The site of La Feixa del Moro is at 1335 m altitude on the southern side of the Pyrenees, in the Principality of Andorra very near the border with Spain. It is 455 m above the valley bottom, on the left side of the Gran Valira River, in the town of Juberri (Fig. 1).

This used to be an area of terraces that was abandoned in the early 1960s. Therefore it slopes slightly from east to west at an angle that was increased by the earth that was tipped on it when a road was built a few metres above the site (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 33).

In the vicinity of the site coordinates (UTM 31 N X: 376004.95 Y: 4699737.01) (ETRS89), there are some seasonal streams and woods like El Fener Wood, with large areas of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and some oak (Quercus). The nearest river with a constant flow is the River Runer, 1.2 km from La Feixa del Moro where the vegetation is characterised by ash (Fraxinus excelsior), hazel (Corylus avellana) and willow (Salix alba).

The excavations from 1983 to 1985 opened an area of 65 m², where eight stratigraphic levels were documented (Canturri and Llovera, 1986: 386). The first three (S, 1 and 2) were superficial strata that had been disturbed during the building of the terraces and by ploughing. Level 3a (upper, middle and lower) was anthropic, and related to the old ground level. Levels 3b and 3c, also archaeological, were linked with the dug graves and domestic pits. The latter partly affected the underlying layer, Level 4, which was defined as partly anthropic owing to the signs of small earth movements detected (Llovera, 1986: 16). Finally, Level 5 was compact and natural.

These levels displayed clean transitions, with regular and undulating boundaries and an inclination varying from 15° to 30° from east to west in the direction of the slope (Llovera and Canturri, 1998: 244). The steepest slope was found in the surface strata, owing to the earth tipped when the road was built (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 33) and it decreased as the archaeological levels were reached. It was precisely in the lower layers where a stone wall, several hearths, domestic pits, postholes and three cist burials (Fig. 2), two of them intact, were documented (Llovera, 1986: 18). Numerous archaeological remains, such as flint blades, querns, axes, chisels, adzes, large ceramic recipients, etc., were found in association with dwelling structures (Llovera, 1991: 15). However, the most significant remains appeared amongst the grave goods accompanying the burials.

When discovered in 1983, Cist 1 had already been plundered some years previously. Located 20 m south-east of the house known as Feixa del Moro, the grave was completely buried under an earth slope and only a covering flagstone remained clear, with a small opening underneath it allowing access to the interior (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 33, 1986: 385).

On an east-west line, at the time of the excavation the grave was open on the opposite side, which meant that part of its interior had filled with sediment from outside (Canturri and Llovera, 1986: 35). However, the construction was in a good state of architectonic conservation, with all the limestone flagstones in their primary position (Fig. 3), except for those at the visible end and one on the left which had probably been removed in the past (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 34).

The interior of the grave was 1.30 m long by 0.80 m wide and between 0.70 and 0.80 m high (Canturri and Llovera, 1984: 34). The head was external on both sides and was formed by a single stone. The left side was formed by at least three stones, whereas the opposite side had been built with a single slab. The cover was formed by two large flagstones slightly overlapping (Fig. 4). The cracks there may have been between them were filled with small stones to avoid earth filtering inside. Indeed the structure is thought to have been sealed hermetically in the past and to have stopped any earth entering and filling the burial chamber (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 34).

As a result, many years after it had been plundered, six potsherds, a variscite bead and three flint blades (Gibaja and Terradas, 2012, Terradas and Gibaja, 2002 and Vaquer et al., 2013) were retrieved (Fig. 4). According to the looters’ information, they removed eight axes which were grouped in the middle of the grave on the left hand side (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 34).

When preparing his doctoral thesis, Xavier Llovera was able to examine the axes taken by the looters in 1979. According to the researcher, they were all green, perfectly polished, with more or less flat sides and with no traces of having been used (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 34; Llovera, 1984). Five were apparently made from serpentine, and of these the largest was 17 cm long and 2.8 cm wide (Canturri and Llovera, 1985: 34; Llovera, 1984: 62). The others were made of schist and probably hornfels, and were between 10.6 cm and 5.1 cm long. Because of their manufacture and lack of use-traces, they were thought to be votive objects.

