AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF OCHRE REMAINS FROM MESOLITHIC HUMAN BURIALS OF SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE: THE CASE OF S’OMU E S’ORKU (SARDINIA, ITALY) AND LOS CANES (ASTURIAS, SPAIN).

This contribution discusses the preliminary results of a comparative study of ochres associated with human skeletal remains from two Mesolithic sites of southwestern Europe: S’Omu e S’Orku (Sardinia, Italy) and Los Canes (Asturias, Spain). Seventeen ochre fragments were analysed: four from S’Omu e S’Orku and thirteen from Los Canes. The S’Omu e S’Orku samples were collected from the Mesolithic layers (B-C) containing the ochred skeletal remains SOMK 1 (adult male) and SOMK 2 (young adult female) dated to ca. 7700 cal BC, whereas, the Los Canes ochres were recovered from the sediments filling burials dated between ca. 6000-5200 cal BC: 6-III (1 adult male), 6-II (1 sub-adult male, lower limbs of another individual), 6-I (adult female). Nowadays, many analytical techniques are used to characterize prehistoric pigments. For this study an integrated approach based on the use of binocular microscope, SEM-EDS system and X-Ray Florescence, has been chosen. The microscopic observation shows common traits in the ochres from the two sites. The fragments have a deep red clayey fine-grained matrix, in some cases with inclusions of quartz and calcite. SEM-EDS analysis on surface evidences a micro-crystalline structure with high Fe concentration for about the 68% of the total fragments analyzed. Furthermore, the XRF on powder allow obtaining quantitative data of major and minor elements that are processed by statistical tests to recognize correlations and/or variations with patterns distribution. The association of colorant ores with Mesolithic burials makes S’Omu e S’Orku and Los Canes two key-sites for the understanding of symbolic human behavior. Furthermore, this integrated approach for comparative studies provides valuable information to interpret the cultural traits of two geographically distant prehistoric realities.