Cova De Les Cendres Research Articles

Environmental changes in eastern Iberia during the Solutrean: Contribution of isotopic analysis (δ13C) of charcoal from l'Abrigo de la Boja and la Cova de les Cendres

During the coldest periods of the Pleistocene, parts of the Iberian Peninsula were favorable to the establishment of forest refuges. It is therefore essential to characterize them and study their evolution, in order to gain a better understanding of the territories occupied by prehistoric societies during these same periods. In this article, we propose to revisit the regional study of environmental changes in eastern Spain around the LGM, through the analysis of the isotopic signal (δ13C) of Solutrean charcoal from Abrigo de la Boja and Cova de les Cendres (ca. 24,500–19,500 cal. BP). The first application of this approach to the Iberian Pleistocene will not only allow us (i) to clarify environmental changes at the two sites and their synchronicity with the North Atlantic influences of this period, but also (ii) to discuss the presence of more or less marked forest refuges in relation to the evolution of regional climatic contrasts.

Solutrean macrofauna from Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain): zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis

Zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis were performed on the macrofaunal remains from Solutrean levels XIII and XIV (ca. 17 and 20 ka cal BP) of Cova de les Cendres. The faunal assemblage shows predominance of red deer, followed by Spanish ibex and equids, among which wild ass (Equus hydruntinus) was identified. Carnivores are well represented in level XIII, especially the lynx, whereas they are very rare in level XIV. Different activities of the butchery process were documented in the main taxa, showing an intensive exploitation of different animal resources, such as meat, fur, and raw material for tools and ornaments. Our results provide new zooarchaeological data on the Solutrean hunting system and shed light on the human subsistence variations in response to late glacial climate changes in the central area of the Mediterranean Iberia.

Subsistence activities and settlement dynamics of the first anatomically modern humans in the central–eastern Mediterranean Iberia: New insights from Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain)

The Aurignacian is documented in a large number of sites on the Iberian Peninsula, but the chronologies and characteristics of the technocomplexes associated with the first anatomically modern humans (AMHs) varies depending on the region. In the central-eastern Iberian Mediterranean region the well-dated stratigraphic series from several sites confirm that the beginning of the Aurignacian sequence coincides with the Evolved Aurignacian. Lithic and bones industries, as well as chronological context, have been already well-published, however, data on subsistence activities and the occupation and mobility patterns from this human groups are still scarce. We present the results of the archaeozoological and taphonomic analysis of the macromammal assemblage from Cova de les Cendres, a site from this region with an extensive Palaeolithic stratigraphy, including several Aurignacian levels. Spanish ibex and red deer are the main species, and the presence of small-medium carnivores is noteworthy. Both carnivores and humans are responsible of the accumulations, but the changes observed between levels point to a process of intensification of human occupations, with a loss of carnivore modifications. There are similarities with the Neanderthal assemblages, and some differences with the later Upper Palaeolithic periods. In a framework with few data on the first AMHs behaviour, Cova de les Cendres provides new relevant information about the animal resource exploitation and enables the establishment of mobility dynamics during the Evolved Aurignacian of the Iberian Mediterranean region.

Could the central‐eastern Iberian Mediterranean region be defined as a refugium? Fauna and flora in MIS 5–3 and their implications for Palaeolithic human behaviour

ABSTRACTNeanderthals and modern humans from the Early Upper Palaeolithic had a highly developed knowledge of their environment, where they found the essential resources for their subsistence. Therefore, changes in the local landscape and available resources should have influenced their behaviour, as indicated by faunal and plant remains recovered from archaeological sites. In the central‐eastern Iberian Mediterranean region, the archaeological sites of Cova Negra, Abrigo de la Quebrada, Cova de les Malladetes and Cova de les Cendres have provided wood charcoal, seeds and fauna. The combination of these data allows an accurate reconstruction of the regional landscape from MIS 5 to the beginning of MIS 2. The available evidence suggests that this region could be defined as a refugium in which biodiversity persisted. This type of refugium, containing a high diversity of biotopes and some endemic species, which has lasted until the present day, can be seen at a regional scale, but also locally, especially near the coast. These special characteristics of the region – relatively stable climatic conditions with oscillations mainly in aridity and humidity, and a high diversity of flora and fauna – could explain the high density of Palaeolithic sites throughout Middle and Upper Palaeolithic here.