A second intact grave was found five metres to the north-east of Cist 1. All the flagstones forming the chamber were in situ except at the front, where a mechanical digger had damaged part of the cover and partly moved the stone that sealed the grave at the lower end (Fig. 5). The interior of the grave was 1.7 m long, 1 m wide and 0.80 m high. The head was formed by eight stones and the cover was made of four stones, over which some flat stones had been placed to ensure the chamber was sealed off. The left side was formed by four flagstones and the opposite side by six (Fig. 6).

The grave contained a skeleton in a frontal position with bent legs and the arms flexed over the shoulders and the torso. It belonged to an individual about 163–167 cm tall who died at the age of 20–23 years (Vives, 1987: 9). In a new examination of the remains, Dr. M. E. Subirà determined that this individual was a female. The latest determination of this individual's sex was based on the morphology of the pelvis, following the work of Ferembach et al., 1980. The body faced south-east with the head to the north-west, following the same direction and long axis of the grave (Fig. 6).

This burial was accompanied by 56 variscite beads located near the individual's head, suggestive of a necklace by analogy with other burials on the Catalan coast, and a further 21 beads near one knee, interpreted as a possible adornment sewn on a cloth. In the absence of detailed photographs of the lower limbs, it is difficult for the taphonomic study to confirm this hypothesis. It is not certain whether the beads were found beneath the knees or on the limb bones, as would be expected in the case of an adornment around the knee. If this was the case, they would form only the second known example of an adornment for the lower limbs, after the Dentalium beads found in the burial at Arceda (Castany, 2008 and Muñoz, 1965). Accordingly, the most likely explanation is that these beads were sewn to an item of clothing or a bag that was buried with the deceased.

The grave goods also included five ground stone axes that had been used and then deposited in the cist. Two of them were located on the left side of the individual at the height of the pelvis. One was trapezoidal in shape and made from a black rock that might be a local phtanite (Vaquer et al., 2012). The other, larger and pale green in colour, is of pyroxenite and may be classified as the Chelles Alpine type (Vaquer et al., 2012). Two smaller trapezoidal axes were in contact with the right foot, opposite the toes. One is white and may be fibrolite (Vaquer et al., 2012), while the other is made from a green, fine-grained rock (Vaquer et al., 2012). Finally, the largest axe was on the lower right-hand side of the grave, next to one of the side stones (Fig. 6). With a triangular shape and elliptical cross-section, it is probably made from pyoxenite, perhaps the long Chelles Alpine type (Vaquer et al., 2012).

The grave goods were completed by a fragment of a pierced boar tusk, although its position in the grave could not be determined, 37 bone awls to the left of the individual, under the tibia and the femur, and 46 potsherds. Three flint blades were also collected; two amongst the awls and the other near the individual's head (Fig. 6).

Another grave was found four metres to the south-east of Cist 1. Like the others, it consisted of a stone box inside a pit dug in the ground (Fig. 7). The structure maintained all the flagstones in their original positions, although those on the sides had moved slightly inwards. It was 0.90 m wide, between 0.70 and 0.80 m high and 1.5 m long. The sides, cover and ends were all made with two large superimposed flagstones (Fig. 8).

The grave contained a double burial of an adult female and a neonate (Fig. 7). They were oriented south-west/north-east, with the head towards the north-east. The adult individual's legs were bent, her right hand on her waist and left arm over the infant. She would have been about 150 or 156 cm tall (Vives, 1987: 10). The outstanding state of conservation allowed the determination that she suffered neither caries nor any irregular formations in her teeth enamel (Vives, 1987: 10).

Accompanying the burials, the grave goods included a small trapezoidal axe in a greenish-brown stone. This is probably a Pyrenean nephrite (Vaquer et al., 2012). It was found next to the adult's right scapula. Additionally, two retouched honey-flint blades were found (Llovera, 1986: 21); one next to the left ulna and radius of the same individual and the other by the small axe (Fig. 8).

In the same cist, 14 variscite beads were associated with the adult's left arm. This suggests two possibilities: either they belonged to a bracelet or were sewn to a cloth. No well-documented examples of bead bracelets are known in North-East Iberia, but examples of beads sewn to textiles are known (Allièse et al., 2014). This therefore seems to the most likely interpretation of these beads in Cist 3.

