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International audience; Teixoneres Cave (Moià, Barcelona, Spain) is a reference site for Middle Palaeolithic studies of the Iberian Peninsula. The cave preserves an extensive stratigraphic sequence made up of eight units, which is presented in depth in this work. The main goal of this study is to undertake an initial spatial examination of Unit III, formed during Marine Isotope Stage 3, with the aim of understanding spatial organization and past activities developed by Neanderthals and carnivores (bears, hyenas and smaller carnivores). The total sample analysed includes 38,244 archaeological items and 5888 limestone blocks. The application of GIS tools allows us to clearly distinguish three geologically-defined stratigraphic subunits. Unit III has been previously interpreted as a palimpsest resulting from alternating occupation of the cave by human groups and carnivores. The distribution study shows that faunal specimens, lithic artefacts, hearths and charcoal fragments are significantly concentrated at the entrance of the cave where, it is inferred, hominins carried out different activities, while carnivores preferred the sheltered zones in the inner areas of the cave. The results obtained reveal a spatial pattern characterized by fire use related zones, and show that the site was occupied by Neanderthals in a similar and consistent way throughout the ˃ 7000 years range covered by the analysed subunits. This spatial pattern is interpreted as resulting from repeated short-term human occupations.

Proboscidean remains in Iberian Pleistocene sites were first discovered many centuries ago. Some of them were recovered together with lithic tools, leading researchers to associate them with human activities. However, in recent decades, several ta- phonomic works have provided new perspectives based on more precise methods and analyses. El- ephant skeletal remains are common in open-air sites, where they appear in anatomical or semi-an- atomical connections. This is the case in the Early Pleistocene sites of Orce (Granada) and La Boella (Tarragona); the Middle Pleistocene sites of Tor- ralba and Ambrona (Soria), Áridos (Madrid) and Solana del Zamborino (Granada); and the early Late Pleistocene sites of the Manzanares terraces (Madrid). Nevertheless, several caves also show iso- lated remains of these very large animals, which are sometimes difficult to explain from a taphonomic point of view. Most of them appear in assemblag- es where anthropogenic activities were dominant, such as the case of Bolomor Cave (Valencia) during the Middle Pleistocene or the Abric Romaní and Teixoneres Caves (Barcelona) at the end of the Middle Palaeolithic. This study reviews the best- known cases with a special focus on the evolution of the relationship between elephants and humans in this specific geographic area. The symposium and the volume "Human-elephant interactions: from past to present" were funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.

Animal exploitation strategies have occupied a prominent place in the debate about the timing and nature of the modern human behavior. The discussions have basically focused on the ability to make an intensive use of seasonal resources, to hunt large or dangerous animals and to exploit fast-moving small game. Both large-sized herbi- vores and small prey are therefore considered a key variable to assess fundamental aspects of the evolution of subsistence strategies. In this work we present zooarchaeological data from the Middle Pleistocene site of Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain, MIS 9–5e), which has been interpreted as a habitat place. Its taxonomic representation extends from very large-sized herbivores (elephants, hippopot- amuses and rhinoceroses) to very small-sized an- imals (lagomorphs, birds and tortoises), or even exotic animals like macaque. Elephant specimens are documented along the stratigraphic sequence from level Ia, IV, V, XII, XIII and XVII. Most of the elephant individuals are immature and partial- ly represented. Nevertheless, the bone fragments recovered coincide with the general anatomical profile of the medium- and large-sized ungulates, which is mainly characterized by stylopodials, zeu- gopodials and mandibles. Evidence of human use of small prey from the earliest phases of site oc- cupation (sublevel XVIIc) is also attested in form of cut marks, intentional bone breakages, human tooth marks and burning patterns. The exploita- tion of small prey, alongside to the very large game identified at the site, indicates a generalist human behavior based on a broad spectrum diet (BSD), which contributes to document the diversity in the lifestyles of the human communities of the Euro- pean Middle Pleistocene. The symposium and the volume "Human-elephant interactions: from past to present" were funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.

