The Spanish archaeological site Moli del Salt (Vimbodi i Poblet, Tarragona) continues to provide new and pleasant surprises. The latest discovery is a stone slab that is over 13,000 years old. The artifact features seven semicircular engravings, which, according to experts, may be interpreted as huts. If they are correct, this could be the first representation of an ancient hunter-gatherer campsite.

As published by Agencia SINC, the first excavations at El Moli del Salt took place in 1999. Since then, there has been annual work at the site. Through their continuous efforts, archaeologists have recovered more than 5,000 artifacts dated to about 14,000 years ago. Most of the material consists of tools made ​​from flint and several fossils, but they have also found remains of artistic pieces, and pendants made ​​of shells. Furthermore, the presence of what appear to be several prehistoric households suggests that about 14,000 years ago, the Moli of Salt was a campsite for hunter-gatherers.

The excavations have been carried out thanks to the collaboration of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Regional Council of La Conca de Barbera, the City Council of Vimbodí i Poblet and the company SOREA. Since its inception, the excavations have been directed by Manuel Vaquero, researcher at the Department of Prehistory of Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) .

A selection of the artifacts found at the Molí del Salt site. (IPHES / SINC)

Now, researchers have found a unique artifact in a stratum belonging to the Upper Paleolithic, with a date ranging between 13,000 and 14,000 years ago. The study conducted on this object has been published recently in the journal PLoS ONE.

• The Lady of Arlanpe: First Paleolithic Venus of the Iberian Peninsula?
• Paleolithic weapons factory was a rich source of obsidian tools from 1.4 million years ago
• Neanderthal child remains found in Catalonia Cave
• Stone Age Spaniards ate domestic dogs and badgers

The artifact is a schist slab measuring 18 cm (7.1 inches) long and 8.5cm (3.3 inches) wide, with seven semicircular engravings. The shape and proportions of these engravings have led to them being interpreted as huts, forming the representation of a hunter-gatherer campsite: the first of its kind known so far.