Preserved in the nests of bearded vultures, researchers found a 13th century sandal, an equally ancient strip of ochre-painted sheep leather, a crossbow bolt and its wooden lance, and part of an esparto grass slingshot, among artifacts the birds gathered long ago as nest-building material.

The researchers used archaeological techniques to study and date the contents of a dozen cliff-side nests in parts of southern Spain where the bearded vulture became extinct around 70–130 years ago.

Thanks to the solidity of Bearded Vulture nest structures and their locations in the western Mediterranean, generally in protected places such as caves and rock shelters with relatively stable temperature and low humidity conditions, they have acted as natural museums, conserving historical material in good condition.

Bearded vultures are perilously close to extinction. Only 309 breeding pairs are known to exist. Information gained from ancient nests could aid in the recovery of the species, for example, by guiding habitat conservation efforts and the selection of suitable release sites.

The Bearded Vulture as an accumulator of historical remains: Insights for future ecological and biocultural studies by Antoni Margalida, Sergio Couto, Sergio O. Pinedo, José María Gil-Sánchez, Lucía Agudo Pérez, Ana B. Marín-Arroyo. Ecology 11 September 2025

Vulture photo by Antoni Margalida