International audience

International audience; Predators hunt and consume their prey in a different manner. Consequently, variability on the traces they left on bones might be noticed in accordance with the way in which animals are hunted, processed and ingested. In the present work, we propose prey size as a critical factor when analyzing predator accumulations from a taphonomic perspective, using the particular case of bird bone taphonomy. To test this hypothesis, a modern Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) accumulation of pellets was described, with specific interest on prey size. As a result, we have observed that bones present grater damage when increasing the size of prey. This is especially evident when analyzing fragmentation and mechanical modification on bones. To evaluate the implementation of this work, the results are compared with another accumulation form the Spanish Pyrenees (Cau del Duc) that apparently present similar characteristics.

International audience

[EN]: The entrance to the South Gallery of the Toll Cave was discovered in the 40's of the last century. Since then, several works have highlighted the importance of the archaeo-pale-ontological site at both regional and peninsular levels. Focusing on the Holocene levels, the research suggests prolonged use of it, at least from Epicardial times to the late Bronze Age. Among the vast amount of material recovered, we highlight, to the interest of our study, several marine shells. Under the current research project, new specimens have been recovered. Tax-onomic identification shows that they are marine gastropods. The technology, use-wear and chemical analysis suggests that they were anthropically modified by making holes for use as hanging elements. The shells were being tinted with red pigment. The spatial and stratigraphic position of the specimens lead, us to interpret them as part of a single bead, deposited at the bottom of a Neolithic structure., [ES]: La entrada a la Galería Sur de la Cueva del Toll (Moià, Barcelona) fue descubierta en los años 40 del pasado siglo. Desde entonces, las distintas intervenciones realizadas han puesto de manifiesto la importancia del yacimiento arqueo-paleontológico tanto a nivel regional como peninsular. Centrándonos en los niveles holocenos de la cavidad, las investigaciones realizadas indican un uso prolongado de la misma, al menos desde el Neolítico Antiguo, hasta finales del Bronce inicial. Entre la variada cantidad de materiales recuperados destacan por el interés del presente estudio, varios restos de malacofauna marina. En el marco del actual proyecto de investigación, han sido recuperados nuevos ejemplares pertenecientes a las especies Columbella rustica y Nassarius cuvieri. El análisis tecnológico, traceológico y químico de las mismas sugiere que fueron modificadas antrópicamente mediante la realización de perforaciones para su uso, siendo tintadas con pigmentos rojizos. La posición estratigráfica y espacial de los ejemplares nos lleva a interpretar las mismas como parte de un único abalorio, depositado en el fondo de una estructura neolítica., El proyecto de intervención arqueológica esta cofinanciado por el Departamento de Cultura y Medios de Comunicación de la Generalitat de Cataluña.

International audience; An innovative approach to Neanderthal occupational patterns by integrating dental wear and cementochronology. Case studies of Cova de les Teixoneres and Cueva de Covalejos (Iberian Peninsula)

Las «cláusulas suelo» constituyen un reflejo de los abusos que las entidades de crédito han venido cometiendo en la comercialización de sus productos y servicios; en particular, en la contratación de préstamos hipotecarios. El problema de las «cláusulas suelo» no solo perjudicó a clientes consumidores, sino que también afectó a autónomos y PYMEs que contrataron préstamos hipotecarios destinados a la financiación de la propia actividad empresarial o profesional, y cuya hipoteca recaía sobre un bien inmueble que no necesariamente era una vivienda. Sin embargo, los clientes consumidores han encontrado una protección judicial en este ámbito que los clientes empresarios no han conseguido de forma tan clara. En este trabajo se tratará de aportar una solución jurídica a dichos supuestos, analizando el ámbito de aplicación subjetivo de la normativa aplicable a las «cláusulas suelo» y los pronunciamientos jurisprudenciales en la materia, con especial énfasis en la STS 241/2013, de 9 de mayo.

