Anthracological data from Middle Palaeolithic contexts in Iberia: What do we know?

Abstract

BSTRACT In this paper, a state of the art regarding the available anthracological data from Middle Palaeolithic contexts in Iberia is presented. The information retrieved is still very scarce and fragmented, as many Iberian areas present palaeobotanical gaps leading to the lack of information regarding local landscape dynamics. The use of different sampling methods to recover wood charcoal remains is a decisive factor which hampers the comparative study, although the dominance of Pinus nigra-sylvestris (black-scots pine) is recorded since, at least, Marine Isotopic Stage 6. This would indicate the widespread presence of cryophilous pine woodlands during the Upper Pleistocene in Iberia pointing to the prevalence of supramediterranean conditions (MAT = 8 - 13 ºC). This state of the art aims to contribute to our understanding of Upper Pleistocene Iberian landscapes based on Neanderthal firewood gathering activities.

Keywords

• Charcoal analysis
• Neanderthals
• Paleoenvironment
• Marine Isotopic Stage;
• Iberian Peninsula