Neanderthal subsistence and short-term human occupation patterns during MIS 5. New data from Abrigo de la Quebrada (Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Abrigo de la Quebrada (Chelva, Valencia) is a Middle Palaeolithic site with Neanderthal occupations, composed by nine archaeological levels that extend from MIS 3–5 in the upper levels (II-V), up to MIS 5 in the lower levels (VI-IX), with dates for level VI of 80.0 ± 4.7 ky and 83.2 ± 5.4 ka. Level IV show short and repeated human occupations, with a high density of materials related to hunting activities focus on several ungulates as ibex, equids and cervids. However, the lower levels (VII, VIII and IX) respond to different sedimentation rates and occupations. Archaeozoological and taphonomic studies show mixed occupations.Raptors or small carnivores seem to be responsible of the leporids accumulation.In addition, some remains of ungulates present also modifications of carnivores.On the contrary, Neanderthal groups are responsible for the ungulates accumulations, with a hunting activity focused mainly in equids, but also in medium size ungulates. In summary, the study shows that human occupations are much more sporadic, marginal and possibly the groups were smaller than in the upper levels. The lithic industry and the micro-spatial analysis support this idea. The lithic operative chain is fragmented, with predominance of the last phases and discoid production. The local raw materials are more used, especially flint, and intensive processes of reuse of the pieces are observed.At the micro-spatial level, the recession of the overhang and the position of the large collapsed boulders conditioned the habitable space and explain the reiteration in the use of space in the central zone of the excavated area.