Resumen de una comunicación presentada en: XVII Congreso UISPP = XVII World UISPP Congress = XVII Congrès Mondial de l'UISPP (Burgos, 1-7 septiembre 2014), The locality of Gran Dolina at Atapuerca records the Early-Middle Pleistocene boundary, an extraordinary sequence of fossiliferous levels straddling this boundary, archaeological levels and the level TD6, which yielded over a hundred remains of Homo antecessor. These levels are dated by an array of dating techniques and palaeomagnetism situates the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary in the top of level TD7. Level TD8 is the first Middle Pleistocene fossiliferous level. Ongoing research results in increased data on the ungulates that lived around the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition and new hypotheses on their evolution. Here we present the ungulate association of TD8 in this context and compare it to those of other localities of more or less similar age. The TD8 ungulates are similar to those of lower levels at Gran Dolina, but differ from those from many other European early Middle Pleistocene localities. TD8 is peculiar in retaining a species of the giant deer genus Eucladoceros and a small rhinoceros. Such a small rhinoceros is common in the late Early Pleistocene and some believe it to be related to Stephanorhinus etruscus, while others believe it to be related to S. hundsheimensis. The persistence of these forms suggests that TD8 is older than the localities with which it is compared. If that is the case, it is the oldest Middle Pleistocene ungulate fauna. Alternatively, it is a geographic difference and relict forms persisted longer in Spain.

[ES] La Cova del Bolomor, situada en Tavernes de la Valldigna (Valencia), ofrece uno de los mejores registros faunísticos de la segunda mitad del Pleistoceno medio de la Península Ibérica. La cavidad contiene un relleno sedimentario formado por diecisiete niveles estratigráficos que abarcan desde el OIS 9 al OIS 5e. Esta amplia secuencia cronológica permite abordar diferentes cuestiones relacionadas con los grupos humanos de este periodo y sus relaciones con el medio ambiente. Concretamente, a partir del estudio zooarqueológico del nivel XII (OIS 6), se ha reconstruido la secuencia antrópica de obtención y procesamiento de los recursos faunísticos. De este modo, se han identificado diferentes estrategias de subsistencia llevadas a cabo por los homínidos para la obtención de los animales. Estas técnicas van desde el carroñeo hasta la caza e incluyen el aprovisionamiento de pequeñas presas como las aves (Cygnus olor) o los lepóridos (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Esta variabilidad de estrategias podría interpretarse como la gran capacidad de adaptación que poseen estos grupos humanos para aprovechar las oportunidades que el medio les ofrece. También se ha observado la existencia de patrones bien sistematizados tanto en el aprovechamiento de los recursos faunísticos externos (piel, carne, tendones) como en la obtención de los recursos internos (médula). Muchos de los elementos diagnósticos que evidencian la fracturación antrópica en el nivel XII presentan cierta sistematización en zonas y partes anatómicas concretas. La existencia de morfologías repetidas en algunos elementos esqueléticos indica una cierta estandarización a la hora de fracturar los huesos. Esta reiteración podría implicar la existencia de mecanismos de aprendizaje o de transmisión de información intergrupal por parte de los grupos humanos del Pleistoceno medio final. En general, este estudio pretende aportar datos sobre las estrategias de subsistencia de los homínidos de la Cova del Bolomor y contribuir al conocimiento de los modos de vida de los grupos humanos del Pleistoceno medio final., [EN] Bolomor Cave, located in Tavernes de la Valldigna (Valencia), offers one of the best faunal records in the second half of the Middle Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula. The cavity contains a sedimentary deposit composed of seventeen stratigraphical levels ranging from OIS 9 to OIS 5e. This wide chronological sequence allows to deal with different issues related to human groups this period and their relationship with the environment. Specifically, from zooarchaeological study of level XII (OIS 6), we have reconstructed the anthropic sequence of obtaining and processing of faunal resources. Thus, different subsistence strategies carried out by hominids to obtain the animals were identified. These practices range from scavenging to the hunting and include the supply of small prey such as birds (Cygnus olor) or leporids (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This variability of strategies could be interpreted as the great adaptability that possesses these groups to take advantage of the opportunities the environment offers. It was also noted the existence of systematic patterns well both in the utilization of faunal external resources (skin, meat, tendons) and the obtaining of internal resources (marrow). Many of the diagnostic elements that demonstrate the anthropic breakage at level XII show systematization both in areas and in specific anatomical parts. The existence of morphologies repeated in some skeletal elements indicates a high degree of standardization at the time of bone breakage. This reiteration could imply the existence of learning mechanisms or transmission of information within the group in this chronological period. Overall, this study aims to provide data about the subsistence strategies of hominids in Bolomor Cave and contribute to knowledge about the way of life of human groups in the Last Middle Pleistocene.

