Different parts of the same plants. Charcoals and seeds from Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

The analysis of archaeobotanical macroremains from Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain) allows a better understanding of the dynamic of the vegetation during the Upper Palaeolithic in the region. The anthracological sequence shows that Pinus type nigra/sylvestris dominates in the area during the Upper Palaeolithic, while more open formations of Juniperus and Fabaceae spread in Upper Solutrean and Early-Middle Magdalenian. The carpological analysis that has been carried out in the Middle Magdalenian level has brought to light different species of Juniperus (J. sabina, J. communis and J. oxycedrus). This information indicates that during the period, Cova de les Cendres had similar bioclimatic conditions to those currently prevailing in the Iberian summits of the supramediterranean belt. New 14C dates obtained from Juniperus sabina and Buglossoides cf. arvensis seeds as well as from charcoal fragments of Ephedra sp., presented in this paper, prove the existence of steppe landscapes during the Late Glacial.