Repositori URV

Identifier: imarina:9291521

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9291521

Authors:
Baquedano EArsuaga JLPérez-González ALaplana CMárquez BHuguet RGómez-Soler SVillaescusa LGalindo-Pellicena MÁRodríguez LGarcía-González ROrtega MCMartín-Perea DMOrtega AIHernández-Vivanco LRuiz-Liso GGómez-Hernanz JAlonso-Martín JIAbrunhosa AMoclán ACasado AIVegara-Riquelme MÁlvarez-Fernández ADomínguez-García ÁCÁlvarez-Lao DJGarcía NSevilla PBlain HARuiz-Zapata BGil-García MJÁlvarez-Vena ASanz TQuam RHigham T

Abstract:
This work examines the possible behaviour of Neanderthal groups at the Cueva Des-Cubierta (central Spain) via the analysis of the latter’s archaeological assemblage. Alongside evidence of Mousterian lithic industry, Level 3 of the cave infill was found to contain an assemblage of mammalian bone remains dominated by the crania of large ungulates, some associated with small hearths. The scarcity of post-cranial elements, teeth, mandibles and maxillae, along with evidence of anthropogenic modification of the crania (cut and percussion marks), indicates that the carcasses of the corresponding animals were initially processed outside the cave, and the crania were later brought inside. A second round of processing then took place, possibly related to the removal of the brain. The continued presence of crania throughout Level 3 indicates that this behaviour was recurrent during this level’s formation. This behaviour seems to have no subsistence-related purpose but to be more symbolic in its intent.