Cooper et al . (Research Articles, 19 February 2021, p. 811) propose that the Laschamps geomagnetic inversion ~42,000 years ago drove global climatic shifts, causing major behavioral changes within prehistoric groups, as well as events of human and megafaunal extinction. Other scientific studies indicate that this proposition is unproven from the current archaeological, paleoanthropological, and genetic records.

Durant les darreres dècades, els carnívors han estat el principal objecte d’estudi en molts treballs destinats a explicar tant el paper d’aquests animals en les acumulacions arqueològiques com el seu grau de competència amb els homínids arcaics. El present projecte de Tesi Doctoral pretén contribuir al gap existent aportant noves dades procedents de l’actualisme i la neo-tafonomia, per tal d’individualitzar aquests predadors i trobar elements diagnòstics que els diferenciïn. Es presenta en aquest estudi la caracterització del comportament predador des d’una perspectiva tafonòmica, amb la descripció dels patrons de consumició duts a terme per óssos bruns (Ursus arctos) i guineus (Vulpes vulpes) en llibertat sobre carcasses d’ungulats al Pirineu Català (Val d’Aran, Pallars Sobirà i Pallars Jussà) juntament amb l’estudi de la terrera d’un cau de teixó (Meles meles) situada en un entorn de cova. L’objectiu principal és la caracterització tafonòmica d’aquests predadors i l’obtenció d’un cos de dades que permeti distingir-los entre ells i poder establir analogies amb els conjunts de fauna plistocens. Simultàniament a aquestes experimentacions, i, amb l’objectiu d’estimar les capacitats potencials de modificació d’aquests animals en llocs d’hàbitat humà, s’han reproduït de forma ideal estructures de fogars i campaments de curta durada en itineraris freqüentats per aquests animals per a observar el seu potencial com a agents pertorbadors de l’espai prèviament ocupat. Amb aquest propòsit, s’ha compilat la informació a partir de les observacions fetes amb foto i vídeo-trap juntament amb les anàlisis tafonòmiques. La proposta metodològica emprada fa que els resultats obtinguts tinguin implicacions directes i siguin aplicables als jaciments arqueològics. Un exemple d'aquesta proposta és l'aplicació realitzada al conjunt faunístic del nivell 4 de la Cova del Toll (Moià, Barcelona, Catalunya), on s'ha intentat identificar l'actor que produeix peeling sobre els elements axials d'Ursus spelaeus utilitzant les dades neo-tafonòmiques procedents de la part de camp experimental d'aquesta Tesi Doctoral. Durante las últimas décadas, los carnívoros han sido el principal objeto de estudio en muchos trabajos destinados a explicar el rol de estos animales en las acumulaciones arqueológicas así como su grado de competencia con los homínidos arcaicos. El presente proyecto de Tesis Doctoral pretende contribuir al gap existente aportando nuevos datos procedentes del actualismo y la neo-tafonomía, con el objetivo de individualizar estos predadores y encontrar elementos diagnósticos que los diferencien. Se presenta en este estudio la caracterización del comportamiento predador desde una perspectiva tafonómica, con la descripción de los patrones de consumo de osos pardos (Ursus arctos) y zorros (Vulpes vulpes) en libertad sobre carcasas de ungulados en el Pirineo Catalán (Val d’Aran, Pallars Sobirà y Pallars Jussà) junto con el estudio de la terrera de una madriguera de tejón (Meles meles) situada en un entorno de cueva. El objetivo principal es la caracterización tafonómica de estos predadores y la obtención de un cuerpo de datos que permita diferenciarlos entre ellos y poder establecer analogías con los conjuntos de fauna pleistocenos. Simultáneamente, y con el objetivo de estimar las capacidades potenciales de modificación de estos animales en lugares de hábitat humano, se han reproducido de forma ideal estructuras de hogares y campamentos temporales en itinerarios frecuentados por estos animales para observar su potencial como agentes perturbadores de un espacio previamente ocupado. Con este