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Objectives Humanly induced modifications on human and non-human bones from four archaeological sites of known funerary rituals (one interpreted as cannibalism and three interpreted as funerary defleshing and disarticulation after a period of decay) were analyzed to ascertain whether macromorphological and micromorphological characteristics of cut marks can be used to distinguish cannibalistic from secondary burial practices. Material and methods Four collections were analyzed: the Magdalenian assemblage from Gough's Cave (UK) and the Mesolithic-Neolithic bone samples from Lepenski Vir, Padina and Vlasac (Serbia). A total of 647 cut marks (345 on human and 302 on non-human remains) were imaged and measured using an optical surface measurement system, the Alicona InfiniteFocus, housed at the Natural History Museum (London, UK). Results The frequency of cut marks at Gough's Cave exceeds 65%, while it is below 1% in the Serbian sites, and no human tooth marks and only one case of percussion damage have been observed on the three Serbian collections. The distribution of cut marks on human bones is comparable in the four assemblages. Cannibalized human remains, however, present a uniform cut mark distribution, which can be associated with disarticulation of persistent and labile articulations, and the scalping and filleting of muscles. For secondary burials where modification occurred after a period of decay, disarticulation marks are less common and the disarticulation of labile joints is rare. The micromorphometric analyses of cut marks on human and non-human remains suggest that cut marks produced when cleaning partially decayed bodies are significantly different from cut marks produced during butchery of fresh bodies. Conclusions A distinction between cannibalism and secondary treatment of human bodies can be made based on frequency, distribution and micromorphometric characteristics of cut marks.

Las Caldas Cave is located in the middle valley of the Nalon River, in a setting widely occupied from the end of the Pleistocene until the Late Glacial Maximum. Level IX, which has been preserved in Chamber II, constitutes the first occupation of the Middle Magdalenian, in a very cold and humid phase of the climate at the end of the Older Dryas, with dates from 14347 ± 436 cal BC. The random distribution of the material record over the surface of the excavated area (H2-G2, H3-G3, H4-G4, G5), as well as the wealth and relevance of the materials recovered, require analysis of the floor of occupation from a spatial perspective in order to reveal the interrelations among the different elements comprising the whole archaeological floor. In addition, a study was made of the lithic and osseous industries from a techno-functional perspective, with a view to making an approximation of the activities carried out by the hunter-gatherer groups of the Cantabrian Middle Magdalenian.

Hunter-gatherer groups' organizational strategies were influenced by how key resources were structured on landscapes, including lithic toolstones with fixed outcrop locations. Lithic artifacts, which were created via reductive sequences, can inform landscape-level behavioral reconstructions because toolstone decreased in quantity through use as it was transported further from its source and its reduction stages can be determined using diagnostic lithic debris (e.g. primary cortical pieces, renewal flakes, and cores). By comparing lithic raw materials and their reduction stages at four Lower Cantabrian Magdalenian sites—Altamira, El Juyo, El Miron, and El Rascano—this paper reconstructs lithic provisioning and hunter-gatherer mobility in the center of the Vasco-Cantabrian region during the Last Glacial period. This study proposes that the Lower Magdalenian groups who occupied these sites shared a regional economic territory that extended from Cantabria into western Navarra and conveyed toolstones between sites as part of mobile toolkits. Local raw material conveyance demonstrates that shifting environmental zones was an important factor in these hunter-gatherers' mobility strategies in Cantabria.

This research argues for a refocus of the study of prehistoric social networks that involves contextualizing the inter-site links that are often interpreted as indicators of inter-site social interactions. It focuses on the social networks created during the Lower Magdalenian of the Cantabrian region (Spain), and visible through similarities of portable art representations. It uses Species Distribution Modeling and Maximum Classification Likelihood on faunal presence data to reconstruct prehistoric biomes, and contextualize the networks reconstructed through the art analysis. It demonstrates the potential of mapping the recreated networks onto the reconstructed biomes and of identifying the linked sites' foraging and minimal band territories to distinguish between local mobility movement and inter-group social alliances. The results show that, during the Lower Magdalenian, the majority of movements seen through artistic similarities probably represent the seasonal mobility of one or two hunter-gatherer groups, and that only a few inter-site links represent social networks used to exchange mates and gather information.

The excavations carried out by L. Pericot from 1929 to 1931 in the Cova del Parpallo documented the Gravettian in the base, a Solutrean layer, and a Magdalenian. This sequences comprise an exceptional assemblage of portable art because of the number of plaquets/objects and the great chronological amplitude. With all this information, Parpallo was included in the reduced list of reference sites to organize the European Upper Paleolithic sequence in the first half of the 20th century. The Magdalenian layers were organized in four phases, following H. Breuil's classical proposal. Changes in bases morphology and decorative topics on osseous points permitted this correlation, identifying for the first time the oldest Magdalenian in the south of Europe. With this precedent, we show in this work a preliminary technological and typological study of the Ancient Magdalenian or Badegoulian Parpallo's type osseous industry. The main objective is to identify the operational schemes that characterize the osseous material transformation working. We analyse the different artefact categories which belong to the production operational sequence (wastes, blanks, preforms, and finished objects). We compare these data with a sample of finished objects. They belong to the production of an assemblage composed by spear points, half-round rods and awls. The first approach reveals that in Parpallo, debitage by fracturing is predominant. The use of Double Grooving Procedure is documented as well. Both were used to obtain flat blanks to make objects like simple bevel points, double points or simple based points. We make a valuation between techno-typological transformations in lithic industries and radiocarbon dating. This is put in relation to the transformations produced in SW Europe in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

The cave of Coimbre contains an important archaeological deposit divided into two different zones, of which most of the excavations carried out to date have taken place in Zone B. Coimbre B displays a full and very interesting Magdalenian sequence (with Lower, Middle and Upper Magdalenian levels), in addition to a Gravettian layer. The excavations were performed from 2008 to 2012. The hunter–gatherers who lived in Coimbre in the Upper Palaeolithic made use of several adaptation strategies allowing them to exploit all the abiotic and animal resources the environment afforded them. In this way, the faunal assemblage includes remains of ibex and chamois, associated with the mountains and crags in the immediate surroundings of the site, and also red deer, roe deer, aurochs and horses, indicating the exploitation of the animal resources living in the Besnes valley, at the foot of Sierra del Cuera. When the faunal remains in the Magdalenian levels, and those in the Gravettian layer, are analysed in greater detail, significant differences indicate a differential use of the terrain. Thus, in the Gravettian, the preferential hunting of aurochs and red deer suggests the valleys in the vicinity were exploited while steeper and more mountainous areas were visited less. In contrast, in the Magdalenian, the most common faunal remains belong to ibex, which was the most hunted species. Together with ibex, chamois is also very common, whereas bovids are found in very small numbers in the Magdalenian levels. These patterns reflect a change in the hunting behaviour of the occupants of the cave, in which the hunting of valley resources was transformed into a more intensive use of animals in more rugged areas, such as ibex and chamois. This paper presents the preliminary results of the study of Magdalenian occupations in Coimbre, following the excavations in Zone B, one of the most important places of Magdalenian human activities in Western Cantabria (northern Iberia).

The paper presents the fish collections retrieved in the site of Santa Catalina. The results from this analysis are explored in terms of the Richness, Diversity, Equitability and Trophic level values of the 61 archeological levels that span from the Upper Magdalenian (15 ky cal BC) to the Azilian (10 ky cal BC). These results are discussed within the frame of theoretical proposals on the origin and evolution of prehistoric fishing in the Cantabrian region, and evidence that some of these proposals appear to be in need of revision.

