On stone-boiling technology in the Upper Paleolithic: behavioral implications from an Early Magdalenian hearth in El Mirón Cave, Cantabria, Spain

A Spatial Distribution Study of Faunal Remains from Two Lower Magdalenian Occupation Levels in El Mirón Cave, Cantabria, Spain

“…The existence of young animal remains (very porous, spongy, tiny bones) demonstrate quite limited non-cultural formation processes. During excavations no significant sediment movement, pressure or wash-outs were observed, phenomena which would have suggested a disturbance of original archaeological layers (González-Morales andStraus, 1996-2011;Straus and González-Morales, 2012b). These results demonstrate the existence of an intact archaeological stratigraphy and LCM strata in El Mirón that are very suitable for investigating the spatial distribution pattern of finds, from which evidence of activity areas can be inferred.…”

“…Three criteria are necessary for the identification of bone grease rendering at prehistoric sites: stone anvils to break bones prior to cooking, fire-cracked rocks indicative of stone boiling and highly fragmented spongy bones (Binford, 1978;Stiner, 2003). Stone-boiling technology has been found in the El Mirón LCM deposits, which indicates cooking activities in the same area and time period (Nakazawa et al, 2009). Despite the fact that the quartzic sandstone cobbles were probably used as percussion stone or anvils before being heated, no other specific stone anvils for the purpose of bone cracking were identified (Straus and González-Morales, 2007b;Straus and González-Morales, 2012a).…”

“…There is a broad interest in the study of human activities through the reconstruction of behaviour patterns, variability and adaptation to changing environments and climatic conditions among Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers (Binford, 1978;Nakazawa et al, 2009). Analysis of specific activities can be used to understand Palaeolithic human behaviour.…”

“…By using these methods archaeologists are able to reconstruct activity areas (Ferring, 1984, 117). These are generally exemplified by hearth-centered models, where different types of activities are spatially distinguishable (Alperson-Afil et al, 2009;Audouze and Enloe, 1997;Fladerer et al, 2002;Goren-Inbar and Alperson-Afil, 2010;Leroi-Gourhan and Brézillon, 1966;Nakazawa et al 2009). According to Binford (1978) three main areas of bone distribution around a hearth are identifiable: a drop zone, a seating area and a toss zone.…”

Radiocarbon Dating the Late Upper Paleolithic of Cantabrian Spain: El Mirón Cave Date List IV

“…The burial layer is also overlain and underlain by Lower Magdalenian levels (503.1 and 505, respectively). The new Level 17 date confirms an age averaging about 15.5 uncal kyr, with a total of five similar dates from this flat, massive, but rapidly formed horizon replete with fire-cracked rock-filled hearths, masses of ibex and red deer remains, lithic knapping debris and stone tools, antler points, bone needles, perforated ungulate teeth, and red deer scapulae striation-engraved with images of animals-an absolute diagnostic of this Magdalenian phase in Cantabria (González Nakazawa et al 2009). In contrast, Level 110 in the Vestibule rear poses a dating dilemma.…”