Fuel exploitation among Neanderthals based on the anthracological record from Abric Romaní (Capellades, NE Spain)

The Anthropogenic Use of Firewood During the European Middle Pleistocene: Charcoal Evidence from Levels XIII and XI of Bolomor Cave, Eastern Iberia (230–160 ka)

“…The identification of black pine and / or scots pine at this site represents the earliest evidence in Iberia of its use as fuel. While cryophilous pines (Pinus nigra, P. sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata) are easily distinguishable from thermophilous pines (Schweingruber 1976), difficulties arise when attempting to distinguish between the different species of highland pines (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Badal and Carrión 2001;Badal et al 2012a;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Postigo-Mijarra, Gómez-Manzaneque, and Morla 2017;Vidal-Matutano et al 2015). Taking into account the anatomy of the wood, the discrimination of these four species is barely feasible, although Pinus mugo and Pinus uncinata can be discarded based on the location of the site at a low altitude, since these two species are limited to higher elevations (above 1900-2000 m a.s.l.).…”

“…Taking into account the anatomy of the wood, the discrimination of these four species is barely feasible, although Pinus mugo and Pinus uncinata can be discarded based on the location of the site at a low altitude, since these two species are limited to higher elevations (above 1900-2000 m a.s.l.). When trying to differentiate Pinus nigra from Pinus sylvestris, some authors take into account the distribution of the resin ducts in the growth rings as well as the characteristics of the ray tracheid walls in mature specimens (Rubiales et al 2007), whereas other researchers believe that current knowledge does not allow for the unequivocal distinction of these species (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Allué et al, in press;Badal and Carrión 2001;Roiron et al 2013;Schweingruber 1976; Vidal-Matutano 2017; Vidal- et al 2015). This is why 'approximate' nomenclatures are used by different authors: Pinus nigra-sylvestris is favoured by some, while others prefer Pinus type sylvestris.…”

“…Indeed, anthracological data from Terra Amata and Torralba (ca. 400 ka) and many Middle Palaeolithic sites belonging to MIS 5-3 show the dominance of this taxon, indicating the widespread presence of cryophilous pine woodlands during the MiddleUpper Pleistocene (Allué et al, in press;Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Arsuaga et al 2012;Badal and Carrión 2001;Badal and Martínez 2017;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Daura et al 2015; PostigoMijarra, Gómez-Manzaneque, and Morla 2017; Uzquiano et al 2012Uzquiano et al , 2008Vidal-Matutano 2017;Vidal-Matutano et al 2015;Vidal-Matutano, Henry, and Théry-Parisot 2017;Zilhão et al 2016). While scarce anthracological data is available for MIS 7-6 chronologies in Iberia, the black pine and / or scots pine record from Bolomor Cave constitutes the earliest evidence of its presence in Eastern Iberia based on humans' collection of firewood (charcoal fragments).…”

“…Théry-Parisot, Chabal, and Chrzavzez 2010). In this regard, charcoal analysis focuses on the botanical identification of wood charcoal fragments in order to provide meaningful palaeoenvironmental data (Badal andHeinz 1989, 1991;Badal et al 2012a;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Carrión, Ntinou, and Badal 2010;Chabal 1992;Figueiral and Terral 2002;Ntinou and Kyparissi-Apostolika 2016) and palaeoeconomical evidence regarding humans' strategies for collecting firewood (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Carrión and Badal 2004;Chrzavzez 2006;Chrzazvez et al 2014;Henry and Théry-Parisot 2014;Théry-Parisot 2001, 2002Théry-Parisot and Texier 2006;Théry-Parisot et al 1995;Vidal-Matutano, Henry, and Théry-Parisot 2017). Indeed, significant archaeobotanical data have been derived from the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov (Israel), where charcoal analyses have allowed the botanical identification of six taxa, which evidence the earliest anthracological data from an anthropogenic context published thus far (Goren-Inbar et al 2004).…”

“…Additionally, charcoal analyses from the sites of Terra Amata (Nice, France) and Torralba (Soria, Iberia) have also provided early data concerning firewood use among human groups (de Lumley et al 2016;PostigoMijarra, Gómez-Manzaneque, and Morla 2017). Following anthracological data belonging to the MIS 5-4 chronologies have been conducted, wherein a few Middle Palaeolithic sites have provided new insights into past landscapes and human firewood management (Allué 2016;Arsuaga et al 2012;Daura et al 2015;Ntinou and Kyparissi-Apostolika 2016;Ronchitelli et al 2011;Théry-Parisot 2001;Vidal-Matutano 2015;Vidal-Matutano et al 2015;Zilhão et al 2016), with a wider generalisation of charcoal analyses performed at MIS 3 sites (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Théry-Parisot and Meignen 2000;Théry-Parisot and Texier 2006;Théry-Parisot et al 1996;Uzquiano et al 2012;VidalMatutano 2017;Vidal-Matutano, Henry, and Théry-Parisot 2017;Yravedra and Uzquiano 2013).…”