Transitional moments in prehistory are of broad interest in archaeology. Immediately following the Last Glacial Maximum, two technological shifts occurred in SW Europe: in France, at ∼18,000 uncal. BP, an industry characterized by large Solutrean projectiles was replaced by the well-defined Badegoulian industry; a thousand years later in Vasco-Cantabrian Spain, Solutrean technologies were gradually replaced by Magdalenian antler point ( sagaie ) and lithic inset composite weapons. The Solutrean–Magdalenian transition remains ill-defined in Vasco-Cantabria, where very few “transitional” assemblages dating to the c. 17–16,000 uncal. BP interval have been identified, leaving questions as to how the changes occurred and what kinds of relationships existed between French and Spanish groups during this period. Urtiaga cave (Guipuzcoa) Level F (17,050 ± 140 uncal. BP) contributes a new Initial Magdalenian archaeological sample to the discussion of Last Glacial behavioral change during a technological transition. This paper synthesizes the results of a detailed lithic analysis with findings from previous studies of fauna and osseous industry from Urtiaga Level F. Then, the analysis explores Initial Magdalenian organizational behaviors through a series of lithic procurement/mobility models that show dynamic land use in eastern Vasco-Cantabria. Finally, Urtiaga Level F was compared to four other Initial Magdalenian occupations in the region, demonstrating that lithic maintenance—in manufacture, use, and rejuvenation—was a significant factor in how Initial Magdalenian groups organized their landscape-level behavioral strategies. The archaeological assemblages from Urtiaga cave are important contributions to archaeological questions surrounding the Solutrean–Magdalenian transition, providing further evidence for in situ technological change in Vasco-Cantabria. Additionally, the economic analyses discussed in this paper provide new attributes that archaeologists can use to identify Initial Magdalenian sites on the landscape. This study develops a methodological procedure that is broadly applicable to archaeological studies related to prehistoric cultural transitions and to those studies that apply data from collections recovered during the early 20th century to modern interpretive frameworks.

El yacimiento rupestre al aire libre del Arroyo de las Almas, en las inmediaciones del encuentro entre los ríos Águeda y Duero, presenta un conjunto de 600 motivos grabados, con una larga diacronía desde el Paleolítico Superior hasta la Edad Contemporánea. Presentamos una visión detallada de su arte Paleolítico, con 21 figuras documentadas en 5 rocas, grabadas por incisión, y que corresponden a 13 zoomorfos, 7 signos y 1 motivo indeterminable, además de grupos de líneas no figurativas. Los análisis formales y técnicos llevados a cabo y sus paralelos, nos permiten afirmar que son integrables, desde la óptica cronocultural, entre el inicio del Magdaleniense y el final del ciclo artístico Paleolítico. Este conjunto, formaría parte de la vasta red de yacimientos artísticos en la cuenca del Duero, en su mayoría con arte al aire libre, cuyas principales características de implantación sugieren una inicial función como lugar privilegiado de paso, entorno a la desembocadura de Águeda.AbstractThe open-air rock art site Arroyo de las Almas, close to the meeting point of the rivers Águeda and Douro, displays approximately 600 engraved motifs, with a chronology ranging from the Upper Palaeolithic to Contemporary Age. We present a detailed analysis of the Upper Palaeolithic art of the site, corresponding to 21 registered figures in 5 rocks, all engraved by incision and corresponding to 13 zoomorphic figures, 7 signs and 1 undetermined motif, as well as groups of non-figurative lines. The typological and stylistic analyses carried out and their parallels allow us to affirm that all of them are chronologically integrable between the beginning of the Magdalenian and the end of the Palaeolithic artistic cycle. This set was part of the vast network of artistic sites in the Douro basin, for the most part with open-air art. The main implantation characteristics of the site suggest its function as a privileged passage site, around the mouth of the Águeda.

During the past three years, as part of a doctoral thesis research project, several caves containing Paleolithic art in eastern Asturias (Cantabrian Coast of northern Spain) have been explored and examined, resulting in new findings. The main objective of our work was to determine the value, as ethnic or territorial markers, of certain signs represented on the cave walls. Certain types of ideomorphs, due to their formal configuration, uniqueness, and geographic concentration, may take on that role. The preliminary results are set forth in this article, along with the systematization of some graphic expressions and our observations on certain patterns and behaviors of the pre-Magdalenian period.

Excavations at Les Varines were funded by Jersey Heritage through the States of Jersey Tourism Development Fund (https://www.gov.je/Leisure/Events/TourismDevelopmentFundTDF/pages/abouttdf.aspx) in 2013-15 and in 2017 (BS received the funding), by the British Museum research fund in 2016-18 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/research) (Grant nos EC164/EC208) (BS received the funding), in 2016 by British Academy (https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk) small grant SG152868 (CC received the funding) and Society of Antiquaries (https://www.sal.org.uk/) Research Grants R121086 in 2017 and BH181355 in 2018 (CC received the funding). Funding from the Universities of Manchester, Southampton and UCL supported student training at the excavation. Silvia Bello’s work was part of the ‘Human Behaviour in 3D’ Project funded by the Calleva Foundation. Beccy Scott’s work was also supported by the Calleva foundation (Pathways to Ancient Britain project). The Upper Palaeolithic is characterised by the appearance of iconographic expressions most often depicting animals, including anthropomorphic forms, and geometric signs. The Late Upper Palaeolithic Magdalenian saw a flourishing of such depictions, encompassing cave art, engraving of stone, bone and antler blanks and decoration of tools and weapons. Though Magdalenian settlement exists as far northwest as Britain, there is a limited range of art known from this region, possibly associated with only fleeting occupation of Britain during this period. Stone plaquettes, flat fragments of stone engraved on at least one surface, have been found in large quantities at numerous sites spanning the temporal and geographical spread of the Magdalenian, but they have been absent so far from the archaeological record of the British Isles. Between 2015 and 2018, ten fragments of stone plaquettes extensively engraved with abstract designs were uncovered at the Magdalenian site of Les Varines, Jersey, Channel Islands. In this paper, we report detailed analyses of these finds, which provide new evidence for technologies of abstract mark-making, and their significance within the lives of people on the edge of the Magdalenian world. These engraved stone fragments represent important, rare evidence of artistic expression in what is the far northern and western range of the Magdalenian and add new insight to the wider significance of dynamic practices of artistic expression during the Upper Palaeolithic. Publisher PDF

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.

Aitzbitarte hill is a classic archaeological site for the Upper Palaeolithic in the Cantabrian Region. Excavations in caves III and IV were started at the end of the 19th century and continued during the next, revealing broad sequences of human occupations. The first very modest evidence of parietal art was located in 2012 in Aitzbitarte IV, and shortly after in 2015, more clear evidence of Gravettian and Magdalenian rock-art manifestations were reported for caves III, V and IX. In 2017, Felix Ugarte Elkartea speleologists located a new decorated gallery in a chimney inside the main gallery of Aitzbitarte IV. The preliminary study, presented in this paper, reveals a unique rock art composition where the natural clay from the walls was engraved and modelled in some cases to create low-relief bison, horses, reindeer and vulvas. This uncommon technique, totally unknown in the archaeological record of the Iberian Peninsula, the formal conventions (horns and legs in perspective, closed eyes in bison, scapular quarterings in the horses, etc.) and the presence of vulvas engraved in clay (as in Bedeilhac, Montespan or Oxocelhaya), relate this cave to Middle Magdalenian rock-art sites in the French Pyrenees region. The new data from Aitzbitarte IV, together with data recently obtained from the surrounding caves, provide insights into symbolic networks at the end of the Upper Palaeolithic in Western Europe.

International audience; The study of the origin of technological materials and ornaments objects of human groups in the Auvergne during the Middle Magdalenian shows the extent and complexity of the links that people maintained with surrounding regions, often on distances exceeding 200 km as the crow flies. The recently discovered site of Enval-Moliard is particularly representative of this fact. Objects found at this site indeed show direct or indirect contacts with several geographical areas located over 500 km away. There were certainly privileged and likely regular relationships with central France, from where several types of flint were imported, but also very probably shells and objects of curiosity. The site of Enval-Moliard also seems to show connections with the Alps region through the introduction of hyaline quartz and certain ornament objects, in particular perforated marmot incisors. In our view, it confirms the complex and heterogeneous characteristic of long-distance exchanges of objects in the Middle Magdalenian.; L’étude de l’origine de l’équipement technique et des objets de parure des groupes humains en Auvergne au cours du Magdalénien moyen montre l’ampleur et la complexité des liens entretenus avec les régions environnantes, à des échelles qui dépassent les 200 kilomètres à vol d’oiseau. Les objets retrouvés sur le site d’Enval-Moliard, récemment découvert, témoignent de contacts directs ou indirects avec plusieurs aires géographiques éloignées entre elles de plus de 500 kilomètres : des relations privilégiées et sans doute régulières avec le centre de la France, d’où ont été importés plusieurs types de silex, mais aussi très probablement des coquillages et des objets de curiosité, et également avec le domaine alpin, au travers de l’introduction de quartz hyalin et de certains objets de parure, en particulier des incisives de marmotte. C’est pour nous une confirmation du caractère complexe et multiforme des transports d’objets à longue distance au Magdalénien moyen.

