Cristo Manuel Hernández Gómez

Middle Palaeolithic sites frequently present bones with a double function, linked to subsistence and technology, and which are generally referred to as “retouchers” or “bone retouchers”. These have been identified in several European sites from the Middle Pleistocene to Holocene, but different explanations of their origin and functionality have been cited. Although bone retouchers were made using various animal parts, they were usually produced from diaphyseal fragments of medium to large hoofed mammals. We present a small assemblage of six bone retouchers recovered from Stratigraphic Unit Xa (52.3 ± 4.6 ka), in the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt (Alicante, Spain), and compare our data with previous studies from several sites in south‐western France, northern Italy, and north‐eastern Spain. These tools were generated using diaphyseal fragments from red deer, horses and other large mammals previously exploited by humans for meat and marrow. Our findings add to existing knowledge on the behaviour and faunal resource management of the last Neanderthal groups on the western Iberian Peninsula before they disappeared from the region around 45‐40 ka.

This paper presents anthracological data from Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Spain), a Middle Paleolithic rock shelter site. Analysis of 1077 wood charcoal remains from Stratigraphic Unit IV (S.U. IV), collected within archaeological combustion structures and from loose sediment outside of structures, allowed us to characterise the local landscape, as well as to approach the interaction between Neanderthal groups and their local environment. Taxonomic identification suggests that firewood was gathered from nearby sources, with predominance of juniper (Juniperus sp.) followed by thermophilous shrubby taxa. Additional analysis focussing on post-depositional processes affecting charcoal have shown features indicative of biodegradation and mechanical action. The results of this study contribute significant anthracological data towards our understanding of Late Pleistocene Mediterranean landscapes and Neanderthal forest management in this region.

This work is a synthesis about the distribution of the Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermanni Gmelin 1789) in the Valencian area (Eastern Iberian Peninsula) during the Middle Palaeolithic. Furthermore, we have compiled available published data related to the origin of tortoise accumulations in the archaeological sites. Also, we present new information about tortoise consumption by Neanderthals from the preliminary study of Abric del Pastor bone sets.

In 2012, the Archaeological Mission of the University of La Laguna began its work in TT 209 (Luxor, Egypt) under the name Proyecto dos cero nueve [Project two zero nine]. The objective of this article is to present a synthesis of the processes of excavation and documentation in the area of the tomb where activities began, the courtyard (areas C1 and C2), during the first three seasons (2012, 2013/14 and 2014). The working method is explained, the two main formation processes of the sedimentary deposits that the archaeological investigation recognised-geogonic and anthropic-are described, and the different kinds of materials found there are examined, which correspond to a broad chronological and cultural framework. The analysis of this dataset has made it possible to obtain a historical interpretation of the activities that were carried out in this external part of the funerary complex, from the moment of its construction to the present.

El patio de la TT 209 (áreas C1 y C2). Campañas 2012 a 2014 En 2012 la Misión Arqueológica de la Universidad de La Laguna comenzó sus trabajos en la TT 209 (Luxor, Egipto) en el marco del denominado Proyecto dos cero nueve. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar una síntesis del proceso de excavación y documentación de la zona de la tumba donde se iniciaron las actividades, el patio (áreas C1 y C2), durante las tres primeras campañas (2012, 2013-2014 y 2014). Se expone el método de trabajo, se explican los dos principales procesos de formación del depósito sedimentario, tanto geogénicos como antrópicos, reconocidos a través de la intervención arqueológica y se exponen las diferentes clases de materiales hallados, que corresponden a un amplio marco cronológico y cultural. El análisis de este conjunto de informaciones ha permitido obtener una interpretación desde la perspectiva histórica de las actividades desarrolladas en esta parte exterior del complejo funerario desde el momento de su construcción hasta la actualidad.