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Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.

The Orce Basin Archaeological Zone (OZAB, Granada, Spain) extends over a surface area of some > 8.5 km2 and constitutes one of the richest Pleistocene vertebrate fossil records in western Europe including one of the oldest hominin presence in this part of Eurasia. Exceptionally rich collections of stone tools have been excavated from both of the Orce Oldowan sites: Barranco León (BL) (1.4 Ma) and Fuente Nueva 3 (FN3) (1.2 Ma), while BL has yielded a hominin deciduous lower molar. We present a multi-proxy approach to determine the palaeoeocological context of these first hominin settlements in Western Europe. By combining results from macrovertebrates, microvertebrates, as well as from pollen and stable isotopes from macrovertebrate tooth enamel, we determine whether the palaeo landscapes were dominated by savanna or open woodland. The results reveal the regional specificities of the OAZB, and also allow us to infer local features within the Orce sites. Overall, our data reveal the dominance of a typically Mediterranean climate and landscape since 1.8 Ma ago. The climatic conditions were generally more humid than at present, with warmer temperatures during the coldest months, indicating a higher net primary productivity (NPP). We find that precipitation and NPP appear to have been limiting factors for hominin presence in the OAZB. Thus, at the older palaeontological site of Venta Micena (1.6 Ma), climatic conditions appear to have been less compatible with hominin presence than during the BL and FN3 sequences, when early hominins inhabiting the OAZB were able to cope with changing climatic and environmental settings. Lastly, the comparison of the isotopic results of the Orce sites with those of the contemporaneous Shungura Formation (Ethiopia) reveals that the habitat in the westernmost part of Eurasia was distinctly unlike a typical African savanna.

CRUE-CSIC (Acuerdos Transformativos 2022), Little is known about the subsistence practices of the frst European settlers, mainly due to the shortage of archaeological sites in Europe older than a million years. This article contributes to the knowledge of the subsistence of the frst Europeans with new zooarchaeology and taphonomic data from the Palaeolithic site of Barranco León (Orce, Granada, Spain). We present the results of the analysis of the faunal assemblages retrieved in the context of new excavations undertaken between 2016 and 2020. We have followed a standard methodology for the identifcation and quantifcation of species, mortality profles, skeletal representation and taphonomic analysis. With regard to the taphonomic evidence, we have documented the extent of rounding, abrasion and other alterations. Finally, we examined traces from the activities of carnivores and hominins that led to the accumulation and alteration of the bone assemblages. Results indicate that the archaeo-paleontological deposits from Barranco León present a dual-patterned mixed taphonomic origin. The frst phase primarily involved waterborne processes (BL-D1), which led to the accumulation of lithic raw materials, a few archaeological stone tools, and some faunal remains with percussion and cutmarks. The second phase (BL-D2) contains several stone tools associated with faunal remains with more anthropogenic alterations, such as cutmarks and percussion marks. After analysing the Barranco León zooarchaeological assemblage, the present study concludes that hominins had access to the meat and within-bone nutrients of animals of diverse sizes. However, the specifc carcass acquisition mechanisms that hominins followed are less certain because the presence of tooth marks suggests that carnivores also played a role in the accumulation and modifcation of the Barranco León faunal assemblage., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Generalitat de Catalunya, Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y Arqueología, Fac. de Geografía e Historia, TRUE, pub

CRUE-CSIC (Acuerdos Transformativos 2022), En este trabajo se hace una aproximación al estudio tafonómico de las marcas de diente de Pachycrocuta brevirostris, un carnívoro típico del Pleistoceno inferior que se extinguió en el Pleistoceno medio. Tafonomómicamente su actividad ha sido descrita en algunos trabajos de la literatura científica, pero nunca se habáin analizado desde una perspectiva morfométrica las marcas de diente que dejan sobre sus presas. A través del análisis morfométrico de sus marcas de diente caracterizamos sus marcas de diente, de manera que podamos diferenciarlas de las marcas que hacen otros carnívoros. Este estudio permite confirmar que este hiénido fuel el principal responsable de las marcas de diente identificadas en el yacimiento de Venta Micena., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), Junta de Andalucía, Junta de Andalucía/FEDER, Fundacion Palarq 2019 Analíticas, Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y Arqueología, Fac. de Geografía e Historia, TRUE, inpress

