The implored heaven. Piedrahíta’s chalcolithic prayers (Montellano, Seville) and it archaeological context

Abstract

This article expounds a series of archaeological materials from the chalcolithic site of Piedrahíta, located in a village called Montellano (Seville). Bone and stone pieces traditionally interpreted as small idols are analyzed deliberately, although we lean towards an interpretation of them as human representations in a motion of prayer. These elements were accompanied by a unique and remarkable archaeological documentation, defined by lithic industries carved and polished, a generous number of boulders along with shells of several dissimilar mollusks and a batch of burnt fauna bones. It could be considered part of grave goods, even though there are other ritual hypotheses that cannot be ruled out.