International audience; Discovered in 2005 by T. Bismuth and diagnosed as part of a preventive operation by Inrap under the responsibility of L. Detrain in 2006, Bouyssonie Cave has been the object of planned excavations, coordinated since 2008 by D. Pesesse. This work has revealed a stratigraphic sequence from the Early Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, which documents several cultural traditions, regarding which little had hitherto been known at a regional level. In particular, the work carried out at the entrance of the cave carved into the Triassic sandstone, has revealed several layers of remains, dated to between 20,500 and 9,000 cal BP. Succeeding the elements currently under study, which are attributable to the Middle and Late Gravettian and the Solutrean, a dense layer of lithic and carbon remains, currently excavated over just two square meters, has revealed an industry of bladelets with right-hand and marginal backs, dated to around 20,500 cal BP and most likely attributable to an early phase of Magdalenian. Separated from this assemblage by a stratigraphic interface, a second layer comprising many lithic and carbon remains, dated to around 19,000 cal BP, is characteristic of the early Middle Magdalenian. Most of the remains found at the entrance of the cave during the 2006 operation can be attributed to this same technocomplex. Above it, an assemblage more dilated in thickness, comprising a lower density of remains included mixed elements from the Late Glacial (Magdalenian s.l. and Azilian) and even the Post Glacial (Mesolithic).By integrating petroarchaeological and techno-typological analyses it has been possible to characterize the early Middle Magdalenian. A first use-wear analysis has allowed us to consider the taphonomy of the remains, to establish the intentions behind the lithic reduction and the methods used, and to document certain activities carried out according to the occupation of the site. The anthracological analysis, combined with the radiocarbon datings, has allowed us to question the homogeneity of the upper assemblage and to propose a first radiometric framework for this sequence. Repositioned in its geoarchaeological framework, this new Magdalenian archaeological sequence has permitted us to characterize two assemblages regarding which little had hitherto been known at a regional level.; Découvert en 2005 par T. Bismuth et diagnostiqué dans le cadre d’une opération préventive de l’Inrap, sous la responsabilité de L. Detrain en 2006, le site de la grotte Bouyssonie fait l’objet de fouilles programmées, coordonnées depuis 2008 par D. Pesesse. Ces travaux ont mis au jour une séquence stratigraphique du Paléolithique supérieur au Néolithique, qui documente plusieurs traditions culturelles dont certaines sont mal connues régionalement. En particulier, les travaux menés au-devant de la cavité, creusée dans les grès triasiques, ont livré une succession de nappes de vestiges datées entre 20 500 et 9 000 cal BP. Reposant sur des ensembles en cours d’étude attribuables au Gravettien (étude L. Klaric) et au Solutréen (étude C. Renard), deux nappes de vestiges culturellement homogènes sont séparées par un horizon de mélange interstratigraphique. La première nappe de vestiges, actuellement fouillée sur deux mètres carrés seulement, livre une industrie à lamelles à dos dextre marginal datée autour de 20 500 cal BP et vraisemblablement attribuable à une phase ancienne du Magdalénien. La seconde nappe de vestiges, datée autour de 19 000 cal BP, est caractéristique du « Magdalénien moyen ancien ». L’essentiel des vestiges mis au jour au-devant de la grotte lors de l’opération de 2006 peut être rattaché à cette seconde nappe. Pour terminer, un ensemble plus dilaté en épaisseur et moins dense en vestiges regroupe des éléments mélangés du Tardiglaciaire (Magdalénien s.l. et Azilien) voire du Postglaciaire (Mésolithique) et coiffe les deux ensembles magdaléniens préservés.Le croisement des analyses pétro-archéologiques et techno-typologiques permet de caractériser le Magdalénien moyen ancien. Un premier examen tracéologique offre la possibilité de s’interroger sur l’état de conservation des vestiges, de préciser les objectifs fonctionnels des débitages et de documenter certaines activités menées au gré des occupations. L’analyse anthracologique, croisée avec les datations radiocarbone, offre la possibilité de questionner l’homogénéité de l’ensemble supérieur et de proposer un premier cadre radiométrique à cette séquence. Replacée dans son contexte géologique, cette nouvelle archéo-séquence du Magdalénien permet de caractériser deux ensembles régionalement mal connus.

International audience; The aim of this article is to better understand the social structure of a small Magdalenian community through the palethnographic analysis of an occupation level of Étiolles, level U5-P15. This level was excavated over a surface of 700 m2 and is interpreted as part of the camp, consisting of two dwellings, U5 and P15, each of which housed a family unit, associated with four adjacent hearths. The spatial analysis shows the organisation of activities in the dwelling and the flint refits show a significant circulation of knapped products between the units, mainly cores and blades. This circulation shows that individuals were mobile in the camp area and also throughout time. Numerous exchanges between the dwellings reveal a complex social reality with mutual aid and sharing and a certain form of hierarchy between families. In addition, the disparate temporality of the two dwellings raises the question of a possible recomposition of the Magdalenian group during their stay at Étiolles.; L’ambition de cet article est d’appréhender la structure sociale d’une petite communauté de Magdaléniens à travers l’analyse palethnographique d’un niveau d’occupation d’Étiolles, le niveau U5-P15. Fouillé sur 700 m2, ce niveau est interprété comme une partie de campement, composée de deux habitations, U5 et P15, abritant chacune une unité familiale, et associées à quatre foyers annexes. L’analyse spatiale met en évidence l’organisation des activités dans l’habitat et les remontages de silex attestent une circulation importante des produits de la taille entre les unités, essentiellement des nucléus et des lames. Cette circulation traduit la mobilité des individus dans l’espace du campement et aussi dans le temps du séjour. De nombreux échanges entre les habitations révèlent une réalité sociale complexe qui se manifeste par des comportements d’entraide et de partage, et une certaine forme de hiérarchie entre les deux familles. En outre, une temporalité inégale des deux habitations pose la question d’une recomposition du groupe magdalénien durant son séjour à Étiolles.

This paper investigates the correlation between climate, environment and human land use in the Westernmost Mediterranean on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar during the Late Glacial. Using a multi-proxy approach on a sample of 300 sites from the Solutrean and Magdalenian of the Iberian Peninsula and from the Iberomaurusian in Morocco, we find evidence for significant changes in settlement patterns and site density after the Last Glacial Maximum. In Southern Iberia, during Heinrich Stadial 1, hyperarid zones expanded drastically from the south-eastern coast to the West through the Interior. This aridification process heavily affected Magdalenian settlement in the South and caused a strong decline of hunter-gatherer population. Southern Iberia during Heinrich Stadial 1 turned out to be a high-risk environment when compared to Northern Iberia. At the same time, the Late Iberomaurusian of Morocco, although considered to be situated in a high-risk environment as well, experiences an increase of sites and expansion of settlement area.

From the graphic point of view, the theme of the ?striated hind? is a true fossildirector of the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian. Represented for the most part on scapulae in the case of portable art, it also possesses its correlation in parietal art. The C14 dates currently available do not allow any doubts about its chrono-cultural attribution. However, the concept of ?striated engraving?, referring to a technical/stylistic resource, has been used much more expansively to characterize chronologically a large number of representations of doubtful attribution. Therefore, this paper will define, from a precise study of technical characteristics involving both microscopic and formal analysis, the ?striated hind? morphotype, as opposed to the notion of ?striated engraving?, which will also be reviewed in the light of the formal and technical data available. This redefinition will enable us to address more precisely the dispersion across space and time of this graphic resource so characteristic of the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian. The results presented in this paper have been partially funded by the research project of the Spanish Science Ministry “Learning and developing of artistic skills in anatomically modern humans: a multidisciplinary approach” HAR2017- 87739-P, lead by Olivia Rivero.

