Small mammals of the Holocene sequence of Postes Cave (SW Spain): biogeographic and palaeoenvironmental implications for southwestern Iberia

• DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2022.2045981
• Publication Date: 2022-03-09T03:58:38Z
• Authors: Ángel C Domínguez...; César Laplana; Paloma Sevilla; Adrián Álvarez-Vena; Hipólito Collado ...
• Keywords: Taphonomy; Paleoecology; Peninsula

Postes Cave in SW Spain (Extremadura) displays a Holocene archaeostratigraphic sequence radiocarbon-dated to between c. 8.5–4 cal kyr BP (Mesolithic-Chalcolithic). The sediments collected at two areas within the cave yielded small mammal remains belonging eleven species of rodents, 'insectivores', lagomorphs and chiropterans. This fossil assemblage is one few known date southwest Iberian Peninsula. Preliminary taphonomic analysis previously published data suggest that were accumulated by predatory activity Eurasian eagle owls medium-sized carnivores such as red foxes. palaeoenvironmental palaeoclimatic reconstructions performed show stable conditions with slight variations during its time span, suggesting an initial scenario open forested habitats Mesolithic Neolithic which progressively decreased favour more Chalcolithic coinciding human-induced changes landscape aridification trend this period. presence Microtus cabrerae Crocidura suaveolens noteworthy since they are now extinct region. plausible causes processes these extirpations discussed.