Maria Joana Gabucio Vilarrasa

Zooarchaeological and palaeontological assemblages, especially those located in karst cavities, are usually the product of the activity of several taphonomic biological agents. This is also the case of the Upper Pleistocene site of Cova del Coll Verdaguer (Barcelona, Iberian Peninsula), where hyenas accumulated most of the ungulates, bears used the cave to hibernate and for birthing cubs, and humans occasionally visited the cave. The main aim of this study is to investigate the role played by medium-sized mammalian carnivores in the formation of Unit 3 (the Sala Sal de Llop chamber). For this purpose, we analysed Lynx pardinus and Vulpes vulpes remains, on the one hand, and leporid remains, on the other, applying different taphonomic (breakage and surface modifications) zooarchaeological (skeletal parts frequencies, age at death) and spatial methods (GIS, geostatistics, refits). Regarding medium-sized carnivores, the results indicate a predominance of adult individuals, a fairly complete anatomical representation (especially in the case of the lynx), the refitting of several elements (in the case of the lynx, many of them clustered in the same area), and the presence of tooth marks on some remains. This data points to the natural death of these animals inside the cave, and suggests they were subsequently scavenged by other carnivores. With respect to leporids, adult individuals predominate, the most abundant elements are innominate bones and those from the distal segment of the appendicular skeleton, and there is evidence of carnivore damage on several remains. In accordance with these results, the leporid assemblage is interpreted mainly as a non-ingested assemblage caused by the feeding activity of the Iberian lynx and, to a lesser extent, the red fox. Thus, the combination of all these analyses indicates that the medium-sized terrestrial carnivores did not play a merely passive role, but were also accumulators and modifying agents, at least in terms of the leporid remains. Although ungulates are not the focus of this study, we have also discussed the potential role of Iberian lynx and red fox in accumulating and modifying them. This work adds to previously published studies indicating that Cova del Coll Verdaguer is the product of mixed occupations of different carnivore taxa, suggesting that lynxes and foxes used the cave as a safe place to rest, transport their prey and consume it. Therefore, this study will shed more light on the relationships between human groups and different carnivore taxa at Cova del Coll Verdaguer and, by extension, in the European Upper Pleistocene, demonstrating that the study of fossil collections can contribute significantly towards extending our knowledge on past carnivore and human behaviour.

Although intra-site spatial approaches are considered a key factor when interpreting archaeological assemblages, these are often based on descriptive, qualitative, and subjective observations. Currently, within the framework of research into spatial taphonomy and palimpsest dissection, several studies have begun to employ more quantitative and objective techniques, implementing tools such as geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) methods. This is precisely the approach that the Abric Romaní team is following. In this work, we present GIS and geostatistics methods applied to the faunal and lithic assemblages from archaeolevel Ob, including an analysis of the spatial structure, the identification of clusters and sectors, size and fabric analyses, the projection of vertical profiles, and the reconstruction of a digital elevation model of the paleosurface. The results obtained indicate a clustered distribution, primarily concentrated into four dense accumulations. The pre...

Although intra-site spatial approaches are considered a key factor when interpreting archaeological assemblages, these are often based on descriptive, qualitative, and subjective observations. Currently, within the framework of research into spatial taphonomy and palimpsest dissection, several studies have begun to employ more quantitative and objective techniques, implementing tools such as geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) methods. This is precisely the approach that the Abric Romaní team is following. In this work, we present GIS and geostatistics methods applied to the faunal and lithic assemblages from archaeolevel Ob, including an analysis of the spatial structure, the identification of clusters and sectors, size and fabric analyses, the projection of vertical profiles, and the reconstruction of a digital elevation model of the paleosurface. The results obtained indicate a clustered distribution, primarily concentrated into four dense accumulations. The predominance of remains < 3 cm in length and the absence of preferential orientations make it possible to rule out a generalised postdepositional movement affecting most of the site, although some local movement has been identified. The horizontal and vertical spatial analyses allow us to identify accumulations of a single material (lithic or faunal) in addition to mixed accumulations (lithic and faunal). Integrating all this data with the results of previous studies (zooarchaeological, refits, combustion structures, and partial lithic technological analyses), we evaluate and combine the interpretations proposed previously using different approaches, thereby improving the overall interpretation of the archaeolevel Ob. Finally, we also develop a preliminary comparison between Ob and some other levels at the same site (in particular M and P).

