2016-2022 by jose yravedra
Complutum, 2023
The zooarchaeological study of the samples from the Chalcolithic units of the Aldovea area, which... more The zooarchaeological study of the samples from the Chalcolithic units of the Aldovea area, which is one of the three areas of the Aldovea prehistoric site, located in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid). This site is a Chalcolithic settlement in the Valle Medio del Tajo formed by a concentration of negative structures in the form of pits and silos. The study of the fauna shows two different types of bone accumulations with different meanings. On the one hand, there is a set of fauna linked to economicfood uses characterized by the predominance of domestic fauna where sheep and cattle are the main species. On the other, there is a set of fauna deposited in what we have called "Deposits", with a less functional and more symbolic-ritual character, which presents complete individuals buried in anatomical connection or semi-connection in which domestic species such as the dog, the suidae and bovids. In this paper we analyze the differences between both types of contexts, and based on them we will try to discuss the economic implications of the bone assemblages of the first type, and the meaning that the more symbolic accumulations could have.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2023
We describe fossils of a new species of fallow deer, Dama celiae. It is the end member of the lin... more We describe fossils of a new species of fallow deer, Dama celiae. It is the end member of the lineage Dama farnetensis-D. vallonnetensis-D. roberti-D. celiae, which reduced the number of points of the antler from four to two, while the parallel lineage leading to the living fallow deer evolved more complex and palmate antlers. The fossils are from localities Pedro Jaro I and Orcasitas in the + 25-30-m terrace of the Manzanares river, which is correlated to MIS9 (337-300 ka) and which also yielded fossils of Megaloceros matritensis, a recently named species, end member of a lineage that survived longer than previously believed. A younger terrace of the Manzanares yielded remains of Haploidoceros, a rare deer known from two older localities in southern France and one younger locality in Spain. So many rare deer species in this valley indicates either endemism and a very special environment or that the record of fossil deer is much less known than generally assumed. Until recently, the European Middle Pleistocene record of deer had only one middle-sized species at a time. Now, it appears that there were up to three contemporaneous species of the size of a fallow deer. Acheulean lithic assemblages have been documented from the same sites as Dama celiae. This species was contemporaneous to Neanderthals with Acheulean culture. Cut marks suggest that it was consumed by them and probably was hunted.
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Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 48 (2023) 103850, 2023
Geometric Morphometrics (GMMs) is a useful tool for the experimental characterization of differen... more Geometric Morphometrics (GMMs) is a useful tool for the experimental characterization of different taphonomic
modifications on bone surfaces, including anthropogenic cut marks. Until now, most research has been conducted
evaluating experimental and non-altered cut marks, in order to obtain a better control of the studied
variables. However, in archaeological contexts, bones are frequently subject to different taphonomic alterations
and, in most cases, bone surfaces and the associated taphonomic signals show different grades of alteration. In
this study, we present an experimental approach in which experimental cut marks were produced, mechanically
altered, digitized, and analyzed using GMMs, in order to provide an in-depth characterization of how overlying
taphonomic traces can alter cut marks. In the experiment, 40 cut marks were subjected to abrasion by a mixture
of distilled water, sands, and gravels, using a tumbling machine in a series of cumulative cycles for a total of 4 h:
cycle 1 (0.5′ ), cycle 2 (0.5′ ), cycle 3 (1 h) and cycle 4 (2 h). Cut mark cross-section profiles were then obtained
using 3D digital microscopy, and a 2D 7-landmark designed for cut mark analyses were employed. Our results
show a clear statistical differentiation among non-altered cut marks belonging to Cycle 0, and altered cut marks.
The depth and opening angle of cut marks appear to be the features with a higher weight in the differentiation
between altered and non-altered cut marks. On the other hand, there are no distinctions when differentiating
between the diverse altered cycles. These results, like those previously obtained in an experimental approach
using a binocular microscope, point to the limitation of the identification of cut marks and other taphonomic
signals in archaeological contexts with altered bone surfaces, caused by the fast alteration and the loss of
diagnostic criteria of the bone surface modifications.
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science bulletin, 2022
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Abstract: The study of bone surface modifications (BSM) is crucial in understanding site formatio... more Abstract: The study of bone surface modifications (BSM) is crucial in understanding site formation
processes and the identification of the causal agent behind bone assemblages in the fossil record.
In that line, many efforts have been made to generate referential models based on feeding experiments
and human butchery simulations that can then be used to interpret the patterns observed in
archaeological and paleontological sites. Considering these needs, we developed a novel open-access
three-dimensional (3D) software called Ikhnos for the study of BSM distribution patterns on limb
long bones. This software is comprised of all the necessary tools for the 3D documentation of BSM
and bone breakage patterns, as well as the subsequent statistical analysis of this data due to the
integration of an exclusive R library, the IkhnosToolBox. Additionally, Ikhnos integrates tools for bone
survivorship calculations that could facilitate the estimation of the minimum number of elements
(MNE) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). As a demonstration of its precision, here we
present a case study analyzing the modifications produced by wild and captive wolf (Canis lupus
signatus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula on deer carcasses.
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quaternary science review, 2022
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Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2022
Palaeolithic representations can be approached from different perspectives. Studying the
creativ... more Palaeolithic representations can be approached from different perspectives. Studying the
creative processes, we can glimpse the decisions that the Palaeolithic artists made and
the actions they carried out to materialize an idea. Additionally, the combined study of
both graphic and functional actions performed on an object provides a comprehensive
approach and understanding of the evidence: in the first place, it allows us to
hypothesize about the presence or absence of symbolic purpose of the representations;
secondly, it makes the potential choice of eliminating such symbolism discernible for
us. The monographic study of a Magdalenian pebble from Coímbre Cave (Asturias,
Spain) engraved between 15,680 and 14,230 cal. BP shows that a mistake was made
during the engraving process; subsequently an attempt was made to eliminate the
representations, and finally the pebble was used as a hammerstone. This paper provides
argumentation to reconstruct a complex biography of an object of Palaeolithic portable
art, discussing intentional loss of symbolic value of both the decoration and the object
and the latter’s reuse (as raw material) for an economic or domestic purpose.
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Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, 2022
Little is known about the subsistence practices of the first European settlers, mainly
due to th... more Little is known about the subsistence practices of the first European settlers, mainly
due to the shortage of archaeological sites in Europe older than a million years.
This article contributes to the knowledge of the subsistence of the first Europeans
with new zooarchaeology and taphonomic data from the Palaeolithic site of Barranco
León (Orce, Granada, Spain). We present the results of the analysis of the
faunal assemblages retrieved in the context of new excavations undertaken between
2016 and 2020. We have followed a standard methodology for the identification and
quantification of species, mortality profiles, skeletal representation and taphonomic
analysis. With regard to the taphonomic evidence, we have documented the extent of
rounding, abrasion and other alterations. Finally, we examined traces from the activities
of carnivores and hominins that led to the accumulation and alteration of the
bone assemblages. Results indicate that the archaeo-paleontological deposits from
Barranco León present a dual-patterned mixed taphonomic origin. The first phase
primarily involved waterborne processes (BL-D1), which led to the accumulation
of lithic raw materials, a few archaeological stone tools, and some faunal remains
with percussion and cutmarks. The second phase (BL-D2) contains several stone
tools associated with faunal remains with more anthropogenic alterations, such as
cutmarks and percussion marks. After analysing the Barranco León zooarchaeological
assemblage, the present study concludes that hominins had access to the meat
and within-bone nutrients of animals of diverse sizes. However, the specific carcass
acquisition mechanisms that hominins followed are less certain because the presence
of tooth marks suggests that carnivores also played a role in the accumulation
and modification of the Barranco León faunal assemblage.
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American Journal of Archaeology, 2021
This article presents new data from fieldwork in the de facto state of Somaliland, a region
in t... more This article presents new data from fieldwork in the de facto state of Somaliland, a region
in the Horn of Africa historically inhabited by nomadic pastoralists who played a key role
in commercial exchange from the first century BCE onward. Relations between ancient
empires and nomadic populations have received comparatively little attention in relation
to other groups living within or outside imperial boundaries. Our understanding of
these interactions has been colored by stereotypes from classical authors and the elusive
nature of their archaeological record. It is thus not surprising that the role of nomadic
groups in long-distance trade networks in antiquity has been often downplayed. This is
the case in the Western Indian Ocean region. Archaeological evidence from survey and
excavation work conducted between 2018 and 2020 in Xiis and the Berbera area reveals
the strong integration of the region in the Indian Ocean network, the high purchasing
power of the nomads, and their heterogeneity. Participation in long-distance trade seems
to have provoked important social changes in local communities that did not, however,
put them on the path to sedentism and political centralization.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022
The Vettones were one of the most important Celtic peoples of the Late Iron Age in Western Iberia... more The Vettones were one of the most important Celtic peoples of the Late Iron Age in Western Iberia (between the Duero
and Tagus Rivers). It is a period recognised from the spread of the cremation ritual in the cemeteries, the development of
iron metallurgy, and the emergence of large fortified settlements—the characteristic oppida—that would finally be abandoned
with the conquest of Hispania by Rome. Different types of evidence suggest that the Vetton economy was based on
livestock. Palaeobotanical and carpological analyses reveal a major deforestation of the landscape, the conversion of large
areas into pastures and cultivated fields, and the use of enclosures as cattle pens. The stone sculptures of bulls and pigs
found throughout the mountainous areas of the region—the famous verracos—also reflect the value the Vettones placed on
livestock. However, there have been very few studies devoted to the identification of faunal remains. In this text, we offer
previously unpublished data on the animals found in the oppidum of Ulaca (Solosancho, Ávila, Spain), one of the largest
in Celtic Iberia (third–first centuries BC), which we relate to other evidence from neighbouring sites. Thus, the state of the
research into Vetton zooarchaeology is offered in the broader context of the Iberian Peninsula.
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Taphonomic studies explain the processes of formation and accumulation of bone assemblages, with ... more Taphonomic studies explain the processes of formation and accumulation of bone assemblages, with special
emphasis on anthropic activity. During the last decades, the number of these studies has increased notably in the
sites of the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It is known that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups had a
prominent role in bone accumulations documented at archaeological sites. However, the manner these communities
processed animal resources has gone unnoticed. In this work, with the aim of determining whether
there were specific behavioral trends in terms of disarticulation and bone defleshing, it is analyzed how the
groups that occupied La Lluera (Asturias, northern Spain) during the Solutrean and Magdalenian periods took
advantage of the hunted resources. Finally, we show that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer communities at La
Lluera show a notable degree of systematization of animal processing.
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World Archaeology,, 2022
The Early Pleistocene (2.58–0.78 Ma) was a period of major evolutionary
changes in the hominin l... more The Early Pleistocene (2.58–0.78 Ma) was a period of major evolutionary
changes in the hominin lineage. The progressive consolidation of bipedal
locomotion, alongside increases in cranial capacity and behavioural flexibility,
allowed early Homo to exploit an increasing diversity of resources and environmental
settings within the changing landscapes of East Africa and beyond.
These complex processes were not necessarily linear or spatially uniform, given
the technological diversity documented, particularly during the Oldowan–
Acheulean transition. In this paper, we argue that human populations experienced
a considerable demographic expansion from c.1.7–1.5 Ma onwards,
expressed in the number, size, density, and distribution of archaeological
sites. These patterns resulted from the interplay of high-yielding animal
resource exploitation strategies, technological investment, prosocial behaviours
as well as increasingly structured land use patterns. A more consolidated
hominin demographic structure led to the extinction of large sympatric carnivore
species, while larger group sizes would have led to more successful Outof-
Africa dispersals.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022
The fluvial deposits of the Manzanares and Jarama rivers present one of the largest concentration... more The fluvial deposits of the Manzanares and Jarama rivers present one of the largest concentrations of lithic and faunal remains
of Pleistocene sites in Europe. In the Manzanares River close to the confluence of the Jarama River, the stepped terrace system
disappears and gives way to the Complex Terrace of Butarque (CTB), where the sites of Santa Elena and Oxígeno are
located. Different numerical dates obtained from the visible CTB’s bottom suggest that it was deposited during the MIS 6 or
even MIS 7. This paper provides the first taphonomic and palaeoecological interpretation of both collections. A total of 445
fossil elements have been recorded in Oxígeno. The most represented are cranial fragments of Elephas sp. About Santa Elena,
130 fossil elements have been recorded. The best represented are fragments of Bos/Bison sp. horns and Elephas sp. tusks.
The taphonomic processes identified at both sites bring to light a complex taphonomic history. The incidence of processes
related to fluvial transport is higher in Oxígeno than in Santa Elena. Besides, dismemberment cut marks have been identified
exclusively on the humerus of Bos primigenius in Santa Elena. Several tooth marks from carnivores have been recorded:
small pits and scores at Oxígeno as well as pits and furrowing on Bos primigenius and Megaloceros sp. bones from Santa
Elena. The faunal association depict an open landscape of wet meadows with herbaceous vegetation adjacent to riparian wood
habitats associated with the Manzanares alluvial plain, where hominids and predators competed to some unknown extent.
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quternary science review, 2023
Barranco Leon (Orce, Guadix Baza, Spain) is one of the sites with the oldest evidence of human a... more Barranco Leon (Orce, Guadix Baza, Spain) is one of the sites with the oldest evidence of human activity in
south-western Europe. This site has yielded human remains in association with both fauna and lithic
artefacts, linked through the presence of anthropogenic cut and percussion marks. Nevertheless, while
this site is a clear example of early hominin access to carcasses, the accumulations have been identified
as a palimpsest, where multiple agents including carnivorans played a role in modifying and interacting
in site formation processes. From this perspective, the interpretation and study of the Barranco Leon site
is of great difficulty. Traditionally, interpretations have presented Barranco Leon as an area where
hominins as well as the giant hyena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, competed for access to carcasses left by
machairodontine felids, such as the saber-toothed Homotherium latidens. Nevertheless, as will be presented
in this study, the complexity and trophic pressure of Barranco Leon is much more complicated
than originally hypothesized. This study presents a detailed taphonomic analysis of carnivoran activities
in the level D1 of the Barranco Leon assemblage. 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and
computational learning are used to provide new insights into the tooth pits observed on faunal materials.
Here we show that Canis mosbachensis plays a pivotal role in the formation of the site, followed by
Pachycrocuta, Homotherium, Ursus etruscus, and Xenocyon (Lycaon) lycaonoides. From this perspective,
it can be seen that while Pachycrocuta and Homotherium were active agents in the formation of the site,
other carnivorans are also important agents to consider when investigating the Guadix Baza region.
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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Among the innumerable remains that appear in the archaeological sites, the faunal fossil remains
... more Among the innumerable remains that appear in the archaeological sites, the faunal fossil remains
are one of the most numerous. Different specialities study these fossil remains of fauna from
different perspectives. Among them, the quantification of the remains is some of the most important
information, since they allow us to estimate what species there are and what representativeness
they can have. The problem is that the archaeological sites usually consist of
several bones from different species and individuals. The minimum number of individuals (MNI)
is usually used to estimate the representativeness of the species (e.g. there are 4 individuals of
deer and 3 individuals of horses). The problem with this technique is that it does not allow to
relate the remains that appear with each individual in a concrete way. Just the DNA analysis is
necessary to reassemble the remains. However, the high cost and difficulty of implementation of
DNA analysis do not allow performing a genetic study. In this paper, the combination of Laser-
Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Neural Networks (NN) has been successfully implemented
to discriminate and reassemble wild deer bones from different individuals. This is a
step further from human bones classification and one step behind the archaeological bones
classification. The elemental composition of bones provides enough information to get the correct
discrimination of different individuals. The spectral correlation has exceeded 93 %. There have
been no false positives and negatives. Also, the quantification of the different inorganic elements
present in all bone samples has been achieved by the Calibration-Free LIBS (CF-LIBS) approach.
Both approaches are different, NN is more qualitative and CF-LIBS, quantitative. Usually, chemometric
methods are employed for the discrimination of samples, but it is an approach that
requires a lot of LIBS spectra in order to perform the training, validation and test. In the case of
CF-LIBS, only one spectrum with a certain degree of accumulation is necessary to obtain the
elemental concentration. Thus, both approaches have been explored in this work. This fast
analysis could allow archaeologist to perform a correct classification of individuals without
performing several DNA´s analysis. This would save time and resources.
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Recent years have seen major advances in the analysis of carnivore modifications
to bone during ... more Recent years have seen major advances in the analysis of carnivore modifications
to bone during feeding, based on the integration of 3D modeling and data science techniques, and
with special attention being paid to tooth marks. From this perspective, carnivore tooth scores
and pits have slowly converted into a protagonist in the identification of the carnivores producing
them. The present study confronts the intra-species variability of tooth mark morphologies produced
by Iberian wolves, taking into account not only different populations but also whether wild and
captive wolves produce different shaped tooth marks. Here we show how, in the case of tooth scores,
differences are notable and should thus be treated with caution. Further conclusions reveal that
carnivore tooth pits are currently the most diagnostic elements for the study of carnivore feeding
traces on bone, pending future studies that compare closely related taxa with sufficient intraspecific
variability. In light of this, further investigation into the possible stress captivity may cause on these
animals could be of great importance for both the study of past and present. If differences were
to exist, these results could implicate a larger margin of error than previously perceived for some
experimental samples, affecting both prehistoric and modern-day ecological studies.
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Competition for resources is a key question in the study of our early human evolution. From the f... more Competition for resources is a key question in the study of our early human evolution. From the first
hominin groups, carnivores have played a fundamental role in the ecosystem. From this perspective,
understanding the trophic pressure between hominins and carnivores can provide valuable insights
into the context in which humans survived, interacted with their surroundings, and consequently
evolved. While numerous techniques already exist for the detection of carnivore activity in
archaeological and palaeontological sites, many of these techniques present important limitations.
The present study builds on a number of advanced data science techniques to confront these issues,
defining methods for the identification of the precise agents involved in carcass consumption and
manipulation. For the purpose of this study, a large sample of 620 carnivore tooth pits is presented,
including samples from bears, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, wolves, foxes and African wild dogs.
Using 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, robust data modelling, and artificial intelligence
algorithms, the present study obtains between 88 and 98% accuracy, with balanced overall evaluation
metrics across all datasets. From this perspective, and when combined with other sources of
taphonomic evidence, these results show that advanced data science techniques can be considered
a valuable addition to the taphonomist’s toolkit for the identification of precise carnivore agents via
tooth pit morphology.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2021
Over the last few decades, several types of evidence such as presence of hominin remains, lithic ... more Over the last few decades, several types of evidence such as presence of hominin remains, lithic assemblages, and bones
with anthropogenic surface modifications have demonstrated that early human communities inhabited the European subcontinent
prior to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.07–0.98 Ma). While most studies have focused primarily on early European
lithic technologies and raw material management, relatively little is known about food procurement strategies. While there
is some evidence showing access to meat and other animal-based food resources, their mode of acquisition and associated
butchery processes are still poorly understood. This paper presents a taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of the
Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) (Guadix-Baza, Spain) faunal assemblage, providing a more in-depth understanding of early hominin
subsistence strategies in Europe. The present results show that hominins had access to the meat and marrow of a wide range
of animal taxa, including elephants, hippopotami, and small- and medium-sized animals. At the same time, evidence of
carnivore activity at the site suggests that these communities likely faced some degree of competition from large predators
when acquiring and processing carcasses.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (2021) 13: 67, 2021
The archaeological site of La Magdalena, located in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), has a large necro... more The archaeological site of La Magdalena, located in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), has a large necropolis area related to different
chronological phases. This study was based on the bone remains found in three Roman tombs that date back to the second and
third century AD and a votive offering. The three tombs were located in different places far from one another and have special
features on their structure pits and their grave goods. We conducted anthropological and archeozoological analyses on the
individuals and bird-associated remains. The anthropological results indicated that there was one adult male, one adult female,
and a child, each one associated with a Common Pheasant which presents the same relative age and sex as the corpse they were
accompanying. Moreover, all these pheasants were placed inside the grave next to the right tibia of the indicated human remains.
We found another bird interred as an offering for the Early Roman cremations, but it was not associated with any particular grave.
We consider that the presence of these bird remains is a votive offering related to a religious funeral ritual, but we could not
determine if it belongs to a pagan religion or Christianity.
