Abstract
Human behaviour can be reconstructed by analysing specific activities and campsite organization using spatial analysis. The dense occupation layers of the Lower Cantabrian Magdalenian in the Northern Spain reveal varied aspects of Upper Palaeolithic lifeways, including evidence of specific localized activities. The outer vestibule of El Miron cave has a particularly rich and intact Lower Magdalenian occupation horizon, Levels 15–17. The excavations in the outer vestibule “Cabin” area of the site revealed excellent bone preservation. Artefacts and faunal remains were individually recorded and sediments water-screened to yield a large sample of archaeological finds and spatial data. Zooarchaeological analysis provided the taxonomic, anatomic and taphonomic determination of the faunal individual finds. Smaller animal remains were categorized and counted; special attention was given to the identification of anthropogenic modifications such as burnt bones or bone flakes. These small refuse items are considered to be useful, in situ indicators of localized activities. The spatial distribution analysis of this dense and complex palimpsest of El Miron Lower Cantabrian Magdalenian layers required GIS based methods including density analysis, heatmaps and cluster analysis. Based on the spatial distribution of Level 15 and 16 faunal remains, different activity areas were identified comprising hearth, working and dropping zones. These results imply the deliberately segregated use of space within the Lower Cantabrian Magdalenian site area, in which bone-processing activities played a central role.
Highlights
There is a broad interest in the study of human activities through the reconstruction of behaviour patterns, variability and adaptation to changing environments and climatic conditions among Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers (Binford, 1978; Nakazawa et al, 2009)
The taxonomical identification of animal remains from level 15 and 16 revealed that most of the identified taxa (NISP = 1.854) could be attributed to Cervus elaphus (MNI = 2; NISP = 680; 36,7%) and Capra pyrenaica (MNI = 10; NISP = 1.100; 59,3%)
The succeeding spatial distribution analysis of individual items will concentrate on these two species, while taphonomic studies revealed an anthropogenic character of accumulation (Geiling, 2014)
Summary
There is a broad interest in the study of human activities through the reconstruction of behaviour patterns, variability and adaptation to changing environments and climatic conditions among Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers (Binford, 1978; Nakazawa et al, 2009). Geiling et al: A Spatial Distribution Study of Faunal Remains from Two Lower Magdalenian Occupation Levels in El Mirón Cave, Cantabria, Spain. It is widely recognized that zooarchaeological remains provide the means to reconstruct Palaeolithic behaviour (Bartram et al, 1991) and campsite structures (O’Connell et al, 1991). Activities of interest for the exploration of campsite organisation include butchering, bone marrow extraction, grease rendering or bones used as fuel. Distributions of tiny bone fragments in camps may reflect the location of activities generating bone refuse (processing, consumption, and discard). The intensity of secondary disposal activities and taphonomic factors (trampling, post occupational carnivore/scavenger activities) can give insights into subsequent actions (Bartram et al, 1991, 137)
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