Archaeology and Palaeontology in Gordailua

We have more information and materials from the Middle Paleolithic (between approximately 130,000 and 36,000 years ago). In this period, as during the entire Paleolithic period, communities lived from hunting and gathering.

They also made tools in stone, wood, etc., such as this hand axe, a tool with a variety of uses located in the Mousterian level of the cave of Lezetxiki.

The cave of Amalda was also occupied during the Middle Paleolithic . This unique piece, called a “slug”, comes from there.

Knapped in flint, this tool would be used to cut, scrape and scratch off meat, leather, wood, etc. It was revived successively to reuse the piece.

Approximately 36,000 years ago, Homo sapiens neanderthalensis became extinct and a new species appeared in Europe: Homo sapiens sapiens or Cro-Magnon, our species. These human beings diversified their tools and widely developed activities related to art and beliefs.

The Upper Paleolithic has been divided into several stages to study it better and the tip presented here, a “laurel leaf” type, comes from the Solutrean (20,000 - 17,000 years ago). A very high level of technical development was achieved in flint knapping during that era.

Towards the end of the Upper Paleolithic , 17,000 - 1,100 years ago, during the Magdalenian era, art reached its peak expression. Animals, signs and even human figures were painted or engraved on cave walls or on pieces of furniture, sometimes very realistically.

Although its function is unknown, this activity would be related to the world of beliefs.

This platelet found in the cave of Ekain is one of the most important pieces of furniture art in Gipuzkoa. The front parts of a Pyrenean goat ...

At the same time, at the end of the Copper Age and the beginning of the early Bronze Age, the Bell-Beaker cultural complex developed in Europe. Little is known about this culture or phenomenon, but they left a very special trousseau in the burials, especially in cists.

This trousseau includes bell-shaped vessels that gave the culture its name, like this almost complete specimen of a dolmen from Pagobakoitza. These vessels have a very expressive decoration.

The organisation of this region changed radically approximately with the change of era. The Iberian Peninsula and much of Europe remained under Roman rule; fortified villages built in the Iron Age disappeared and the population was reorganized based on the interests of Rome. During this period, settlements were located on the coast, such as Oiasso, built in accordance with Roman organisation and techniques.

Cabotage was mainly used for trade and these bronze wall lamps found under the sea are evidence of this. They represent Roman gods telling us of changes in beliefs. They were probably part of a wooden box transported on a vessel that sank in about the 2nd century after the change of Era.

And, to end with, the Modern Age. In the villages the Ahaide Nagusiak (landed nobility) were gradually losing power. A new class was born, as the merchants became more and more prominent. And they left their mark on the archaeological record, with new fashions, such as this ceramic bowl from the 16th-17th century.

It is made of traditional Spanish / Arabic lustreware and was probably made in the Mudejar workshop in Muel (Zaragoza, Aragon). It has handles in the shape of lugs with a geometric decoration.

Pipes like this piece were very common in small towns. This example is from the 18th century, but they were used in Europe from the 16th century until the 20th century. They are made of clay, more specifically kaolin, from a mould. In this case it has a plant decoration.

The list of Gordailua's pieces does not end there, as there are a number of objects of various materials and types. They are preserved in the best possible conditions, with the aim of promoting research, while at the same time preserving our heritage for future generations.