extent that bones from different burials preserved in an anatomical connection maintained direct physical contact with each other. The individuals belonging to the UE420 burial are identified with the numbers I33 to I38, both inclusive.
The bones attributed to the burial of the T8 tomb were accompanied by a very limited number of grave goods. The very poor state of conservation of the skeletons and the high degree of removal of the deposit partly account for this fact. The appearance of objects of prestige unrelated to specific individuals is noteworthy, such as two fauna tusks set with gold (HF 12996 and HF 12997), two gold beads (AU 13001 and AU 13006), a gold bell (AU 12941) and twelve polished lithic tools with sharp edges (seven adzes and five axes). The high proportion of sharp polished stone artifacts contained in the T8 tomb is noteworthy. A total of 31 of these pieces (22 adzes and 9 axes) have been recovered. Apart from these objects, T8's burial level also contained a small number of vessels, many of them small in size, including some plates and carafes.
The pit has only retained between 2.90 m and 2.00 m of its initial length. Of its original depth, there is just 0.24 m below the burial level of tomb T4, and about 1.05 m in the space between tombs T4 and T7. On the other hand, it retains its full width, which is between 2.35 m and 2.73 m. The pit in question has preserved about 6.30 m2 of its original surface, which obviously must have been larger. Assuming that its original depth was around 4.1O m, the preserved part of the tomb must have had an approximate capacity of 26 m3.
T8 is a multiple burial, UE420, in a common grave and filled space, which was partially erased by the construction of tomb T7, and profoundly altered by the opening works of tomb T4. Only some parts of 6 individuals preserved in primary position, plus diverse unconnected human skeletal remains, have been preserved. The identification process was limited by the poor state of conservation of the bones. In addition, there was a very close physical proximity between the T4 and T8 burials, to the extent that bones from different burials preserved in an anatomical connection maintained direct physical contact with each other. The individuals belonging to the UE420 burial are identified with the numbers I33 to I38, both inclusive.
The bones attributed to the burial of the T8 tomb were accompanied by a very limited number of grave goods. The very poor state of conservation of the skeletons and the high degree of removal of the deposit partly account for this fact. The appearance of objects of prestige unrelated to specific individuals is noteworthy, such as two fauna tusks set with gold (HF 12996 and HF 12997), two gold beads (AU 13001 and AU 13006), a gold bell (AU 12941) and twelve polished lithic tools with sharp edges (seven adzes and five axes). The high proportion of sharp polished stone artifacts contained in the T8 tomb is noteworthy. A total of 31 of these pieces (22 adzes and 9 axes) have been recovered. Apart from these objects, T8's burial level also contained a small number of vessels, many of them small in size, including some plates and carafes.
Excavation campaign:
2015-2016
Record type:
Stratigraphic group register
Context-based browsing of El Caño repository
Archaeological site:
El Caño
Operation:
Operation 1
Stratigraphic group:
Tomb 8
Stratigraphic group registry:
Tombs
Calibrated Age Range:
Cal AD 770 to 905 (Cal BP 1180 to 1045)/Cal AD 920 to 965 (Cal BP 1030 to 985)
Digital Object 2695