propósito, se ha compilado la información a partir de las observaciones hechas con foto y video-trap junto con los análisis tafonómicos. La propuesta metodológica utilizada hace que los resultados obtenidos tengan implicaciones directas y sean aplicables a los yacimientos arqueológicos. Ejemplo de ello es la aplicación realizada al conjunto faunístico del nivel 4 de la Cova del Toll (Moià, Barcelona, Catalunya), donde se ha intentado identificar el actor que produce peeling sobre los elementos axiales de Ursus spelaeus utilizando los datos neo-tafonómicos procedentes de la parte de campo experimental de esta Tesis Doctoral. Over the past few decades, carnivores have been under consideration in most works aiming to further explain their role in archaeological faunal assemblages as well as the degree of competence with archaic hominins. The current Doctoral Thesis aims to contribute to the existing gap with new data coming from actualism and neo-taphonomy with the objective of individualizing those predators and finding out diagnostic elements to differentiate them. This research presents the characterization of predator behavior from a taphonomic perspective describing brown bear (Ursus arctos) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) consumption patterns on ungulate carcasses in the Catalan Pyrenees (Val d’Aran, Pallars Sobirà and Pallars Jussà). The study of the spoil heap of a badger (Meles meles) sett located in a cave-like environment complements this research line. The main goal is to characterize taphonomically these predators and to obtain data in order to differentiate them from each other as well as to establish analogies with Pleistocene faunal assemblages. Simultaneously, short-term campsites and hearth related structures have been set up to determine their potential capacities of alteration/disruption in previously hominin occupied space. Those experiments have been settled in recurrent known transit areas crossed over by these carnivores. With that purpose in mind, data has been collected from observations carried out with photo and video-trap systems together with taphonomic analyses. The results obtained from our methodological proposal have significant archaeological implications and applications. An example of this is the application made to the level 4 faunal assemblage of Toll Cave (Moià, Barcelona, Catalunya), where it has been attempted to identify the actor who produces peeling on the axial elements of Ursus spelaeus using the neo-taphonomic data from the experimental field part of this Doctoral Thesis.

Short-term human occupations could occur in very distinct places and be related to very different behaviours. The low number of items left by the human groups in these sites, usually, generates discrete assemblages, which often are difficult to disentangle. In the European Middle Palaeolithic, short-term human occupations in caves and rock-shelters, frequented by carnivores as hibernation places, dens or refuges, are common. From an archaeological perspective, the resulting assemblages are a mixture of anthropogenic and carnivore items (palimpsests) in which the intensity of human occupation(s) is usually measured by the quantity of recovered lithic artefacts, hearths or modified bones. The detailed study of these sites is pivotal to understand the development of the human communities in a landscape, their movements across the territory, the diversity of activities performed and the relationships stablished within the other biological entities (mainly carnivores). This paper aims to present data on four Middle Palaeolithic sites in the Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula characterized by short-term occupations in carnivore contexts. The results indicate a complex scenario in terms of settlement patterns and movements of Neanderthals in mountainous environments ranging from occasional visits to carnivore dens for hunting or active scavenging to full-scale, planned occupations during the course of seasonal foraging activities.