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This paper aims to determine the chronology of one of the most significant Neolithic contexts in the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: the Can Tintorer mining complex (Gavà, Barcelona). Based on the statistical analysis and Bayesian modelling of a total of 23 radiocarbon dates, 5 of which have not been published until now, the work addresses the temporal relationships and the degree of contemporaneity between the different areas of mining exploitation and their use as a funerary space. Finally, the temporality of the mining complex in the framework of the Neolithic of the NE of the Iberian Peninsula is also tested, based on several comparative statistical analyses with the available radiocarbon dates from settlement and funerary contexts from this period in the region. RESUMEN: Este artículo tiene por objetivo determinar la cronología de uno de los contextos más significativos del Neolítico en el Noreste de la península Ibérica: el complejo minero de Can Tintorer (Gavà, Barcelona). A partir del análisis estadístico y el modelado bayesiano de un total de 23 dataciones radiocarbónicas, 5 de las cuales se publican de forma inédita, el trabajo aborda las relaciones temporales y el grado de contemporaneidad entre las diferentes áreas de explotación minera y su uso como espacio funerario. Finalmente, también se evalúa la temporalidad del complejo minero en el marco del Neolítico del noreste peninsular, a partir de varios análisis estadísticos comparativos con las fechas disponibles en contextos funerarios y de asentamiento de este periodo en la región.

Abstract The excavations undertaken at the Campo de Hockey site in 2008 led to the identification of a major Neolithic necropolis in the former Island of San Fernando (Bay of Cádiz). This work presents the results of the latest studies, which indicate that the site stands as one of the oldest megalithic necropolises in the Iberian Peninsula. The main aim of this work is to present with precision the chronology of this necropolis through a Bayesian statistical model that confirms that the necropolis was in use from c. 4300 to 3800 cal BC. The presence of prestige grave goods in the earliest and most monumental graves suggest that the Megalithism phenomenon emerged in relation to maritime routes linked to the distribution of exotic products. We also aim to examine funerary practices in these early megalithic communities, and especially their way of life and the social reproduction system. As such, in addition to the chronological information and the Bayesian statistics, we provide the results of a comprehensive interdisciplinary study, including anthropological, archaeometric and genetic data.

This paper presents a compilation of radiocarbon dates associated with the process of arrival, development and consolidation of the first farming communities that settled between the north-western Mediterranean Arch and the High Rhine area approximately between 5900 and 2000 cal BC covering a large geographical area previously out of the main focus of 14C data compilations. The database includes dates from scientific publications and it incorporates several fields for evaluating the quality and the reliability of the available samples. It overall provides 3617 radiocarbon dates that allow the scientific community to build chronological models that can be combined with other proxies such as spatial location, type of sample or chronocultural phase.