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Uploads
2016-2022 by jose yravedra
modifications on bone surfaces, including anthropogenic cut marks. Until now, most research has been conducted
evaluating experimental and non-altered cut marks, in order to obtain a better control of the studied
variables. However, in archaeological contexts, bones are frequently subject to different taphonomic alterations
and, in most cases, bone surfaces and the associated taphonomic signals show different grades of alteration. In
this study, we present an experimental approach in which experimental cut marks were produced, mechanically
altered, digitized, and analyzed using GMMs, in order to provide an in-depth characterization of how overlying
taphonomic traces can alter cut marks. In the experiment, 40 cut marks were subjected to abrasion by a mixture
of distilled water, sands, and gravels, using a tumbling machine in a series of cumulative cycles for a total of 4 h:
cycle 1 (0.5′ ), cycle 2 (0.5′ ), cycle 3 (1 h) and cycle 4 (2 h). Cut mark cross-section profiles were then obtained
using 3D digital microscopy, and a 2D 7-landmark designed for cut mark analyses were employed. Our results
show a clear statistical differentiation among non-altered cut marks belonging to Cycle 0, and altered cut marks.
The depth and opening angle of cut marks appear to be the features with a higher weight in the differentiation
between altered and non-altered cut marks. On the other hand, there are no distinctions when differentiating
between the diverse altered cycles. These results, like those previously obtained in an experimental approach
using a binocular microscope, point to the limitation of the identification of cut marks and other taphonomic
signals in archaeological contexts with altered bone surfaces, caused by the fast alteration and the loss of
diagnostic criteria of the bone surface modifications.
processes and the identification of the causal agent behind bone assemblages in the fossil record.
In that line, many efforts have been made to generate referential models based on feeding experiments
and human butchery simulations that can then be used to interpret the patterns observed in
archaeological and paleontological sites. Considering these needs, we developed a novel open-access
three-dimensional (3D) software called Ikhnos for the study of BSM distribution patterns on limb
long bones. This software is comprised of all the necessary tools for the 3D documentation of BSM
and bone breakage patterns, as well as the subsequent statistical analysis of this data due to the
integration of an exclusive R library, the IkhnosToolBox. Additionally, Ikhnos integrates tools for bone
survivorship calculations that could facilitate the estimation of the minimum number of elements
(MNE) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). As a demonstration of its precision, here we
present a case study analyzing the modifications produced by wild and captive wolf (Canis lupus
signatus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula on deer carcasses.
creative processes, we can glimpse the decisions that the Palaeolithic artists made and
the actions they carried out to materialize an idea. Additionally, the combined study of
both graphic and functional actions performed on an object provides a comprehensive
approach and understanding of the evidence: in the first place, it allows us to
hypothesize about the presence or absence of symbolic purpose of the representations;
secondly, it makes the potential choice of eliminating such symbolism discernible for
us. The monographic study of a Magdalenian pebble from Coímbre Cave (Asturias,
Spain) engraved between 15,680 and 14,230 cal. BP shows that a mistake was made
during the engraving process; subsequently an attempt was made to eliminate the
representations, and finally the pebble was used as a hammerstone. This paper provides
argumentation to reconstruct a complex biography of an object of Palaeolithic portable
art, discussing intentional loss of symbolic value of both the decoration and the object
and the latter’s reuse (as raw material) for an economic or domestic purpose.
due to the shortage of archaeological sites in Europe older than a million years.
This article contributes to the knowledge of the subsistence of the first Europeans
with new zooarchaeology and taphonomic data from the Palaeolithic site of Barranco
León (Orce, Granada, Spain). We present the results of the analysis of the
faunal assemblages retrieved in the context of new excavations undertaken between
2016 and 2020. We have followed a standard methodology for the identification and
quantification of species, mortality profiles, skeletal representation and taphonomic
analysis. With regard to the taphonomic evidence, we have documented the extent of
rounding, abrasion and other alterations. Finally, we examined traces from the activities
of carnivores and hominins that led to the accumulation and alteration of the
bone assemblages. Results indicate that the archaeo-paleontological deposits from
Barranco León present a dual-patterned mixed taphonomic origin. The first phase
primarily involved waterborne processes (BL-D1), which led to the accumulation
of lithic raw materials, a few archaeological stone tools, and some faunal remains
with percussion and cutmarks. The second phase (BL-D2) contains several stone
tools associated with faunal remains with more anthropogenic alterations, such as
cutmarks and percussion marks. After analysing the Barranco León zooarchaeological
assemblage, the present study concludes that hominins had access to the meat
and within-bone nutrients of animals of diverse sizes. However, the specific carcass
acquisition mechanisms that hominins followed are less certain because the presence
of tooth marks suggests that carnivores also played a role in the accumulation
and modification of the Barranco León faunal assemblage.
in the Horn of Africa historically inhabited by nomadic pastoralists who played a key role
in commercial exchange from the first century BCE onward. Relations between ancient
empires and nomadic populations have received comparatively little attention in relation
to other groups living within or outside imperial boundaries. Our understanding of
these interactions has been colored by stereotypes from classical authors and the elusive
nature of their archaeological record. It is thus not surprising that the role of nomadic
groups in long-distance trade networks in antiquity has been often downplayed. This is
the case in the Western Indian Ocean region. Archaeological evidence from survey and
excavation work conducted between 2018 and 2020 in Xiis and the Berbera area reveals
the strong integration of the region in the Indian Ocean network, the high purchasing
power of the nomads, and their heterogeneity. Participation in long-distance trade seems
to have provoked important social changes in local communities that did not, however,
put them on the path to sedentism and political centralization.
and Tagus Rivers). It is a period recognised from the spread of the cremation ritual in the cemeteries, the development of
iron metallurgy, and the emergence of large fortified settlements—the characteristic oppida—that would finally be abandoned
with the conquest of Hispania by Rome. Different types of evidence suggest that the Vetton economy was based on
livestock. Palaeobotanical and carpological analyses reveal a major deforestation of the landscape, the conversion of large
areas into pastures and cultivated fields, and the use of enclosures as cattle pens. The stone sculptures of bulls and pigs
found throughout the mountainous areas of the region—the famous verracos—also reflect the value the Vettones placed on
livestock. However, there have been very few studies devoted to the identification of faunal remains. In this text, we offer
previously unpublished data on the animals found in the oppidum of Ulaca (Solosancho, Ávila, Spain), one of the largest
in Celtic Iberia (third–first centuries BC), which we relate to other evidence from neighbouring sites. Thus, the state of the
research into Vetton zooarchaeology is offered in the broader context of the Iberian Peninsula.
emphasis on anthropic activity. During the last decades, the number of these studies has increased notably in the
sites of the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It is known that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups had a
prominent role in bone accumulations documented at archaeological sites. However, the manner these communities
processed animal resources has gone unnoticed. In this work, with the aim of determining whether
there were specific behavioral trends in terms of disarticulation and bone defleshing, it is analyzed how the
groups that occupied La Lluera (Asturias, northern Spain) during the Solutrean and Magdalenian periods took
advantage of the hunted resources. Finally, we show that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer communities at La
Lluera show a notable degree of systematization of animal processing.
changes in the hominin lineage. The progressive consolidation of bipedal
locomotion, alongside increases in cranial capacity and behavioural flexibility,
allowed early Homo to exploit an increasing diversity of resources and environmental
settings within the changing landscapes of East Africa and beyond.
These complex processes were not necessarily linear or spatially uniform, given
the technological diversity documented, particularly during the Oldowan–
Acheulean transition. In this paper, we argue that human populations experienced
a considerable demographic expansion from c.1.7–1.5 Ma onwards,
expressed in the number, size, density, and distribution of archaeological
sites. These patterns resulted from the interplay of high-yielding animal
resource exploitation strategies, technological investment, prosocial behaviours
as well as increasingly structured land use patterns. A more consolidated
hominin demographic structure led to the extinction of large sympatric carnivore
species, while larger group sizes would have led to more successful Outof-
Africa dispersals.
of Pleistocene sites in Europe. In the Manzanares River close to the confluence of the Jarama River, the stepped terrace system
disappears and gives way to the Complex Terrace of Butarque (CTB), where the sites of Santa Elena and Oxígeno are
located. Different numerical dates obtained from the visible CTB’s bottom suggest that it was deposited during the MIS 6 or
even MIS 7. This paper provides the first taphonomic and palaeoecological interpretation of both collections. A total of 445
fossil elements have been recorded in Oxígeno. The most represented are cranial fragments of Elephas sp. About Santa Elena,
130 fossil elements have been recorded. The best represented are fragments of Bos/Bison sp. horns and Elephas sp. tusks.
The taphonomic processes identified at both sites bring to light a complex taphonomic history. The incidence of processes
related to fluvial transport is higher in Oxígeno than in Santa Elena. Besides, dismemberment cut marks have been identified
exclusively on the humerus of Bos primigenius in Santa Elena. Several tooth marks from carnivores have been recorded:
small pits and scores at Oxígeno as well as pits and furrowing on Bos primigenius and Megaloceros sp. bones from Santa
Elena. The faunal association depict an open landscape of wet meadows with herbaceous vegetation adjacent to riparian wood
habitats associated with the Manzanares alluvial plain, where hominids and predators competed to some unknown extent.
south-western Europe. This site has yielded human remains in association with both fauna and lithic
artefacts, linked through the presence of anthropogenic cut and percussion marks. Nevertheless, while
this site is a clear example of early hominin access to carcasses, the accumulations have been identified
as a palimpsest, where multiple agents including carnivorans played a role in modifying and interacting
in site formation processes. From this perspective, the interpretation and study of the Barranco Leon site
is of great difficulty. Traditionally, interpretations have presented Barranco Leon as an area where
hominins as well as the giant hyena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, competed for access to carcasses left by
machairodontine felids, such as the saber-toothed Homotherium latidens. Nevertheless, as will be presented
in this study, the complexity and trophic pressure of Barranco Leon is much more complicated
than originally hypothesized. This study presents a detailed taphonomic analysis of carnivoran activities
in the level D1 of the Barranco Leon assemblage. 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and
computational learning are used to provide new insights into the tooth pits observed on faunal materials.
Here we show that Canis mosbachensis plays a pivotal role in the formation of the site, followed by
Pachycrocuta, Homotherium, Ursus etruscus, and Xenocyon (Lycaon) lycaonoides. From this perspective,
it can be seen that while Pachycrocuta and Homotherium were active agents in the formation of the site,
other carnivorans are also important agents to consider when investigating the Guadix Baza region.
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
are one of the most numerous. Different specialities study these fossil remains of fauna from
different perspectives. Among them, the quantification of the remains is some of the most important
information, since they allow us to estimate what species there are and what representativeness
they can have. The problem is that the archaeological sites usually consist of
several bones from different species and individuals. The minimum number of individuals (MNI)
is usually used to estimate the representativeness of the species (e.g. there are 4 individuals of
deer and 3 individuals of horses). The problem with this technique is that it does not allow to
relate the remains that appear with each individual in a concrete way. Just the DNA analysis is
necessary to reassemble the remains. However, the high cost and difficulty of implementation of
DNA analysis do not allow performing a genetic study. In this paper, the combination of Laser-
Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Neural Networks (NN) has been successfully implemented
to discriminate and reassemble wild deer bones from different individuals. This is a
step further from human bones classification and one step behind the archaeological bones
classification. The elemental composition of bones provides enough information to get the correct
discrimination of different individuals. The spectral correlation has exceeded 93 %. There have
been no false positives and negatives. Also, the quantification of the different inorganic elements
present in all bone samples has been achieved by the Calibration-Free LIBS (CF-LIBS) approach.
Both approaches are different, NN is more qualitative and CF-LIBS, quantitative. Usually, chemometric
methods are employed for the discrimination of samples, but it is an approach that
requires a lot of LIBS spectra in order to perform the training, validation and test. In the case of
CF-LIBS, only one spectrum with a certain degree of accumulation is necessary to obtain the
elemental concentration. Thus, both approaches have been explored in this work. This fast
analysis could allow archaeologist to perform a correct classification of individuals without
performing several DNA´s analysis. This would save time and resources.
to bone during feeding, based on the integration of 3D modeling and data science techniques, and
with special attention being paid to tooth marks. From this perspective, carnivore tooth scores
and pits have slowly converted into a protagonist in the identification of the carnivores producing
them. The present study confronts the intra-species variability of tooth mark morphologies produced
by Iberian wolves, taking into account not only different populations but also whether wild and
captive wolves produce different shaped tooth marks. Here we show how, in the case of tooth scores,
differences are notable and should thus be treated with caution. Further conclusions reveal that
carnivore tooth pits are currently the most diagnostic elements for the study of carnivore feeding
traces on bone, pending future studies that compare closely related taxa with sufficient intraspecific
variability. In light of this, further investigation into the possible stress captivity may cause on these
animals could be of great importance for both the study of past and present. If differences were
to exist, these results could implicate a larger margin of error than previously perceived for some
experimental samples, affecting both prehistoric and modern-day ecological studies.
hominin groups, carnivores have played a fundamental role in the ecosystem. From this perspective,
understanding the trophic pressure between hominins and carnivores can provide valuable insights
into the context in which humans survived, interacted with their surroundings, and consequently
evolved. While numerous techniques already exist for the detection of carnivore activity in
archaeological and palaeontological sites, many of these techniques present important limitations.
The present study builds on a number of advanced data science techniques to confront these issues,
defining methods for the identification of the precise agents involved in carcass consumption and
manipulation. For the purpose of this study, a large sample of 620 carnivore tooth pits is presented,
including samples from bears, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, wolves, foxes and African wild dogs.
Using 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, robust data modelling, and artificial intelligence
algorithms, the present study obtains between 88 and 98% accuracy, with balanced overall evaluation
metrics across all datasets. From this perspective, and when combined with other sources of
taphonomic evidence, these results show that advanced data science techniques can be considered
a valuable addition to the taphonomist’s toolkit for the identification of precise carnivore agents via
tooth pit morphology.
with anthropogenic surface modifications have demonstrated that early human communities inhabited the European subcontinent
prior to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.07–0.98 Ma). While most studies have focused primarily on early European
lithic technologies and raw material management, relatively little is known about food procurement strategies. While there
is some evidence showing access to meat and other animal-based food resources, their mode of acquisition and associated
butchery processes are still poorly understood. This paper presents a taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of the
Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) (Guadix-Baza, Spain) faunal assemblage, providing a more in-depth understanding of early hominin
subsistence strategies in Europe. The present results show that hominins had access to the meat and marrow of a wide range
of animal taxa, including elephants, hippopotami, and small- and medium-sized animals. At the same time, evidence of
carnivore activity at the site suggests that these communities likely faced some degree of competition from large predators
when acquiring and processing carcasses.
chronological phases. This study was based on the bone remains found in three Roman tombs that date back to the second and
third century AD and a votive offering. The three tombs were located in different places far from one another and have special
features on their structure pits and their grave goods. We conducted anthropological and archeozoological analyses on the
individuals and bird-associated remains. The anthropological results indicated that there was one adult male, one adult female,
and a child, each one associated with a Common Pheasant which presents the same relative age and sex as the corpse they were
accompanying. Moreover, all these pheasants were placed inside the grave next to the right tibia of the indicated human remains.
We found another bird interred as an offering for the Early Roman cremations, but it was not associated with any particular grave.
We consider that the presence of these bird remains is a votive offering related to a religious funeral ritual, but we could not
determine if it belongs to a pagan religion or Christianity.
modifications on bone surfaces, including anthropogenic cut marks. Until now, most research has been conducted
evaluating experimental and non-altered cut marks, in order to obtain a better control of the studied
variables. However, in archaeological contexts, bones are frequently subject to different taphonomic alterations
and, in most cases, bone surfaces and the associated taphonomic signals show different grades of alteration. In
this study, we present an experimental approach in which experimental cut marks were produced, mechanically
altered, digitized, and analyzed using GMMs, in order to provide an in-depth characterization of how overlying
taphonomic traces can alter cut marks. In the experiment, 40 cut marks were subjected to abrasion by a mixture
of distilled water, sands, and gravels, using a tumbling machine in a series of cumulative cycles for a total of 4 h:
cycle 1 (0.5′ ), cycle 2 (0.5′ ), cycle 3 (1 h) and cycle 4 (2 h). Cut mark cross-section profiles were then obtained
using 3D digital microscopy, and a 2D 7-landmark designed for cut mark analyses were employed. Our results
show a clear statistical differentiation among non-altered cut marks belonging to Cycle 0, and altered cut marks.
The depth and opening angle of cut marks appear to be the features with a higher weight in the differentiation
between altered and non-altered cut marks. On the other hand, there are no distinctions when differentiating
between the diverse altered cycles. These results, like those previously obtained in an experimental approach
using a binocular microscope, point to the limitation of the identification of cut marks and other taphonomic
signals in archaeological contexts with altered bone surfaces, caused by the fast alteration and the loss of
diagnostic criteria of the bone surface modifications.
processes and the identification of the causal agent behind bone assemblages in the fossil record.
In that line, many efforts have been made to generate referential models based on feeding experiments
and human butchery simulations that can then be used to interpret the patterns observed in
archaeological and paleontological sites. Considering these needs, we developed a novel open-access
three-dimensional (3D) software called Ikhnos for the study of BSM distribution patterns on limb
long bones. This software is comprised of all the necessary tools for the 3D documentation of BSM
and bone breakage patterns, as well as the subsequent statistical analysis of this data due to the
integration of an exclusive R library, the IkhnosToolBox. Additionally, Ikhnos integrates tools for bone
survivorship calculations that could facilitate the estimation of the minimum number of elements
(MNE) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). As a demonstration of its precision, here we
present a case study analyzing the modifications produced by wild and captive wolf (Canis lupus
signatus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula on deer carcasses.
creative processes, we can glimpse the decisions that the Palaeolithic artists made and
the actions they carried out to materialize an idea. Additionally, the combined study of
both graphic and functional actions performed on an object provides a comprehensive
approach and understanding of the evidence: in the first place, it allows us to
hypothesize about the presence or absence of symbolic purpose of the representations;
secondly, it makes the potential choice of eliminating such symbolism discernible for
us. The monographic study of a Magdalenian pebble from Coímbre Cave (Asturias,
Spain) engraved between 15,680 and 14,230 cal. BP shows that a mistake was made
during the engraving process; subsequently an attempt was made to eliminate the
representations, and finally the pebble was used as a hammerstone. This paper provides
argumentation to reconstruct a complex biography of an object of Palaeolithic portable
art, discussing intentional loss of symbolic value of both the decoration and the object
and the latter’s reuse (as raw material) for an economic or domestic purpose.
due to the shortage of archaeological sites in Europe older than a million years.
