By Nicole Wootton-Cane
Copyright independent
Archaeologists have uncovered an “extraordinary” stash of 600-year-old medieval artefacts within bearded vulture nests in the southern Spanish mountains.
The discoveries include items such as a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, and decorated leather, some dating back to approximately 1375, which the birds incorporated into their nests.
The nests, found in protected cliff caves, acted as “natural museums”, preserving 2,483 remains, including bone, eggshell, and various manufactured items made from esparto grass and leather.
These findings offer valuable insights into human practices, technological development, and material culture during the Middle Ages in the Iberian peninsula.
The historical data on nest-site selection and feeding habits could significantly contribute to the recovery efforts for the endangered bearded vulture species in Europe.