The grave goods were completed by a group of 16 awls, a needle and a spatula, next to the right humerus, and three personal adornments: two made from a wild boar rib and the third from a tusk of the same animal. While those made from the rib were on the right-hand side of the adult, one above the head and the other near the humerus, the tusk was lying among the remains of the thorax (Fig. 8). The first two cannot have belonged to a necklace, because of their distance from the body, but the tusk on the deceased's chest may have been a pendant or sewn to clothing or a cloth that covered the body. Two potsherds were found near the individual's head, on her right.

The re-examination of the archaeozoological assemblage from La Feixa del Moro has studied a total of 46 faunal remains found in Cists 2 and 3 (Fig. 9). The taxonomical determination of the metapodials was based on the morphological comparison of the distal epiphyses and condyles, and criteria differentiating ovicaprids and roe deer. There is a small possibility that the metapodials attributed to caprids may belong to a wild species.

The long and relatively slender objects with plano-convex cross-sections are classified as awls and spatulas. The proximal end of both types is suitable for them to be held in the hand during use, while the active zones of both instruments are at the distal ends. The shape of this active zone differentiates the two tools. Awls have a pointed active zone, used for penetrating or piercing. In contrast, spatulas have flat, rounded active zones that will prevent piercing, tearing or breaking the substance being worked. Needles are thin and elongated, whose point and general shape allow them to pierce material.

The grave containing most remains and the greatest diversity of species is Cist 2 (Fig. 9, Nos. 10 to 16), with a total of 34 analysed objects in an assemblage of 37 (Table 1). Ovicaprids (Ovis aries/Capra hircus) form the largest taxonomic group, with a total of 9 metapodials. One of the awls was made from a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) metapodial, while it has not been possible to determine the species of the others.

The ovicaprid and roe deer bones used to make awls come from adult individuals over 18 months old. In some cases, the distal epiphysis of the metapodials was maintained and in others only the shaft was used. The proximal epiphysis was never maintained. This is due to a technical decision while the awls were being made; it is necessary to remove one of the epiphysis to form an end with the cortical zone of the bone shaft. Anatomical observations show that it is usually the proximal epiphysis that is removed. In those cases when the distal epiphysis is missing, that is probably due to its destruction by natural postdepositional effects.

The faunal assemblage found in Cist 2 is completed by the canine (Fig. 9, No. 20) of an adult swine (probably an adornment) and a small group of four medium-sized faunal remains displaying no signs of having been worked.

Cist 3 contained 12 faunal remains, consisting of 6 awls (Fig. 9, Nos. 1 to 5 and 7), 2 spatulas (Fig. 9, Nos. 6 and 8), 3 pendants (Fig. 9, Nos. 17 to 19) and a needle made from a long bone of a medium-sized animal (Fig. 9, No. 9). Five of the awls/spatulas were made from long bone fragments of small animals (ovicaprids or roe deer) while one of the fragmented awls was made from a roe deer metapodial and the needle from the long bone of a medium-sized animal.

The pendants were made from the lower canine of a male swine and two flat bones whose taxonomical attribution could not be specified.

The lithic assemblage found in the cists at La Feixa del Moro consists of whole or fragmented blades made from a rock type known as “honey flint”. This type of flint is very common during this phase of the Neolithic and probably comes from South-East France. Its provenance cannot be determined for certain but it is very similar to the flint found in the area of Provence and the technology used to work it is the same. As yet, no diagnostic analytical studies have been carried out to able to affirm that the source is definitely South-East France (Gibaja and Terradas, 2005 and Gibaja and Terradas, 2012).

The abundance of blades, cores, geometric microliths and points made from this flint type found mostly in pit burials in areas near the Mediterranean contrasts with their scarcity in cist graves in inland regions.

A functional study has recently been performed on a part of the lithic tools found in the cists in order to determine whether these tools had been made and deposited ex profeso in the grave, and therefore had never been used, or they had indeed been used before being left as part of the grave goods. In this way, of the six flint fragments and blades stored in the premises of Andorran Cultural Heritage, the three blades from Cist 1, one from Cist 2 (FM-2-57) and one from Cist 3 (FM-2-216) were analysed.

Of the three objects from Cist 1, the largest blade (77 × 18 × 4 mm) was used on both sides to cut non-ligneous plants (Fig. 10, No. 9). The use-traces were faint and therefore the tool had been used for a short time (Fig. 11, No. 1). The second blade, a proximal fragment (30 × 15 × 2 mm) had been used on both edges to cut a soft substance, possibly meat. It had also been used for a short time and the edges were still perfectly effective (Fig. 10, No. 8). Finally, a small blade fragment (22 × 8 × 2 mm) displays no traces of it having been used (Fig. 10, No. 10).