This article contributes to the knowledge of the subsistence of the first Europeans
with new zooarchaeology and taphonomic data from the Palaeolithic site of Barranco
León (Orce, Granada, Spain). We present the results of the analysis of the
faunal assemblages retrieved in the context of new excavations undertaken between
2016 and 2020. We have followed a standard methodology for the identification and
quantification of species, mortality profiles, skeletal representation and taphonomic
analysis. With regard to the taphonomic evidence, we have documented the extent of
rounding, abrasion and other alterations. Finally, we examined traces from the activities
of carnivores and hominins that led to the accumulation and alteration of the
bone assemblages. Results indicate that the archaeo-paleontological deposits from
Barranco León present a dual-patterned mixed taphonomic origin. The first phase
primarily involved waterborne processes (BL-D1), which led to the accumulation
of lithic raw materials, a few archaeological stone tools, and some faunal remains
with percussion and cutmarks. The second phase (BL-D2) contains several stone
tools associated with faunal remains with more anthropogenic alterations, such as
cutmarks and percussion marks. After analysing the Barranco León zooarchaeological
assemblage, the present study concludes that hominins had access to the meat
and within-bone nutrients of animals of diverse sizes. However, the specific carcass
acquisition mechanisms that hominins followed are less certain because the presence
of tooth marks suggests that carnivores also played a role in the accumulation
and modification of the Barranco León faunal assemblage.
in the Horn of Africa historically inhabited by nomadic pastoralists who played a key role
in commercial exchange from the first century BCE onward. Relations between ancient
empires and nomadic populations have received comparatively little attention in relation
to other groups living within or outside imperial boundaries. Our understanding of
these interactions has been colored by stereotypes from classical authors and the elusive
nature of their archaeological record. It is thus not surprising that the role of nomadic
groups in long-distance trade networks in antiquity has been often downplayed. This is
the case in the Western Indian Ocean region. Archaeological evidence from survey and
excavation work conducted between 2018 and 2020 in Xiis and the Berbera area reveals
the strong integration of the region in the Indian Ocean network, the high purchasing
power of the nomads, and their heterogeneity. Participation in long-distance trade seems
to have provoked important social changes in local communities that did not, however,
put them on the path to sedentism and political centralization.
and Tagus Rivers). It is a period recognised from the spread of the cremation ritual in the cemeteries, the development of
iron metallurgy, and the emergence of large fortified settlements—the characteristic oppida—that would finally be abandoned
with the conquest of Hispania by Rome. Different types of evidence suggest that the Vetton economy was based on
livestock. Palaeobotanical and carpological analyses reveal a major deforestation of the landscape, the conversion of large
areas into pastures and cultivated fields, and the use of enclosures as cattle pens. The stone sculptures of bulls and pigs
found throughout the mountainous areas of the region—the famous verracos—also reflect the value the Vettones placed on
livestock. However, there have been very few studies devoted to the identification of faunal remains. In this text, we offer
previously unpublished data on the animals found in the oppidum of Ulaca (Solosancho, Ávila, Spain), one of the largest
in Celtic Iberia (third–first centuries BC), which we relate to other evidence from neighbouring sites. Thus, the state of the
research into Vetton zooarchaeology is offered in the broader context of the Iberian Peninsula.
emphasis on anthropic activity. During the last decades, the number of these studies has increased notably in the
sites of the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It is known that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups had a
prominent role in bone accumulations documented at archaeological sites. However, the manner these communities
processed animal resources has gone unnoticed. In this work, with the aim of determining whether
there were specific behavioral trends in terms of disarticulation and bone defleshing, it is analyzed how the
groups that occupied La Lluera (Asturias, northern Spain) during the Solutrean and Magdalenian periods took
advantage of the hunted resources. Finally, we show that Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer communities at La
Lluera show a notable degree of systematization of animal processing.
changes in the hominin lineage. The progressive consolidation of bipedal
locomotion, alongside increases in cranial capacity and behavioural flexibility,
allowed early Homo to exploit an increasing diversity of resources and environmental
settings within the changing landscapes of East Africa and beyond.
These complex processes were not necessarily linear or spatially uniform, given
the technological diversity documented, particularly during the Oldowan–
Acheulean transition. In this paper, we argue that human populations experienced
a considerable demographic expansion from c.1.7–1.5 Ma onwards,
expressed in the number, size, density, and distribution of archaeological
sites. These patterns resulted from the interplay of high-yielding animal
resource exploitation strategies, technological investment, prosocial behaviours
as well as increasingly structured land use patterns. A more consolidated
hominin demographic structure led to the extinction of large sympatric carnivore
species, while larger group sizes would have led to more successful Outof-
Africa dispersals.
of Pleistocene sites in Europe. In the Manzanares River close to the confluence of the Jarama River, the stepped terrace system
disappears and gives way to the Complex Terrace of Butarque (CTB), where the sites of Santa Elena and Oxígeno are
located. Different numerical dates obtained from the visible CTB’s bottom suggest that it was deposited during the MIS 6 or
even MIS 7. This paper provides the first taphonomic and palaeoecological interpretation of both collections. A total of 445
fossil elements have been recorded in Oxígeno. The most represented are cranial fragments of Elephas sp. About Santa Elena,
130 fossil elements have been recorded. The best represented are fragments of Bos/Bison sp. horns and Elephas sp. tusks.
The taphonomic processes identified at both sites bring to light a complex taphonomic history. The incidence of processes
related to fluvial transport is higher in Oxígeno than in Santa Elena. Besides, dismemberment cut marks have been identified
exclusively on the humerus of Bos primigenius in Santa Elena. Several tooth marks from carnivores have been recorded:
small pits and scores at Oxígeno as well as pits and furrowing on Bos primigenius and Megaloceros sp. bones from Santa
Elena. The faunal association depict an open landscape of wet meadows with herbaceous vegetation adjacent to riparian wood
habitats associated with the Manzanares alluvial plain, where hominids and predators competed to some unknown extent.
south-western Europe. This site has yielded human remains in association with both fauna and lithic
artefacts, linked through the presence of anthropogenic cut and percussion marks. Nevertheless, while
this site is a clear example of early hominin access to carcasses, the accumulations have been identified
as a palimpsest, where multiple agents including carnivorans played a role in modifying and interacting
in site formation processes. From this perspective, the interpretation and study of the Barranco Leon site
is of great difficulty. Traditionally, interpretations have presented Barranco Leon as an area where
hominins as well as the giant hyena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, competed for access to carcasses left by
machairodontine felids, such as the saber-toothed Homotherium latidens. Nevertheless, as will be presented
in this study, the complexity and trophic pressure of Barranco Leon is much more complicated
than originally hypothesized. This study presents a detailed taphonomic analysis of carnivoran activities
in the level D1 of the Barranco Leon assemblage. 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and
computational learning are used to provide new insights into the tooth pits observed on faunal materials.
Here we show that Canis mosbachensis plays a pivotal role in the formation of the site, followed by
Pachycrocuta, Homotherium, Ursus etruscus, and Xenocyon (Lycaon) lycaonoides. From this perspective,
it can be seen that while Pachycrocuta and Homotherium were active agents in the formation of the site,
other carnivorans are also important agents to consider when investigating the Guadix Baza region.
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
are one of the most numerous. Different specialities study these fossil remains of fauna from
different perspectives. Among them, the quantification of the remains is some of the most important
information, since they allow us to estimate what species there are and what representativeness
they can have. The problem is that the archaeological sites usually consist of
several bones from different species and individuals. The minimum number of individuals (MNI)
is usually used to estimate the representativeness of the species (e.g. there are 4 individuals of
deer and 3 individuals of horses). The problem with this technique is that it does not allow to
relate the remains that appear with each individual in a concrete way. Just the DNA analysis is
necessary to reassemble the remains. However, the high cost and difficulty of implementation of
DNA analysis do not allow performing a genetic study. In this paper, the combination of Laser-
Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Neural Networks (NN) has been successfully implemented
to discriminate and reassemble wild deer bones from different individuals. This is a
step further from human bones classification and one step behind the archaeological bones
classification. The elemental composition of bones provides enough information to get the correct
discrimination of different individuals. The spectral correlation has exceeded 93 %. There have
been no false positives and negatives. Also, the quantification of the different inorganic elements
present in all bone samples has been achieved by the Calibration-Free LIBS (CF-LIBS) approach.
Both approaches are different, NN is more qualitative and CF-LIBS, quantitative. Usually, chemometric
methods are employed for the discrimination of samples, but it is an approach that
requires a lot of LIBS spectra in order to perform the training, validation and test. In the case of
CF-LIBS, only one spectrum with a certain degree of accumulation is necessary to obtain the
elemental concentration. Thus, both approaches have been explored in this work. This fast
analysis could allow archaeologist to perform a correct classification of individuals without
performing several DNA´s analysis. This would save time and resources.
to bone during feeding, based on the integration of 3D modeling and data science techniques, and
with special attention being paid to tooth marks. From this perspective, carnivore tooth scores
and pits have slowly converted into a protagonist in the identification of the carnivores producing
them. The present study confronts the intra-species variability of tooth mark morphologies produced
by Iberian wolves, taking into account not only different populations but also whether wild and
captive wolves produce different shaped tooth marks. Here we show how, in the case of tooth scores,
differences are notable and should thus be treated with caution. Further conclusions reveal that
carnivore tooth pits are currently the most diagnostic elements for the study of carnivore feeding
traces on bone, pending future studies that compare closely related taxa with sufficient intraspecific
variability. In light of this, further investigation into the possible stress captivity may cause on these
animals could be of great importance for both the study of past and present. If differences were
to exist, these results could implicate a larger margin of error than previously perceived for some
experimental samples, affecting both prehistoric and modern-day ecological studies.
hominin groups, carnivores have played a fundamental role in the ecosystem. From this perspective,
understanding the trophic pressure between hominins and carnivores can provide valuable insights
into the context in which humans survived, interacted with their surroundings, and consequently
evolved. While numerous techniques already exist for the detection of carnivore activity in
archaeological and palaeontological sites, many of these techniques present important limitations.
The present study builds on a number of advanced data science techniques to confront these issues,
defining methods for the identification of the precise agents involved in carcass consumption and
manipulation. For the purpose of this study, a large sample of 620 carnivore tooth pits is presented,
including samples from bears, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, wolves, foxes and African wild dogs.
Using 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, robust data modelling, and artificial intelligence
algorithms, the present study obtains between 88 and 98% accuracy, with balanced overall evaluation
metrics across all datasets. From this perspective, and when combined with other sources of
taphonomic evidence, these results show that advanced data science techniques can be considered
a valuable addition to the taphonomist’s toolkit for the identification of precise carnivore agents via
tooth pit morphology.
with anthropogenic surface modifications have demonstrated that early human communities inhabited the European subcontinent
prior to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.07–0.98 Ma). While most studies have focused primarily on early European
lithic technologies and raw material management, relatively little is known about food procurement strategies. While there
is some evidence showing access to meat and other animal-based food resources, their mode of acquisition and associated
butchery processes are still poorly understood. This paper presents a taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of the
Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) (Guadix-Baza, Spain) faunal assemblage, providing a more in-depth understanding of early hominin
subsistence strategies in Europe. The present results show that hominins had access to the meat and marrow of a wide range
of animal taxa, including elephants, hippopotami, and small- and medium-sized animals. At the same time, evidence of
carnivore activity at the site suggests that these communities likely faced some degree of competition from large predators
when acquiring and processing carcasses.
chronological phases. This study was based on the bone remains found in three Roman tombs that date back to the second and
third century AD and a votive offering. The three tombs were located in different places far from one another and have special
features on their structure pits and their grave goods. We conducted anthropological and archeozoological analyses on the
individuals and bird-associated remains. The anthropological results indicated that there was one adult male, one adult female,
and a child, each one associated with a Common Pheasant which presents the same relative age and sex as the corpse they were
accompanying. Moreover, all these pheasants were placed inside the grave next to the right tibia of the indicated human remains.
We found another bird interred as an offering for the Early Roman cremations, but it was not associated with any particular grave.
We consider that the presence of these bird remains is a votive offering related to a religious funeral ritual, but we could not
determine if it belongs to a pagan religion or Christianity.
show it was a recurrent practice amongst the different hominine species from the Lower Pleistocene to
historic times. However, understanding the reasons behind this behavior in such chronologies is a
complicated matter. Several Neanderthal sites have uncovered new data on anthropogenic alterations on
human remains, along with a great diversity of interpretations. Some authors highlight the possibility of a
ritual or symbolic meaning whereas others believe this was due to dietary necessities since studied cut
marks resemble those found on faunal remains. The aim of this study is to carry out an exhaustive
Neanderthal cannibalism bibliographic revision, with especial focus on taphonomical evidences such as
cut mark frequencies and cut mark anatomical distribution. The main objective of this study is therefore
to ponder on Neanderthal cannibalism and propose new insights on this behavior.
transition from the Middle to the Upper Palaeolithic in
Europe, as well as for the replacement of Neanderthals by anatomically
modern humans (AMH). On this subject, the most
widespread misconception assumed that both human species
coexisted during a certain period of time, after which Homo
sapiens imposed on Neanderthals who finally got extinct.
However, recent proposals based on improved dating methods,
discuss this possibility, arguing that the arrival of AMH was
marked by the complete absence of Homo neanderthalensis in
this territory. In that way, new theories deny the possibility of
coexistence and the disappearance of Neanderthals by cultural
displacement. Covalejos Cave (Velo, Pielagos, Cantabria), one
of the few settlements in the northern Peninsula with Final
Mousterian and Early Aurignacian levels, supports this hypothesis.
Nevertheless, in this paper, we try to avoid a direct discussion
about this question in order to centre our analysis on identifying
possible different subsistence strategies between
H. neanderthalensis and anatomically modern humans in the
north of the Iberian Peninsula. Our zooarchaeological and taphonomic
studies reflect that Neanderthals and anatomically modern
humans exploited the same faunal species, pointing out that
there does not seem to be significant differences in their behaviour
in Covalejos Cave.
dos nuevos yacimientos de vertebrados del Pleistoceno, denominados H-02 y H-03, en depósitos de la Terraza
Compleja de Butarque (TCB). Las dataciones realizadas por Termoluminiscencia (TL) situaron al primero de los
yacimientos H-02 en el Pleistoceno Superior, al final del MIS 5, mientras que para el yacimiento H-03 se obtuvo
una edad más antigua, ya dentro del Pleistoceno Medio (Domínguez-Alonso et al., 2009). En este trabajo se
evalúa la concordancia de estas dataciones con la estimación de la edad obtenida a partir de la interpretación
biocronológica
de las asociaciones de mamíferos fósiles recuperadas en cada uno de los yacimientos. Mientras
que para el yacimiento H-03 existe congruencia entre la datación por TL y la estimación de su edad a partir de criterios
biocronológicos, que combinadas sitúan al yacimiento en la segunda mitad del Pleistoceno Medio, no ocurre
lo mismo en el caso de H-02. En este yacimiento, la presencia de Microtus brecciensis señala una edad más antigua
que la propuesta por las dataciones de TL, dentro del Pleistoceno Medio. La comparación de algunas características
biométricas entre las poblaciones de esta última especie de H-02 y de Áridos 1 permite además precisar
que la edad del primero es más reciente que el segundo. Teniendo en cuenta que las dataciones disponibles
para
Áridos 1 (Panera et al., 2011) sitúan este yacimiento a finales del MIS 11, el yacimiento H-02 tuvo que formarse
en el último cuarto del Pleistoceno Medio. Por consiguiente, las dataciones obtenidas por TL para el yacimiento
H-02 parecen corresponder con edades mínimas de los sedimentos y no con su edad real.
This paper presents the zooarchaeological study of the macromammals recovered at the Phoenician site called Teatro Cómico. Ovicaprids constitute the main herding followed by cattle and porcine, depending on the occupation period. Other species, with a reduced representation, are horse and dog. Regarding wild fauna, a low presence was recorded, deer being the most significant species. Taxonomic and skeletal and death-patterns data, supplemented by the archaeological record, lead to the conclusion that the rearing of domestic species was oriented towards diverse economic uses such as milk and wool production, in line with contemporaneous recordsin other sites.
are frequent issues in the archaeological and paleoanthropological literature. The northern area of the
Iberian Peninsula has become a place of remarkable importance for these studies, particularly the
Cantabrian cave of Esquilleu, which provides valuable information as well as new dates for understanding
the situation at the end of the European Mousterian. The areas used by the last Neanderthals in
Esquilleu demonstrate the exploitation of local resources as well as short and sporadic occupations. In
this paper we consider these issues from a zooarchaeological and taphonomical perspective and propose
an alternative explanation for the unexpected dating for a final Mousterian occupation in the cave: the
significance of carnivores in the upper levels may explain this anomalous chronology.
2013 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All
Palaeolithic stone tools from the Manzanares Valley Complex Terrace of Butarque (CTB), which has been
dated to between the final Middle Pleistocene (MIS 6, 190e130 ka) and the early Late Pleistocene (MIS 5,
130-74-71 ka). We review the direct and indirect evidence of proboscidean exploitation in the Middle
Paleolithic sites of Europe, and provide information on Lower Paleolithic European sites with proboscidean
remains and stone tools. Geological, chronological, bio-stratigraphic and climatic data of the CTB
are provided, and the sites with proboscidean remains and Middle Palaeolithic stone tools are described
in detail.
Systematic exploitation of large mammals during the Middle Palaeolithic, and even their regular
hunting, is widely accepted. However, the exploitation of proboscideans is not as evident in the
archaeological record of this period. The exploitation of proboscideans cannot be considered as merely
occasional before the Upper Palaeolithic, and although there is more evidence of the exploitation of these
mega-herbivores during the Lower than during the Middle Palaeolithic, the discoveries from the Manzanares
Valley state that, at least in this area, proboscideans continued
of stone tools and faunal remains. Here, we describe how the site contributes to the understanding of
hominin subsistence strategies and paleoecology during Bed II times (1.78e1.34 Ma). This palimpsestic
site is located within, and on the over-bank of, a river channel. Taphonomic analyses suggest that a
heterogeneous set of taphonomic agents played a role in the accumulation and modification of the faunal
assemblage. Although hominins played a rather marginal part in this assemblage’s faunal accumulation
and modification, the recovered faunal assemblage includes evidence that is consistent with hominin
exploitation of hippopotamus and equid. This evidence underscores the possibility that by 1.5 Ma
hominins were diversifying their diet and enlarging their ecological niche by exploiting, probably
opportunistically, megafaunal remains more commonly than previously documented. Taphonomic
spatial analysis shows differences in bone preservation and modification according to whether faunal
specimens were located inside the river channel or on its over-bank. We also show that spatial taphonomic
analysis can contribute to the understanding of palimpsest-site formation, as well as to the
reconstruction of diverse taphonomic agents responsible for that formation. A comparative analysis of
taxonomic diversity between SHK versus other upper Bed II sites supports the notion that the environment
was fairly open prior to the beginning of the Bed III deposits. The large number of lithic artifacts
concentrated at the SHK Main Site, when considered in conjunction with the small amount of evidence
for carcass-processing, suggests that hominins engaged in a diversity of activities beyond butchery.
2013 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
have led to questions about the integrity of these sites. Most experiments on bone transport by water
have been carried out using complete elements that do not replicate specimen bone breakage and size as
documented in archaeological sites. In the present work, an experimental framework is provided using
experimental proxies of archaeological assemblages. Results show that autochthonous assemblages
affected by hydraulic processes can adopt anisotropy in their fabric. Archaeological comparisons between
drawings and excavated sites at Olduvai stress the bias in Leakey’s drawings of FLK Zinj and FLK North in
Bed I. A large-scale open excavation recently carried out at TK (Bed II) exposes an area comparable in size
to Leakey’s excavations. Comparing the orientation patterns of this site to those reported by Leakey,
shows how biased the drawing of the site is and how easily this can lead to misinterpretati
modifications at FLK Zinj regarding primary or secondary access to carcasses by hominins have stemmed
from the independent use of mark types (cut, percussion, and tooth marks) to evaluate opposing models.
Such controversy has also been based on an over-reliance on tooth mark frequencies (mostly generated
by non-hominin carnivores), which have been documented to be high when hyenids are primary bone
modifiers, low when felids have primary access to carcasses, and high when suids feed primarily or
secondarily on carcass parts. In addition, it has also been argued that the frequency of tooth marks on the
FLK Zinj bones has been overidentified by some researchers, by mistaking tooth marks with biochemical
marks created by plant roots. Some methodological approaches have hampered the use of cut marks to
identify hominin behavior. Most of the reasons for purported equifinality of experimental scenarios are
strictly methodological and are also caused by the separate rather than joint analysis of mark types. In
the present work, for the first time cut marks, tooth marks, and percussion marks will be jointly
analyzed, both experimentally and at FLK Zinj. Primary and secondary access to carcasses by hominins
yields different frequency associations of all of these marks, which can be diagnostic of the type of access.
Such mark-type relationships can only be detected when all mark types are analyzed simultaneously and
not as separate sets. This multivariate approach provides a robust interpretation of primary access to
carcasses by hominins at FLK Zinj.
exploitation by 1.34 Ma hominins. Butchery of small, medium-sized and large carcasses at the site
indicate that meat consumption was a crucial adaptive element in the behavior of Homo erectus. Current
debates on the role played by meat in this early stage of the evolution of the genus Homo confront cost
signaling interpretations against dietary/physiological interpretations of meat eating and its relation to
brain evolution. BBK (including all the archaeological levels) contains the largest amount of homininmodified
bones and butchered animals documented in the Early Pleistocene archaeological record.
This evidence supports that meat consumption was tightly linked to the physiology that shaped the
evolution of our genus. Hunting was an integral part of the adaptive behavior of H. erectus although
megafaunal exploitation may have included more opportunistic behaviors. Site organization also suggests
that this species may have exhibited a different within-site spatial organization, which differed
from previous hominins, as documented at sites such as FLK Zinj. This unveils the need of new behavioral
models to explain the functionality of Acheulian central-place sites.
