The Magdalenian in Catalonia (northeast Iberia)

Abstract

The Magdalenian is the first Upper Palaeolithic period to show a widespread human occupation throughout the northeastern territories of Iberia. Several sites have been located in both the plains and mountains extending from the Pyrenean valleys of the Segre River to the mouth of the Ebro River. The oldest dates (in the XIXth millennium cal BP) were obtained at the open-air site of Montlleó, in the Pyrenean valley of Cerdanya. Most of the Magdalenian sites have yielded information about short or seasonal occupations related with the exploitation of natural resources. Parco cave preserves a good stratigraphic sequence ranging from Middle to Upper and Late Upper Magdalenian (from XVIIth to XIVth millennium cal BP). In this site, various human activities were organized around a significant number of hearths. They were related with animal and mineral processing. The data obtained at Parco and Montlleó sites have enabled the reconstruction of the Late Upper Pleistocene palaeoenvironment for the southeastern Pyrenees area. However, other sites from the southern part of the country are also providing very interesting information about climate, as well as faunal and floral elements, with more recent radiocarbon dates (XVth to XIVth millennium cal BP). Some malacological remains found in Montlleó come from the Mediterranean coast, but others come from the Cantabrian area, thus indicating a route of connection between the two seas during the Magdalenian. There is also limited artistic evidence in Taverna cave, Molí del Salt, l’Hort de la Boquera, Sant Gregori, and Parellada IV sites. One of the most significant findings of the research is the archaeological confirmation of the existence of human movements across the Pyrenees during the Magdalenian. Some raw materials found in Montlleó are of French origin, others come from the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, and still others could come from either side. The site is near the westernmost route opened during the last glaciation for crossing the Pyrenees. Thus, people and materials may well have circulated across the Pyrenees through this corridor.