This study supports the consensus that animal husbandry was a vital economic strategy for early Neolithic communities. Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated and held significant importance in the Mediterranean region. Cattle also played a crucial role at some open-air sites, such as the settlement of La Draga in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula. This settlement was occupied during successive phases, dating from 5300 to 4700 BCE. By analyzing the cattle remains—considering taphonomic conditions, age and sex estimation, as well as biometric and microstructural analysis—we can characterize the composition and structure of one of the earliest cattle herds in the Western Mediterranean. This analysis incorporates both the demographic and productive dynamics of the herd. The results reveal a high level of expertise in managing this species, demonstrating intensive yet multi-purpose use, alongside a notably high neonatal mortality rate.