2013 Elsevier
strategies envisage them preying on herd
species such as bison and deer, rather
than the sophisticated tracking of solitary
animals. Analysis of faunal remains from
El Esquilleu Cave in northern Spain,
however, demonstrates that during certain
periods of theMiddle Palaeolithic occupation,
Neanderthals focused on the hunting of
ibex and chamois, small solitary species
that inhabited the mountainous terrain
around the site. These results indicate that
Neanderthal hunting practices may have
had more similarity to those of their Upper
Palaeolithic relatives than is usually assumed.
that the site contains an early Middle Paleolithic assemblage similar to other European early Middle
Paleolithic industries, allowing us to evaluate the coexistence of this industrial tradition with the
Acheulean technocomplex in southwest Europe.
The process of lithic production at Cuesta de la Bajada represents a technology focused on debitage,
the application of technical concepts such as ramified production sequences, and the recycling of flakes
via the resharpening of tools and exhausted cores. This site was formed around a pond not far from a
river and contains remains of large macrofauna other than equids and cervids. Taphonomic analysis
highlights the abundance of cut marks on bones, and supports the hypothesis of selective hunting by
hominids. The numerical ages derived from the combination of ESR, OSL and AAR dating methods
indicate that the archaeological site was very likely formed around the MIS 8-MIS 9. The appearance of
Middle Paleolithic industries in Europe could represents the autochthonous development of a technocomplex
distinctly different from the Acheulean, characterised by chaînes operatoires of debitage and a
progressive increase of Levallois technology and retouched tools.
These results suggest that there is a clear coexistence of assemblages with Acheulean and Middle
Paleolithic industries during the last third of the Middle Pleistocene at least in the Iberian Peninsula.
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
fragment, a proximal radius with much of its shaft, a femur shaft, and a tibia shaft fragment (cataloged collectively as OH
80). Those elements identified more specifically than to simply Hominidae gen. et sp. indet are attributed to Paranthropus
boisei. Before this study, incontrovertible P. boisei partial skeletons, for which postcranial remains occurred in association
with taxonomically diagnostic craniodental remains, were unknown. Thus, OH 80 stands as the first unambiguous, dentally
associated Paranthropus partial skeleton from East Africa. The morphology and size of its constituent parts suggest that the
fossils derived from an extremely robust individual who, at 1.33860.024 Ma (1 sigma), represents one of the most recent
occurrences of Paranthropus before its extinction in East Africa.
for the interpretation of archaeological sites in order to discriminate
human-generated or modified from non-anthropic
bone assemblages. In most of this actualistic research, the
focus has mainly been placed on hyenas and felids, neglecting
other carnivores. This paper analyzes the taphonomic impact
of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) on equid bones and
compares it with the bone modification patterns produced by
other canids, such as wolves (Canis lupus) in order to compare
medium-/large-sized canid variability on bone modification
patterns and elaborate a referential framework which
could be feasibly applied to the zooarchaeological record to
detect canid intervention on archaeological assemblages in the
past.
Abstract
Both the Middle–Upper Palaeolithic transition and the disappearance of the Neanderthals in Europe are frequent issues in the archaeological and paleoanthropological literature. The northern area of the Iberian Peninsula has become a place of remarkable importance for these studies, particularly the Cantabrian cave of Esquilleu, which provides valuable information as well as new dates for understanding the situation at the end of the European Mousterian. The areas used by the last Neanderthals in Esquilleu demonstrate the exploitation of local resources as well as short and sporadic occupations. In this paper we consider these issues from a zooarchaeological and taphonomical perspective and propose an alternative explanation for the unexpected dating for a final Mousterian occupation in the cave: the significance of carnivores in the upper levels may explain this anomalous chronology.
deposit known since 1970 that was the object of a
preliminary study in the late 1990’s. In this paper we
present a revision of the archaeological material from
level 3 that includes the technological and typological
study of the lithics and bone tools, the zooarchaeological
and taphonomic analysis of the faunal remains, the record
of engravings on bones, and the radiocarbon dating of
several bone samples. The data obtained has allowed us to
relate the level 3 to the Protosolutrean industries with Vale
Comprido points defined in the Portuguese Estremadura,
a matter that constitutes an important breakthrough within
the Meseta area, where little is known about the Upper
Palaeolithic prior to the Middle Solutrean. The results
are consistent with the definition of the Protosolutrean
as a transitional industry between the Gravettian and
the Solutrean. Furthermore, the verification of a human
settlement in the foothills of the Central System range
during the Upper Pleniglacial (MIS 2) strongly points
to the abandonment of the classic hypothesis that posit
a depopulation of inner Iberia during the coldest stages
of the last glacial cycle.
70 del siglo XX, que fue posteriormente objeto de un estudio preliminar a finales de los 90.
Recientemente hemos desarrollado un nuevo análisis de sus materiales, que ha incluido el
estudio tecnológico y tipológico de la industria lítica, el análisis tafonómico y arqueo-zoológico
de la fauna, así como la datación mediante radiocarbono de varias muestras óseas.
Esta revisión nos ha permitido asignar uno de los niveles (3) a un momento intermedio entre
el Gravetiense y el Solutrense, lo cual constituye una novedad de primer orden en el contexto
geográfico de la Meseta, donde apenas se conocen datos correspondientes a las fases iniciales
y medias del Paleolítico superior. Se presenta un avance de los datos relativos a este nivel y se
discuten sus posibles relaciones con otros ámbitos de la geografía peninsular, en lo que
destacan especialmente sus fuertes similitudes con los conjuntos
empleadas por los neandertales en el Cañón de la Horadada (Mave, Palencia). A través del análisis de las
colecciones faunísticas recuperadas hasta el momento en el yacimiento musteriense de Cueva Corazón,
fechado en torno a 96 Ka, se aborda el análisis y la caracterización de los modelos de obtención de recursos
cárnicos en el entorno de este enclave, un importante corredor natural de comunicación entre la Meseta y
la región cantábrica. La metodología empleada para este estudio incluye el análisis zooarqueológico y tafonómico
de los restos óseos, así como el estudio de los patrones de mortandad. Nuestros resultados ofrecen
una acumulación principalmente antrópica de caballos, ciervos, cabras y otros animales. Diferentes evidencias
como el análisis de las frecuencias de marcas y los patrones de fracturación así lo corroboran. La presencia
de marcas de corte en casi todas las porciones anatómicas indica diversas actividades ligadas al desollado,
el desarticulado y el descarnado. Junto al aprovechamiento cárnico, la médula de los animales también sería
explotada como muestran las marcas de percusión y los patrones de fracturación. Los carnívoros intervinieron
en el yacimiento como agentes carroñeros, aprovechando los restos abandonados por los neandertales en
los momentos de desocupación humana.
Palabras clave: Cañón de la Horadada.
Systematic exploitation of large mammals during the Middle Palaeolithic, and even their regular hunting, is widely accepted. However, the exploitation of proboscideans is not as evident in the archaeological record of this period. The exploitation of proboscideans cannot be considered as merely occasional before the Upper Palaeolithic, and although there is more evidence of the exploitation of these mega-herbivores during the Lower than during the Middle Palaeolithic, the discoveries from the Manzanares Valley state that, at least in this area, proboscideans continued to play an important role with regards to the exploitation of the environmental resources.
(Bialowieza, Bieszczady). We recorded ecological aspects such as prey selection, time span of carcasses use, scavengers’ activity and the identification of prey from ungulate hairs found in scats, and taphonomic considerations, such as the number and type of bone remains, intensity of tooth modification on carcasses and
the effect of digestion on skeletal elements observed in scats. Localities studied included kill sites (4 C. capreolus and 20 C. elaphus in Bialowieza, 29 C. elaphus in Bieszczady) and scavenging sites (10 B. bonasus carcasses in Bialowieza). In order to characterize taphonomically impact of wolf on medium- and
large-size ungulates, the general bone modifications recorded in this study are compared with data from North American and Iberian wolf feeding sites as well as from other large carnivore (Crocuta) den contents.
However, few studies have been carried out on the taphonomic signatures of wolves (Canis lupus) in their
natural settings. From 2001 to 2007, 56 wolf feeding places were studied in 2 geographic areas of Poland
(Bialowieza, Bieszczady). We recorded ecological aspects such as prey selection, time span of carcasses
use, scavengers’ activity and the identification of prey from ungulate hairs found in scats, and taphonomic
considerations, such as the number and type of bone remains, intensity of tooth modification on carcasses and
the effect of digestion on skeletal elements observed in scats. Localities studied included kill sites (4
C. capreolus and 20 C. elaphus in Bialowieza, 29 C. elaphus in Bieszczady) and scavenging sites (10 B.
bonasus carcasses in Bialowieza). In order to characterize taphonomically impact of wolf on medium- and
large-size ungulates, the general bone modifications recorded in this study are compared with data from
North American and Iberian wolf feeding sites as well as from other large carnivore (Crocuta) den
contents.
provided new data that has allowed us to go in depth into the human settlement and the palaeoenvironmental
reconstruction of the old Abroñigal stream valley, whose fluvial course worked as a tributary of the
Manzanares River probably from before the Late Pleistocene up to the second half of the XXth century. In
this paper we present the geomorphological and chronostratigraphic data of the excavated layers, documenting
the various sequences of the fluvial and alluvial deposits that have filled the right bank of the
Abroñigal valley bottom within its lower stretch. A large collection of lithic pieces has been obtained during
the excavation works, most of which have been found within medium energy deposits of sands and gravels,
being the rest associated to argillaceous slimes and thin sand deposits. The majority of the lithic
collection responds to technical systems of the Middle Palaeolithic, although it is noteworthy the testimonial
presence of pieces belonging to the Upper Palaeolithic, as well as mammal faunal remains from the Late
Pleistocene. The dates obtained through OSL place the chronology of the deposit between approximately
14,400 and 11,170 years BP.
Keywords: Cueva Blanca, Epipaleolithic‑ancient Neolithic,
types when analyzing the modification of faunal assemblages
has been criticized on the base of intense overlap in
tooth mark size among differently sized carnivores. The
present study analyzes this overlap and presents some critical
explanations for it. This work is based on the largest
collection of tooth pit dimensional data collected to date for
some of the most relevant carnivore types. The study empirically
shows that small and large carnivores can be clearly
differentiated when using tooth pit size, with a higher
discrimination when using tooth marks on dense shafts than
on cancellous ends. It is argued that most previous studies of
tooth mark sizes have reproduced a higher overlap probably
because sample sizes were small, and experiments were
carried out using small carcasses (which require a smaller
bite force) or for a combination of factors.
referidos a la subsistencia del Paleolítico Medio y Superior del norte de la Península Ibérica. En este texto se
ofrecen los primeros resultados proporcionados por el estudio tafonómico de una parte importante de su
fauna. Se muestra cómo el componente hídrico es un elemento a tener en cuenta en la comprensión de la formación
del yacimiento. También los carnívoros parecen haber intervenido sobre las acumulaciones óseas, tal y
como indican las marcas de dientes. En varios niveles se deduce, por la presencia de marcas de corte y estigmas
de percusión en piezas de diversos taxones, que el ser humano fue el agente principal del aporte de ungulados
al yacimiento. No obstante, las alteraciones y el sesgo producido por los procesos mencionados (carnívoros y
agua) limitan las interpretaciones que podemos hacer del registro faunístico de algunos niveles
providing an important sequence for the later phases of the Cantabrian Magdalenian. The cave has a rich
archaeological deposit but also with a good collection of artistic parietal, which make this site one of the most
important archaeological sites for the Cantabrian Magdalenian, both for its organization as its state of
conservation. In this paper we present the preliminary results of the first three years of excavation.
during the Upper Pleistocene, currently in progress. Thorough our investigation in Cueva del Espino and particularly in Cueva Corazón, we present
here an interpretation on the genesis and development of the karst system of La Horadada. The sedimentology of the archaeological horizon
discovered in Cueva Corazon, bracketed via TL between 96 and 95 Ka., is also described. The site has been ascribed to the Middle
Palaeolithic and a brief description of its cultural and economic evidence is also reported here.
desde el descubrimiento de San Isidro en 1862, evidencian que los tramos medio y bajo de los
valles de estos ríos son una zona con gran potencial para el estudio del Paleolítico. Sin embargo,
salvo excepciones, la información disponible procede de intervenciones realizadas en la primera
mitad del siglo XX, y no permiten dibujar ni tan siquiera un esbozo de las características básicas
y evolución de las ocupaciones humanas durante el Pleistoceno en la región de Madrid.
referidos a la subsistencia del Paleolítico Medio y Superior del norte de la Península Ibérica. En este texto se
ofrecen los primeros resultados proporcionados por el estudio tafonómico de una parte importante de su
fauna. Se muestra cómo el componente hídrico es un elemento a tener en cuenta en la comprensión de la formación
del yacimiento. También los carnívoros parecen haber intervenido sobre las acumulaciones óseas, tal y
como indican las marcas de dientes. En varios niveles se deduce, por la presencia de marcas de corte y estigmas
de percusión en piezas de diversos taxones, que el ser humano fue el agente principal del aporte de ungulados
al yacimiento. No obstante, las alteraciones y el sesgo producido por los procesos mencionados (carnívoros y
agua) limitan las interpretaciones que podemos hacer del registro faunístico de algunos niveles.
Palabras clave: Musteriense. Paleolítico Superior. Continuidad. Tafonomía.
ABSTRACT: Morín Cave is an important site used as a referential model in many works in regards to the
Upper and Middle Paleolithic in the north of Spain. We offer in this report the study of a great part of its faunal
record. We show that the water was an important element in its formation. The hidraulic action has influenced
too on skeletal parts bias that appears in some levels. The carnivores, as show their tooth marks, would be
important in the bone accumulation as well. Finally, we report that both cut and percussion marks in bones of
many taxons belonging from different levels point out that the human being was the main responsible in the
ungulates accumulation of Cueva Morín.
Key words: Mousterian. Upper Palaeolithic. Continuity. Taphonomy.
are basically the result of human behaviour. Under this view, in previous research of the Palaeolithic site
of Amalda Cave, the site was defined as a fully anthropogenic assemblage. In this paper, new
taphonomic analyses show a different interpretation, since in some cases, the associations of bones and
stone tools are created and modified by more than one agent in a succession of events. In Amalda Cave,
the high frequencies of tooth marks on some animal bones, in contrast to the marginal percentages of cut
and percussion marks, as well as the fragmentation profiles, suggest that carnivores played a major role
in the accumulation of small-sized animals. On the other hand, medium-sized and large-sized animals
show high percentages of cut marks and other evidences of human behaviour in detriment of carnivore
modification. The present review leads to the conclusion that carnivores were the main agent for the
accumulation of small-sized animals, while hominids enjoyed a primary access to larger carcasses. This
study underscores the crucial role of taphonomy to understand the zooarchaeological record of the
Iberian Peninsula.
decades. These studies are developing a referential framework for the identification of carnivore
signature variety in the fossil record. Hyaenas and felids are predominant in these studies, whereas other
carnivores such as wolves have not received as much attention yet. This paper analyses wild horse
carcasses processed by wild wolves and discusses the implications for the study of site formation in the
Eurasian Pleistocene. Carcasses have undergone different kinds of consumption by wild wolves and show
important differences in the degree of bone modification according to wolf hunting and scavenging strategies.
The different degree of bone destruction when consumed in one or many events is also discussed.
hallazgos producidos en los últimos años con una síntesis de las evidencias disponibles y su marco cronológico.
Se interpreta en detalle el asentamiento segoviano de la Peña de Estebanvela. La riqueza de su
registro arqueológico, la amplia secuencia cronoestratigráfica que presenta, así como la aplicación en su
estudio de una metodología pluridisciplinar, hacen de este yacimiento un referente para el estudio del
Magdaleniense en la Meseta. Por último, se muestra una breve revisión de las estaciones con arte rupestre
del interior peninsular.
Palabras clave: Paleolítico superior, Meseta, poblamiento, dataciones, industria, arte, Peña de Estebanvela.
ABSTRACT
The present work is a critical review of the Upper Palaeolithic of the Iberian Meseta in light of findings
made in recent years, including a synthesis of the evidence regarding the area’s settlement and its chrono -
logy. A detailed interpretation of the Segovian site of Peña de Estebanvela is provided. The richness of its
archaeological record, its ample chronostratigraphic sequences and the multidisciplinary approach to its
study have made Peña de Estebanvela a reference for research into the Magdalenian of the Meseta. This
work also provides a brief review of the sites of the Iberian interior where rock art is found.
Key words: Upper Palaeolithic, Meseta, settlement, dating, industry, art, Peña de Estebanvela.
Se reflexiona sobre las causas de su aparición en el continente africano, qué tipo de homínido habría estado implicado en su factura
y cuáles son las características básicas de su sistema de producción. Del mismo modo, se valora finalmente la sustitución en África de este primer
tecnocomplejo de la humanidad por otro cognitiva y técnicamente más avanzado (Achelense).
ABSTRACT
The aim of this text is to summarise current knowledge on the Oldowan, Humanity´s earliest stone technology. We reflect on the causes
for its beginning in the African continent, and we consider what kind of hominid could be responsible for its manufacture. We also explain
what the main characteristics of its production scheme are. In the same way, we would like to reflect on the substitution in Africa of this first
human industrial complex by the Acheulian, a more developed one from both a cognitive and a technical point of view.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Achelense. Género Homo. Homínidos. Innovación. Olduvayense.
KEY WORDS: Acheulean. Genus Homo. Hominids. Innovation. Oldowan.
Se reflexiona sobre las causas de su aparición en el continente africano, qué tipo de homínido habría estado implicado en su factura
y cuáles son las características básicas de su sistema de producción. Del mismo modo, se valora finalmente la sustitución en África de este primer
tecnocomplejo de la humanidad por otro cognitiva y técnicamente más avanzado (Achelense).
ABSTRACT
The aim of this text is to summarise current knowledge on the Oldowan, Humanity´s earliest stone technology. We reflect on the causes
for its beginning in the African continent, and we consider what kind of hominid could be responsible for its manufacture. We also explain
what the main characteristics of its production scheme are. In the same way, we would like to reflect on the substitution in Africa of this first
human industrial complex by the Acheulian, a more developed one from both a cognitive and a technical point of view.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Achelense. Género Homo. Homínidos. Innovación. Olduvayense.
KEY WORDS: Acheulean. Genus Homo. Hominids. Innovation. Oldowan.
la Peña (San Felices de Buelna, Torrelavega, Cantabria), cuya muestra ósea se analizó en el año 2006 y
proviene de los materiales depositados en el Museo Arqueológico Nacional de las colecciones del Institut
de Paléontologie Humaine de Paris. Aunque procede de excavaciones realizadas a principios del siglo XX,
con un sesgo osteológico motivado por la preselección de los elementos fácilmente determinables, este
interesante conjunto óseo abre nuevos interrogantes sobre las estrategias de subsistencia de los cazadores
paleolíticos desde el Musteriense al Magdaleniense de la Cornisa Cantábrica. Entre ellos destacan el tratamiento
diferencial durante el Paleolítico medio de los animales de menor talla (cabra y rebeco) frente a
otros mayores (caballo, uro-bisonte y ciervo), así como la abundancia del caballo en el Solutrense y Magdaleniense,
en contra de lo observado en la mayor parte de los yacimientos cantábricos de esta época en
los que el ciervo y la cabra son los animales predominantes.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Tafonomía, Zooarqueología, Transición Paleolítico Medio-Superior, Marcas de corte.
ABSTRACT
New zooarchaological and taphonomical data from the Palaeolithic site of Hornos de la Peña (Cantabria)
are presented. A bone assemblage from the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine of Paris which is now kept
in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid has been analyzed. The paper discusses some of the
problems of dealing with archaeological excavations from the beginning of the 20th century when, as in
other early archaeological interventions, only the easily identified remains were selected. The faunal
collection analysed opens new questions about the hunting behaviour from the Mousterian to the Magdalenian
periods in Northern Spain, namely the different strategies used for small animals (Capra and Rupicapra)
versus larger animals (Equus, Cervus and Bos-Bison) in the Middle Palaeolithic, and the high presence
of horse in the Solutrean and Magdalenian levels of Hornos de la Peña that differs from the prevalence
of red deer and goat in other sites from those periods.