The distal fragment conserved of a blade from Cist 2 was also analysed (Fig. 10, No. 7). As explained above, during the excavation the blade was found whole, but now only the distal fragment is conserved. Consequently, it is difficult to interpret the use of the object as it was not possible to study it in its entirety. However, this fragment does not display any use-traces.

Lastly, a small whole blade from Cist 3 has been analysed (Fig. 10, No. 11). It is retouched on both sides, and has been used in several places. Both sides were used to cut nonligneous plants, then the edges were resharpened and the right side was reused to scrape dry hide (Fig. 11, No. 2).

Only the polished axes and adzes from Cists 2 (Fig. 10, No. 1 to 5) and 3 (Fig. 10, No. 12) have been studied as those from Cist 1 are in private hands. These tools are generally in a perfect condition with perfectly effective edges. Their surfaces are totally polished, except for two of the five objects in Cist 2, of which the sides are not polished, only pecked or unmodified. However, these tools had not been made ex profeso to be deposited as grave goods. Functional analysis has demonstrated that all the axes had been used in certain tasks and then repolished or resharpened before being placed inside the cists (Fig. 11, Nos. 3 and 4).

In short, the inhabitants of La Feixa del Moro not only selected the knapped and polished implements according to the raw materials they were made from, but also because they were in perfect condition to continue in use.

Adornments made particularly in variscite are some of the most characteristic elements found in graves dated in this phase of the Neolithic. Even so, it should be noted that Cist 2 at la Feixa del Moro contained one of the largest necklaces deposited in a Neolithic burial in northeastern Iberia (Fig. 12, No. 2). However, this necklace is not the only kind of adornment made with variscite beads in the three cists at the site.

The two groups of best-conserved ornaments have been studied in detail: the necklace in Cist 2 and the bracelet found in Cist 3 (Fig. 12, No. 4).

The beads in both objects are made of variscite. The determination of the raw materials has been performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Edo et al., 1990 and Edo et al., 1992). While the necklace in Cist 2 consists of 56 beads (Table 2), the bracelet in Cist 3 is made up of 14 beads (Table 3). In both cases, beads of different shapes were used.

According to the marks left by their manufacture, the beads were made by intensive abrasive polishing of their whole surface and edges, starting with the initial preform of a fragment. Traces of abrasive lines are seen in all directions. Then consecutive rotational bipolar perforations were made with a lithic drill (flywheel type) on the two faces of the central part of the pieces. These perforations left traces in the form of concentric striations and grooves inside the holes. In the case of the biconical globular bead, the perforation is concentric rotational bipolar, with a biconical cross-section and carried out in two stages. In the case of the barrel beads, they were polished abrasively at the ends to prepare a perforation surface in which consecutive rotational bipolar perforations were made. In most beads, the perforation has a biconical cross-section and was carried out in two stages, i.e. in two attempts.

Numerous pottery remains were found in the graves. However, the information they provide is very biased and does not always agree with the data in the inventories or in the publications. In any case, the high degree of fragmentation and heterogeneity of the remains, together with scarce recognisable forms, suggests that most of the sherds found inside the cists were not offerings but that they reached them together with the sedimentary fill.

In Cist 1, among the earth disturbed by the looters, the 6 potsherds that were found may belong to a minimum number of 3 recipients. During the excavation, 55 ceramic fragments were recovered in Cist 2. Two profiles have been reconstructed from 17 of these sherds which respectively correspond to the upper and medial parts of a pot that, according to its typology, may have formed part of the grave goods. Currently, only one of those profiles is conserved; it consists of 11 fragments (Fig. 13), it is carinated and has a rounded lip, 140 mm in diameter and a tubular handle. It has a concave base and is characterized by its irregular firing. The other profile is currently being studied by another scholar (it consists of 5 sherds) and thus it is temporarily unavailable for analysis.

Finally, there is an additional assemblage of 34 fragments from Cist 2 (four of the 55 fragments originally recovered have been lost). Our analysis indicates that those fragments correspond to a minimum of 16 vessels of different sizes.

Owing to the characteristics of the ceramic assemblage, it is thought that only the most complete vessel in Cist 2 might have formed part of the grave goods.