An Annotated Compilation of Chronometric Dates for the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic Transition (45-30 ka BP) in Northern Iberia (Spain)

Abstract

The dataset described in this paper presents an annotated compilation of absolute dates obtained from archaeological sites located in northern Iberia corresponding broadly to the Cantabrian region (Spain). It consists mainly of radiocarbon dates chronologically framed between 45–30 ka BP. This is the period when the last Neanderthals disappeared and the first Anatomically Modern Humans dispersed into northern Iberia, widely considered a key region for understanding the patterns and processes of this transition. Providing chronological information as well as serving as palaeodemographic proxies, this novel compilation facilitates new analyses of this key period. The dataset contains 224 dates from 37 archaeological sites and more than 87% of the dates included have been positively assessed for use. It is available at Github and linked to Zenodo with the aim to ensure accessibility, reproducibility and continued extension.

Keywords

• radiocarbon dates
• middle/upper palaeolithic transition
• cantabrian region
• palaeolithic
• anatomically modern humans
• neanderthals