Bone industry of the Lower Magdalenian in Cantabrian Spain: The square-section antler points of El Cierro Cave

New Insights into the Use and Circulation of Reindeer Antler in Northern Iberia During the Magdalenian (Ca. 21-13 cal Ka BP)

“…The technological analysis consists in reconstructing the production processes for osseous objects, from the acquisition of the raw material, through tool manufacture, the identification of waste products and working techniques, up to the use, maintenance and discard of tools and weapons (e.g., Lefebvre, 2016;Tapia et al, 2018;Straus et al, 2018;Borao Álvarez, 2019;Erostarbe-Tome et al, 2022 for Magdalenian examples in Iberia). Reconstructing such production sequences sheds light on the technical, economic and even social choices made by foragers in terms of the availability of the raw materials, raw materials productivity and/or the mobility requirements of groups.…”

“…Due to differing ecological conditions across Iberia, a similar pattern is observed with red deer (Cervus elaphus), which was the main large cervid species during the Late Pleistocene (Meiri et al, 2013) and one of the main prey species for hunter-gatherer groups (e.g., Altuna, 1972Altuna, , 1995Yravedra Sainz de los Terreros, 2001;Costamagno and Mateos Cachorro, 2007;Marín-Arroyo, 2010;Portero Hernández, 2022). Red deer were central to both the subsistence and technical needs, and its antlers were used for the production of a significant portion of osseous industries in Iberia (e.g., Mújica, 1983;González Sainz, 1989;Adán Álvarez, 1997;Almeida Évora, 2016;Lefebvre, 2016;Villaverde et al, 2016;Straus et al, 2018;Tapia et al, 2018;Erostarbe-Tome et al, 2022).…”