KEY WORDS: Taphonomy, Zooarchaeology, Middle-Upper Palaeolithic Transition, Cut Marks.
caracterizada por el predominio de Rupicapra rupicapra en varios niveles paleolíticos. Junto a
este animal han aparecido otros taxones como ciervo, caballo o gran bóvido. Los estudios tafonómicos
realizados en los últimos años han planteado que el rebeco fue principalmente aportado
por carnívoros, concretamente por félidos, a diferencia de los ungulados de mayor talla que
tendrían un aporte antrópico. Con esta interpretación se completaba el estudio de Altuna (1990)
aportando un estudio tafonómico que permitía reinterpretar el origen de la acumulación osteológica
de Amalda (2004 a, b, 2005, 2006 a, b, 2007). En este trabajo presentamos nuevos argumentos,
con el fin de profundizar en interpretaciones previas sobre Amalda. Se concluye reiterando
la ausencia de argumentos tafonómicos que justifiquen que la acumulación de los rebecos
de Amalda se deben a un aporte antrópico y que por el contrario se aporta evidencias tafonómicas
de la autoría en la acumulación por parte de carnívoros.
Palabras clave: Tafonomía, Paleolítico, Rupicapra rupicapra, Carnívoros, Marcas de Corte.
9e11. Both places contain partial carcasses of Elephas (Paleoxodon) antiquus associated to Acheulian stone
tools. In this work, the taphonomic study of the elephant remains of Áridos 2 is presented. This study has
documented several cut marks on different bones, which indicate bulk flesh and viscerae extraction by
Middle Pleistocene hominins. Several arguments are provided to support that at least some of the cut
marks were made with handaxes, further suggesting that some of these artifacts were butchering tools in
this stage of human evolution. Although cut marks on elephant carcasses have been documented at some
Middle Pleistocene sites, very few have been published in detail to allow consideration of their status as
hominin-imparted marks. By doing so, the present study provides more evidence of large carcass
exploitation by hominins during this period.
con niveles que abarcan desde elMusteriense hasta el Solutrense. En este artículo ofrecemos un estudio
zooarqueológico y tafonómico de esta cavidad que permite completar y efectuar una comparación con
los datos procedentes de yacimientos cercanos y tan emblemáticos como el Juyo (con niveles magdalenienses)
y El Pendo (palimpsesto de diversas ocupaciones). Los resultados obtenidos reflejan novedosos
datos sobre las estrategias de subsistencia de los cazadores-recolectores de la Región Cantábrica,matizando,
además, las conclusiones obtenidas por estudios previos efectuados en esta zona.
Palabras clave: Musteriense, Paleolítico Superior, Continuidad, Estacionalidad, Zooarqueología, Tafonomía.
Abstract. The Ruso Cave (Igollo, Camargo, Cantabria) has an important archaeological assemblagewithMousterian
to Solutrean levels. In this paperwe showa zooarchaeological and taphonomic study of this cave. This
analysis allows us to complete andmake a comparisonwith the information fromimportant Paleolithic sites
near to the Ruso Cave like El Juyo (with Magdalenian levels) and El Pendo (with mixed Mousterian and
Upper Paleolithic levels). The results reflect newest data about the subsistence strategies of the hunters and
gatherers of the North of Spain clarifying the conclusions fromprevious worksmade in this area.
Key Words: Mousterian, Upper Paleolithic, Continuity, Seasonality, Zooarchaeology, Taphonomy.
record. Its results allow us to understand better the both, physical and biological processes which take
part in the formation of the archaeological and paleontological settlements. Traditionally this kind of
research in the Cantabrian region hasn´t been employed in many places but day by day is more usual. In
this paperwe report both the zooarchaeological and taphonomic study of the El Otero cave adding newinformation
on these topics to the Cantabrian region.
Key Words: Zooarchaeology, Taphonomy, Aurignacian,
information available to date from the digs conducted in 2008, en"
del interior de la Península Ibérica. Después presentamos un breve resumen del estudio realizado en el yacimiento de
las Camas y finalmente mostramos los datos más significativos del análisis zooarqueológico del yacimiento de la Guirnalda
de Quer.
researchers in the last years. The taxonomic variability, age and mortality patterns or skeletal part profiles are ambiguous
tools used in zooarchaeology. It is very usual to find them support or reject hunting or scavenging behaviours. Here we show
that the use of taxonomic patterns, ages or skeletal part profiles is not the proper diagnosis for the identification of different
economic strategies. On the other hand, several experiments and archaeological evidence reveal that bone surface alteration
is the most efficient tool we can use in the interpretation of faunal remains and bone accumulations.
acometida entre los años 2002 y 2003 en el Valle de Tsutskhvati (República de Georgia), principalmente
centrados en una nueva ronda de excavaciones en la Cueva Doble. Los estudios estratigráficos, tecnológicos, tafonómicos
y polínicos permiten arrojar nuevos datos, complementarios a los obtenidos en la cercana cueva de
Ortvale Klde, sobre las comunidades neandertales que habitaron la región del Cáucaso meridional, uno de los
entornos geográficos en los que sobrevivieron los últimos representantes de esta especie. Mientras que los completos
trabajos arqueológicos abordados en la cueva de Ortvale Klde han permitido contar con un amplio programa
de datación para la presencia neandertal en dicha cavidad, el resto de los yacimientos del mismo periodo
siguen presentando una cierta indefinición contextual. A pesar de ello, se acepta que la presencia neandertal en
el valle de Tsutskhvati debió situarse en el mismo marco temporal que en Ortvale Klde. Aunque tanto la
Cueva Doble, motivo de esta publicación, como la famosa Cueva del Bronce carecen hoy en día de contextos
cronológicos fiables, es necesario señalar que estos yacimientos del valle de Tsutskhvati vienen siendo recurrentemente
citados en el debate sobre el fin de los neandertales y la llegada de las primeras comunidades
sapiens a la región caucásica. Es por ello por lo que la información novedosa aquí presentada (los últimos
trabajos en Tsutskhvati se llevaron a cabo en la década de 1970) posee un indudable interés, a pesar de las limitaciones
cronológicas, para ampliar nuestro conocimiento sobre este importante capítulo de la Prehistoria
europea.
Palabras
En este trabajo presentamos una actualización historiográfica de la cueva de Coimbre, conocida hasta el momento por su importante conjunto
rupestre, así como un primer avance de las excavaciones realizadas en 2008, que han dado como fruto la documentación de un rico yacimiento
magdaleniense, el cual se encuentra en curso de excavación y cuyos primeros resultados presentamos en este artículo.
La presente comunicación se refiere a los trabajos arqueológicos y paleontológicos realizados
durante los años 2003 a 2006 correspondientes a los estudios previos y de control de los
movimientos de tierras de las obras de urbanización del sector U.Z.P. 1.05. Villaverde-Barrio
de Butarque, situadas entre la urbanización “Los Rosales”, las instalaciones de Renfe en Villaverde,
el parque lineal del Manzanares, los terrenos reservados para la M-45 y la carretera
M-301 en Madrid.
El yacimiento de Las Camas es un enclave arqueológico localizado en una elevación entre
el antiguo camino de Villaverde a Perales del Río y la Vereda de Ganados del Solozábal del
Mundillo. Durante los trabajos arqueológicos previos se pudo delimitar un yacimiento con una
superficie de ocupación en torno a los 25.000 metros cuadrados, en el cual, una vez iniciada
la fase de excavación en extensión del mismo se ha documentado una serie de estructuras
excavadas en el terreno, entre las que destacan dos cabañas de gran tamaño delimitadas por
agujeros de poste, con materiales adscribibles a un momento de transición entre el Bronce
Final (Cogotas I) y la primera Edad del Hierro.
Posteriormente, con motivo del seguimiento arqueológico y paleontológico de los movimientos
de tierras se documentaron niveles fluviales de la denominada Terraza Compleja del
Manzanares, en las proximidades de la desembocadura del arroyo del Butarque en dicho río.
Se han realizado excavaciones arqueológicas detectando restos faunísticos y líticos en depósitos
del Pleistoceno Superior
reconstruct hominid economic behaviour during the Pleistocene. It doubles the sample of sites where
comparison of long limb bone element quantification is made by using alternative identification
techniques based on epiphyses and epiphyses plus shafts. A refined method of long limb element
quantification using shafts is discussed and applied to four sites representing different time periods from
the end of the Middle Pleistocene to the end of the Upper Pleistocene. It is shown that when long limb
elements are properly quantified a hypothesis of early access to carcasses at these sites can be
supported. The data thus drawn are also used to compare skeletal part evenness across the time periods
represented by the four sites selected. The results indicate low-cost transport decisions by hominids at
these sites. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The archaeological excavations carried out during the years 2005 and 2006 in the 12 de Octubre Hospital and the Butarque creek outlet (South of Madrid City), offer new geological, archaeological an faunal data in order to characterize the evolution and dynamics of the Manzanares river valley during the Middle to Late Pleistocene transit. Both archaeological sites are located in the so called Complex Terrace of the Manzanares River (TCMZ), a complex and anomalously thickened fluvial terrace located at +22-16 m over the river thalweg. This fluvial level has been traditionally considered as Middle Pleistocene on the basis to the acheulean industry and faunal assemblages typically associated to their basal deposits. However this work indicates that the upper fluvial sequences of the TCMZ hold Mousterian industry belonging to the Late Pleistocene. The obtained data also indicate that the typically considered Late Pleistocene terrace levels (Mx) located at +12-15m and +11-9m along the river valley may display complex relationships of offlapping and overlapping with the TCMZ surface triggered by the occurrence of enhanced karstic subsidence, tectonics and relevant headward erosion steps in the riverbed. OSL dates (12 de Octubre) reported in this work can be interpreted as belonging to younger Mx deposits offlaped to the TCMZ with ages ranging between ca 33 and 40 ka BP. Data from the Butarque outlet refers to the basal fluvial levels of the TCMZ displaying a more ancient acheulean industry associated to fossil macrofauna assemblages typical of the Middle-Late Pleistocene in the Madrid Area. Finally, comparing the geomorphological, paleolithic an chrnological (OSL) records of the Manzanares valley with other ones within the Tajo drainage basin, the TCMZ will develop, at least, until the end of the Last Interglacial (OIS 5) about ca 85-100 ka BP.
Keywords: Palaeolithic, geomorphology, fluvial terraces, Manzanares river
has been substantially changed through the latest research. This communication presents the cronoestratigrafía
magdaleniense This deposit, registration archaeological and paleoenvironmental implications.
of Llanera’s municipality (province of Asturias, N of Spain). The archaeological deposit is placed inside a small cave and it has
provided some ceramic fragments very rolled, two polished lithic pieces, abundant bones of animals consumed by man and
charcoals. The archaeological materials and the 14C dates of the bones associated with the ceramics (UBAR-803 4930 ± 70 BP y
UBAR-804 4240 ± 60 BP) indicate the existence of an settlement of certain duration that would correspond to the chronological
frame of the regional Neolithic. Sites of this chronology are very scanty in the Cantabrian area, therefore, this new deposit will
contribute to a better knowledge of the Neolithic in this zone of the Iberian Peninsula.
Key words: geoarchaelogy, radiocarbon, taphonomy, pottery, polish stone, Neolithic, Holocene,
(Asturias, N de España). Es una pequeña cueva desarrollada en las calizas y margas del Cretácico superior rellena por sedimentos cuyo techo presenta
una abertura tipo torca. El depósito tiene forma de cono cuyo vértice se encuentra bajo la torca y está formado por capas inclinadas depositadas a partir
de los arrastres producidos en la ladera exterior, donde existió un asentamiento holoceno. En estos niveles se recogieron materiales cerámicos muy rodados,
dos piezas líticas pulimentadas, abundantes restos óseos de animales consumidos y fragmentos carbonosos. Para situar los depósitos en el tiempo
con precisión se dataron mediante radiocarbono dos muestras signifi cativas de los restos óseos asociados a las cerámicas y piezas pulimentadas y varios
fragmentos de carbones de ese mismo nivel, así como carbones de un nivel superior. Las fechas ofrecidas por las muestras óseas del nivel inferior son:
UBAR-803 4930+70 BP y UBAR-804 4240+60 BP. Las fechas proporcionadas por los carbones son: nivel inferior, UBAR-745 3190+150 BP, y nivel
superior UBAR-746 2050+120 BP. Las dataciones de los huesos asociados a cerámicas nos indican la existencia en la ladera exterior de un asentamiento
neolítico que pudo tener continuidad en el Calcolítico, cuyos materiales fueron arrastrados por la ladera y depositados en la cueva en una fecha muy
posterior, como consecuencia del desarrollo de un incendio, proceso este que se repitió años después como atestigua la fecha más reciente. Las fechas
obtenidas fueron sometidas a calibración dendrocronológica y se han comparado con las de otros yacimientos cantábricos de similar cronología.
Palabras clave: geoarqueología, karst, radiocarbono, tafonomía, Neolítico, Holoceno, Asturias
en la región de Picos de Europa (Cordillera Cantábrica) que contiene un importante registro sedimentario, arqueológico
y paleontológico del Pleistoceno superior, con abundantes evidencias de industrias líticas musterienses y restos
óseos de mamíferos y otros vertebrados. La secuencia estratigráfica se compone de 41 niveles agrupados en cuatro unidades
litoestratigráficas con diferente significado sedimentario, que han sido estudiadas con metodología geoarqueológica
y tafonómica. En la unidad inferior hemos detectado una acumulación de hidroxilapatito de origen diagenético,
que hemos estudiado mediante difracción de rayos X (DRX), microscopía electronica de barrido ambiental (MEBA)
y termoluminiscencia (TL). Las dataciones radiocarbónicas existentes y su calibración permiten situar este interesante
registro durante el OIS 3 en una horquilla temporal comprendida aproximadamente entre 60000 y 37000 BP.
Octubre (ampliación de la línea 3 del Metro de Madrid) y en la desembocadura del Arroyo Butarque (proyecto de edificación)
en el Sur de la Ciudad de Madrid, han arrojado nuevos datos geológicos, arqueológicos y faunísticos que permiten
caracterizar la evolución y dinámica del Valle del Río Manzanares durante el tránsito Pleistoceno Medio y
Superior. Ambos yacimientos arqueológicos se encuentran localizados sobre la denominada “Terraza Compleja del
Manzanares” (TCMZ), la cual constituye un nivel anómalamente engrosado (20-15m de potencia) situado a +22-16m
sobre el cauce actual del río. Esta terraza ha sido tradicionalmente considerada de edad Pleistoceno Medio en base a
la industria achelense y complejos faunísticos que comúnmente han librado sus niveles inferiores. Los datos obtenidos
en este estudio indican, sin embargo, que los niveles superiores de esta terraza se encuentran asociados a industria musteriense
perteneciente al Pleistoceno Superior en el sector del 12 de Octubre. Estos mismo datos, también indican que
los tradicionalmente considerados niveles del Pleistoceno Superior (Mx) situados a +12-15m y +9-11m en el Valle
inferior del Manzanares pueden presentar complicados ensamblajes de solapamiento, yuxtaposición y superposición
respecto a la TCMZ en respuesta tanto a procesos de subsidencia kárstica retroalimentada por procesos tectónicos,
como a la presencia de importantes escalones de erosión remontante a lo largo del cauce actual del río. Las determi-
estudios arqueozoológicos, se han generalizado ciertas opiniones acerca de las estrategias cinegéticas del
final del Paleolítico Superior. De manera que gran cantidad de autores coinciden en afirmar que desde el
Solutrense y hasta el Magdaleniense se produjeron ciertos hábitos especializados sobre un número muy
reducido de especies. De esta forma conejos en elmediterráneo, y ciervos y cabras en el cantábrico se consideran
las especies más frecuentemente cazadas durante este periodo.
Aunque coincidimos en parte de estas propuestas, creemos que muchas de las interpretaciones realizadas
en torno a la especialización cinegética deben ser revisadas, ya que muchas de ellas se fundamentan
en criterios estrictamente taxonómicos, obviando la información de otro tipo de analíticas como
las procedentes de la tafonomía o la estacionalidad. En este caso hemos analizado el yacimiento solutrense
de Cueva de Ambrosio (Almería, España) y hemos visto como la interpretación sobre este lugar cambia
según se utilicen o no, alguno de estos métodos.
Palabras clave: Solutrense. Especialización. Diversificación. Estacionalidad.
behaviors in the first hominids. The taxonomic variability, the patterns of ages or the skeletal profiles
are not decisive. Nevertheless, it is common to hear opinions, for or against hunting or scavenging using
these arguments. In this article I show that the use of taxonomic patterns, ages or skeletal representation are
not proper diagnoses for the identification of different economic strategies. On the contrary, different experiments
and the archaeological evidence reveal that taphonomy is the most efficient tool that we can use in
the interpretation of the zooarchaeologic evidence.
numerosas ciencias cuya fi nalidad principal es comprenderlos e interpretarlos lo mejor posible.
Una de estas disciplinas, y a la que nos referiremos a continuación, es la tafonomía. En este
trabajo, tras defi nirla, presentamos algunas de sus principales características con el objeto de
mostrar qué trascendencia interpretativa puede tener en la interpretación de los yacimientos
arqueológicos. Para mostrar esto con un ejemplo práctico, hemos escogido los materiales del
nivel VI de la Cueva de Amalda correspondiente al Paleolítico Superior.
que predominen los lagomorfos entre los perfiles taxonómicos, superando en muchas ocasiones más del
90% de los restos. Sin embargo, el aporte de estos animales en yacimientos paleolíticos de la Península Ibérica
muchas veces puede responder a orígenes diversos. Así, además de los lepóridos aportados por el ser humano,
también pueden serlo por otros predadores, ya que son presas potenciales de linces, zorros, mustélidos y
aves como búhos, cárabos y águilas. Junto a los aportes de estos animales podemos añadir otros factores de
aporte, como los ocasionados por procesos naturales de mortalidad en el interior de sus madrigueras. Por este
motivo es importante conocer bien las características que genera cada agente en sus acumulaciones para distinguirlas
entre sí, y poder así interpretarlas adecuadamente. En los últimos años se han desarrollo una gran
cantidad de estudios tafonómicos destinados a verificar el origen de estos animales, y las características que
deja cada agente. El análisis de los patrones de fracturación, la morfología de las fracturas, las trazas que presentan
los huesos, los patrones de edad, la distribución de cuartos delanteros contra traseros y los perfiles
esqueléticos son los medios que podemos utilizar para discriminar el origen de estos lepóridos. En este artículo
analizamos los lagomorfos de la Cueva de Ambrosio (Almería) bajo esa premisa, y concluimos que en sus
niveles correspondientes al Solutrense Medio, el Solutrense Superior y el Solutrense Superior Evolucionado
se deben principalmente a la intervención humana. A pesar de esto, la evidencia de algunas trazas concretas,
como marcas de diente y de pico, reflejan que en ciertas ocasiones algunos animales introdujeron presas al
yacimiento. De modo que la cueva, aunque fue ocupada por el ser humano durante todas las estaciones, en
realidad su habitación no fue constante ni permanente, permitiendo a otros predadores morar en la cavidad
en momentos de desocupación.
Palabras clave: Solutrense. Conejos.
y la Vereda de Ganados de Solozabal del Mundillo. Su descubrimiento vino motivado por las obras necesarias para la ejecución de las obras
de urbanización del sector U.Z.P. 1.05. Villaverde – Barrio de Butarque, entre la urbanización “Los Rosales”, las instalaciones de Renfe en
Villaverde, el parque lineal del Manzanares, los terrenos reservados para la M-45 y la carretera M-301, en Madrid capital. Durante los trabajos
arqueológicos previos, se pudo delimitar un yacimiento con una superficie de ocupación en torno a los 25.000 metros cuadrados, en el cual,
una vez iniciada la fase de excavación en extensión del mismo, se han documentado hasta la fecha una serie de estructuras excavadas en el
terreno natural, de los denominados “fondos de cabaña”, fosas, silos, etc., con materiales adscribibles a un momento de transición entre el
Bronce Final (Cogotas I) y la primera Edad del Hierro.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Las Camas; Bronce Final; Hierro I; Madrid
ABSTRACT
The archaeological settlement has been located in an elevation between the ancient Camino de Villaverde a Perales del Río, and Vereda de
Ganados at Solozábal del Mundillo. It’s discovery came from the necessary works for the execution of sector U.Z.P. 1.05. Villaverde-Barrio de
Butarque housing development, between Los Rosales urbanization, Renfe’s installations in Villaverde, Manzanares’s linear park, reserved lands
for M-45 and M-301 road, in Madrid capital. During the archaeological previous works, it could be delimited a deposit fixed by three sectors in
which was located an occupation surface of about 25.000 square meters. Once begun the phase of excavation in open area, they’ve found
meanwhile several structures excavated in the natural ground, which are named “cabin bottoms” (Fondos de cabaña), hovels, pits, silos, etc.,
with materials attributed to a transitional moment among the Final Bronze (Cogotas I) and the first Iron Age.