Palynological investigations in the Orce Archaeological Zone (OAZ) (Guadix-Baza Basin, Granada, Spain), Venta Micena 1 (VM1), Barranco León (BL) and Fuente Nueva 3 (FN3) are presented. This archaeological region is connected with the first Homo populations in Western Eurasia during the Early Pleistocene. The VM1 pollen record is characterized by Ephedra, and to a lesser extent, Pinus, Juniperus and evergreen Quercus, occassionally accompanied by Olea, Genisteae, Erica, deciduous Quercus, Alnus, Castanea, Fraxinus, Salix and Phillyrea. BL is dominated by Juniperus, Olea, Pinus, Poaceae, and evergreen Quercus. FN3 is characterized by an open Mediterranean woodland dominated by evergreen Quercus, Pinus, Juniperus and Olea, accompanied by deciduous Quercus, Castanea, Populus, Salix, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Pistacia, Phillyrea, Genisteae, Erica, Cistus, and Ephedra fragilis. Relic Tertiary taxa in OAZ include Carya, Pterocarya, Eucommia, Zelkova, and Juglans. The Early Pleistocene OAZ vegetation is a mosaic of different landscapes embracing mesophytes, thermophytes, xerophytes, xerothermophytes, and Mediterranean elements. These finds are compared with former pollen analyses in the region and beyond within the Iberian Peninsula.

[EN] El Museo Canario stores a large collection of aboriginal skulls that have been essential to the study of the origin and chronology of the population of the Canary archipelago since the 19th century. Regrettably, research has been dominated by biased and racial interpretations of both bioarchaeological and cultural evidence. When scientific racism and craniometric studies were rejected, studies of the Canarian indigenous skulls variability was also abandoned without replies. However, digital technologies and virtual sciences allow us to improve research and re-evaluate old paradigms. In this work, we present a digitalisation project aiming to construct a virtual database of the indigenous Canarian skulls, using a simple method of digitalisation that is very suitable to deal with large collections- The procedure, involving a portable 3D structured light scanner has allowed us to digitally reproduce more than 400 skulls stored at Museo Canario. This work offers a wide variety of possibilities for archaeology and anthropology. The versatility of 3D digital models enables the generation of interactive documentation, educational material for digital conservation and dissemination purposes. Indeed, 3D models are easily shared and can be displayed over diverse web-based repositories and online platforms and so, creating virtual online museums. We have created a profile in Sketchfab (https://sketchfab.com/craniacanaria2.0) where we intend to upload gradually the complete virtual collection of skulls we have realised. Moreover, digital skulls can serve as research objects. We discuss the advantages of studying 3D objects in a computerised environment, which includes traditional anthropometric studies (linear measurements and angles) but also 3D geometric morphometric approaches. In fact, in future studies, we will apply 3D geometric morphometrics for reassessing skull variation of ancient Canarians going beyond old paradigms and taking into account the latest advances, [ES] El Museo Canario conserva una extensa colección de cráneos de los antiguos canarios que ha sido esencial para el estudio del origen y la cronología del poblamiento temprano del archipiélago canario desde el siglo XIX. Lamentablemente, la investigación estuvo dominada por interpretaciones sesgadas y raciales tanto de las evidencias bioarqueológicas como culturales. Cuando los estudios raciológicos y craniométricos fueron rechazados, el estudio de la variabilidad craneal de los aborígenes canarios fue abandonado sin réplica. Sin embargo, las tecnologías digitales y las ciencias virtuales nos permiten implementar la investigación y re-evaluar antiguos paradigmas. En este trabajo se presenta un proyecto de digitalización que pretende construir una base de datos virtual a partir de una metodología de digitalización sencilla –muy adecuada para lidiar con grandes colecciones– con un escáner portable 3D de luz estructurada, que nos ha permitido obtener más de 400 cráneos digitales alojados en El Museo Canario. Este trabajo de digitalización ofrece numerosas posibilidades dentro de la arqueología y la antropología. La versatilidad de los modelos digitales permite la generación de documentación más interactiva, material educativo, la conservación digital y la difusión. De hecho, los modelos 3D se pueden compartir fácilmente y existen diversos repositorios web y plataformas que permiten su visualización, permitiendo la creación de museos virtuales. Hemos creado un perfil en Sketchfab (https://sketchfab.com/craniacanaria2.0) donde iremos subiendo los modelos 3D obtenidos. Asimismo, los cráneos virtuales pueden emplearse como objeto de estudio. Se discuten las ventajas que ofrece el estudio de objetos 3D dentro de un entorno computarizado, incluyendo estudios antropométricos tradicionales (medidas lineales y de ángulos) como de morfometría geométrica 3D. De hecho, en futuros proyectos se utilizará la morfometría geométrica 3D para re-evaluar los antiguos paradigmas sobre la

Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Calabrian stage (Early Pleistocene). The richness of the fossil accumulation including species of Asian, African and European origin, makes Venta Micena a key site for the the palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental study of southern Europe during the Early Pleistocene. Thus, research has been focused on Venta Micena 3, which was originally interpreted as a single palaeosurface associated with a marshy context, in which most of the fauna was accumulated by Pachycrocuta brevirostris. Recent excavations have unearthed a new site, Venta Micena 4, located in the same stratigraphic unit (Unit C) and in close proximity to Venta Micena 3. Here we show the first analyses regarding the taphonomic and spatial nature of this new site, defining two stratigraphic boundaries corresponding to two different depositional events. Furthermore, the taphonomic analyses of fossil remains seem to indicate a different accumulative agent than Pachycrocuta, thus adding more complexity to the palaeobiological interpretation of the Venta Micena area. These results contribute to the discussion of traditional interpretations made from Venta Micena 3

Over the last few decades, several types of evidence such as presence of hominin remains, lithic assemblages, and bones with anthropogenic surface modifcations have demonstrated that early human communities inhabited the European sub continent prior to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.07–0.98 Ma). While most studies have focused primarily on early European lithic technologies and raw material management, relatively little is known about food procurement strategies. While there is some evidence showing access to meat and other animal-based food resources, their mode of acquisition and associated butchery processes are still poorly understood. This paper presents a taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of the Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) (Guadix-Baza, Spain) faunal assemblage, providing a more in-depth understanding of early hominin subsistence strategies in Europe. The present results show that hominins had access to the meat and marrow of a wide range of animal taxa, including elephants, hippopotami, and small- and medium-sized animals. At the same time, evidence of carnivore activity at the site suggests that these communities likely faced some degree of competition from large predators when acquiring and processing carcasses.

CRUE-CSIC (Acuerdos Transformativos 2021), Over the last few decades, several types of evidence such as presence of hominin remains, lithic assemblages, and bones with anthropogenic surface modifcations have demonstrated that early human communities inhabited the European subcontinent prior to the Jaramillo Subchron (1.07–0.98 Ma). While most studies have focused primarily on early European lithic technologies and raw material management, relatively little is known about food procurement strategies. While there is some evidence showing access to meat and other animal-based food resources, their mode of acquisition and associated butchery processes are still poorly understood. This paper presents a taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of the Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) (Guadix-Baza, Spain) faunal assemblage, providing a more in-depth understanding of early hominin subsistence strategies in Europe. The present results show that hominins had access to the meat and marrow of a wide range of animal taxa, including elephants, hippopotami, and small- and medium-sized animals. At the same time, evidence of carnivore activity at the site suggests that these communities likely faced some degree of competition from large predators when acquiring and processing carcasses., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), Junta de Andalucía, Centro de Excelencia María de Maeztu, Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y Arqueología, Fac. de Geografía e Historia, TRUE, pub

The Guadix-Baza Basin (GBB) in Andalucía, Spain, comprises palaeontological and archaeological sites dating from the Early Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene, including some of the earliest sites with evidence for the presence of early humans (Homo sp.) in Europe. Thus, the history of climate and environments in this basin contributes significantly to our understanding of the conditions under which early humans spread into Europe during the Early Pleistocene. Here we present estimates of precipitation and primary productivity in the GBB from the Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene based on dental ecometrics in fossil communities of large herbivorous mammals, and perform an ecometrics-based distribution modelling to analyse the environmental conditions of Early and Middle Pleistocene human sites in Europe. Our results show that Early Pleistocene humans generally occupied on average relatively diverse habitats with ecotones, such as woodlands and savannas, but avoided very open and harsh (cool or dry) environments. During the Middle Pleistocene in Europe, humans occupied a comparatively much broader range of environments than during the Early Pleistocene, but were on average more concentrated in environments where the dental ecometric of mammals indicate wooded palaeoenvironments. In the earliest human occupation sites of the GBB, Barranco Leon and Fuente Nueva 3, the mean annual precipitation and net primary production estimates indicate climatic conditions close to modern Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodland environments, but with slightly higher primary productivity, basin indicating some similarity with East African woodlands. On the other hand, the environments did not resemble African grassland savannas. The browse-dominated diets of ungulates from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 further suggest palaeoenvironments where grasses were a minor component of the vegetation. In the slightly older site of Venta Micena that has no evidence for the presence of hominins

Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Calabrian stage (Early Pleistocene). The richness of the fossil accumulation including species of Asian, African and European origin, makes Venta Micena a key site for the the palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental study of southern Europe during the Early Pleistocene. Thus, research has been focused on Venta Micena 3, which was originally interpreted as a single palaeosurface associated with a marshy context, in which most of the fauna was accumulated by Pachycrocuta brevirostris. Recent excavations have unearthed a new site, Venta Micena 4, located in the same stratigraphic unit (Unit C) and in close proximity to Venta Micena 3. Here we show the first analyses regarding the taphonomic and spatial nature of this new site, defining two stratigraphic boundaries corresponding to two different depositional events. Furthermore, the taphonomic analyses of fossil remains seem to indicate a different accumulative agent than Pachycrocuta, thus adding more complexity to the palaeobiological interpretation of the Venta Micena area. These results contribute to the discussion of traditional interpretations made from Venta Micena 3.

Remote sensing is a useful tool for the documentation of archaeological sites. The products derived from a photogrammetric project applied to archaeology such as orthophotos and three-dimensional virtual reconstruction (3DVR), allow for detailed study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce. In our study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce, we used 3DVR intensively to map out the morphometric features of mammoth tusks exposed on the surface and a geological fault a ecting the site’s deposits. To do so, we used imagery captured since 2017 in order to follow the evolution of ongoing excavations during each subsequent field season. We also integrated the 3DVR model in a videogame environment, to create a virtual reality (VR) that allows a VR navigation experience around the scenario using a head mounted display like Oculus Rift. The main features of this VR experience are: (1) It is ideal for the di usion of archaeological contents since it permits an attractive presentation mode thanks to stereo visualization and realistic immersion sensations; (2) it provides a high level of detail all along the navigation experience, without incurring any damage to the archaeological remains; (3) it allows users to observe more details than they would in an in situ visit to the site; (4) it makes it possible to convert an archaeological site into portable heritage, opening up the possibility to extend visits to vulnerable groups: specifically those with reduced mobility. Our results show that using VR should permit enhancements to a visitor’s experience and contribute to the socio-economic development of the town of Orce, one of the Spanish municipalities with the lowest income.

This work summarizes the research carried out at the Orce archaeopalaeontological sites over the last few decades with particular emphasis on the results obtained from the latest field seasons (2017-2020), which were carried out under the auspices of the General Research Project «First Human Occupations and Palaeoecological Context from the Pliopleistocene Deposits in the Guadix-Baza Basin. Archaeological Zone of the Orce Basin». The work carried out in recent years is a good example of the inter- and intradisciplinary approach in Prehistoric research and also shows that, although much work has been carried out at the Orce sites for almost 50 years, they continue to provide very interesting data for understanding the human European population in the oldest periods of the Pleistocene., En este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arqueopaleontológicos de Orce durante las últimas décadas, haciendo especial hincapié en los resultados obtenidos a raíz de las últimas campañas de excavación (2017-2020), enmarcadas en el Proyecto General de Investigación «Primeras ocupaciones humanas y contexto paleoecológico a partir de los depósitos Pliopleistocenos de la cuenca Guadix-Baza. Zona Arqueológica de la cuenca de Orce». Los trabajos realizados en estos últimos años son una buena muestra del enfoque inter e intradisciplinar de la Prehistoria, y evidencian además que, aunque se lleve trabajando en los yacimientos de Orce casi 50 años, estos siguen proporcionando datos muy interesantes acerca del contexto del poblamiento humano de Europa en las etapas más antiguas del Pleistoceno.

A quantitative study on the Homo genus encephalization process which allows us to evaluate the change of the endocraneal volume and the influence of several variables that affect this process, such as the body size, and time and/or latitude, in order to understand the fossil record´s variability, traditionally explained by taxonomic, temporal, and ecogeographic patterns., Estudio cuantitativo sobre el proceso de encefalización del género Homo que nos permita evaluar el cambio en el volumen endocraneal así como la influencia de diversas variables en el mismo, como la masa corporal, el tiempo y/o la latitud, para, de este modo, comprender a qué responde la variabilidad manifiesta en el registro fósil, tradicionalmente explicada en términos temporales, taxonómicos y ecogeográficos.