Insights into the timing, intensity and natural setting of Neanderthal occupation from the geoarchaeological study of combustion structures: A micromorphological and biomarker investigation of El Salt, unit Xb, Alcoy, Spain

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214955
• Publication Date: 2019-04-24T17:33:26Z
• Authors: Lucia Leierer; Margarita Jambrin...; Antonio V. Herrer...; Rory Connolly; Cristo M. Hernández; Bertila Galván; Carolina Mallol
• Keywords: Neanderthal; Hearth; Middle Paleolithic; Paleoanthropology

Middle Paleolithic lithic and faunal assemblages throughout Eurasia reflect short-term Neanderthal occupations, which suggest high group mobility. However, the timing of these a key factor to assess mobility territorial range, remains unresolved. Anthropogenic combustion structures are prominent in record conceal information on intensity natural setting their associated human occupations. This paper examines concentration eleven from unit Xb El Salt, site Spain through geoarchaeological approach, search temporal, impact paleoenvironmental indicators timing, The study was conducted using micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis compound specific isotope analysis. Results show situ hearths built different diachronic topsoils rich herbivore excrements angiosperm plant residues with rare anthropogenic remains. These data suggestive low impact, occupations separated by relatively long periods time, possible seasonality. also an absence conifer biomarkers mentioned presence charcoal among fuel (ash), indicating that fire wood brought elsewhere. A microscopic molecular approach allows us narrow down timescale archaeological contributes valuable towards understanding settlement patterns.