Traditionally, the Iberian Peninsula has been considered to be a “land of rabbits”, a notion reinforced through the frequent appearance of these animals throughout the Palaeolithic on Mediterranean sites. However, the Cantabrian coast has shown a different pattern, with rabbits being scarce or exceptional at most Northern peninsular sites, with only a few evidences of exploitation. Nevertheless, lagomorphs represent around 10% of the bone assemblage at the Upper Magdalenian levels of Coímbre Cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias). In this paper, we conduct a taphonomical analysis of the rabbit assemblage from Coímbre Cave. We note that bones have been exposed to several taphonomical processes, including carnivore tooth marks, chemical alterations on teeth caused by raptor digestion, and the presence of cut-marks on some bone surfaces. Therefore, we argue that the rabbit assemblage at Coímbre is the result of a complex taphonomical history, with evidence for both anthropogenic activity and the actions of other biological agents. This new evidence retrieved from Coímbre Cave further highlights its exceptionality within other Cantabrian sites., This research was part of Project: "Paleoecología y Poblamiento en la Cuenca Media del Río Cares durante el Pleistoceno Superior: La cueva de Coímbre (Alles, Peñamellera Alta)", autorized by the Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural de la Consejería de Cultura del Principado de Asturias with founds from the Research Group: Investigación de Alto Rendimiento de Prehistoria de la Universidad del País Vasco (IT-288-07) and the project HAR 2008–3976/HIST del Ministerio de Educación for the season of 2008, the Sociedad de Ciencias de Aranzadi in 2009 and the Ma. Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation since 2010.

he dominance of red deer in Magdalenian records in Cantabrian Spain is a well-studied issue. Given the great accumulations of this species in those deposits, researchers have offered diverse interpretations of the phenomenon, related to ecology, orography or ethology. However, fewer papers carry out comparative intra-site analysis, which is able to document the existence of changes or continuities in the subsistence strategies at an archaeological site. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the archaeozoological analysis of Levels F and G in El Cierro cave (Asturias, Spain), both of them dated during Greenland Stadial 2, in the Lower Magdalenian (15,460 ± 75 and 15,580 ± 75 BP, respectively). Similar percentages of mammals have been documented in the two levels, as well as the same meat and fat consumption and processing strategies. Thus, this paper intends to determine how much energy red deer supplied to the diet of the humans that inhabited El Cierro, in comparison with other hunted and consumed fauna during the Lower Magdalenian. This study highlights the continuity of exploitation patterns of faunal resources in El Cierro cave during the Lower Magdalenian. This continuity is specifically seen in red deer, since the geographic characteristics of the Sella Valley, the abundance of the biotype, and the economic profitability of this species made it the main resource of animal origin for the hunter-gatherers at that site. This research was undertaken in the context of the Spanish projects HAR2014-51830-P funded by the Programa Nacional de Humanidades in the R&D Plan of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and HAR2017-82557-P, funded by the Programa Estatal de Fomento de la Investigación Científica y Técnica de Excelencia, of the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, and PhD scholarship Junta de Castilla y León and Fondo Social Europeo (R. Portero).

This paper revisits the main sites of the Northern Valencian region dating to the end of the Pleistocene. The analysis of the material culture recovered at these sites provides the necessary data to offer an updated overview of the main characteristics and changes of the industries of this period in Mediterranean Iberia. The initial division of the period into four major stages (Upper Magdalenian, Early Epimagdalenian, Late Epimagdalenian and Sauveterrian) can now be redefined according to the changes observed, suggesting the existence of a new short time facies typified by the presence of Truncated backed points. The new facies, never identified before, marks the change from the Upper Magdalenian to the Epimagdalenian.

La finalidad de este trabajo es documentar las marcas presentes en un arpón magdaleniense tras su fabricación a través de la Arqueología Experimental, para poder distinguirlas de las huellas de uso en arpones arqueológicos. Además, pretendemos generar marcas del cordaje del enmangue en el asta, tal y como se han hallado en arpones como los de El Horno (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria)., The purpose of this paper is documenting the traces found in a Magdalenian harpoon after its manufacture through Experimental Archaeology, in order to differentiate them from the traces of use in archaeological harpoons. In addition, we intend to generate traces of the string in the horn as they have been found in harpoons such as those of El Horno (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria)

Resumen: La inserción o depósito de objetos en las grietas, repisas y orificios de las cuevas decoradas durante el Paleolítico Superior es un fenómeno que solo ha sido objeto de investigación en los últimos años, especialmente en yacimientos situados en la vertiente norte de los Pirineos. Una prospección exhaustiva en la cueva de La Pasiega b, Puente Viesgo, Cantabria, nos ha permitido documentar evidencias similares que suman un total de 31 objetos ?29 huesos y 2 sílex? en el sector más cercano a la antigua boca colmatada. El muestreo y datación de uno de los huesos nos ha permitido obtener una fecha de radiocarbono ultrafiltrada que se sitúa en el Magdaleniense Medio, en consonancia con una de las fases de decoración de la cavidad. La presencia de objetos hincados, preferentemente huesos, en áreas de hábitat de los yacimientos y compartiendo espacio con paredes decoradas es una constante que se repite en otros yacimientos como Isturitz o Gargas. No existe en la actualidad una explicación de carácter funcional para dichas evidencias, por lo que se propone una finalidad simbólica para las mismas. Abstract: The interest for documenting the insertion or deposit of objects in the crevices, shelves and orifices of the decorated caves throughout the Upper Palaeolithic is quite recent and this phenomenon has al¬most only been documented in the Northern Pyrenean sites. During an exhaustive survey, we have identified similar evidence in the cave of La Pasiega b, Puente Viesgo, Cantabria with 31 objects ?29 bones and 2 flints? in the closest sector to the old blocked entrance. The sampling and dating of one of the bones has allowed us to obtain an ultrafiltered radiocarbon date corresponding to the Middle Magdalenian, in accordance with one of the decoration phases in this sector. The presence of hinked objects, preferably bones, in areas of habitat, sharing space with decorated walls, is a constant that is repeated in other sites such as Isturitz or Gargas. There is currently no functional explanation for such evidence, so a symbolic purpose for them is proposed.

The cave of Armina is the lower level of the same karst cave system as Atxurra Cave, which has a habitat site in the entrance, covering from the Gravettian to the Late Magdalenian periods, and an important Palaeolithic rock art ensemble in the inner part of the cave. The current entrance of Armina was opened artificially at the end of the 19th century. Between 2016 and 2017 several tests and a 6 m2 excavation were performed in the main hall of Armina to evaluate its archaeological record. The excavated stratigraphic sequence is sealed by a succession of sterile units (Ia-Ic) with no archaeological or faunal remains. At the bottom of this sterile unit a continuous flowstone separates it from Unit III, an almost sterile unit containing a few transported bones, charcoal fragments and a few lithics found in contact with Unit IV, where the bulk of archaeological remains were found. In Unit IV, a number of bone fragments and lithic tools are associated with a small hearth and an ocher stain. The available archaeological evidence, and the first results of the ongoing multiproxy analyses, suggest that the deposit is the result of a very short occupation event or even shorter visits to this spot inside the cave. These visits were more or less contemporaneous with the occupation levels in Atxurra and probably correspond chronologically to the artistic activity in the deep part of the cave. However, although Armina Cave is quite suitable for human settlement, only a short-term occupation has been recognized. This could partially be related to the morpho-topographic conditions of the cave which would imply that access from the exterior was difficult at the time of the occupation. Thus, the occupation site might be defined as an Inner Archaeological Context (I.A.C.). Therefore, our main hypothesis is that this short-term occupation was an activity spot for Magdalenian explorers inside the cave, in which the activities they carried out were not exclusively related to technological and subsistence practices, nor to the execution of art, given the particular nature of the finds and the absence of Palaeolithic artistic manifestations in Armina.

The Magdalenian of the Cantabrian region is a well-known archaeological period with many sites contributing to the understanding of the economic and social organization dating ca. 14,800 cal BCE. Nevertheless, concerning the faunal management little is known on the role of carnivores as resource during this chronology, although they appear in many sites and archeozoological collections. Generally, carnivores have been related with site formation processes as bone accumulators and modifiers although they also play an important role as a multifunctional resource. The Lower Gallery of La Garma, is a site where exceptional preservation conditions allows archaeologist to analyze and interpret faunal remains with a unique perspective, that shows how carnivores can be seen as a resource linked with meat exploitation, fur procurement, ornament production or social/symbolic activities during the Magdalenian.

