Additional Coverage:
- Generations of Bearded Vultures share the same nests across centuries and have keepsakes over 600 years old (themirror.com)
Ancient Vulture Nests Offer Glimpse into Centuries of History
A recent study of abandoned Bearded Vulture nests in southern Spain has revealed a surprising collection of artifacts, some dating back over 600 years. Researchers discovered more than 226 man-made items, alongside natural remains, offering a unique window into both the birds’ ancient nesting habits and the human history of the region.
Bearded Vultures, a near-threatened species predominantly found in European mountain ranges like the Pyrenees, are known for their long-term nesting, with generations often occupying the same nests for centuries. These impressive structures are typically built in secure locations such as cliff caves or rock shelters. While the species is now extinct in southern Spain, their well-preserved nests have provided an invaluable research opportunity.
Between 2008 and 2014, a team of Spanish researchers conducted extensive investigations into more than 50 historical Bearded Vulture nests in the area. They focused on 12 specific nests, meticulously examining and analyzing the contents layer by layer, employing established archaeological stratigraphic methods.
“A total of 12 nests were examined, and the remains were identified and analyzed layer by layer, following established archaeological stratigraphic methods,” the researchers stated in their findings, recently published in the journal Ecology.
Among the extensive natural findings, which included centuries of vulture eggshells, prey remains, and nesting materials, researchers unearthed an array of man-made objects. These “keepsakes” ranged from a slingshot and a shoe to a crossbow bolt and a strip of leather.
Carbon-14 dating allowed scientists to trace some items back 650 to 675 years, with one shoe and a leather strip specifically identified as being from that period. Other items, like a piece of a basket, were found to be approximately 150 years old.
The unique environmental conditions within the nests, characterized by stable temperatures and low humidity, have remarkably preserved these historical materials. As the study authors noted, the nests effectively acted as “natural museums, conserving historical material in good condition.”
Beyond the human artifacts, the investigation also cataloged 2,117 bones, 86 hooves, 72 leather remains, 11 hair remains, and 43 eggshells. Given the Bearded Vulture’s status as a near-threatened species with dwindling populations, the researchers believe their findings could offer crucial insights to support future habitat restoration and species reintroduction efforts.