Archaeologists Uncover 600-Year-Old Treasure Trove in Spanish Vulture Nests

In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists examining the nests of bearded vultures in the southern Spanish mountains have uncovered a trove of 600-year-old medieval artifacts. The team found a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, and a decorated piece of leather, among other items, that date back to around 1375.

These artifacts were used by the birds to build their nests, alongside more common nesting materials. Bearded vultures have been extinct in the region for 70 to 130 years, but their nests have been remarkably well-preserved due to the birds' tendency to build in protected sites such as cliff caves, which the researchers describe as "natural museums."

The study, published in the journal Ecology, found an "abundant and well-preserved" hoard of medieval items across 12 bearded vulture nests. Researchers uncovered a total of 2,483 remains, including items made from bone, eggshell, esparto grass, hooves, leather, hair, and cloth.

These discoveries can help scientists understand human practices, technological development, and shifts in material culture from centuries ago. Additionally, the findings could be significant in helping recover the bearded vulture, the most threatened vulture species in Europe, by providing insights into the feeding habits and nest-site selection of the bird's predecessors.