Neanderthal firewood management: evidence from Stratigraphic Unit IV of Abric del Pastor (Eastern Iberia)

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis paper presents anthracological data from Abric del Pastor (Alcoi, Spain), a Middle Paleolithic rock shelter site. Analysis of 1077 wood charcoal remains from Stratigraphic Unit IV (S.U. IV), collected within archaeological combustion structures and from loose sediment outside of structures, allowed us to characterise the local landscape, as well as to approach the interaction between Neanderthal groups and their local environment. Taxonomic identification suggests that firewood was gathered from nearby sources, with predominance of juniper (Juniperus sp.) followed by thermophilous shrubby taxa. Additional analysis focussing on post-depositional processes affecting charcoal have shown features indicative of biodegradation and mechanical action. The results of this study contribute significant anthracological data towards our understanding of Late Pleistocene Mediterranean landscapes and Neanderthal forest management in this region.

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)

“…sylvestris wood fragments, although these non-charred material have no evidence of had been anthropically manipulated and, therefore, are not directly related with human practices (Postigo-Mijarra, Gómez-Manzaneque, and Morla 2017). According to current ecological and biogeographical data, Pinus nigra could probably have grown at low altitudes in coastal areas, as other Mediterranean sites have shown (Badal and Martínez 2017), while its presence at this site supports the descent of supramediterranean conditions by about 700-1000 m, since it has been observed at many later Mediterranean Palaeolithic sites in Iberia (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016; Allué et al, in press;Aura et al 2005;Badal and Carrión 2001;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Daura et al 2015;Esteban et al 2017;Vidal-Matutano 2017;Vidal-Matutano et al 2015;Zilhão et al 2016), which implies a general decrease of 5°C in the MAT. Relatedly, further information obtained from other identified woody taxa would help to nuance the palaeoecological data derived from these levels.…”

“…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.).…”

“…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).…”

“…In addition, bacteria degrade lignified elements (namely tracheids, fibres and vessels) by first attaching to the lumen face of the cell wall and then penetrating into the wall, thereby producing tunnelling type bacterial decay (Kim and Singh 2000;Singh 2012). The degradation of the wood's components by bacterial and fungal activity leads to strength, weight and density losses, which are often observed in the 'wavy' appearance of the wood and the hyper-fragmentation of the wood's charcoal record (Allué, Solé, and Burguet-Coca 2016;Badal, Villaverde, and Zilhão 2012b;Henry and Théry-Parisot 2014;Moskal-del Hoyo, Wachowiak, and Blanchette 2010;Vidal-Matutano et al 2015;Vidal-Matutano, Henry, and Théry-Parisot 2017).…”

“…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).…”