Faunal offerings in Argaric tombs: new perspectives from La Almoloya and La Bastida (Murcia)

The faunal remains found in Argaric graves have been scarcely or poorly documented. In recent times, however, they have been gaining interest under the spotlight of the concept 'Commensality'. The aim of this paper is to review its application in current interpretations, and to explore new analytical avenues taking into account the archaeological records of La Almoloya and La Bastida (Murcia, Spain). Our results show that the deposition of faunal portions was a widespread social practice, from which only children were mostly excluded. Moreover, a trend towards increasing restrictions to faunal offerings in late Argaric times is also suggested. Rather than considering faunal grave goods as markers of economic asymmetries, they are better understood in the political domain: offering `food' was crucial in the recognition of membership in the Argaric communities.