International audience; The Trou de Chaleux is a cave site located in Belgium. It delivered a rich late Magdalenian material culture constituted mainly of lithic artefacts but also including bone industries and figurative art. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the large collection of bird remains recovered by E. Dupont in 1865, which was yet unstudied from taphonomical and archaeozoological perspectives. In addition to the taxonomic identification,surface alterations were investigated based on a macro- and microscopic analysis, including an analysis of wear traces and elementary composition. Special attention is devoted to the presence of human modifications such as disarticulation or butchering marks, traces of heating, presence of colourants and traces of bone working. The taphonomic history of the bird assemblage is reconstructed and the use of birds by humans characterized, as well as their importance in past human activities. We also discuss evidence for seasonal exploitation and for reconstructingthe local environment and integrate our results with evidence from other Magdalenian assemblages from north-western Europe. At Trou de Chaleux, birds were used for food, as raw material for bone working and for symbolic purposes. The exploitation of avian products was intense, and species have been used for several purposes such as the raven and snowy owl having been exploited both for food and for symbolic reasons. Large bird bones were used as raw material to produce artefacts, but the use-wear analysis did not evidence unambiguous traces related to the use of the objects produced. Despite several limiting factors, the bird material from Trou de Chaleux considerably increases the knowledge of past human exploitation of birds during the late Magdalenian in north-western Europe.

Paleoenvironmental and climatic reconstructions are reported for latest Pleistocene (Paleolithic) contexts from the Swabian Jura of southwestern Germany. In particular, we focus on the late glacial interval, ~18,000 to 11,600 cal yr BP, using faunal remains from Langmahdhalde, a recently excavated Late Magdalenian site in the Lone Valley. We use two different proxies for reconstruction: (1) stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of bone collagen from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and horse (Equus ferus) and (2) the application of a bioclimatic model to the micromammal assemblage from the site. We use these results to discuss the environmental context of Magdalenian hunter-gatherers in the Lone Valley and argue that, although they generally lived in tundra environments, their landscape was heterogeneous and likely had pockets of trees and/or denser vegetation. Our study documents warmer winter temperatures, increased precipitation, and longer vegetative activity periods than those of modern tundra environments.

Cultural Heritage Service of the Diputacion Foral de Bizkaia for funding the four-year multidisciplinary study project (2016–2020) “Study of rock art in Atxurra Cave” directed by Dr Diego Garate. Some results in this paper have been partially funded by the research project of the Spanish Ministry “Learning and developing of artistic skills in anatomically modern humans: a multidisciplinary approach” HAR2017-87739-P, led by Olivia Rivero.

When, how, and following which paths hominins created the innovations that allowed them to colonize regions of the planet that were not suited to their thermal physiology is still a matter of inquiry. In this paper, we elaborate a theoretical framework to investigate the origin and diversification of bone needles, summarize the evidence for their emergence, create a large database of their morphometric and stylistic characters, and present results of the study of an exceptionally well-preserved collection of needles from Shuidonggou Locality 12 (SDG12), a site located in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Northern China, dated to ca. 11.2 ka BP. Bone needles are reported from 271 sites and 355 archaeological layers. Revision of the evidence shows they represent an original cultural innovation that emerged in Eurasia between 45–40 ka BP. Size differences between the earliest known specimens, found in Siberia and China, indicate needles may have been invented independently in these two regions. Needles from Eastern Europe may represent either an independent invention or a geographic extension of earlier Siberian and Caucasian sewing traditions. In Western Europe, needles appear during the Solutrean. The wider size range characteristic of Magdalenian specimens supports the idea that needles of different sizes were used in a variety of tasks. In China, the robust sub-circular needles found at sites dated between 35–25 ka BP are followed, between 26–23 ka BP, by small flat needles, which may represent an innovation associated with the microblades/microcores toolkit. At SDG12, technological, functional, and morphometric analyses of finished needles and manufacturing by-products identify two previously undetected reduction sequences for the production of needles of different size and, probably, function. The bone needles found at Paleoindian sites are the smallest and reflect a never previously achieved mastery in the production of such tools.

This article presents the second study of ochres associated with the Lower Magdalenian (18.7 cal kya) “Red Lady” human burial in El Mirón Cave (Cantabria, Spain). In the first study (Seva Román et al., 2015), we determined that the burial deposit contained iron oxides and idiomorphic hematite that were not from sources near the site, but possibly from Monte Buciero, some 27 km to the north on the present Atlantic shore in Santoña. We have now analyzed sediments both from the burial and from samples taken during prospection on Monte Buciero, along with ochres from deposits above the burial layer, from the face of a large limestone block immediately adjacent to the burial, and from an area of the cave wall close to it in the NE corner of the cave vestibule that bears the engraving of a horse. As before, the analyses used were binocular microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We were thus able to determine that the sources of the ochres in the burial deposit and on the block are the same—Monte Buciero. However we found substantial differences between the ochre on the block and the ochre underlying the horse panel image on the cave wall, which very likely also dates to sometime in the Magdalenian. This ochre analysis project was financed by Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología of Spain (HAR2010-22115-C02-02).

The Ebro Basin constitutes one of the most representative territories in SW Europe for the study of prehistoric societies during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The correlation of palaeoenvironmental and geomorphological proxies obtained from sedimentary records with chronologically well-constrained reference archaeological sites has allowed defining this time frame precisely, such that three main pilot areas haven been broadly depicted: the Alavese region, the Pre-Pyrenees and the Bajo Aragón. Overall, the human imprint in the Ebro Basin was rare during the Upper Palaeolithic, but more visible from the Upper Magdalenian (14500–13500 cal BP) to Neolithic times (up to 5500 cal BP). Local environmental resources were continuously managed by the prehistoric communities in the different areas of study. In fact, the Ebro Basin acted during those millennia as a whole, developing the same cultural trends, industrial techniques and settlement patterns in parallel throughout the territory. However, some gaps exist in the 14C frequency curve (SCDPD curve). This is partially related to prehistoric sites in particular lithologies and geological structures that could have partly been lost by erosional processes, especially during the Early Holocene. In addition, this gap also parallels the reconstructed climate trend for the Pre-Pyrenean and the Bajo Aragón areas, which are defined by high frequencies of xerophilous flora until ca. 9500 cal BP, suggesting that continental climate features could have hampered the presence of well-established human communities in inland regions. The interdisciplinary research (archaeology, geomorphology and palaeoclimatology) discussed in this paper offers clues to understand the existence of fills and gaps in the archaeological record of the Ebro Basin, and can be applied in other territories with similar geographic and climate patterns. Fil: Alday, Alfonso. Universidad del País Vasco; España Fil: Domingo, Rafael. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Sebastián, María. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Soto, Adriana. Université Toulouse-Jean Jaurè; Francia Fil: Aranbarri, Josu. Universidad del País Vasco; España Fil: González Sampériz, Penélope. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España Fil: Sampietro Vattuone, Maria Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Utrilla, Pilar. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Montes, Lourdes. Universidad de Zaragoza; España Fil: Peña Monné, José Luis. Universidad de Zaragoza; España

espanolEn este trabajo realizamos el estudio de nuevos materiales arqueo-paleontologicos recuperados en las dos escombreras de la cantera de Koskobilo (Olazti, Nafarroa) y proporcionamos nuevos datos sobre las colecciones recuperadas durante el s. XX en esta localidad. En este trabajo consideramos probable que los restos arqueo-paleontologicos de Koskobilo provengan de, al menos, dos cavidades, o de dos depositos independientes dentro de la misma cavidad. En la coleccion paleontologica, destacamos la identificacion de cuon, macaco, oso negro asiatico y ciervo gigante. La presencia de oso negro asiatico y de hipopotamo indican depositos del Pleistoceno Medio. Ademas, en base a la industria litica, queda firmemente constatada la presencia de poblaciones humanas desde el Paleolitico Medio Antiguo y durante varias fases del Paleolitico Superior, pudiendose destacar en Koskobilo la presencia de un taller de piezas foliaceas solutrense, el unico registrado hasta el momento en el area cantabrica. EnglishIn this work we provide new data on the archaeopaleontological findings from the Koskobilo quarry (Olazti, Navarre). We have reviewed the archaeo-paleontological collections that this quarry has yielded, which are curated at the Museum of Navarre. Additionally, we have studied new findings that we have recovered from two dumps of the quarry. Regarding the paleontological collection we have identified four new taxa in Koskobilo: dhole (Cuon sp.), Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and giant deer (Megacerini indet.). The presence of Ursus thibetanus with the already known presence of hippopotamus suggests that, at least, part of this paleontological collection has a Middle Pleistocene chronology. Additionally, the size of the second upper molars of the cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) suggests that at least another part of the collection was deposited during the Upper Pleistocene. The lithic collection, which was started to be recovered 10 years after the faunal collection, has yielded a few tools that can be ascribed to the Lower or Early Middle Paleolithic which could be roughly contemporaneous with the faunal collection. However, most of them are from the Upper Paleolithic and younger than the presence of the cave bears: Solutrean and Final Upper Magdalenian/Azilian, with the presence of a workshop of Solutrean bifacial points, unique in the northern Iberian peninsula. The data obtained from this study points towards the presence of two caves or cave sectors in which archaeopaleontological evidence from at least four moments of the Prehistory were recorded.