KEYS WORDS
Las Camas; Final Bronze;
acceso ferroviario de Alta Velocidad a Toledo. Esta excavación ha puesto al descubierto un pequeño poblado de la Edad del Bronce situado en
la vega del Tajo en el que sobresalen las características estructuras del tipo “fondos de Cabaña”. El análisis de las mismas y el estudio
arqueozoológico realizado nos revelan su base económica agropecuaria mientras que el material recuperado nos precisa su marco cronológico
que se sitúa a mediados del II milenio cal BC. Las formas y decoraciones cerámicas nos remiten a un momento inicial de Cogotas I en la
Meseta (denominada fase Protocogotas), un periodo hasta el momento poco conocido en el Valle del Tajo por lo que los datos de la excavación
del yacimiento de Velilla suponen una interesante aportación.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Velilla; Bronce Medio; Vale medio Tajo
ABSTRACT
The archaeological works at Velilla’s site (Mocejón, Toledo, Spain) was made due to the construction of the new railway High Velocity Access
to Toledo. Through this excavation it has discover a small Bronze Age settlement located in the Tagus fertile lowland with the characteristic
structures so-called “fondos de cabaña”. The analysis of these pits and the arqueozoological study made, show us an economy based on the
agriculture and stockbreading while the archaeological material recovered determine his chronological frame that can be placed at the middle
of the second millenium cal BC. Ceramics forms and decorations can be dated in an early phase of Cogotas I in the meseta (Protocogotas), a
period almost unknown in the Tajus Valley so Velilla excavation means an interesting contribution.
España). Es una pequeña cueva desarrollada en las calizas y margas del Cretácico superior rellena por
sedimentos cuyo techo presenta una abertura tipo torca. El depósito tiene forma de cono cuyo vértice se
encuentra bajo la torca y está formado por capas inclinadas depositadas a partir de los arrastres producidos
en la ladera exterior. En estos niveles se recogieron materiales arqueológicos, restos óseos y fragmentos
carbonosos. Para situar los depósitos en el tiempo se dataron mediante 14C dos muestras óseas y varios
carbones. Las fechas ofrecidas por las muestras óseas del nivel inferior son: UBAR-803 4.930±70 BP y
UBAR-804 4.240±60 BP; las obtenidas de los carbones son: nivel inferior, UBAR-745 3.190±150 BP, y
nivel superior UBAR-746 2.050±120 BP. Las dataciones de los huesos asociados a materiales arqueológicos
nos indican la existencia en la ladera exterior de un asentamiento humano holoceno, cuyos materiales
fueron arrastrados por la ladera y depositados en la cueva en una fecha posterior, como consecuencia del
desarrollo de un incendio, proceso este que se repitió años después como atestigua la fecha más reciente.
Las fechas 14C fueron sometidas a calibración dendrocronológica y comparadas con las de otros yacimientos
cantábricos de similar cronología.
para una conducción de agua potable al Parque de Ocio de San Martín de la Vega (Madrid). El paraje conocido como Barranco del Herrero
presenta diferentes aterrazamientos para el cultivo agrícola de las terrazas fluviales del río Jarama, sobre las cuales se disponía el poblado
prehistórico, en una posición dominante sobre el valle de dicho río. Los trabajos de excavación permitieron descubrir un lugar de hábitat perteneciente
a una fase calcolítica precampaniforme compuesto por dos cabañas ovales de las cuales se documentaron los suelos de ocupación
y varios agujeros de poste. Sobre esta primera fase encontramos también estructuras del tipo de fondos de cabaña pertenecientes a una
ocupación de transición Bronce Final-Hierro I, así como una postrera fase hispanovisigoda.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Calcolítico; Edad del Bronce; Hispanovisigodo; Fondos; cabaña; Barranco del Herrero; Jarama; Tajo
ABSTRACT
This paper shows the outcomes of the archaeological works maked due to the plan of a potable water pipe to “Parque de Ocio de San Martín
de la Vega, Madrid”. The excavation in the site, located in Jarama’s River terrace, could discover the rests of two oval cabins belonging to a
calcolithic habitat place. Over this structures, others of the so called “fondos de cabaña” was found as well as a late visigotic phase.
KEYWORDS
Chalcolithic; Bronze Age; Hispanicvisigothic; huts; Barranco del Herrero; Jarama; Tagus
municipal de Alameda de la Sagra (Toledo) motivada por las obras de construcción, en una zona de préstamo de la plataforma del nuevo
acceso de alta velocidad a Toledo. Se excavaron un total de 10 estructuras subterráneas, en tres de las cuales se pudo comprobar la preparación
de las paredes y la base con un revestimiento de arcilla de cara a utilizarlas como depósitos de almacenaje. Una vez perdido su función
original se amortizaron con los desechos de la comunidad que ocupó el asentamiento. El estudio de los restos materiales contenidos en las
estructuras excavadas permite encuadrar cronológicamente el yacimiento en el Bronce Final.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Merinas II; Udade del Bronce; Cuenca Tajo
ABSTRACT
In this paper the results of the archaeological works carried out in Merinas site (Alameda de la Sagra, Toledo, Spain) are presented. This excavation
was made due to the construction of the new railway High Velocity Access to Toledo. It was excavated 10 subterranean structures, in
tree of that it was comprobated the wall and base preparation by a clay cover in order to use them as storage deposits. Once lost its original
function, this structures was used to contain the rubbish of the human comunity that lived in the settlement. The study of the material rests
contained in this excavated structures allow us to fit chronologicaly the site in the end of Bronce Age.
de Getafe (Madrid), para la obra LAV Madrid-F. Francesa conexión LAV Madrid-Sevilla. En total se han localizado 7 “fondos de cabaña”.
En ningún lugar del área excavada se identificaron restos de construcciones en duro ni zanjas de cimentación o de cualquier otro tipo. Entre
los resultados preliminares pueden señalarse en primer lugar y de forma general, los que se deducen de la documentación de la morfología y
el contenido de los espacios interiores; en buena parte de los casos, debieron destinarse, originariamente, al almacenamiento de productos
diversos, aunque se desconoce de qué tipo, puesto que casi siempre se amortizaron una vez perdida su función original; la propia excavación
demuestra que fueron rellenándose con aportes de composición, potencia, morfología, disposición y número variables. Por último, señalar que
uno de los fondos fue reutilizado como lugar de enterramiento.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Caserío de Perales; Edad del Bronce; Manzanares
ABSTRACT
We present the results of the archaeological works carried out in the deposit of Caserío de Perales, placed in Getafe (Madrid), for the project
L.A.V. Madrid-French F. connection L.A.V. Madrid-Seville. Altogether we located 7 “pits of cabin” in the area. There were not founded either any
rest of construction or ditches of laying of foundations or of any other type in the area of the archaeological excavations. Between the preliminary
results we can emphasize those infered from the documentation of the morphology and the content of the internal spaces. In many cases,
they were set aside, originally, for the storage of assorted products. But as it is common to happen also, in general, it is not possible for us to
know what kind of products they stored, since the spaces were amortized once lost his original function. The excavation has showed that they
were filling up with dumps of composition, thickness, morphology, disposition and number variable. Finally, we must indicate that one of the pits
was reused like a burial place.
Sarritan, aztarnategi arkeologikoetan hondakin litikoekin zerikusia duen fauna azaltzen denean, esaten da fauna hori jarduera antropikoaren eraginaren
ondorioz sortu dela. Hala ere, kronologiaren arabera, interpretazio horiei buruzko balio-judizioak aldatu egiten dira. Ondorioz, Behe
Pleistozenorako eta Erdi Pleistozenorako, agente haragijaleak lehenetsi dituzte eta horiek izan dezaketen parte-hartzearen mailari buruz eztabaidatu
da; bigarren mailara mugatu dute gizakia, sarraskijale gisa. Goi Pleistozenoan, alderantziz gertatzen da, eta, zehazki, Goi Paleolitikoan, ohikoa da
osteologia-metaketak giza ekintzarekin lotzea, ikerketa tafonomikoak egin edo ez. Hori dela eta, tafonomia ezinbesteko zientzia bilakatu da hezurkontzentrazioak
zuzen ulertzeko. Horregatik, aztarnategi guztiak ikuspuntu horretatik, hots, tafonomiaren ikuspuntutik, aztertu behar dira.
Lan honetan, Amaldako Haitzuloko makroornodunen berrikuspen tafonomikoa planteatzen da. Ematen dituzten ebidentziak ALTUNAren (1999)
hasierako interpretazioetatik desberdinak dira nabarmen; halaber, aztarnategi hori mendiko baliabideak ehizatzeko lekutzat jotzen zuten interpretazioetatik
ere desberdinak dira ebidentzia horiek.
hace poco el estudio de sus faunas sólo se había hecho de manera muy parcial. La zooarquología y la tafonomía que presentamos en este
trabajo, nos muestra que ciervos, caballos, cabras y conejos fueron explotados predominantemente por el ser humano, pero además, otros
análisis han permitido distinguir que estrategias espacio temporales siguieron los cazadores de Cueva Ambrosio.
Palabras clave: Solutrense, Caza, Tafonomía, Marcas de Cortes.
The Ambrosio Cave is a emblematic solutrean site of the southwest of the Iberian Peninsule, but the zooarchaeological analitics have not
been made just the moment. Only the Fernadez Jalvo and Sanchez Chillón studies in Ripoll (1988) have made something. In this paper the
zooarchaeoogy and taphonomic study is present. The data present a hunting human behavior of horses, red deers, goats and rabits, and
other analisys have proved the differents subsistence strategies that the hunters of Ambrosio Cave have made in the space and the time.
Key Words: Solutrean, Hunting, Taphonomy, Cut Marks,
Pleistocene site of Valdocarros (Madrid, Spain). The presence of these type of hominidimparted
marks on carnivore remains is unusual in the archaeological record prior to the
Upper Pleistocene. The location of some of the cut marks is suggestive of skinning. This is
indicative of early (and, at least, sporadic) use of carnivores in the subsistence of pre-sapiens
hominids.
La cueva del Esquilleu (Castro Cillorigo de Liébana, Cantabria) es un yacimiento Musteriense
con una fauna caracterizada por la abundancia de cabra y rebeco. Sin embargo, no todos
los animales introducidos en la cueva responden a un aporte humano. De esta forma, las unidades
III y IV parecen ser el resultado de una acumulación hecha por carnívoros. En este trabajo
se presenta una comparación de estos niveles con aquellos que sí son de origen antrópico,
con la finalidad de ver que diferencias se producen en las acumulaciones osteológicas
de ambos agentes.
Palabras clave: Musteriense, Tafonomía, Carnívoros, Marcas de Diente, Marcas de Corte.
Sumary
The Esquilleu’s Cave (Castro Cillorigo de Liébana, Cantabria) is a Mousterian site with many
archaeological levels characteristic by goat and chamois in the faunal. Already, some levels
are not a human consequence action. So, the III and IV units have a carnivore’s origin. In this
paper, we made a comparison of these levels with other
summer of the year 2002 in the site Barranco del
Herrero (San Marín de la Vega, Madrid). they presented
the existence of a prehistoric town, composed
by some occupation structures belonging to a
calcolithuc phase. Next to the materials of this stage
others of a transitional stage appeared among the
End Bronce-Iron I and a last one with less remains
visigotic. In this paper we presented the zooarcheology
and taphonomic study of this site.
Key Words: Zooarchaeology, Calcolithic, Bronce
desarrollo bastante desigual tanto cronológicamente como geográficamente. El Paleolítico es el periodo
que más cantidad de estudios ha proporcionado, pero dentro de este momento, no todas las zonas han
sido igualmente tratadas. En este trabajo, analizaremos el estado de la cuestión de los estudios
zooarqueológicos de una de estas regiones, con el fin de valorar como es la información disponible para
este periodo, y que aspectos son interesantes de reseñar en investigaciones futuras.
Abstract: The development of zooarchaeology is many different by regions and chronology in the
Iberian Peninsule. The Palaeolithic is the moment with more zooarcaheology studies but, for this
moment also there are differences. In this paper it is discused the zooarchaeology information of ones of
this regions with the finality to ask to the future new questions.
de restos de fauna. Han sido identifi cadas tanto especies silvestres como domésticas. La principal característica de este conjunto es el elevado porcentaje
de industria ósea con respecto al total (66%) entre los que destaca la presencia de matrices en hueso y asta para la producción de los llamados anillos,
así como de dichos productos ya amortizados. El particular contexto en el que se fabricaron y amortizaron sugiere que quizás deba reconsiderarse su
asociación con elementos de adorno personal.
Palabras clave. Neolítico Antiguo. Península Ibérica. Meseta. Fauna. Industria ósea. Anillos de hueso.
Abstract. The archaeological excavations in the Neolithic fl int mine of Casa Montero (Madrid) have provided a very small assemblage of faunal
remains. Both domestic and wild taxa have been identifi ed. The main characteristic of the assemblage is the high percentage (66%) of bone and antler
shafts and rings that were produced, used and abandoned on site. All this suggests that their generalized interpretation as personal adornments should
be reconsidered.
Key words. Early
mediterráneos ha motivado la realización de diferentes trabajos tafonómicos con
la finalidad de determinar cuál ha sido la responsabilidad humana en su aporte. En
este estudio se hace un análisis tafonómico de las acumulaciones óseas realizadas por
Bubo bubo durante el año 2002, con el fin de mostrar qué patrones de fracturación y
alteración ósea producen, y diferenciarlos de los que producen otros agentes.
Palabras clave: Búho Real, Patrones de Representación Anatómica, Lagomorfos,
Tafonomía.
ABSTRACT
The abundance of lagomorphs in Mediterranean Paleolithic sites has motivated the
realization of some taphonomic analysis that evaluate the anthropic contribution of
these animals in those places. In this paper we make a taphonomic analysis of owls
assemblage during the year 2002, with the purpose of to see the fracturation and bone
alteration pattern for to distinguish of others agents.
La abundancia de lagomorfos (especialmente conejo) en los yacimientos paleolíticos
mediterráneos ha motivado la realización de diferentes trabajos tafonómicos con
la finalidad de determinar cuál ha sido la responsabilidad humana en su aporte. En
este estudio se hace un análisis tafonómico de las acumulaciones óseas realizadas por
Bubo bubo durante el año 2002, con el fin de mostrar qué patrones de fracturación y
alteración ósea producen, y diferenciarlos de los que producen otros agentes.
Palabras clave: Búho Real, Patrones de Representación Anatómica, Lagomorfos,
Tafonomía.
ABSTRACT
The abundance of lagomorphs in Mediterranean Paleolithic sites has motivated the
realization of some taphonomic analysis that evaluate the anthropic contribution of
these animals in those places. In this paper we make a taphonomic analysis of owls
assemblage during the year 2002, with the purpose of to see the fracturation and bone
alteration pattern for to distinguish of others agents.
En este trabajo se presentan los datos zooarqueológicos de la fauna visigoda del Barranco
del Herrero y su relación con otros yacimientos visigodos de la Comunidad de Madrid, los
cuales se caracterizan por la ausencia de análisis faunísticos concernientes a esta época, al
menos publicados. A pesar de ello, intentamos comparar las evidencias existentes publicadas
hasta la fecha con las del yacimiento mencionado.
Palabras clave: Zooarqueología, Visigodos, Fauna doméstica, Bos taurus, Ovis/Capra, Sus
domesticus.
Abstract
In this paper the zooarchaeologic data of the Visigoths site of Barranco del Herrero is present
and it is compared with others Visigoths Madrid’s sites but they are characterized by the
absence of zooarchaeological studies for this moment.
Key words:
yacimientos paleolíticos sean asociadas con episodios de
actividad antrópica, en los que es el ser humano fuera el
principal responsable de dichas acumulaciones óseas. Sin
embargo, en numerosas ocasiones tales concentraciones
obedecen a procesos diferentes ocasionados por agentes
diversos. En este caso, se dan argumentos que muestran
como los restos osteológicos de Capra pyrenaica y Rupicapra
rupicapra de los yacimientos paleolíticos del nivel
VII de la cueva Amalda (Zestoa, Guipúzcoa) y los III y IV
de la cueva del Esquilleu (Castro Cillorigo, Cantabria), responden
a un aporte biológico no humano.
Tras ver esto, se comparan las evidencias presentadas en
cada yacimiento con la información publicada sobre el comportamiento
de los diferentes carnívoros, con el fin de diferenciar
qué carnívoro es el responsable de las concentraciones
óseas de cada yacimiento, para tratar de proponer al
final del trabajo algunos rasgos diferenciales del comportamiento
de los carnívoros sobre sus acumulaciones óseas.
ABSTRACT
Lithic and bone associations from Paleolithic sites are
usually assumed to be episodes of human activity when
taphonomic studies are not carried out. Nevertheless, such
concentrations are occasionally caused by diverse agents.
Here we present the study carried out on the bone assemblage
of goat and chamois of the Palaeolithic sites of the
level VII of Amalda Cave (Zestoa, Guipuzcoa) and the III
and IV of the Esquilleu Cave (Castro Cillorigo, Cantabria)
which are the result of a biological contribution by carnivores
and not by humans. After each site is analysed and
compared we can suggest which carnivore type produced
these bone assemblages and propose some traits about
carnivore behaviour observed in these assemblages.
del Herrero y los del bronce del mismo sitio y el Caserío de Perales, y se relacionarán con otros de similar cronología de las
terrazas del Jarama y el Manzanares
PALABRAS CLAVE
Jarama, Calcolítico, Edad del Bronce, Madrid
ABSTRACT
In this paper the zooarchaeological rests of the calcolitic site of the Barranco del Herrero and the bronce site of
las interpretaciones vertidas sobre algunos lugares carecían de una completa argumentación interpretativa, al carecer de
este tipo de análisis. En esta ocasión se ha hecho una revisión de los materiales musterienses procedentes Amalda
(Zestoa, Guipúzcoa) y se ha visto como cambia la interpretación del yacimiento a la luz de los nuevos resultados.
PALABRAS CLAVE
Musteriense, tafonomía, carnívoros
ABSTRACT
In a previous work it was insisted in the necessity of revising paleolithic faunas from a taphonomic perspective, because the
interpretations of some sites lacked a complete interpretive argument, when lacking this analysis type. Here it is show a
zooarchaeologic and taphonomic revision of Amalda
2ª del P. P. Parque de Ocio (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid)”, permitieron documentar una
serie de restos arqueológicos ocultos bajo una capa de un metro de sedimento. Se identificaron
tres fases distintas de ocupación: Calcolítico, Bronce Final y Época Hispanovisigoda.
Esta última está representada por un silo en el que se recuperaron materiales asociables a
este periodo. Este tipo de hallazgos está directamente relacionado con los denominados
“campos de silos” de época tardoantigua. Estas formas de almacenaje se documentan en el
centro peninsular desde época prehistórica, y “resurgen” en época tardoantigua, prolongándose
hasta los momentos de la dominación andalusí.
Palabras clave: Campo de silos, hispanovisigodo, tardoantigüedad, estructuras de almacenaje.
