Leaves are valuable, but very rare, remains in archaeological contexts, as they can provide precise information on the landscape vegetation composition, the past climatic conditions and the use of plant resources in a settlement. La Draga (Spain) is an early Neolithic site partially waterlogged, which has allowed the preservation of organic material. During the excavation of the oldest level (7300–7000 cal BP), we recovered 29 leaf samples in an optimal state of preservation. Here we explore the potential of these leaves as indicators both of the use of vegetation at the settlement and of past climatic conditions. Firstly, we determined the species identity by comparing the leaf morphological and microanatomical traits with those of contemporary individuals. Secondly, we analyzed the leaf stomatal patterning (stomatal density, index, and size) as proxies of paleoclimate during the Neolithic, when lower atmospheric CO₂ and wetter conditions are documented. The leaves of La Draga were identified as Laurus nobilis and Buxus sempervirens, two evergreen species well documented at the site from other archaeobotanical records, such as charcoal and wooden implements. We found no differences in stomatal traits between the archaeological and the contemporary leaves of L. nobilis and B. sempervirens, which shows the limitation of stomatal frequency as proxies for CO₂. The presence of these species at the site provides good complementary data for past woodland vegetation composition and the production of wood implements. The wide distribution of L. nobilis leaves across the site suggests that this taxon was present in the riparian forest at the site surroundings. In contrast, leaves of B. sempervirens were grouped together, which might indicate that they belonged to the same branch, probably transported as raw material from nearby forests to the settlement. This study illustrates the value of archaeological leaves to provide a better understanding on the past vegetation and human activities.

叶子在考古环境中很有价值，但很少见，因为它们可以提供有关景观植被组成，过去的气候条件以及定居点植物资源的使用的精确信息。拉德拉加（西班牙）是新石器时代早期遗址，部分浸水，这使得有机物得以保存。在最古老的水平（7300–7000 cal BP）的开挖过程中，我们以最佳保存状态回收了29个叶片样品。在这里，我们探索这些叶子的潜力，既可以作为定居点植被使用情况的指标，也可以作为过去气候条件的指标。首先，我们通过与现代个体比较叶片的形态和微观解剖特征来确定物种的身份。其次，我们分析了叶片气孔模式（气孔密度，指数，₂和潮湿的情况都记录在案。拉德拉加（La Draga）的叶子被鉴定为月桂（Laurus nobilis）和小叶黄杨（Buxus sempervirens），这是两个常绿物种，在该地点从其他古植物学记录（如木炭和木制工具）中有据可查。我们发现，在考古和当代叶子的L. nobilis和B. sempervirens的气孔特征之间没有差异，这表明气孔频率作为CO ₂代理的局限性。这些物种在现场的存在为过去的林地植被组成和木器的生产提供了很好的补充数据。L. nobilis的广泛分布整个站点的叶子表明该分类单元存在于站点周围的河岸森林中。相比之下，四季双歧杆菌的叶子被分组在一起，这可能表明它们属于同一分支，可能以原料的形式从附近的森林运输到定居点。这项研究说明了考古叶片的价值，可以更好地了解过去的植被和人类活动。