The Kůlna Cave in the Moravian Karst is an important site for acquiring knowledge on the development of Upper P alaeolithic cultures in Central Europe. Within a new project aimed at the re-evaluation of the chronology of the cave, the authors have also paid attention to the dating of the Upper Palaeolithic sequence that comprises the Gravettian, the Magdalenian (layers 6 and 5) and the Epimagdalenian (layers 4 and 3). Samples were selected from the osteological collection, and items bearing marks of human impact and with clear data on their locations were preferred. The dating of all samples was performed in the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit. It was obvious that some of the horizons had either become contaminated with more recent material, or their real stratigraphic position was not recognised correctly. Through a comparison of all data, particularly, the positions of the Epimagdalenian layer 4 and the Magdalenian layer 6 were stated more precisely. For the time being the position of the Magdalenian from layer 5 remains unclear. The dating of the Gravettian is based on two pieces of data only, and these originate from the most recent Micoquian layer 6a. The dataset for this culture is markedly older than the previously determined interval. There were no indicia of a possible existence of Early Upper Palaeolithic industries in this cave., Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt, Bd. 44, Nr. 3 (2014): Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt

At the root of numerous archaeological research projects is a need to understand how mobility impacted the lives of our ancestors. Recent technological advances have made it easy for archaeologists to rely on Geographic Information Systems' least-cost path tools to identify the single easiest path to move between two points set in a realistically rugged landscape; however, least-cost path tools work on the assumption that the whole world is perfectly known, which does not represent human mobility accurately in all cases. Here, we present an agent-based least-cost path (AB-LCP) model, which does not make the assumption of complete landscape knowledge, and allows creating multiple anisotropic least-cost paths that take the traveler's local perspective and incomplete knowledge into consideration. We demonstrate the model's potential through a case study of the geographical distribution of Cantabrian (Spain) Lower Magdalenian engraved scapulae, which provides an interesting extension to current understanding of Magdalenian mobility, showcasing the flexibility and potential of this new LCP tool to study archaeological landscapes. The results of our study suggest that the studied engraved scapulae may have been created at El Castillo, and then brought to Altamira for transmission to other sites. The results show that El Castillo was strategically located on a bottleneck for coastal-to-plain mobility, whereas Altamira was located along social paths connecting other contemporaneous sites. This supports the already-accepted notion that both sites may have served for Upper Paleolithic population aggregation. However, our research builds on this idea by explaining why these two sites would have become so important. We suggest that Altamira was strategically placed near the boundary of inter-regional groups, thus taking the role as an aggregation site for unrelated populations, whereas El Castillo would have been used by the intra-regional group population to congregate during the summer and take advantage of the local mosaic of resources.

International audience; This paper contributes to an understanding of the distances and choices involved in raw material procurement strategies by Upper Palaeolithic communities through a Pyrenean geo-archaeological case study. Methodologically, it involved using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) with a focused proton beam to determine the concentration and distribution of elements in geological samples from three natural primary outcrops belonging to two geological formations outcropping in the French side of the Pyrenees. While it was not possible to distinguish the formation through reference to major and minor elements, some variations were revealed at the trace elemental level. With the aim to determine if these elements were associated with the Si matrix or to a specific inclusion, elemental maps were acquired, and the elemental composition of the identified inclusions were also determined. These chemical signatures were then compared to those generated from archaeological artefacts from sites in northern Spain as a means of reconstructing the catchment areas used by prehistoric groups for their chert procurement. The results indicate the existence of trans-Pyrenean long distance procurement strategies during the Magdalenian (13,700 to the 18,800 cal BP).

Le site du Bois Clair constitue un nouveau jalon pour la compréhension des occupations paléolithiques proches de la façade atlantique. Fouillé dans le cadre du projet de construction de la ligne à grande vitesse Sud Europe Atlantique, il a livré plusieurs niveaux d’occupations qui s’intercalent dans des dépôts colluviaux et éoliens au sein desquels subsistent deux horizons de sol lessivé de rang interglaciaire, l’un actuel et l’autre fossile. L’ensemble de la séquence est cadré par six datations par luminescence. Si le contexte topographique et sédimentaire a favorisé le panachage d’industries séparées dans le temps, en particulier sur le point haut du site, le degré de conservation du site reste malgré tout étonnamment bon, particulièrement dans la partie supérieure de la séquence où l’organisation spatiale est localement bien préservée, autorisant ainsi d’intéressantes interprétations comportementales des différents groupes culturels ayant fréquenté le site. Il se singularise par une récurrence de petites occupations paléolithiques s’étalant de façon non linéaire du Moustérien jusqu’au Tardiglaciaire. Elles sont toutes matérialisées par des aires de débitage très circonscrites dans l’espace et tournées vers des productions spécialisées. Cette étude présente les principales données acquises et se focalise sur les deux niveaux les mieux conservés du site : le niveau moustérien supérieur et le niveau magdalénien. Le premier est rattaché à un technocomplexe moustérien récent (OIS3) à débitage discoïde spécifiquement tourné vers une production de pointes pseudo-Levallois via des modalités de débitage originales, particulièrement bien documentées par les remontages. Le second niveau présenté correspond à une brève occupation de la phase finale du Magdalénien orientée vers une production de grandes lames réalisée à partir de cinq blocs de silex d’origine locale. The Bois Clair site is a new benchmark for the study of the Atlantic coast area Palaeolithic settlements. Excavated during the high speed Sud Europe Atlantique train line construction project, it revealed several occupation levels, inserted in colluvial and eolian deposits displaying two argillic horizons. The sequence is chronologically established by six luminescence datings. Despite a topographic and sedimentary context leading to the mixing of chronologically distinct industries, especially at the highest point of the site, it’s state of preservation remains surprisingly good, particularly in the upper part of the sequence where the spatial organization is locally preserved, thus allowing interesting behavioral interpretations. The site stands out through recurrent and small palaeolithic settlements, dating from the Mousterian to the Late Upper Palaeolithic. These settlements all display small debitage areas, dedicated to specialized productions. This paper presents the acquired data and focuses on the two best preserved occupation levels : the Late Mousterian and Magdalenian levels. The first belongs to the late mousterian technological complex (OIS3), displaying a discoïde debitage specifically dedicated to pseudo-levallois points production, achieved through original debitage methods well documented by many refittings. The second level represents a brief Late Upper Magdalenian settlement, displaying the shaping and debitage of five local flint cores, dedicated to long blade production.

