La Draga, Prehistoric lakeside settlement in Banyoles, Spain.
La Draga is an archaeological site along the western shore of Lake Banyoles containing remains of an early farming settlement. The location spreads across several thousand square meters, with portions of it now submerged beneath the water.
The settlement developed in the Early Neolithic period roughly 5,000 to 5,300 years ago when farming communities first arrived in the region. Archaeological work beginning in the 1990s uncovered two distinct phases showing how early agricultural practices evolved over time.
The settlement reveals how early farming communities organized their daily lives through artifacts like pottery and bone tools scattered across the site. These objects show the practical skills and activities of people who first learned to grow crops in this region.
The constant moisture and waterlogged soil at the location preserves organic materials like wood and textiles remarkably well for study. Visitors should expect wet conditions and wear appropriate footwear when exploring the site.
Three Neolithic bows carved from yew wood found here rank among the earliest known weapons of this type in Europe. These discoveries demonstrate how sophisticated woodworking techniques already were in this early period.
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