La present Tesi Doctoral, concebuda com un compendi d’articles, afronta l’estudi del nivell O de l’Abric Romani a partir de l’analisi de les restes faunistiques. Aquest nivell constitueix un palimpsest, al igual que la practica totalitat dels conjunts arqueologics. Tot i aixo, la tassa de sedimentacio de l’Abric Romani permet treballar a una resolucio temporal mes alta que en la majoria de jaciments. La metodologia d’aquest treball es basa en tres pilars fonamentals: l’analisi zooarqueologica, l’analisi tafonomica (metodes macroscopics i microscopics) i l’analisi espacial (arqueoestratigrafia i planimetria). L’estudi inclou la identificacio i la quantificacio de les restes, l’estudi de la representacio esqueletica, l’analisi de la fracturacio i de les alteracions superficials i la realitzacio de remuntatges. Aixi mateix, l’estudi del palimpsest del nivell O s’encara des de dues perspectives diferents: 1) la comprensio del conjunt com a un tot, i 2) la disseccio del palimpsest. La pr...

International audienceAmong the numerous Aurignacian open-air sites in southern France, “Régismont-le-Haut” (Poilhes, Hérault) is a rare example of a residential camp in which the explicit structure of a living space has been preserved. The camp covers a large and little disturbed area, at least within the two perpendicular paleochan- nels, which subdivide the site into two main areas.During the different excavation stages carried out at the site numerous hearth structures were discovered (n = 30), around which were distributed archaeological materials of varying densities, which indicated activity areas with a complementary function. Analysis of the nature and density of archaeological remains and also the proper characteristics of the so-called fireplaces and their association with discrete organised spaces (for some of which the existence of protective structures can be presumed) has identified two main loci, each located in a paleo- channel: the first contained several large pol...

Two archaeological assemblages from the Sierra de Atapuerca sites show evidence of an-thropogenic cannibalism. These are the late Early Pleistocene level TD6-2 at Gran Dolina, and the Bronze Age level MIR4 in the Mirador Cave. Despite the chronological distance be-tween these two assemblages, they share the common feature that the human remains ex-hibit a high frequency of anthropogenic modifications (cut marks, percussion pits and notches and peeling). This frequency could denote special treatment of bodies, or else be the normal result of the butchering process. In order to test these possibilities, we subjected a chimpanzee carcass to a butchering process. The processing was intensive and intended to simulate preparation for consumption. In doing this, we used several simple flakes made from quartzite and chert from quarries in the Sierra de Atapuerca. The skull, long bones, metapodials and phalanges were also fractured in order to remove the brain and bone mar-row. As a result, ...

Mélanie Fondrillon, David Germinet, Amélie Laurent, Emmanuel Marot, Véronique Marthon, Nicolas Poirier, and Marilyne Salin. Aborder la question de l’identité en archéologie : bilan bibliographique et réflexions dans des thèses en cours. Les petits cahiers d’Anatole, 18:http://citeres.univ– tours.fr/doc/lat/pecada/pecada 18.pdf, September 2005a. URL https://hal.archives-ouvertes. fr/hal-00270275.

Abstract Bone refits can be a useful tool to understand the archaeological assemblages. From a taphonomic point of view, they have been used to reinforce some aspects related to the formation processes of the sites. However, they can be used to check some palaeoeconomic and social interpretations of the assemblages as well, providing accurate temporal relationships between the objects. For all these reasons, bone refits are relevant to study the settlement dynamics and the intra-site behaviour of past human groups. The main aim of this work is to present the faunal refits data obtained from two different archaeological assemblages (M and O) of the Abric Romaní site (Capellades, Spain), dated around 55 ka. The study also includes taxonomic, anatomical, taphonomic and spatial analyses. The spatio-temporal proxy allows us to interpret the activities carried out by the Neanderthal groups in different areas during different moments. From here, it is possible to interpret site structure, using ethnoarchaeological data as a referent. The comparison between these two archaeological layers, and between them and other assemblages, both from Abric Romaní and from other sites, can contribute significantly to the knowledge of the intra-site behaviour and settlement patterns at the end of the Middle Palaeolithic.

Abstract Cultural deposits, especially those accumulated in caves and rock shelters, are usually the results of several occupational events in the same space, forming palimpsests. In addition, the materials of these occupational events tend to be deposited along with remains of natural origin and may be altered, partially destroyed or reworked due to the process of superimposition. The work presented here focuses on dissecting the palimpsest of level O at Abric Romani through an interdisciplinary analysis. We analyzed a particular area, located in the northeastern corner of the site. This work is based on the study of the lithic and faunal remains recovered in this area, with the aim of dissecting the palimpsest into the smallest possible units. To do this, we used different methods and techniques including archaeostratigraphy, intra-site spatial archaeology, zooarchaeology, tooth microwear, taphonomy, lithic technology, and faunal and lithic refits. These methods allowed us to identify two archaeolevels in this area (Oa and Ob). Oa comprises a maximum of three accumulations and Ob holds two accumulations of archaeological remains. These accumulations are generally related to combustion structures. Based on the results obtained from zooarchaeological, taphonomic and lithic technology analyses, we characterized each accumulation. The analysis of the lithic and faunal refits helped to identify synchronic and diachronic links. After having processed all of the results, we were able to interpret the intra-area organization and its role in relation to the rest of the site. Our results have shown that it is possible to obtain high-resolution data for dissecting a palimpsest using different methodologies. It is, however, important to remember that although we were able to distinguish these finer units, we were still working with palimpsests. Nevertheless, the study of these finer units makes it possible to work with time scales that are closer to ethnographic time, thereby facilitating further ethno-archaeological interpretation.

