A chrono-cultural reassessment of the levels VI–XIV from El Cuco rock-shelter: A new sequence for the Late Middle Paleolithic in the Cantabrian region (northern Iberia)

Abstract

A large number of sites dated to the Late Middle Paleolithic and the Early Upper Paleolithic have been recorded in the Cantabrian region (northern Iberia), making this area a key location to investigate the lifeways of the last Neanderthals and the first anatomically modern humans. The stratigraphic sequence from El Cuco rock-shelter was originally attributed to the Early Upper Paleolithic based on radiocarbon dates measured on bone apatite. However, new radiocarbon dates on shell carbonates from the lower levels produced inconsistent dates with those previously published. In order to clarify this anomaly, a reassessment of the chronology of levels VI to XIV was undertaken. The review was based on new radiocarbon dates performed on bones and shells, and a re-evaluation of the lithic assemblages. Bone samples did not produce radiocarbon dates due to a lack of collagen preservation but radiocarbon dating of shell carbonates provided dates ranging from 42.3 to 46.4 ka BP. These dates are significantly older than that previously obtained for level XIII using biogenic apatite from bones (~30 ka uncal BP), suggesting that the bone apatite used for radiocarbon dating was rejuvenated due to contamination with secondary carbonate. Lithic assemblages, defined in the first place as Evolved Aurignacian, have now been confidently attributed to the Mousterian techno-complex. These results suggest a Middle Paleolithic chronology for this part of the sequence. The new chronology proposed for El Cuco rock-shelter has significant implications for the interpretation of Neanderthal subsistence strategies and settlement patterns, especially for coastal settlement and use of marine resources, not only in northern Iberia, but also in Atlantic Europe.

Chronological reassessment of the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition and Early Upper Paleolithic cultures in Cantabrian Spain

“…The lower levels of this sequence (VII-XIII) have been recently reassessed through new 14C AMS dating on shells and a technological lithic study. These new analyses confirm a Mousterian attribution to levels previously defined as Aurignacian and an Aurignacian chronology to levels defined as Gravettian [ 31 ]. In El Ruso, Level IVb originally defined as Evolved Aurignacian [ 52 ], provided a Gravettian date (~28k uncal BP).…”

“…The Aurignacian levels were Aitzbitarte (Cave III-entrance area) Vb center [ 22 ], Ekain IXb, Cobrante V and VI [ 23 ], El Ruso Cave I IVb [ 24 ], El Otero IV, V and VI [ 25 ], Morin 7c [ 26 ], Covalejos B (2) and C (3) [ 27 ]. Finally, the Gravettian levels were Aitzbitarte (Cave III-entrance area) IV, Va and Vb upper, Amalda V and VI, Bolinkoba VI/F [ 28 – 29 ], El Cuco III and Vb [ 30 – 31 ], La Viña VII, VIII, IX and X [ 32 – 36 ] and Llonín V. Other regional sites with contemporaneous cultural attributions, but unclear stratigraphy, insufficient archaeological information, or those that are currently still under study were not included here. We also took into consideration the radiocarbon dates recently published for the regional sites of La Viña, Esquilleu, La Güelga, El Castillo, Morín, El Mirón, Arrillor and Labeko Koba [ 2 – 5 , 37 – 38 ] that have been achieved using the same ultrafiltration method as this study, making them comparable and appropriate to include in the Bayesian models.…”

External auditory exostoses among western Eurasian late Middle and Late Pleistocene humans

“…Evidence for aquatic resource exploitation among these Neandertals varies considerably, in part due to older excavations (and hence partial recovery of small fish bones) at a number of the sites yielding human remains with sufficiently intact temporal bones. There is skeletal and residue analysis evidence for the exploitation of fish among Neandertals in western Europe [73–76], cases of littoral mollusk exploitation along the Mediterranean and coastal Iberia [68,77,78], marine mammal use in southern Iberia [79], and crustacean use in western Iberia [80] (see also [81]). In addition, there are probable water lily starch grains from the Spy Neandertal dental calculus [82].…”

A Middle Palaeolithic wooden digging stick from Aranbaltza III, Spain

“…Several sites have occupations dated to the MIS5-4 interval, with Arlanpe, Lezetxiki or Askondo as the most relevant [ 26 – 28 ]. The Early and Late Middle Palaeolithic in the region are characterized by great behavioural variability; the long-distance transport of lithic raw materials [ 29 ], the trend towards microlithization [ 30 ], the use of complex hunting technologies [ 31 ], the fire control and use [ 32 ], use of bone tools [ 33 , 34 ], a certain degree of prey specialization [ 35 ] or the exploitation of marine resources [ 36 ] being especially remarkable. We should now add elaborate wooden technology to this behavioural complexity, drawing a picture of well-adapted and flexible Neanderthal populations in the region.…”

“…Although no direct evidence is available at the site, in the nearby site of El Cuco, dated back ca. 44 ka BP [ 36 ] unquestionable evidence of limpet consume has been recorded. Regarding raw material collection, the presence of flint from primary sources has been attested in different levels of Aranbaltza III, and also in the Middle Palaeolithic levels from Aranbaltza I. Flysch flint appears in different contexts close to the site (<500 m).…”