USE of imaging and chemical techniques to observe technological features of the Venus de Gavà

Abstract Studies on chaine operatoire are becoming more widespread in ceramic studies from different contexts. In this work, we have studied the female figure found in the Prehistoric Mines of Gava (Barcelona, Spain) which constitute the oldest evidence of mining centred on variscite during the 4th millennium BC. The main objective is to determine the technological procedures applied in the manufacture of the figure, identifying the chaine operatoire and relating this information to its symbolic meaning. The results obtained show great knowledge of the manufacturing techniques used, observable in the different decorations documented on the piece. Its complexity and patterned manufacture can be related to its symbolic meaning, which is associated to a belief of a mother goddess, similar to other figures found in other areas of Europe. This work does not only expose a new way of studying this female figure but also the application of archeometric techniques such as, direct observation of macroscopic traces (naked eye); and indirect observation through X-ray techniques (CT). Finally, chemical analyses such as XRD and SEM-EDS were used to recognize the main mineral components of the clay.