Les sépultures en contexte magdalénien sont très rares et seulement cinq sépultures datées du Magdalénien moyen sont connues ; parmi elles, la sépulture de l’abri Lafaye (Bruniquel, Tarn-et-Garonne) est la seule actuellement qui concerne un sujet immature. C’est aussi la seule sépulture double car l’enfant est associé à un individu adulte féminin. C’est donc l’unique enfant retrouvé en contexte sépulcral pour cette culture. L’Abri Lafaye fut découvert et fouillé dans les années 1860 par Victor Brun (Conservateur du Museum).Du fait de l’attribution tardive de la sépulture au Magdalénien, l’essentiel des recherches a porté sur l’individu adulte et l’enfant a été laissé de côté. Perdu et oublié, il ne fut redécouvert que dans les années 1990 par l’une d’entre nous (D. Henry-Gambier) et Edmée Ladier dans le grenier du Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Montauban. Un inventaire ainsi qu’une description des vestiges de l’enfant, complétés par une estimation de l’âge au décès et de l’état sanitaire permettent de réaliser des comparaisons métriques et morphologiques avec un échantillon restreint d’individus immatures du Paléolithique supérieur et d’enfants plus récents, issus d’une collection médiévale (Cognac-Saint-Martin).Les résultats permettent sans surprise de confirmer une attribution à l’homme anatomiquement moderne (Homo sapiens sl.) de l’enfant et d’apporter des données inédites pour un individu relevant de la classe d’âge [1-4] ans pour la période du Magdalénien. Le mauvais état de conservation ne permet pas de discuter des causes de la mort, ni des liens de parenté avec l’individu adulte. Graves in Magdalenian context are very rare randomly five burials dating from Middle Magdalenian are known ; among them the burial of “l’Abri Lafaye” (Bruniquel, Tarn-et-Garonne) is the only one that concerns an immature individual. It is also the only known double burial, since the child is associated with an adult female individual. It is therefore the only child found in funerary context for this culture. “L’Abri Lafaye” was discovered and excavated in the 1860s by Victor Brun (Curator of the Museum of Montauban).The burial was lately attributed to the Magdalenian, therefore the main research focused on the adult individual and the child was not studied, Lost and forgotten, the immature individual was only rediscovered in the 1990s by Dominique Henry-Gambier and Edmée Ladier in the attic of the Museum of Natural History of Montauban. An inventory as well as a description of the remains of the child, supplemented by an estimation of the age at death and health status, permit to make metric and morphological comparisons with a small sample of immature individuals from the Upper Paleolithic and more recent children, from a medieval necropolis (Cognac-Saint-Martin).The results confirm the modern like anatomy of the child and bring unpublished data for an individual aged between [1-4] years for the Magdalenian period. Yet, the poor state of conservation prevents any discussion of the causes of death or the ties of kinship with the adult.

Cet article présente un propulseur en bois de renne provenant du Magdalénien moyen du site d’Isturitz (couche II, fouilles Saint-Périer de 1932 dans la Grande Salle de la grotte). Cet objet, aujourd’hui quasi complet, n’a été reconstitué que récemment (2008) à partir de deux fragments conservés dans des musées différents. Ses caractères morphométriques et techniques le rapprochent d’une série de 14 autres propulseurs provenant des sites d’El Castillo (1), d’El Mirón (1), du Roc de Marcamps (3), de Combe-Saunière I (1), du Placard (6) et de La Garenne (2). Nous proposons de dénommer ce groupe « type 2a », avec cinq critères de définition : propulseur court ; généralement sur baguette, et non sur tronçon de bois de renne ; à extrémité proximale généralement en biseau simple ; avec un crochet d’une forme spécifique, résultant d’un procédé de façonnage particulier ; sans décor, à l’exception parfois d’incisions courtes et droites. Sur le plan typologique et technologique comme dans sa distribution géographique, le type 2a se distingue tant des autres propulseurs du type 2 que des types 1, 3 et 4. Sur le plan chronologique, il apparaît également plus ancien et représente vraisemblablement le premier modèle de propulseur paléolithique connu. Sa datation précise reste délicate dans plusieurs sites mais, dans quelques cas (El Mirón, Le Roc de Marcamps, La Garenne), une attribution à la phase 19 000-18 000 cal BP (soit autour de 15 500-15 000 BP) semble probable. Suivant les régions et les traditions de recherche, cette phase a reçu des appellations multiples : Magdalénien inférieur cantabrique, Magdalénien III, Magdalénien à navettes, Magdalénien à pointes de Lussac-Angles et, récemment, Magdalénien moyen ancien. This paper presents a spearthrower made of reindeer antler from the Middle Magdalenian of Isturitz (Layer II, Saint-Périer’s 1932 excavations in the Great Hall of the cave). This object, now almost complete, was only restored recently in 2008 when two fragments preserved in various museums were joined. Its morphometric and technical characteristics remind a group of 14 other spearthrowers from the sites of El Castillo (1), El Mirón (1), Roc de Marcamps (3), Combe Saunière I (1), Placard (6) and Garenne (2). We suggest to name this group ‘Type 2a’, defined by five criteria: a short spearthrower; usually made from an antler splinter, rather than from an antler’s section; generally with a single-bevelled proximal end; with a hook of a specific shape, resulting from a specific shaping process; bearing no decoration, except occasionally short and straight incisions. Thus, the spearthrower of type 2a differs from the other spearthrowers of type 2 and types 1, 3 and 4 by the typological and technological aspects as well as its geographical distribution. In chronological terms, it seems to be older and may well be the first known model of spearthrower dating from the Palaeolithic. Its precise dating remains difficult for several sites, but in some cases (El Mirón, Le Roc de Marcamps, La Garenne), it probably dates back to the 19,000-18,000 cal BP phase (around 15,500-15,000 BP). Depending on the region and the research traditions, this phase has received many names: Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian, Magdalenian III, Magdalénien à navettes, Magdalenian with Lussac-Angles points, and the most recent, Early Middle Magdalenian.

International audience; The archaeological site of ‘La Croix de Bagneux’ (Mareuil-sur-Cher, Loir-et-Cher) was explored in the context of an archaeological survey, thanks to the construction of the A 85 motorway (2004–2005). It revealed one of the most complete sequences for the recent Palaeolithic in the northern half of France. Known for its multiple Aurignacian and Gravettian settlements, La Croix de Bagneux also delivered several levels of the lower Magdalenian and, as it stands, indeterminate phases of the classical Magdalenian (Middle or Upper). Given these uncertainties, it appeared that a thorough analysis of the lithic industries from loci 16 and 17 would be able to elucidate techno-economic behaviours and clarify the chronostratigraphic position of these complexes. This contribution aims to present the preliminary results of these investigations, which are being carried out as part of the collective research project on the Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in the Paris Basin (dir. L. Mevel and S. Griselin). The scarcity of Magdalenian sites in this region prior to the recent or final phase makes the occupations of La Croix de Bagneux particularly interesting. As part of this contribution, we present results of two fields of research on lithic assemblages. The first aims to document the characteristics of blade production and to specify the content of the different artifact concentrations identified on the site. To begin we present the first observations from the locus 16/ concentration 6/level II, which was initially interpreted as the remains of a débitage cluster. However, it now seems very unlikely that concentration 6 is a débitage cluster. The technical diversity of the artefacts that comprise it, the obvious absence of production sequences associated with the cores and the potentially greater number of tools could instead be clues by wich to interpret it as a refuse cluster. However, from the data collected here, it is difficult to discuss in detail the organization of the blade production sequences. More extensive refitting, integrating the adjacent concentrations will be essential. The duality of the blade production intentions remains to be clarified. Indeed, given the scarcity of the retouched tools and the absence of functional analysis, our interpretations are still limited. Within the peripheral concentrations, narrow blades have been used to manufacture common tools (Souffi, 2008). On the other hand, all the evidence suggests a clear dissociation of the bladelet production from that of blades. These artifacts have also been taken into account from a more diachronic perspective, the objective of which was to assess the variability of the projectiles and their production methods. From a typological point of view, the presence of ‘Bertonne pieces’, one Lacan burin and the absence of backed bladelets, set level I, considered to be the most recent in locus 16, apart. The lower level (level II) was dominated by dihedral burins on narrow and regular blades, even though the marginal presence of a ‘bec-de-perroquet’ burin is observed. The different artifacts concentrations of this level were also characterized by the presence of backed bladelets and transverse burins, sometimes in significant proportions. This last observation legitimately raised the problem of the coherence of the different assemblages and the variability of bladelet productions that were regularly associated with them. Specifically, they demonstrated important divergences that needed to be assessed in their economic, functional and chronological dimensions. In detail, the characteristics of level II bladelet productions (showing diversity and autonomy of the chaîne opératoire according to converging models on slabs or on flake edges; typological diversity of the lithic implements dominated with the presence of truncated and/or pointed backed bladelets) allow them to be unambiguously compared to the productions of the Early Middle Magdalenian (19-17.5 ka cal. BP). On the other hand, the industries of concentrations 8 and 9 express obvious convergences with the contemporary technocomplexes of the Early Upper Magdalenian (16.5-15 ka cal. BP): integration of laminar and lamellar productions within the same volume, in a preferential exploitation of wide surfaces, parallel to the largest axis of the cobbles; standardization of the reduction sequence according to a semi-rotating unipolar model; standardization of the microlithic production. These initial proposals, formulated here as working hypotheses, will require confirmation - or refutation - by subsequent studies. In this respect, they call for new observations, in close coordination with the analysis and understanding of the blade production, the apparent uniformity of which obviously raises questions. This is the challenge of the work to come: the existence of at least two particular times of the Magdalenian on the site of ‘La Croix de Bagneux’, in addition to its lower phase, raises new hopes from this point of view but also new questions for the future. They concern both the synchronicity and succession of these occupations, the rhythms of the actions they imply, the workings of the changes they insinuate. Using a combined approach that blends together both palethnological goal and a palaeohistorical project, they have put the Mareuil-sur-Cher multi-phase deposit into the context of a long history whose framework must now be clarified.; Le gisement polyphasé de « La Croix de Bagneux » (Mareuil-sur-Cher, Loir-et-Cher) a été exploré en contexte préventif, à la faveur de l’aménagement de l’autoroute A 85 (2004-2005). Il a révélé l’une des séquences les plus complètes du Paléolithique récent de la moitié nord de la France : réputé pour ses occupations multiples de l’Aurignacien et du Gravettien, il a également livré plusieurs niveaux du Magdalénien inférieur et, en l’état, de phases indéterminées du Magdalénien classique (moyen ou supérieur). Compte tenu de ces incertitudes, il est apparu qu’une analyse approfondie des industries lithiques provenant des locus 16 et 17 serait en mesure d’élucider certains comportements techno-économiques de leurs occupants et d’éclaircir la position chronostratigraphique de ces ensembles. La présente contribution propose d’exposer les résultats préliminaires de ces investigations, poursuivies dans le cadre du projet collectif de recherche sur le Paléolithique final et le Mésolithique dans le Bassin parisien (dir. L. Mevel et S. Griselin).