Abstract
Works made for the construction of the “External Conection of Drinking Water” Phase 2 of the
P. P. Parque de Ocio (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid), allowed to record an archaeological site
hidden by a one metre wide sedimentary layer. Three different stages were identified:
Calcolithic, Final Bronze Age, and Hispanovisigothic Period. The last one is composed by a
silo where materials related to this period were found. This kind of finds is straightly related to
the so called “siloes yards” of the Late Antique Period. This storage structures have been
found in the center of the Iberian Peninsula since Prehistoric Age, and “reappear” in the Late
Antiquity. Its use continues until the
DETERMINACIÓN DE PROCESOS DE FRACTURA SOBRE HUESOS FRESCOS 37
DETERMINACIÓN DE PROCESOS DE FRACTURA SOBRE
HUESOS FRESCOS: UN SISTEMA DE ANÁLISIS DE LOS
ÁNGULOS DE LOS PLANOS DE FRACTURACIÓN COMO
DISCRIMINADOR DE AGENTES BIÓTICOS
DETERMINATION OF THE FRACTURE PROCESSES OF FRESH BONE:
AN ANALYTICAL SYSTEM OF THE ANGLES OF FRACTURE PLANES
AS AN INDICATOR OF BIOTIC AGENTS HOMINID DISPERSAL INTO EUROPE AROUND
MATUYAMA/BRUNHES BOUNDARY:
ORIGIN AND SETTING IN HUMAN EVOLUTION
ORIGIN AND SETTING IN HUMAN EVOLUTION
TRABAJOS DE PREHISTORIA
63, No 1, Enero-Junio 2006, pp. 37-45. ISSN 0082-5638
VIRGINIA ALC¡NTARA GARCÕA, REBECA BARBA EGIDO, JOS… MARÕA BARRAL
DEL PINO, ANA BEL…N CRESPO RUIZ, ARCO IRIS EIRIZ VIDAL, ¡LVARO FALQUINA
APARICIO, SILVIA HERRERO CALLEJA, ANA IBARRA JIM…NEZ, MARTA MEGÕAS
GONZ¡LEZ, MAITE P…REZ GIL, VICTORIA P…REZ TELLO, JORGE ROLLAND
CALVO, JOS… YRAVEDRA S¡INZ DE LOS TERREROS, AIXA VIDAL Y MANUEL
DOMÕNGUEZ-RODRIGO (*)
RESUMEN
Los paños de fractura de los huesos siempre se han prestado
a diversos análisis de clasificación, pero con menor
éxito se ha podido averiguar el (los) agente(s) responsable(
s) de su ruptura. De los diversos atributos utilizados,
uno de ellos (los ángulos de los planos de fractura) se ha
sometido a exhaustivo análisis, con los resultados que se
ofrecen en el presente trabajo. Se concluye que dichos ángulos,
en su consideración global en una muestra pueden ser
resolutivos ya que los diversos agentes bióticos que rompen
huesos (humanos y carnívoros) lo hacen por procesos físicos
distintos (percusión y presión) que provocan diagnosis
diferenciadas en el modo en que los huesos aparecen fracturados.
ABSTRACT
mediterráneo. Para ello se han analizado los datos procedentes del NR, el MNI, los perfiles
esqueléticos y los patrones de alteración ósea con el fin de dilucidar las estrategias
subsistenciales de los grupos humanos de este momento en esta región.
In this paper the Mousterian Archaeozoology of the Mediterranean during the Iberian
Palaeolithic is discussed. The data obtained from the NR, the MNI, skeletal profiles and alterations
to bone patterns have been studied in order to discover the subsistence strategies used
by human groups in this region.
lince. El problema es que casi siempre se refieren a muestras óseas fragmentarias que no permiten ir mas allá de la mera identificación taxonómica.
En esta ocasión presentamos los restos de Lynx pardina localizados en el yacimiento Magdaleniense de la Peña de Estebanvela
(Segovia) y, también ciertas alteraciones tafonómicas de origen antrópico que parecen indicar un aprovechamiento cárnico de este animal en
los momentos finales del Pleistoceno superior.
ABSTRACT
During the Upper Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula is frequent the locations of lynx remains in the Paleolithic sites. The problem is that
they almost always refer to fragmentary bony samples that don’t allow to go more there of the mere taxonomic identification. In this paper
we present the remain of Lynx pardina of the Magdalenian site La Peña de
Une analyse paléoécologique de près de 755 assemblages fossiles (Herbivores et Carnivores) provenant de 230 gisements de la fin du
Pléistocène (e.45-10 Ka BP) dans le Sud-Ouest de l’Europe est proposée. Elle est conduite sous un aspect combinatoire et statistique, et repose
sur un cadre chronoclimatique fondé sur les phases majeures de refroidissement du dernier glaciaire (évènements de HEINRICH). L’étude
préliminaire des associations conduit à préciser les peuplements spécifiques et à montrer la paléo-biodiversité des associations de mammifères.
ABSTRACT
Paleoecological analysis is based on 755 fossil assemblages (Herbivores and Carnivores) from 232 south-western European sites dated to
the end of upper Pleistocene (c.45-10 Ky BP). A statistical and combinative approaches of mammalian stocks is placed into a chronoclimatic
frame defined from the main cooling event, known as HEINRICH’ events. This preliminary study allows to precise some specific features, especially
about the spatio-temporal distribution and the paleo-biodiversity of taxa.
RESUMEN
Se propone un análisis paleoecológico de alrededor de 755 agrupamientos fósiles ( herbívoros y carnívoros) procedentes de 230 yacimientos
de finales del Pleistoceno (e.45-10 Ka BP) en el suroeste de Europa. Se realiza mediante un enfoque combinatorio y estadístico, y en
un marco cronoclimático basado en las fases principales de enfriamiento de la última glaciación (acontecimiento de HEINRICH). El estudio preliminar
de las asociaciones conduce a precisar los asentamientos específicos y a mostrar la paleodiversidad de las asociaciones de mamíferos.
tafonómica de los restos óseos de
macromamíferos de la Cueva de Amalda
(Zestoa, Guipúzcoa, España), la cual
permite proponer una nueva interpretación
distinta de la planteada por Altuna (1990),
en la que frente a la idea de un
protagonismo principalmente humano se
ofrece otra en la que los carnívoros serían
los principales responsables de la
acumulación ósea.
resultado del transporte preferencial de las partes mas nutritivas (Perkins & Daly, 1968), o como la consecuencia del
carroñeo practicado sobre los despojos abandonados por otros carnívoros (Binford, 1981, 1984; Stiner 1994). Aquí
no se va a discutir la influencia que pueden tener los distintos agentes en una representación anatómica diferencial,
ya que se entiende que esto ha quedado suficientemente explicado en otros trabajos (Domínguez Rodrigo, 1999;
Yravedra 2000, 2001, Yravedra et al, 2002). Lo que se pretende en este trabajo es mostrar los patrones esqueléticos
de distintos ungulados (Capra pyrenaica, Rupicapra rupicapra, Cervus elaphus, Equus caballus y Bos primigeniusbison)
del Paleolítico Medio y Superior de la Península Ibérica, con la finalidad de ver que interpretaciones pueden
desglosarse de dichos patrones y que factores condicionan una u otra representación.
revisión se observa que el principal agente acumulador de los restos de rebeco en el yacimiento, no es el hombre sino los carnìvoros. Lo
cual, es un cambio respecto a la interpretación tradicional. Con ello se muestra, lo importante que son la incorporación de los análisis
tafonómicos en los estudios zooarqueológicos de los yacimientos de Paleolìtico Superior.
Abstract : In this paper is made one taphonomic revision of the zooarchaeology of the Solutrean level 4 of Amalda (Zestoa, Guipuzcoa).
With this revision we can observer that the carnivores are the principal agent in the bone assemblage of chamois versus the man. This
change in the interpretation of the site, it show that the taphonomic analysis are very necessary in the zooarchaeology studies of the
Upper Palaeolithic.
Caño (Camarma de Esteruelas, Madrid) presentaron la existencia de un pequeño poblado ocupado desde finales del siglo
XV hasta principios del XX. En este trabajo se presenta el análisis arqueozoológico que ha ofrecido un predominio de
ovicápridos, entre los macromamíferos
Península Ibérica: estudio tafonómico y zooarqueológico de los yacimientos del
Esquilleu, Amalda, cueva Ambrosio y la peña de Estebanvela.
Situado en el borde S de la cuenca del Duero en contacto con el Sistema Central, el abrigo rocoso de la Peña de
Estebanvela (Ayllón, Segovia) contiene un potente relleno sedimentario del Pleistoceno Superior Final en el que
se han detectado importantes restos arqueológicos del Magdaleniense Superior-Final, entre los que destaca la
presencia de elementos de arte mueble. Los estudios llevados a cabo en los últimos años en este yacimiento
(análisis geoarqueológicos, dataciones radiocarbónicas, estudios de las industrias, arte mueble y faunas) permiten
profundizar en el conocimiento del Magdaleniense en la Meseta Norte española y establecer un marco
geocronológico para el Pleistoceno Superior Final en la región.
Palabras clave: abrigo rocoso, dataciones radiocarbónicas, arte mueble, Magdaleniense, Pleistoceno Superior
Final, cuenca del Duero, España.
Abstract
Located on the southern side of the Duero Basin in contact with the Spanish Central Range, Peña de Estebanvela
rock shelter (Ayllón, Segovia) have a Late Pleistocene stratigraphic record with important remains of Upper and
Final Magdalenian, including elements of portable art. The latest research at this site (geaoarchaeological
analysis, radiocarbon dates, analysis of the industries, portable art and faunas) gives us a better knowledge for
the Magdalenian of northern Spanish Meseta and a chronological framework for the Late Plesitocene record of
this area.
Key words: rockshelter, radiocarbon dates, portable art, Upper and Final Magdalenian, Late Pleistocene, Duero
Basin, Spain.
Introducción
el conocimiento del Magdaleniense en la Meseta Norte y establecer un marco geocronológico para el Tardiglaciar
en la región. A partir del análisis de sus industrias, el arte mueble y varias dataciones radiocarbónicas
se propone una atribución cultural para las diferentes ocupaciones del yacimiento. Un análisis
comparativo con otros yacimientos coetáneos permite valorar la Peña de Estebanvela dentro del contexto
del Magdaleniense Superior Final de la Península Ibérica.
Palabras clave: Tardiglaciar. Magdaleniense. Meseta Norte española. Dataciones radiocarbónicas. Arte
mueble.
ABSTRACT: The latest research at Peña de Estebanvela has led to improved knowledge of the Magdalenian
of the Northern Meseta, and made it possible to establish a chronological framework for the Late
Glacial of this area. Through analysis of the lithic industries, the portable art and some tadiocarbon dates
we are able to put forward a chrono-cultural attribution for the site's various occupations. A comparative
analysis of several sites contemporaneous with Peña de Estebanvela reveals the site's importance for the
study of the Upper and Final Magdalenian of the Iberian Peninsula.
Key words: Late Glacial Magdalenian. Spanish Northern Meseta. Radiocarbon dates. Portable art.RESUMEN: LOS trabajos de estos últimos años en la Peña de Estebanvela han permitido profundizar en
el conocimiento del Magdaleniense en la Meseta Norte y establecer un marco geocronológico para el Tardiglaciar
en la región. A partir del análisis de sus industrias, el arte mueble y varias dataciones radiocarbónicas
se propone una atribución cultural para las diferentes ocupaciones del yacimiento. Un análisis
comparativo con otros yacimientos coetáneos permite valorar la Peña de Estebanvela dentro del contexto
del Magdaleniense Superior Final de la Península Ibérica.
Palabras clave: Tardiglaciar. Magdaleniense. Meseta Norte española. Dataciones radiocarbónicas. Arte
mueble.
ABSTRACT: The latest research at Peña de Estebanvela has led to improved knowledge of the Magdalenian
of the Northern Meseta, and made it possible to establish a chronological framework for the Late
Glacial of this area. Through analysis of the lithic industries, the portable art and some tadiocarbon dates
we are able to put forward a chrono-cultural attribution for the site's various occupations. A comparative
analysis of several sites contemporaneous with Peña de Estebanvela reveals the site's importance for the
study of the Upper and Final Magdalenian of the Iberian Peninsula.
Key words: Late Glacial Magdalenian. Spanish Northern Meseta. Radiocarbon dates. Portable art.
yacimientos afectados por el trazado de la
nueva línea férrea. Entre los yacimientos afectados
destaca el documentado en la Gravera de l’Eugeni.
La intervención arqueológica comenzó en julio
de 2001 y finalizó en octubre de 2001, realizándose
prospecciones, campañas de sondeos y excavaciones
en área que han documentado los restos de una cabaña
estacional. Este hábitat fue ocupado desde época
romano-republicana hasta el Alto Imperio.
Hasta la fecha la mayoría de los asentamientos
rurales de cronología altoimperial documentados
son villas (villæ), aunque es evidente que junto a
ellas debieron proliferar estas estructuras más
humildes (cabannæ, tugurium), que sin duda debieron
ser mucho más abundantes de lo que manifiesta
el registro arqueológico. El carácter perecedero de
los materiales empleados en su construcción no ha
favorecido su conservación.
Estas cabañas no llegaban a la categoría de las
dependencias agrícolas de época imperial. Más bien
parecen tratarse de lugares donde, en épocas de
siembra y recolección, el personal de una villa cercana
se desplazaba temporalmente y se protegía de
las inclemencias, al tiempo que realizaba otras actividades
domésticas comunes y almacenaba de sus
aperos. Serían, por tanto, dependencias supeditadas
a la villa, destinadas a las labores agrícolas y dependientes
de la estacionalidad de las mismas. Es una
posibilidad a tener en cuenta, aunque también se
podría pensar que el lugar conformaba un asentamiento
estable no estacional y «autónomo», en relación
con una economía de subsistencia no enfocada
a la producción de excedentes para venta y exportación.
Esto hace necesario la profundización en estudios
de este tipo de hábitats, poco monumentales en
sí mismos pero de enorme trascendencia para la
comprensión de los fenómenos de transformación
social y económica que vivieron.
en el interior y la fachada atlántica de la Península Ibérica. Pero dado el escaso número de yacimientos
con este tipo de estudios, sólo me centraré en dos regiones, por un lado los yacimientos portugueses y
por el otro los de la mitad norte peninsular repartidos principalmente entre Burgos y Aragón. De esta
forma planteo algunas interpretaciones relacionadas con la subsistencia de este momento en esta región,
con la finalidad de establecer ciertas conclusiones, correlaciones y posibles interpretaciones, analizando los
datos procedentes del NISP, el MNI, los patrones de representación anatómica y los patrones de alteración
ósea.
Palabras clave: Musteriense. Interior. Fachada atlántica. NISP. MNI. Patrones de representación anatómica.
Marcas de diente.
ABSTRACT: This work is a synthesis of the subsistence studies the Musterian time made in the inside
and the Atlantic side of the Iberian Peninsula. For the little number of sites that had been studied, only is
analyzed two regions, the Portuguese's sites and the north middle Peninsula among the regions of Burgos
and Aragon. So I make some interpretations of the subsistence for this moment in this region with the
finality of establish some conclusions, correlation and interpretations possibly, analyzing the dates of NISP,
the MNI and the skeletal representation and the bones alteration's patrons.
Key words: Musterian. Inside. Atlantic place. NISP. MNI. Skeletal representation patrons. Cut marks.
en el interior y la fachada atlántica de la Península Ibérica. Pero dado el escaso número de yacimientos
con este tipo de estudios, sólo me centraré en dos regiones, por un lado los yacimientos portugueses y
por el otro los de la mitad norte peninsular repartidos principalmente entre Burgos y Aragón. De esta
forma planteo algunas interpretaciones relacionadas con la subsistencia de este momento en esta región,
con la finalidad de establecer ciertas conclusiones, correlaciones y posibles interpretaciones, analizando los
datos procedentes del NISP, el MNI, los patrones de representación anatómica y los patrones de alteración
ósea.
Palabras clave: Musteriense. Interior. Fachada atlántica. NISP. MNI. Patrones de representación anatómica.
Marcas de diente.
ABSTRACT: This work is a synthesis of the subsistence studies the Musterian time made in the inside
and the Atlantic side of the Iberian Peninsula. For the little number of sites that had been studied, only is
analyzed two regions, the Portuguese's sites and the north middle Peninsula among the regions of Burgos
and Aragon. So I make some interpretations of the subsistence for this moment in this region with the
finality of establish some conclusions, correlation and interpretations possibly, analyzing the dates of NISP,
the MNI and the skeletal representation and the bones alteration's patrons.
Key words: Musterian. Inside. Atlantic place. NISP. MNI. Skeletal representation patrons. Cut marks.
Magdaleniense, así diferentes estaciones de toda el área peninsular muestran este fenómeno. En este
trabajo se pretende confirmar esta hipótesis y dilucidar a que condicionantes responde. De esta forma tras
analizar los estudios zooarqueológicos de un extenso conjunto de yacimientos se ha visto como además
de los condicionantes que supone el medio, también impera la intencionalidad humana, que en algunos
casos escoge determinadas especies frente a otras más favorables.
Magdaleniense, así diferentes estaciones de toda el área peninsular muestran este fenómeno. En este
trabajo se pretende confirmar esta hipótesis y dilucidar a que condicionantes responde. De esta forma tras
analizar los estudios zooarqueológicos de un extenso conjunto de yacimientos se ha visto como además
de los condicionantes que supone el medio, también impera la intencionalidad humana, que en algunos
casos escoge determinadas especies frente a otras más favorables.
Magdaleniense de la cornisa cantábrica, para ello se ha escogido esta región por la abundancia de datos
arqueozoológicos. Con este estudio se pretende revisar los patrones de representación taxonómicos con la
finalidad de poder identificar que técnicas cinegéticas emplearon los cazadores del Pleistoceno Superior
Final. De esta manera se pueden documentar la sucesión de una serie de fases que van desde unas
estrategias cinegéticas diversificadas al comienzo del Solutrense hasta otras más especializadas en el
transcurso del Magdaleniense, en el que prima cada vez más los propios criterios de selección humana
frente a otros condicionantes externos como el clima o el entorno. Por otra parte la identificación de estas
conductas especializadas o diversificadas dependerá en parte de los criterios metodológicos empleados,
así la utilización de un método basado en el número de restos (NR) propiciará un marco más
especializado, que otro basado en el número mínimo de individuos (MNI).
Palabras clave. Solutrense, Magdaleniense, Especialización, Diversificación, Cérvidos, Capra, NR.
MNI.
Abstract
This paper estudies the subsistencie strategies in the Cantabrian solutrean and Magdalenian. We
observed that in this area is where we have more dates by his zooarchaeology tradition. With this study
it's want to analyze the taxonomic representation patrons for to identify the hunting techniques of the end
Upper Pleistocene. So we can to observe there are diferent phases since the Solutrean's diversified
hunting until the Magdalenian's specialized hunting. Finally for moment the resources selection is more
important the human protagonist than others conditions by example the environmental or the climate. In
this specialized or diversified conduct is important to differentiate between the method used, so the
interpretations to be based on remains number (NR) is more specialized than the minimal number
individuals (MNI).
Key Words. Solutrean. Magdalenian, Specialized, Diversified, Cervids, Capra, NR, MNI.
paleolíticos del Solutrense y el Magdaleniense mediterráneos, para ello se han revisado
bibliográficamente los datos zooarqueológicos de una extensa área geográfica comprendida
desde Cataluña hasta Andalucía Oriental con la finalidad de poder ver que características
cinegéticas se produjeron en esta región y, que diferencias hay entre ambos periodos y entre
las distintas zonas. De esta manera se puede observar ciertas variaciones tanto a escala
geográfica como temporal que implican variedad de formas dependiendo de las circunstancias
de cada lugar. Así destaca una especialización progresiva que tiene su inicio en el Solutrense
y culmina con otra en el Magdaleniense de carácter preferencial en Cataluña y Andalucía,
frente al País Valenciano, que es aun más dependiente del medio.
Palabras Clave. Solutrense, Magdaleniense, Especialización, Subsistencia, Número de
Restos (NR)
Abstract
In this paper the economic strategies from the Mediterranean solutrean and
magdalenian hunter is discussed. It is revised the zooarchaeology dates from Cataluña to
Andalucía with the finality to evaluate the hunting characteristics in the different moments
and places. So is identified a progressive specialization since the Solutrean that culminate in
the purpose specialization's Magdalenian from Cataluña and Andalucía, opposite the
Valenciano Country more dependent from environment.
Key Words. Solutrean. Magdalenian, Specialized,Subsistence, Rest
cunductuales entre neandertales y primeros humanos modernos. En la mayoría de los trabajos
realizados, diversos autores han alcanzado interpretaciones contrapuestas en gran variedad de
ámbitos. En el presente estudio se hace una reflexión crítica sobre el estado de la cuestión de esta
polémica, con la finalidad de observar posibles diferencias subsistenciales entre ambos tipos de
homínidos. Para ello se ha analizado la información disponible sobre los yacimientos del Paleolítico
Medio y Superior Inicial con estudios zooarqueológicos de la Península Ibérica, prestando especial
atención a los análisis tafonómicos, al ser los más resolutivos en la interpretación del registro óseo.
