“…The application of complementary techniques, such as soil micromorphology, can identify charred particles’ presence and help eliminate potential biases in the molecular and geochemical datasets. This approach has already effectively been demonstrated at the Middle Palaeolithic site of Abric del Pastor (Alcoy, Spain), where abrupt fluctuations in n -alkane distribution and compound-specific carbon and hydrogen isotope values through stratigraphic units IVd and IVc were interpreted as resulting from the presence of microscopic charred fuel residues in the sediment samples [ 47 ].…”
This paper reports on a series of heating experiments that focus on n-alkanes extracted from leaf, bark, and xylem tissues of the Celtis australis plant. These lipid biomarkers were analysed for their compound-specific hydrogen isotopic composition (δ2Hwax) under limited oxygen conditions at 150, 250, 350, and 450 °C. Our results reveal isotopic variations in wax lipids of different plant organs during short-term low-temperature combustion. We conclude that, in the absence of a detailed characterisation of the depositional environment in advance of sampling, δ2Hwax values in archaeological or otherwise highly anthropogenic environments should be interpreted cautiously. In addition, we observed that variation is δ2Hwax of leaves is minimal at temperatures ≤ 350 °C, highlighting the potential for δ2Hwax in thermally altered combustion substrates to yield palaeoclimate information, which could allow researchers to investigate links between archaeological and climatic records at a high spatial and temporal resolution.
“…The application of complementary techniques, such as soil micromorphology, can identify charred particles’ presence and help eliminate potential biases in the molecular and geochemical datasets. This approach has already effectively been demonstrated at the Middle Palaeolithic site of Abric del Pastor (Alcoy, Spain), where abrupt fluctuations in n -alkane distribution and compound-specific carbon and hydrogen isotope values through stratigraphic units IVd and IVc were interpreted as resulting from the presence of microscopic charred fuel residues in the sediment samples [ 47 ].…”
This paper reports on a series of heating experiments that focus on n-alkanes extracted from leaf, bark, and xylem tissues of the Celtis australis plant. These lipid biomarkers were analysed for their compound-specific hydrogen isotopic composition (δ2Hwax) under limited oxygen conditions at 150, 250, 350, and 450 °C. Our results reveal isotopic variations in wax lipids of different plant organs during short-term low-temperature combustion. We conclude that, in the absence of a detailed characterisation of the depositional environment in advance of sampling, δ2Hwax values in archaeological or otherwise highly anthropogenic environments should be interpreted cautiously. In addition, we observed that variation is δ2Hwax of leaves is minimal at temperatures ≤ 350 °C, highlighting the potential for δ2Hwax in thermally altered combustion substrates to yield palaeoclimate information, which could allow researchers to investigate links between archaeological and climatic records at a high spatial and temporal resolution.
“…Regarding the palaeoclimatic context, our results also suggest that MIS 4 at Abric del Pastor was not too different from early MIS 3. Recent high-resolution geoarchaeological data point to a variable precipitation regime and generally cool conditions 61 . Previous anthracological data from stratigraphically higher layers within Unit IV (Units IVc) 48 , show a rich diversity of woody taxa, pointing to supramediterranean conditions and readily available woody fuel at the site during the MIS 4 – MIS 3 transition.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The good states of preservation of the sedimentary deposit, together with weak frost-induced lenticular microstructures observed microscopically 57 , suggest a generally cool or cold climate but is insufficient evidence to ascribe the sequence to MIS 4. A recent multiproxy study investigating the carbon and hydrogen isotopic values of sedimentary leaf waxes through the sequence (Units I-VI) point to a variable precipitation regime, while cryoturbation features revealed through soil micromorphology indicate generally cool conditions throughout 56,61 . Based on the anthracological record, the Middle Palaeolithic human occupations are associated with dry/semi-arid supramediterranean conditions (mean annual temperature 8–13 °C and mean annual precipitation 200–600 mm) with juniper stands, heliophilous taxa and scattered cryophilous pine stands 48,49 .Figure 1Location of Abric del Pastor rock shelter.…”
There is a relatively low amount of Middle Paleolithic sites in Europe dating to MIS 4. Of the few that exist, several of them lack evidence for anthropogenic fire, raising the question of how this period of global cooling may have affected the Neanderthal population. The Iberian Peninsula is a key area to explore this issue, as it has been considered as a glacial refugium during critical periods of the Neanderthal timeline and might therefore yield archaeological contexts in which we can explore possible changes in the behaviour and settlement patterns of Neanderthal groups during MIS 4. Here we report recent data from Abric del Pastor, a small rock shelter in Alcoy (Alicante, Spain) with a stratified deposit containing Middle Palaeolithic remains. We present absolute dates that frame the sequence within MIS 4 and multi-proxy geoarchaeological evidence of in situ anthropogenic fire, including microscopic evidence of in situ combustion residues and thermally altered sediment. We also present archaeostratigraphic evidence of recurrent, functionally diverse, brief human occupation of the rock shelter. Our results suggest that Neanderthals occupied the Central Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula during MIS 4, that these Neanderthals were not undergoing climatic stress and they were habitual fire users.
“…Plant wax lipid extraction and analysis is now being applied in archaeology contexts to investigate human‐environment interactions (Brittingham et al., 2019; Colcord et al., 2018; Collins et al, 2017; Connolly et al., 2019; Lupien et al., 2018; Magill, Ashley, & Freeman, 2013a, 2013b; Magill, Ashley, Domínguez‐Rodrigo, & Freeman, 2015; Patalano, 2019; Uno et al., 2016). Because n ‐alkanes and n ‐alkanoic acids record ancient environmental conditions through δ 13 C and δD ratios, they can track variations in hydroclimate, vegetation community and structure, and habitat type and be used to investigate human biological and cultural adaptive responses to ecological changes.…”
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