New advances on the Aurignacian in the central Iberian Mediterranean basin

This study aims to obtain a chronological and cultural framework of the Evolved Aurignacian in the central Iberian Mediterranean basin and find agreement between this framework and other sequences of the Iberian southeast. Over the last few years, there has been remarkable progress in the research of the Evolved Aurignacian sites in the Valencian area, making a review of the main characteristics of the technocomplex on a regional scale necessary. The recent fieldwork carried out in Cova de les Malladetes (Valencia) and in Cova de les Cendres (Alicante) have been key to understanding the lithic, osseous and ornament assemblages ascribed to the Evolved Aurignacian. Several Bayesian modelled ages have been constructed from the large dataset of chronological dates obtained at Malladetes and Cendres, as well as in other sites. The Bayesian models have allowed us to chronologically place the characteristics of the analysed assemblages. The present research supports the importance of the Aurignacian as the first technocomplex of the Upper Palaeolithic in this area of the Iberian Peninsula.

Gathering in the dunes. Seeds and fruits from the Gravettian levels of Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain)

Plants were key elements of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer subsistence. However, because of methodological and preservation issues, little attention has been devoted to studying them. Nevertheless, new information has recently come to light on this topic. The Palaeolithic site of Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain) has provided new archaeobotanical data about plant gathering during the Upper Palaeolithic, when different biotopes could have been exploited to obtain mineral, animal and plant raw materials and food. During the time of the Gravettian culture, the configuration of the environment was extremely different from the present environment. Based on the ecology of some of the documented taxa, we know that dune systems and ponds were developed near the coast, which may have been systematically visited by human groups. There, they could harvest fleshy fruits from Corema album, which could be used as food, Alkanna tinctoria, whose roots could provide dye, and leaves from Eleocharis sp., which could be used as raw material. The richness of the environment of Cova de les Cendres could explain the recurrent and intense occupations of the site.

Rabbit: More than the Magdalenian main dish in the Iberian Mediterranean region. New data from Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain)

In the Mediterranean Iberian region, rabbit has an important role in the human diet, mainly during the Final Upper Palaeolithic. The archaeological and experimental works about rabbit processing and consumption from the last years provide a wide and relevant framework. The site of Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain) has a relevant role in the knowledge of the Iberian Upper Palaeolithic human subsistence, and offer a wide chronological sequence. The Magdalenian levels of Cendres provide a well-preserve archaeological assemblage of rabbit remains (ca. 90% of the total fauna) to study the human behaviour. The results show subsistence activities focus not only on meat and marrow immediate consumption, but also on skins preparation and meat storage activities. Based on these data and the framework from the area, the anthropic modifications (cut-marks, tooth-marks, fractures and fire alteration) identify on archaeological bones can specify different butchery activities. These results, however, provide more than diet information, and can be related also to different occupation pattern (function, time, seasonality) along the Magdalenian sequence of Cova de les Cendres.

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

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.

Preservation and decay of plant remains in two Palaeolithic sites: Abrigo de la Quebrada and Cova de les Cendres (Eastern Spain). What information can be derived?

Plant remains are quickly affected by post-depositional processes once they are deposited in archaeological sites. In normal conditions, decomposing organisms cause their decay and final disappearance unless a preservation agent, as carbonisation or mineralisation, inhibit their activity. Moreover, physical and chemical processes could also lead to the partial or total destruction of the archaeobotanical assemblage. Thus, an analysis of their characteristics is useful for an assessing of the taphonomic processes.Archaeobotanical assemblages from two Palaeolithic sites, Abrigo de la Quebrada and Cova de les Cendres, have been analysed in terms of taxonomic composition of the assemblage, types of preservation and elemental composition of the remains. Both sites are compared in order to assess the different formation processes and preservation conditions of the deposits, related to the different typology of the sites (shelter vs. cave), the chronology and the human occupation pattern.

Corema album archaeobotanical remains in western Mediterranean basin. Assessing fruit consumption during Upper Palaeolithic in Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain)

