Shepherds and karst: the use of caves and rock-shelters in the Mediterranean region during the Neolithic

Several Neolithic to Iron Age sites of the Mediterranean region contain archaeological sediments, called fumiers, which are composed mainly of burnt animal dung and vegetal remains, and are commonly interpreted as the product of pastoral activities. Here we address three main topics about these sediments, which occur almost exclusively in the entrance areas of karstic caves and rock-shelters: their characteristics; methodological aspects of their excavation and study; and their archaeological interpretation. For such purposes, we briefly review the information available about Neolithic fumiers and present the first data from the sites of El Mirador (Burgos, Spain) and Riparo Gaban (Trento, Italy).