Ancient Excavations, New Answers. The Epimagdalenian Site of Cova del Clot de l’Hospital (Roquetes, Baix Ebre)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the archaeological remains recovered during Francesc Esteve Gálvez’s excavations at Clot de l'Hospital cave (Lower Ebro). This site was discovered in 1945 and was ascribed to the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The presence of end-scrapers, truncated blades, burins and backed bladelets, among other types, allow us ascribe the site to the Epimagdalenian tradition. This attribution has been confirmed by two new radiocarbon dates (faunal bones): 11115 and 10045 BP. Thus, this site adds to a large set of Epimagdalenian sites already known in northern Valencian Country and southern Catalonia (provinces of Tarragona and Castellon). Likewise, the study of the faunal remains reveals that the site was occupied by a group of hunters that exploded the territory near de cave, in a seasonal hunting camp specialized in wild goat hunting.