Information about plant gathering by Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers in Europe is scarce because of the problems of preservation of plant remains in archaeological sites and due to the lack of application of archaebotanical analysis in many of them. Botanical macroremains –wood charcoal, seeds, fruits, leaves, etc. - provide information not only about palaeoeconomy of hunter-gatherers, but also about climate, landscape and vegetation dynamics.In Gravettian and Solutrean levels of Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain), Corema album pyrenes (Empetraceae or crowberries family) have been identified. On the contrary, wood charcoal of this species has not been documented among the remains of firewood. This differential presence of plant organs, together with the nutritional value of its fruits, which is presented here, make us hypothesize the systematic gathering of C. album fruits for human consumption. They have a high content in vitamin C, as well as potassium, magnesium and copper.Corema album (camariña) is a unique species, nowadays in danger of extinction. Its main population is located on the Atlantic coast of Iberian Peninsula, but in 1996 a small population was discovered on the Mediterranean Iberian coast (Benidorm, Spain). Archaeobotanical data from Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Spain) presented here point to a larger population of camariña during Upper Palaeolithic on the coast of Alicante. The harsh climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum during Solutrean period, with colder temperatures and aridity increase, could explain the reduction of the presence of C. album remains until its absence in Magdalenian. The climatic amelioration during Upper Magdalenian did not mean the recovery of camariña population in the Moraira headland area. Probably, the rising of the sea level would affect them destroying its dune habitat.

Técnicas analíticas aplicadas al estudio de la composición y procedencia de sílex arqueológicos en la región central del mediterràneo español

En este trabajo se analizan muestras de sílex del yacimiento arqueológico “Abrigo de la Quebrada” (Chelva, Valencia) y de los afloramientos geológicos de la misma zona y se comparan con sílex procedentes de yacimientos de “Cova Negra” (Xátiva, Valencia), “Cova de les Cendres” (Moraira, Alicante) y de afloramientos de otras zonas de la región central del Mediterráneo español. La metodología analítica, basada en la caracterización macroscópica de los sílex (color, textura, inclusiones, tamaño de grano, etc.), la fluorescencia de rayos-X dispersiva en energía (EDXRF), la difracción de rayos-X (XRD) y la activación neutrónica (NAA), ha demostrado ser adecuada para discriminar entre sílex locales (tipo Domeño) y alóctonos, mostrando que la complementariedad de las diferentes técnicas analíticas es apta para el estudio de este material lítico y para encontrar patrones de referencia que puedan relacionar la procedencia de materias primas y la movilidad de grupos humanos.

The early Upper Palaeolithic of Cova de les Cendres (Alicante, Spain)

This paper presents a synthesis of the Early Upper Palaeolithic of Cova de les Cendres. Points of special attention are the sedimentary and micromorphological characterisation of level XVI, the analysis of the vegetal and animal resources and their incidence on the economy of the Gravettian human groups, and the characterisation of the landscape during this period. Furthermore, the paper offers important information of the lithic and bone assemblages, economic behaviour and radiocarbon dates of sub-levels XVIA and XVIB, related to the Gravettian, and XVIC and XVID, corresponding to the Aurignacian. Finally, the Gravettian and Aurignacian regional contexts in the Mediterranean Basin of the Iberian Peninsula are discussed, and the recent proposals for regional technological variation in the Iberian Gravettian industries are critically evaluated.

Plant use at the end of the Upper Palaeolithic: archaeobotanical remains from Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain)

The use and consumption of plant resources by Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer societies has traditionally been overlooked by researchers. Nevertheless, recent studies have started to point out the significant role of these resources in hunter-gatherer economies. This paper presents the results of the plant macrofossil (carpological) analysis of two levels dated to the Middle and Upper Magdalenian at Cova de les Cendres, Teulada-Moraira, Alicante, Spain. The results have been combined with the charcoal (anthracological) analysis, in order to improve the interpretation of the assemblage. Thirty-seven different taxa, which provide information of plant food, basketry, wood and fuel, etc., have been identified among the plant remains. Moreover, the identified taxa allow us to complete the landscape reconstruction based on the charcoal remains. Some fruits and charcoals have been dated to 13,980 ± 50–14,590 ± 50 bp.

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

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.

A micro-invasive approach using INAA for new insights into Palaeolithic flint archaeological artefacts

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of small flakes from the same flint fragment of archeological artefacts from Palaeolithic sites (''Abrigo de la Quebrada'', ''Cova de les Cendres'' and ''Cova Negra''), and geological sources (Chelva, Valencia, and Alcoi, Alicante) from the eastern Spain, was performed. The chemical contents of 27 elements were obtained. Ga, Ce, Nd, Yb, Zr and Hf were discarded due to high variations within the same fragment. The identification of chemical fingerprints within hetero- geneous flint fragments was able to differentiate flint types and variants (''Domeno'' and ''Serreta''), contributing to provenance and human mobility in ancient times.