The inter-and intra-crystalline fractions of the topshell Phorcus lineatus recovered from modern specimens and shells from archaeological sites in Northern Spain covering Neolithic, Mesolithic, and Upper Magdalenian periods were examined for amino acidcomposition and racemisation over time. The main loss of proteins from the inter-crystalline fraction occurred within the first 6000 years after the death of the organism. In contrast, the intra-crystalline fraction isolated by bleaching?with a different protein composition to that of the inter-crystalline fraction?appeared to behave like a closed system for at least 12.6 ka, as reflected by the lack of a significant decrease in amino acid content. However, changes in the relative composition of the amino acids present in these shells occurred during this period. The concentration of aspartic acid remained almost constant with age within the intra-crystalline fraction and its contribution to the total amino acid content also remained the same. Good correspondence was obtained between Asx D/L values in unbleached and bleached samples and age, thereby allowing the dating of archaeological sites and the determination of chronometric age. This research was part of the projects HAR2010-22115-C02-01, HAR2010-22115-C02-02, and HAR2013-46802-P, all of them funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. IGZ was supported by the Newton International Fellowships scheme (grant number NF100413) and the Juan de la Cierva Research Programme (grant number This research was part of the projects HAR2010-22115-C02-01, HAR2010-22115-C02-02, and HAR2013-46802-P, all of them funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. IGZ was supported by the Newton International Fellowships scheme (grant number NF100413) and the Juan de la Cierva Research Programme (grant number JCI-2012-12094))

Située au cœur de la vallée de la Vézère, la grotte des Combarelles I (Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Dordogne, France) est connue pour les gravures souvent enchevêtrées qui se déploient de part et d’autre d’un long et unique couloir. Les études conduites jusqu’à présent ont permis de souligner la diversité des thèmes figurés et l’organisation du dispositif pariétal. La principale technique d’expression est la gravure. Des représentations dessinées ou peintes en noir et en rouge sont également connues. Cependant, elles ont toujours été perçues comme des éléments secondaires et anecdotiques du décor. Mettant à profit des moyens d’analyses innovants, notamment par le biais des traitements colorimétriques de l’image, nous avons débuté une nouvelle étude du corpus peint de la cavité. Nous présentons ici les premiers résultats de nos observations, l’inventaire établi en 2014 ainsi qu’un exemple concret d’application : un cheval réalisé selon une technique mixte (gravure/peinture) dans la partie profonde de la cavité. Situated in the valley of the Vézère, the cave of Combarelles I (Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Dordogne, France) is known for its tangled engravings which are organized on both sides of the walls of a long corridor. Studies conducted until now emphasized the diversity of figurative themes expressed throughout a relative organization of the dispositive. Engravings are the main expression technique. The presence of black and red drawings or paintings is also known. Curiously, it has never been seen as an important element of the ornementation.Taking advantage of new technological medium of analysis, including colorimetric processing of the pictures, we began a new study on the painted corpus of the cavity. We are here presenting the first results of the inventory realized in 2014 and a concrete application example: a horse made of a mixed technique (drawing/engraving), in the deepest part of the cavity.

Lors de la campagne de fouille de 2014 dans la grotte de Bourrouilla à Arancou (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), huit nouvelles pièces ornées ont été découvertes dans les niveaux magdaléniens. Ces objets trouvés en contexte stratigraphique confortent l’importance de la production d’art mobilier au sein du gisement. Si la majorité d’entre eux est clairement associée au Magdalénien supérieur, une baguette demi-ronde pourrait documenter une occupation plus ancienne et nourrit le débat sur la transition entre Magdalénien moyen et supérieur. La présente note a pour but de décrire ces objets et d’établir un premier bilan fondé sur des comparaisons avec les pièces précédemment découvertes. During the excavation campaign in 2014 at Bourrouilla cave (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), eight new decorated objects were discovered in the magdalenian layers. These remains, from well preserved layers, confirm the importance of the artistic production in this site. If the majority of these objects are certainly attributed to the upper Magdalenian, one of these is a decorated half-round rod which give new data about the transition between the middle Magdalenian and the upper Magdalenian. This short paper presents these pieces and takes stock based on comparisons with the remains found before.

Summary In 2011, an engraved limestone block was found in the cave of Arlanpe (Lemoa, northern Iberian Peninsula). One of the figures represented on it was identified as a schematic feminine representation similar to those of the Gonnersdorf-Lalinde style. The stratigraphical position of the block is not totally clear owing to severe disturbance in the Upper Pleistocene deposits located near the entrance sector of the cave. Nevertheless, the most probable stratigraphical correlation is with Level I, which has been dated to the beginning of the Middle Magdalenian. This finding extends the distribution range of this kind of representation to the northern Iberian Peninsula, where, up to now, only two other, less clear, Gonnersdorf-Lalinde style representations have been found. It also extends its chronological range, pushing it back to the beginning of the Middle Magdalenian. In this paper, we present the archaeological context of the engraved block, followed by a detailed description of technological and stylistic features. These data will be used to discuss the implication of this discovery for an understanding of the origins, expansion and diffusion of this kind of feminine representation across Europe.

This article presents the taphonomic history of the human remains recovered in El Miron Cave (Cantabria, Spain) and an interpretation of their burial. At the back of the vestibule and within the occupation area of the cave, an interment was made during the Lower Magdalenian, nearly 19 cal. kyr BP. Biostratinomic and diagenetic modifications found on the bones of an individual woman have provided essential information with which to understand the origin of the burial and related formation processes. The skeletal representation, bone modifications, spatial distribution and signs of disturbance within the burial area jointly suggest that the skeletal remains recovered in El Miron are possibly the result of a primary burial deposition which, after soft tissue decomposition, was disturbed to extract the cranium and most of the long bones. Those bones may have been deposited elsewhere, either inside or outside the cave, perhaps in a partial secondary burial that remains undiscovered. The rest of the skeleton was ritually covered over again with red ochre, sediment and stones. Other than the ochre, no unequivocal grave goods were associated with the human remains.

In 2001 and between 2010 and 2013 El Miron cave in northern Spain yielded a partial human skeleton in a Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian deposit. The skeleton has been directly radiocarbon dated to 15,460 ± 40 BP. The archaeological context suggests that the human remains were deposited at the site as a result of a deliberate burial. Here we present a complete inventory and anthropological study of this individual. The remains belong to a single, middle-aged, robust female individual of ca. 160 cm in height and weighing ca. 60 kg, with good health status. The individual is represented by the mandible, numerous teeth and many postcranial bones, including significant portions of the vertebral column, costal skeleton, hands and feet. The Magdalenian context of El Miron cave provides additional data on the otherwise poorly known Upper Paleolithic populations of Southwestern Europe.