Refitting lithic laminar fragments to assess Palaeolithic sequences: The case of Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

The integrity of the different levels that form a sequence and the formation processes of the archaeological deposit must be assessed as a previous step to the construction of behavioural, cultural and evolutionary interpretations. This is especially relevant when dealing with long sequences and cultural evolution constructed on them, as is the case in the research on Upper Palaeolithic. Lithic taphonomy provides insight into these issues and refitting is one of its powerful tools. This approach has been applied to the Aurignacian, Gravettian and Solutrean levels of Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain), where fracture refits of laminar fragments –including blades, bladelets, and laminar flakes– have been systematically searched. The 29 found refits are quantitatively analysed, with special attention to the type of fracture and the differences of the dimensions of the pieces. Spatial analysis is carried out to evaluate the horizontal and vertical distribution of the connections and their distances. The results reveal a low presence of inter-level conjoins and a minority of long vertical displacements, which is interpreted as evidence of a certain degree of integrity of the stratigraphic sequence.