Stratigraphic and techno-typological study for the basal levels of Les Mallaetes Cave (Barx, Valencia): new clues for the Mediterranean Early Upper Paleolithic

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the stratigraphy of the basal levels of Les Mallaetes cave and a technotypological synthesis of its lithic industry. To carry out this task the first excavations (1946-1949, made by L. Pericot and F. Jordá) and the materials of the 1970 survey (by F. Jordá and J. Fortea) has been reviewed. The analysis of the lithic industry has been carried out from a technological point of view. However, previously the stratigraphy was taken into account as a discriminant factor to establish archaeological conclusion. After the analysis, the Aurignacian presence can not be held so strongly from the materials reviewed, although we describe the main characters of Les Mallaetes Gravettian remains and discussed in the context of the initial Upper Paleolithic of the Mediterranean zone. Key words: Aurignacian. Gravettian. Mediterranean zone.

Keywords

• auriñaciense
• gravetiense
• mediterráneo
• industria lítica
• fósiles