Abstract
Teixoneres Cave (Moià, Barcelona, Spain) is a reference site for Middle Palaeolithic studies of the Iberian Peninsula. The cave preserves an extensive stratigraphic sequence made up of eight units, which is presented in depth in this work. The main goal of this study is to undertake an initial spatial examination of Unit III, formed during Marine Isotope Stage 3, with the aim of understanding spatial organization and past activities developed by Neanderthals and carnivores (bears, hyenas and smaller carnivores). The total sample analysed includes 38,244 archaeological items and 5888 limestone blocks. The application of GIS tools allows us to clearly distinguish three geologically-defined stratigraphic subunits. Unit III has been previously interpreted as a palimpsest resulting from alternating occupation of the cave by human groups and carnivores. The distribution study shows that faunal specimens, lithic artefacts, hearths and charcoal fragments are significantly concentrated at the entrance of the cave where, it is inferred, hominins carried out different activities, while carnivores preferred the sheltered zones in the inner areas of the cave. The results obtained reveal a spatial pattern characterized by fire use related zones, and show that the site was occupied by Neanderthals in a similar and consistent way throughout the ˃ 7000 years range covered by the analysed subunits. This spatial pattern is interpreted as resulting from repeated short-term human occupations.
Highlights
Many European Middle and Late Pleistocene archaeological sites in caves and rock shelters preserve evidence of alternating human and carnivore occupations
The aim of this article is to describe spatial distribution and archaeostratigraphic analyses of remains recovered from Unit III of Teixoneres Cave (MIS 3; Moià, Barcelona, Spain)
The lithostratigraphic sequence of Unit III at Teixoneres cave was subdivided into two subunits, III-a and III-b, following petrographic criteria, the disposition of the larger limestone blocks and general changes in the colour of the sediments identified during fieldwork seasons[28,49]
Summary
Many European Middle and Late Pleistocene archaeological sites in caves and rock shelters preserve evidence of alternating human and carnivore occupations. We examine the integrity of the site using both the archaeostratigraphic analysis and spatial distribution patterns of artefact and faunal remains, as well as their relation with archaeological features, such as hearths Using this combined approach, we test the working hypothesis that if the site was occupied recurrently over time and in a consistent or organized manner by human groups, it should be possible to recognise specific spatial patterns in the distribution of the archaeological remains, due to the evidence frequently representing long-term trends or average tendencies rather than discrete o ccupations[3,14,15,34]. Our detailed stratigraphic analysis of the Teixoneres Cave archaeosedimentary sequence, together with examination of the distributional patterns of remains, and the agents and process that could have acted in the formation of the assemblages, allow us to better understand the spatial organization and the activities developed by humans and carnivores in the cave
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