News on old sites: the Middle Palaeolithic occupation at Cheia – La Izvor (Southeastern Romania)

Abstract

Our paper presents new information regarding the site of Cheia – La Izvor. New radiocarbon ages were obtained, and they confirm that the occupation was at around 36 ka BP (ca. 40 ka cal BP). The faunal analysis has revealed that the cave seems to have functioned as a shelter for carnivores, with the remains of cave bear predominating. Other carnivores, such as cave hyenas, wolves and foxes, most likely also contributed to the accumulation of bones, with large, middle and small prey species represented. No anthropogenic traces were identified on the bones. The very small lithic collection comprises mostly formal tools, thus accounting for a short-term, logistic occupation of the site.

Keywords

• middle palaeolithic
• lithic industry
• faunal analysis
• radiocarbon
• dobrogea