Estos datos permiten concluir que durante est
more resolute methods in the interpretation of bone assemblages, are argued.
Some practical examples of similar anatomical representation, interpreted in
diverse ways by different scholars are given,
Roca aportan un marco geocronológico de indudable valor
para el Tardiglaciar del Mediterráneo de la Península Ibérica.
19 dataciones radiocarbónicas permiten situar las distintas
ocupaciones magdalenienses y del Epipaleolítico
inicial entre el 13.690 ± 59 y el 11.820 ± 40 BP. A partir del
análisis comparativo de sus industrias con las de otros yacimientos
se discute sobre la amplia variabilidad del Magdaleniense
en la vertiente mediterránea peninsular. Por último
el hallazgo de un arpón en el Tossal de la Roca, donde
hasta el momento no se había recuperado ninguno, y el
papel otorgado a este elemento como referente cronológico
indudable, obliga a revisar los planteamientos comúnmente
aceptados para definir este período.
zooarqueológicas basadas en los patrones de representación anatómica, lo que ha motivado la
creación de una nueva metodología que permita interpretar con mas precisión el registro óseo. Esta,
se basa en los análisis tafonómicos y en los patrones de alteración ósea, los cuales son el único
método capaz de discernir que agentes han intervenido en las acumulaciones faunísticas, y que
grado de acción se ha producido. En este ensayo se hace una síntesis de los estudios tafonómicos
realizados en los yacimientos del Pleistoceno Superior de la Península Ibérica, con la finalidad de
discernir que estrategias alimenticias se utilizaron a lo largo de este periodo.
Palabras Clave: Marcas de Corte, Marcas de Diente, Patrones de Alteración Ósea, Pleistoceno
Superior, Península Ibérica.
diferentes yacimientos del Pleistoceno Superior de la Península Ibérica. En este análisis se ha
visto como las limitaciones implícitas en los métodos de investigación de aquellos yacimientos
excavados en fechas antiguas y la escasez de análisis tafonómicos adecuados sugiere la
necesidad de realizar nuevas investigaciones más meticulosas en el futuro así, como una
revisión tafonómica de aquellos lugares ya excavados. A pesar de los numerosos problemas
observados, se pueden hacer ciertas precisiones que deberán ser confirmadas en futuros
trabajos. De esta forma puede observarse como las estrategias de subsistencia de todo este
momento indican una continuidad taxonómica progresiva que culmina en la especialización
final del Magdaleniense. Es importante también a la luz de los escasos análisis tafonómicos
realizados las similitudes subsistenciales de neandertales y primeros humanos modernos.
Palabras Clave: Zooarqueología, Patrones de Representación Anatómica, Marcas de corte,
Musteriense, Paleolítico Superior, Solutrense, Magdaleniense.
Abstract. - The Upper Pleistocene zooarchaeology at the Iberian Peninsula is discussed in
this paper. Some problems how the heterogeneous methodological approach of each site
indicate a pessimistic view from our zooarchaeology. In spite of this problem, it can to made
some interpretations that it should to be confirming in futures works. This work concluding that
at the moment there are continuity in the subsistence strategies at this moment until the
Magdalenian specialization, is important the debate on the neandertale subsistence and first
modern humans, concluding that at the moment
IbPrica. Pura ello esta extensa área ha sido dividida en tres zonas. Cataluña, el País Valenciano y Andalucía Oriental, las cuaies parecen reflejar
algunas diferencias tanto en sus datos como en su interpretación. Taxonómicamenre casi no hay diferencias entre los niveles Auriñacienses y las Gravetienses,
pero cronoldgicamente es observable un ligero incremento de los carnívoros y de su incidencia sobre el registro óseo en los estratos de mayor
antigüedad.
Palabras Clave: Paleolítico Superior. Región Mediterránea. Taxonomía. Cérvido. Cápridos.
En aquest treball s'analitzen els estudis zooarqueol~gicsd els jaciments del paleolític superior inicial de la regió mediterrania a la península Iberica.
Aquesta extensa drea ha estar dividida en tres zones: Catalunya, País Valencia i Andalusia Oriental, les quals semblen rejlectir algunes diferencies
en les seues dudes i en la seua interpretació. Taxondmicament, quasi no hi ha diferencies entre els nivells aurinyacians i els gravetians, pero cronoldgicament
s'hi observa un lleuger increment dels carnívors i la seua incidencia sobre registre ossi en els estrats de major
finalidad de delimitar que agentes intervinieron en las acumulaciones óseas de dicho periodo. Tras este estudio se
ha visto como sólo los yacimientos del interior muestran un número representativo, y en ellos se describen dos tipos
de yacimientos. Los primeros serían de carácter fluviolacustre con predominio de paquidermos y el trienio, cérvidos,
équidos y bóvidos, mientras que los segundos son emplazamientos sobre cuevas con predominio del trienio aludido.
Finalmente los datos tafonómicos parecen revelar un acceso cárnico importante entre los homínidos del Pleistoceno
Medio, aunque nuevos análisis tafonómicos más meticulosos deberán aportar una información más contrastada
cantábrica. De esta forma con los datos existentes en la bibliografía se plantea algunas interpretaciones relacionadas
con la subsistencia de este momento para esta región, con la finalidad de intentar establecer ciertas conclusiones,
correlaciones y posibles interpretaciones, analizando los datos procedentes del NR (Número de Restos), el MNI
(Número Mínimo de Individuos), los patrones de representación anatómica así como los patrones de alteración ósea
de aquellos taxones más susceptibles de consumo humano. Al final los patrones de alteración ósea se revela como el
más eficaz en la interpretación del registro arqueológico.
Paleolítico Inferior europeo, con el fin de poder dilucidar las posibles vías de paso que utilizaron los
homínidos en el poblamiento inicial de Europa. De esta manera la evidencia bioestratigráfica parece
revelar una emigración de fauna africana a través de Gibraltar en el límite del Pliopleistoceno, pero
todavía no hay ningún indicio claro que permita asegurar tal franqueamiento, ya que como se verá, esta
posible fauna es algo discutible. Por otro lado los diferentes datos existentes permiten asegurar una
ocupación de Europa en fechas anteriores al Pleistoceno Medio.
(D. Regidor Ipiña)
LA INVESTIGACIÓN ARQUEOPALEONTOLÓGICA EN EL MARCO DE LA INICIATIVA PRIVADA
(J. Morín de Pablos)
LA GESTIÓN CULTURAL EN EL MARCO DE LA INICIATIVA PRIVADA
(J. Morín de Pablos y M. Escolá Martínez)
LA GEOLOGÍA Y GEOMORFOLOGÍA EN EL SEGUIMIENTO DE LAS OBRAS DE MEJORA DE LA M-30
(F. Tapias Gómez, J. A. Dorado Pilar y J. Gorosarri Rodríguez)
NUEVOS DATOS GEOLÓGICOS DEL VALLE INFERIOR DEL MANZANARES ENTRE EL HOSPITAL 12 DE OCTUBRE Y LA DESEMBOCADURA DEL ARROYO BUTARQUE
(P. G. Silva, F. M. González Hernández, F. Tapias Gómez y M. López Recio)
LA PROBLEMÁTICA DE LA PALEONTOLOGÍA EN LOS GRANDES PROYECTOS DE OBRA CIVIL
(A. Alarcón Hernández, P. de Arcos Pérez y V. Dones García
TRATAMIENTO DE MUESTRAS MICROPALEONTOLÓGICAS A GRAN ESCALA
(A. del Estal Fernández, A B. Galán Abellán, J. Rodríguez Solórzano,
J. Gómez Moreno, M. Elorza Remón, I. Camaño Sánchez y A. Alarcón Hernandez)
ANÁLISIS PALINOLÓGICOS EN LA DETERMINACIÓN DEL PAISAJE VEGETAL DEL MIOCENO EN LA COMUNIDAD DE MADRID
(M. Casas Gallego, D. Peyrot y Y. Parra Frías)
LOS CONJUNTOS PALEOLÍTICOS DE LOS YACIMIENTOS DEL 12 DE OCTUBRE Y VILLAVERDE - Bº BUTARQUE
(M. López Recio, F. Cuartero Monteagudo, A. Lázaro Lázaro, I. Manzano Espinosa,D. Martín Puig y P. G. Silva Barroso)
EL YACIMIENTO EPIPALEOLÍTICO DE PARQUE DARWIN: UN PROYECTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN GEOARQUEOLÓGICA DE LA COMUNIDAD DE MADRID
(A. Pérez-González, J. Baena Preysler, J. Morín de Pablos, I.Rus, S. Bárez y D. Uribelarrea)
NUEVOS DATOS EN EL ESTUDIO DE LA EDAD DEL BRONCE CASTELLANO-MANCHEGO:
LOS YACIMIENTOS DE VAL DE LA VIÑA (ALOVERA, GUADALAJARA), MERINASY VELILLA (MOCEJÓN, TOLEDO) Y CIUDAD DE LAS OBRAS-EMBALSE VICARIO (C. REAL)
(G. López López, J. Morin de Pablos, F. Sanchez Hidalgo, J. Fernández del Cerro, M. Sánchez Garcia-Arista y P. J. Sanabria)
UNA PUERTA HACIA LA COMPRENSIÓN DE LA EDAD DEL HIERRO EN EL VALLE DEL MANZANARES: LOS YACIMIENTOS DE LAS CAMAS Y LA GAVIA (MADRID)
(D. Urbina Martínez, J. Morín de Pablos, E. Agustí García, M. Escolà Martínez y M. López Recio)
EL YACIMIENTO VAL DE LA VIÑA (ALOVERA, GUADALAJARA): UNA EXPLOTACIÓN AGROPECUARIAALTO IMPERIAL EN LA VEGA DEL HENARES
(J. Morín de Pablos, E. Agustí García, R. Roberto de Almeida, F. J. López Fraile)
EL LAGAR DE VAL DE LA VIÑA: UNA UNIDAD DE TRANSFORMACIÓN AGRÍCOLA
EN EL CURSO MEDIO DEL HENARES
(R. Roberto de Almeida)
NUEVAS APORTACIONES AL CONOCIMIENTO DE LA RED VIARIA ROMANA PENINSULAR: ITEM A LIMINIO TOLETUM
(Mª Hernández Martínez, M. Escolà Martínez, J. Morín de Pablos y
F. Sánchez Hidalgo)
LA NECRÓPOLIS DEL CERRO DE LAS SEPULTURAS (AZUTÁN, TOLEDO): UNA AROXIMACIÓN AL ASENTAMIENTO DE LOS VISIGODOS EN EL CENTRO PENINSULAR
(R. Barroso Cabrera, J. Morín de Pablos, L. Benito Díez, F. Sánchez Hidalgo y F J. López Fraile)
LAALQUERÍA BAJOMEDIEVAL DE GRANADOS (TOLEDO): UN CENTRO PRODUCTOR INÍCOLA EN EL ALFOZ TOLEDANO
(L Benito Díez, J. Morin de Pablos, M. Sanchez Garcia-Arista y F. Sánchez-Hidalgo)
LA REAL FÁBRICA DE PAÑOS DE SAN FERNANDO DE HENARES:
LA EXCAVACIÓN DE UN CONJUNTO FABRIL DE LOS SIGLOS XVIII–XIX
(E. Agustí García, J. Antonio Gómez Gandullo, Mª. Hernández Martínez, L. Cantallops,M. Sánchez García-Arista, J. Morín de Pablos y M. Escolá Martinez
EL REAL CANAL DEL MANZANARES: EXCAVACIÓN DE UN PROYECTO DE OBRA CiVIL DEL SIGLO XVIII
(F. Sánchez Hidalgo, L. Cantallops, J. Morín de Pablos, F. Tapias Gómez,Mª C. Gómez Camacho y M. López Recio)
LAARQUEOLOGÍA DEL AYER: EL MATADERO MUNICIPAL DE MADRID
(J. M. Illán Illán, M. López Recio y Mª L. Cantallops)
MARCAS DE FÁBRICA EN LOZAS Y PORCELANAS HALLADAS EN LOS PROGRAMAS DE VIGILANCIAARQUEOLÓGICA EN LAS OBRAS DE MADRID
(Mª C. Gómez Camacho y A. Martínez Velasco)
UTOPÍA Y REALIDAD. LAS OBRAS PÚBLICAS DE LA ILUSTRACIÓN ESPAÑOLA: REALES FÁBRICAS DE PAÑOS DE SAN FERNANDO DE HENARES Y BRIHUEGA
(Mª L. Cantallops Perelló y Mª Hernández Martínez)
MACROMAMÍFEROS DELYACIMIENTO DE LA PRIMERA EDAD DEL HIERRO DE LAS CAMAS (VILLAVERDE, MADRID)
(J. Yravedra Sainz de los Terreros)
LA INFOGRAFÍA 3D COMO SISTEMA DE DOCUMENTACIÓN Y DIVULGACIÓN
(F. José López Fraile)
GRANADOS: UN TALLER DE FALSIFICACIÓN DE MONEDA EN LAS CERCANÍAS DE TOLEDO
(L. González Carrasco)
NUEVAS TENDENCIAS EN LOS TRABAJOS DE CONSULTORÍA DE AUDEMA: PROYECCIÓN EN MATERIA DE DINAMIZACIÓN Y DIFUSIÓN CULTURAL
(J. Ignacio Rello Solano y J. Morín de Pablos)
LA CULTURA EN EL ENTORNO RURAL: PROYECTO DE DIFUSIÓN PARA LA COMARCA DE LA RIBERA BAJA DEL EBRO
(E. de Coig-O´Donnell Magro, J. I. Rello Solano y J. Morín de Pablos)
MEETING POINT O DIAS DE CAMPO
(S. Jaque Ovejero)
10 AÑOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y DIVULGACIÓN (1997-2007)
(Departamento de Arqueología, Paleontología y Recursos Culturales de Auditores de Energía y Medio Ambiente, S.A.)
Se presentan los primeros resultados arqueológicos obtenidos durante la Campaña deexcavación de 2014 realizada en el yacimiento conocido como Paço dos Bispos de Idanha-a-Velha. En este lugar emplazado intramuros junto al lienzo murario suroccidental se ubica el grupo episcopal tardoantiguo de Egitania. Esta publicación pretende dar a conocer la secuencia estratigráfica registrada durante los trabajos arqueológicos, así como
aportar algunas nuevas consideraciones interpretativas y cronológicas en relación a las construcciones eclesiásticas del episcopio egitano.
Abstract
The first archaeological results registered in 2014 during the archaeological excavation conducted at the site called as Paço dos Bispos of Idanha-a-Velha are presented. At this
intramural place nestled along the southwestern wall is located the Late Antiquity Episcopal Group of Egitania. This publication aims to show the stratigraphic sequence
recorded during the archaeological work and provide some new interpretatives and chronological considerations in relation to ecclesiastical buildings.
Los trabajos realizados para la construcción de la “Conexión Exterior de Agua Potable, Fase 2ª del P. P. Parque de Ocio (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid)”, permitieron documentar una serie de restos arqueológicos ocultos bajo una capa de un metro de sedimento. Se identificaron tres fases distintas de ocupación: Calcolítico, Bronce Final y Época Hispanovisigoda. Esta última está representada por un silo en el que se recuperaron materiales asociables a este periodo. Este tipo de hallazgos está directamente relacionado con los denominados “campos de silos” de época tardoantigua. Estas formas de almacenaje se documentan en el centro peninsular desde época prehistórica, y “resurgen” en época tardoantigua, prolongándose hasta los momentos de la dominación andalusí.
Palabras clave: Campo de silos, hispanovisigodo, tardoantigüedad, estructuras de almacenaje.
Abstract
Works made for the construction of the “External Conection of Drinking Water” Phase 2 of the P. P. Parque de Ocio (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid), allowed to record an arqueological site hidden by a one metre wide sedimentary layer. Three different stages were identified: Calcolithic, Final Bronze Age, and Hispanovisigothic Period. The last one is comosed by a silo where materials related to this period were found. This kind of finds is straightly related to the so called “siloes yards” of the Late Antique Period. This storage structures have been found in the center of the Iberian Peninsula since Prehistoric Age, and “reappear” in the Late Antiquity. Its use continues until the Andalusian domination period.
Key words: Siloes yard, Hispanovisigothic, Late Antiquity, storage structures.
who lived in Coímbre in the Upper Palaeolithic made use of several adaptation strategies allowing them to exploit all the abiotic and animal resources the environment afforded them. In this way, the faunal assemblage includes remains of ibex and chamois, associated with the mountains and crags in the immediate surroundings of the site, and also red deer, roe deer, aurochs and horses, indicating the exploitation of the animal resources living in the Besnes valley, at the foot of Sierra del Cuera. When the faunal remains in the Magdalenian levels, and those in the Gravettian layer, are analysed in greater detail, significant differences indicate a differential use of the terrain. Thus, in the Gravettian, the
preferential hunting of aurochs and red deer suggests the valleys in the vicinity were exploited while steeper and more mountainous areas were visited less. In contrast, in the Magdalenian, the most common faunal remains belong to ibex, which was the most hunted species. Together with ibex, chamois is also very common, whereas bovids are found in very small numbers in the Magdalenian levels. These
patterns reflect a change in the hunting behaviour of the occupants of the cave, in which the hunting of valley resources was transformed into a more intensive use of animals in more rugged areas, such as ibex and chamois. This paper presents the preliminary results of the study of Magdalenian occupations in Coímbre, following the excavations in Zone B, one of the most important places of Magdalenian human activities in Western Cantabria (northern Iberia).
methodological advances in taphonomy. Some studies have achieved great precision in identifying
the carnivore that produced tooth marks. Additionally, other works focused on human activity have
managed to specify what type of tool or raw material was used in the filleting processes identified at
the sites. Through the use of geometric morphometrics and machine learning techniques, the present
study intends to analyze the cut marks of the Ulaca oppidum (Solosancho, Ávila, Spain) in order to
identify the type of tools used during carcass modification. Although the Ulaca oppidum is an Iron
Age site, the results suggest that most of the cut marks were produced with flint tools.
found at archaeopaleontological sites. Carnivores may modify, accumulate, or scavenge
skeletal parts inflicting tooth marks, including scores, on the cortical surface. Several works have
studied tooth score morphology to discern which carnivore group modified the bone assemblages,
achieving different results. In the present study, different methods based on the use of landmarks
and semilandmarks have been tested to describe and analyze the score profile cross-sections of
spotted and brown hyenas, leopards, and lions. According to our results, the already published
seven-landmark method is useful in order to differentiate between carnivore species from different
families (e.g., felids and hyenids). Meanwhile, felid species (e.g., leopards and lions) cannot be
consistently distinguished using any of the methods tested here. In contrast, hyenid species can be
morphologically differentiated. On the other hand, the use of semilandmarks does not generally
improve morphological characterization and distinction, but low numbers of landmarks and the inclusion
of the score’s deepest point might provide the best results when semi-automatic semilandmark
models are preferred to avoid sampling biases.
artefacts, linked through the presence of anthropogenic cut and percussion marks. Nevertheless, while
this site is a clear example of early hominin access to carcasses, the accumulations have been identified
as a palimpsest, where multiple agents including carnivorans played a role in modifying and interacting
in site formation processes. From this perspective, the interpretation and study of the Barranco Leon site
is of great difficulty. Traditionally, interpretations have presented Barranco Leon as an area where
hominins as well as the giant hyena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, competed for access to carcasses left by
machairodontine felids, such as the saber-toothed Homotherium latidens. Nevertheless, as will be presented
in this study, the complexity and trophic pressure of Barranco Leon is much more complicated
than originally hypothesized. This study presents a detailed taphonomic analysis of carnivoran activities
in the level D1 of the Barranco Leon assemblage. 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and
computational learning are used to provide new insights into the tooth pits observed on faunal materials.
Here we show that Canis mosbachensis plays a pivotal role in the formation of the site, followed by
Pachycrocuta, Homotherium, Ursus etruscus, and Xenocyon (Lycaon) lycaonoides. From this perspective,
it can be seen that while Pachycrocuta and Homotherium were active agents in the formation of the site,
other carnivorans are also important agents to consider when investigating the Guadix Baza region.
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