Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social

Identifying Middle Paleolithic Residential Units Through the Spatial Organization of Combustion Structures at Abric Romaní (Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract The habitual and controlled use of fire among Neanderthal groups, together with the residential use of caves and rock shelters, represents a major turning point in the emergence of Paleolithic camp bases. In Middle Paleolithic sites, the interrelation between shelter geo...

The Use of Space in Neanderthal Campsites: Evidence from Spatial and Taphonomic Analyses of Charcoal Remains from Level Ra of Abric Romaní (Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract This work aims to investigate the formation processes of the charcoal assemblage from level Ra at Abric Romaní, a well-preserved Middle Palaeolithic rock shelter in north-eastern Spain that was occupied by Neanderthals. To this end, we adopted an anthracological approach...

Hominin behavior, strategies, and environmental conditions in Southern Europe (Marine Isotope Stage 17–15): The 100-ka sequence of Notarchirico (Italy, 700–600 ka)

The Notarchirico sequence comprises a continuous 100-ka-long record of phases of hominin occupation between Marine Isotope Stage 17 and Marine Isotope Stage 15, revealing remarkable technological stability alongside some innovations. We analyzed core technology, raw material prov...

Origin of Pleistocene bonebeds at the GNL Quintero site (GNLQ1): New taphonomic evidence from a wetland mammal assemblage in the submerged landscapes of central Chile

The underwater bonebed of GNL Quintero 1 (GNLQ1) site located nearshore at Quintero Bay on the central coast of Chile (32° S), offers an unparalleled view of submerged Late Pleistocene environments in the South American Pacific continental shelf. By updating the site taphonomic h...

Faunal Evidence and the Duration of Occupation: A Statistical Approach to Neanderthal Archaeological Sites

Abstract The duration of Neanderthal occupations of caves and rock shelters is one of the most debated issues in prehistoric archaeology. Several disciplines, including lithic analysis, micromorphology, zooarchaeology, taphonomy, and spatial archaeology, have proposed criteria to...

Lebanese faunal legacy collections uncover 400,000 years of woodland resilience and distinct hominin ecological strategies

Abstract The Levant is a key biogeographic corridor, yet historical instability has limited research creating a polarization toward its southern region. To address this geographical bias, we reassessed three legacy faunal collections from Lebanon: Naame, Nahr Ibrahim, and Ras el-...