Argaric craftswomen: Sex-based division of labor in the Bronze Age southeastern Iberia

The macroscopic and microscopic analyses of teeth from the Castellón Alto individuals belonging to El Argar culture (Southeastern Iberia), dated from Bronze Age, were carried out to identify non-alimentary uses of teeth and the tasks associated with the use of teeth as tools. Macroscopically, we ide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of archaeological science 2021-03, Vol.127, p.105239, Article 105239
Main Authors:	Lozano, Marina, Jiménez-Brobeil, Sylvia A., Willman, John C., Sánchez-Barba, Lydia P., Molina, Fernando, Rubio, Ángel
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Argar culture Bronze age Non-alimentary uses of teeth Sex-based division of labor
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	The macroscopic and microscopic analyses of teeth from the Castellón Alto individuals belonging to El Argar culture (Southeastern Iberia), dated from Bronze Age, were carried out to identify non-alimentary uses of teeth and the tasks associated with the use of teeth as tools. Macroscopically, we identify 5 out of 106 individuals showing atypical dental features compatible with non-alimentary tooth use. The teeth of these individuals were analyzed in depth with scanning electron microscopy to identify non-alimentary dental features. Evidence of non-alimentary uses of teeth such as enamel chipping, notches, occlusal, and interproximal grooves were recorded from five individuals. One of the most outstanding results is that only 5 females of 106 total individuals showed the use of teeth as tools. The dental wear features of these five individuals indicate the use of teeth as tools to carry out some tasks related to thread and cordages preparation for textile and/or basketry production, suggesting not only occupational specialization but also sex-based division of labor in the Bronze Age of Southeastern Iberia. •SEM used to identify extramasticatory dental wear at a Bronze Age site.•Use of teeth for thread and cordages preparation for textile and basketry production identified in five females.•Evidence for sexual division of labor or possible textile craft specialization in the Argar Culture.
ISSN:	0305-4403 1095-9238