The reconstruction of human behavior is the main goal of Paleolithic archaeology. To interpret archaeological assemblages and the activities associated with them, a homogeneous and high resolution corpus of information is needed, especially to place these assemblages and activities in time and space. The way to achieve this is to use a variety of precise analytical methods in an interdisciplinary approach. The objective of this chapter is to reconstruct Neanderthal subsistence behaviors from a spatio-temporal perspective. The work focuses on obtaining more detailed and precise data that allow us to study differentiated individual events of activities (ethnographic time scale) performed at domestic activity areas. For this purpose we propose combining the following: zooarchaeology, taphonomy, lithic technology, raw material units, faunal and lithic refits, archaeostratigraphy, intra-site spatial patterning and, for the first time, tooth wear analysis. The selected archaeological samp...

The taphonomic study of level J (sublevels Ja and Jb) includes macrovertebrates, microvertebrates, wood and charcoal. The association of level J has, in general, a good state of conservation, although there are several taphonomic modifications. No ...

The faunal analysis of level J has been carried out using a zooarcheological method with some contributions from the field of Taphonomy. The data were obtained from the anatomical and taxonomical analysis and from the structural modifications of the bones. ...

ABSTRACT Several recent works have suggested that Neanderthal spatial behaviour may have been more complex than previously thought. One of the archaeological sites that has contributed the most data on this issue is the Abric Romaní (Capellades, Barcelona, Spain). This paper focuses on the study of Neanderthal ac-tivities related to animal resources that took place in Level O of Abric Romaní, dated to around 55 ka. For this study, all of the faunal remains recovered from the level (including fragments smaller than 2 cm) have been analysed, with special attention paid to their distribution over the surface. Our study has two main goals: firstly, to identify activity areas related to Neanderthal activities and, secondly, to evaluate the information that small bone fragments, which are generally ignored, can provide. Among other re-sults, the methods applied during the course of the study have led to the identification of an accumu-lation of calcined bones, possibly related to the complementary use of bones as fuel and/or the presence of a systematic toss zone within a hearth. In addition, this work stresses the importance of examining the small faunal remains recovered in archaeological sites, particularly when identifying human activity areas or when assessing the intensity of human activities.

ABSTRACT Subsistence strategies are a set of actions and measures chosen by hominins in a specific place and at a specific time to obtain the means necessary to survive and reproduce as individuals and as a group. Choosing successful actions and measures increases the group&amp;#39;s means of survival, which in turn gives rise to an increase in population, thereby ensuring the continuity of the group. Some authors believe that Early Pleistocene hominin settlements were marginal and discontinuous due to their lack of social networks and cultural acquirements. However, the faunal remains recovered in the caves of Gran Dolina (levels 3–4 and 6) and Sima del Elefante (levels 9–14) in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain) show that the subsistence strategies of Early Pleistocene hominins in Europe were successful enough to allow hominin groups to survive and reproduce in sufficient numbers. Therefore, these first humans would have the ability to maintain a continuous occupation of Europe.

After deconstructing the palimpsest of level O, we present a cross-disciplinary study on a short occupation of the Abric Romani rock shelter conducted by means of an analysis of the record of archaeo-level Oa, a Middle Palaeolithic assemblage dated to ca. 54 Ka BP by U/Th series.

Abstract Isolating the various occupational events in the Palaeolithic record is hard work, because the remains from different occupations commonly overlap, creating archaeological palimpsests. We can differentiate two different types of palimpsest: vertical and horizontal ones. These two types are very important for identifying and defining short- or long-term human occupation. We present the different methods used in each case and their application in one of the archaeo-levels of the Abric Romani rock shelter. After deconstructing the vertical palimpsest of level O through archaeostratigraphy and a meticulous lithic analysis of the Oa archaeo-level, we present a transdisciplinary study (lithic and faunal analysis, spatial patterning of structures, and faunal and lithic refits) of this archaeo-level. The Oa archaeo-level is characterised by clear habitat organisation, with combustion structures and faunal/lithic remains produced by domestic activities. In this study, the lithic and faunal analyses allow us to interpret the habitation unit. We first discuss the static perspective, determined from the distribution of remains, and we then look at the dynamic perspective, obtained from lithic and faunal refits. Using the two approaches we identify which activities were carried out in this settlement and the movements of the Neanderthals in Abric Romani, at around 54 ka BP. Archaeo-level Oa was defined as a short occupation organised into six accumulations. We have identified the function of three accumulations: “Accumulation A” results from a sleeping zone, while “Accumulation E” and “D” represent domestic areas.