Genetic assessment of population restorations of the critically endangered Silene hifacensis in the Iberian Peninsula

In order to preserve endangered plant populations and recover their evolutionary potential and ecological behavior, some restoration measures generally involve the reinforcement of the population size in existing natural populations or the reintroduction of new populations. Genetic monitoring of both natural and restored populations can provide an assessment of restoration protocol success in establishing populations that maintain levels of genetic diversity similar to those in natural populations. The highly threatened Spanish species Silene hifacensis (Caryophyllaceae) has only three natural reduced mainland populations in the Iberian Peninsula, following decline and extinction that occurred during the late 20th century. Preterit restoration strategies were essentially based on the implantation of new populations and reinforcement of certain existing populations using transplants mostly cultivated in greenhouses. In the present contribution, levels and patterns of genetic variability within natural and restored populations of Silene hifacensis were assessed using the molecular technique AFLP. Our results pointed out significant genetic diversity differences across the three existing natural populations though their population fragmentation and progressive loss of individuals have not had an impact on the global genetic diversity of this species. For restored populations, their levels of genetic diversity were similar and even higher than in natural populations. As a result, the past restoration protocols were successful in capturing similar and even higher levels of genetic diversity than those observed within natural pools. However, inbreeding processes have been detected for two restored populations. Finally, the main source of plant material for the long-time restored transplants appears to be the natural population of Cova de les Cendres. This study demonstrates, once again, how genetic markers are useful tools to be taken in consideration for endangered plant species conservation plans.

Colecciones ex situ de planta viva para la conservación de la planta amenazada Silene hifacensis, Rouy ex Willk (Caryophyllaceae)

The establishment of seed orchards has allowed obtaining a great deal of germoplasm of Silene hifacensis, an endangered endemic Ibero-Balearic species. In four years, 3.958.531 seeds have been collected in our four seed orchards from a total of 570 plants/year per average, including all genetic variability from natural populations of this species in Alicante province (Illot of Mona, the Pessebret, Cova de les Cendres, Morro de Toix).

The Magdalenian harpoons from the Iberian Mediterranean, based on pieces from Cova de les Cendres (Teulada-Moraira, Valencian region)

Harpoons are one of the most characteristic implements of the Upper Magdalenian. However, morphologic differences in barbs and bases mark different regional traditions. This paper gives an account of the main features of harpoons in the Iberian Mediterranean, based on findings from Cova de les Cendres, and compares them with those found in other areas in Western Europe.The specificities of Mediterranean harpoons (a single range of barbs, variable length and number of barbs, and lack of hafting devices on the base) are considered in discussion of their potential functions and possible hafting systems.

El Gravetiense de la vertiente mediterránea ibérica: Reflexiones a partir de la secuencia de la cova de Les Cendres (Moraira, Alicante)

This paper tackles the debate about the Gravettian period in the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula from the data provided by the Gravettian sequence of Cova de les Cendres site (levels XIV to XVI), with dates covering between 21,230 and 25,850 BP. The available data let us to asses the significance of linking the beginning of art to this industrial period in the regional level. Another important trait is the specific industrial evolution of this area, regarding other near regions. Among the economic issues highlights the importance of rabbit and a larger presence of good-sized ungulates in the former levels, and a predominance of deer and goat in the upper levels.

Exploitation and Management of the Olive Tree During Prehistoric Times in Mediterranean France and Spain

During tree growth and development, wood cells created in the cambium are lignified and undergo maturation. During this process, deformations may appear, which are recognizable by specific anatomical features, observed under the microscope. In the case of olive (Olea europaea L.) wood, immature wood from small branches and twigs shows distinct growth rings which become undistinguishable in mature wood from old branches and trunks. In comparison to a reference collection of woody samples, an anatomical survey of growth rings is performed on charcoal from three archaeological sites (Cova de I'Espérit and Montou, France; Cova de les Cendres, Spain). Using statistical analyses, change in the frequency of charcoal from immature and mature wood allows us to reconstruct the evolution of olive exploitation. Three phases have been distinguished. The first phase, occurring in the Mesolithic, is characterized by an exclusive exploitation of young branches and twigs for firewood (immature wood). In the second phase, during the Neolithic, frequencies in charcoal from immature and mature wood are approximately equal, olive populations seem to be more intensively exploited and the trees are almost entirely cut. The third phase, the Bronze Age, is characterized by a significant increase in charcoal from immature wood. This change in frequencies may reflect a new type of olive exploitation during this period. Management of olive populations consistent with intentional and selective pruning practices may have been applied by man to rejuvenate olive trees in order to favour flowering and fruit production.