The most common prey of humans during the European Middle Palaeolithic was large and medium-sized ungulates. In contrast, evidence of human processing of small animals and carnivores is very scarce in this chronology. In Level O of the Abric Romaní site, dated to 55 ka, various evidence of human activity has been identified in Cervus elaphus, Bos primigenius and Equus ferus, but also in Felis silvestris. The present paper focuses on the specific case of this felid. The main aim is to explain the anthropogenic use of the wildcat, taking into account actualistic and archaeological studies. An analysis is undertaken of skeletal part representation, surface modifications (cutmarks), bone breakage pattern (one or both epiphyses missing from certain limb bones) and the spatial dispersion of the remains (clustered and unevenly distributed). The results indicate that all the remains belong to a nearly complete individual that was processed and consumed by Neanderthals inside the rock shelte...

The taphonomic study of level J (sublevels Ja and Jb) includes macrovertebrates, microvertebrates, wood and charcoal. The association of level J has, in general, a good state of conservation, although there are several taphonomic modifications. No ...

The faunal analysis of level J has been carried out using a zooarcheological method with some contributions from the field of Taphonomy. The data were obtained from the anatomical and taxonomical analysis and from the structural modifications of the bones. ...

Bone refits can be a useful tool to understand the archaeological assemblages. From a taphonomic point of view, they have been used to reinforce some aspects related to the formation processes of the sites. However, they can be used to check some palaeoeconomic and social interpretations of the assemblages as well, providing accurate temporal relationships between the objects. For all these reasons, bone refits are relevant to study the settlement dynamics and the intra-site behaviour of past human groups. The main aim of this work is to present the faunal refits data obtained from two different archaeological assemblages (M and O) of the Abric Romaní site (Capellades, Spain), dated around 55 ka. The study also includes taxonomic, anatomical, taphonomic and spatial analyses. The spatio-temporal proxy allows us to interpret the activities carried out by the Neanderthal groups in different areas during different moments. From here, it is possible to interpret site structure, using ethnoarchaeological data as a referent. The comparison between these two archaeological layers, and between them and other assemblages, both from Abric Romaní and from other sites, can contribute significantly to the knowledge of the intra-site behaviour and settlement patterns at the end of the Middle Palaeolithic.

Felis silvestris is a common taxon in the archaeological sites of the Upper Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Its presence is usually related to natural intrusions. However, the zooarchaeological analysis of Abric Romaní level O, dated to 55 ka, provided evidence of anthropogenic activity (skin removal, meat and bone marrow consumption) in several remains of wildcat, corresponding to the same individual. This case has encouraged the revision of the record of this taxon at the Abric Romaní sequence. Next, the results obtained have been contextualized, basically in the framework of the Upper Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula.

Isolate different occupational events in the Palaeolithic record is a hard work, because the
overlapping of the remains from different occupations is very common, and this phenomenon
creates archaeological palimpsests. We can differentiate two types of palimpsest: the vertical
and the horizontal ones. These two types are very important to identify and define human
short-term occupation. We present the different methodology used in each case and its application
in one of the levels at Abric Romani rockshelter.
After deconstructing the vertical palimpsest of the level O with archaeoestratigraphic study
that, we presented in the last USIPP (Bargall´o et al, 2016). Now we presents a transdisciplinary
study in order to determine the occupation length at the archaeolevel Oa assemblage,
a Middle Palaeolithic record dated on 54,24±0,42Ka by U/Th series.
In this study, we present how we have been puzzling out the horizontal palimpsest of archaeolevel
Oa and then we have identified different human activities that seems to be the
result of a short occupation. Occupation patterns are identified based on human activities
and anthropogenical accumulations. These archaeological accumulations, contain stone tools
(1584 remains), faunal remains (486 remains) and hearths (n=10). The relationship between
them has been established through the study of refitted remains (both in lithics and bones).
The small occupation surfaces (55m2, bearing in mind that the paleofloor of the archaeolevel
Oa is 209 m 2) and the results obtained (fragmented knapping activities, isolated accumulations
and differential transport of faunal remains) suggest short occupation settlements
in the archaeolevel Oa. From the results obtained through the trans-disciplinary study we
can obtain important information to understand socio-economics behaviours (subsistence
strategies, distribution of resources, social connections or management of the territory) of
prehistoric hunter-gatherers.