ABSTRACT The site of Balma Guilanya (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation du... more ABSTRACT The site of Balma Guilanya (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the beginning of MIS 1, based on a variety of archaeobotanical indicators, although its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bolling/Allerod amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years). which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerod. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanya, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this site.
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from ... more ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from Lake Banyoles (Girona, Spain) and its contextualisation with other archaeobotanical records (charcoal, seed and wood remains) from the early Neolithic lakeshore settlement of La Draga. Around ca.7250 cal BP, coinciding with the first settlement phase of La Draga, a rapid fall of the pollen values of deciduous Quercus sp. is observed, and a stabilisation of these values is found until ca. 6000 cal BP. The causes for such changes in vegetation cover are discussed, taking into consideration environmental data to calibrate the role of climate in vegetation dynamics, as well as archaeobotanical data to evaluate impact of the management of vegetal resources on the landscape. The discussion of the data shows that climate could not have been the main cause for the decrease of broadleaf deciduous forests, and that the need of gathering raw material for the construction of dwellings played a major role in this change. The fact that these plant community does not recover during the occupation or after the abandonment of La Draga would confirm that human impact continued over time and that forest clearances were maintained for various purposes.
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from ... more ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from Lake Banyoles (Girona, Spain) and its contextualisation with other archaeobotanical records (charcoal, seed and wood remains) from the early Neolithic lakeshore settlement of La Draga. Around ca.7250 cal BP, coinciding with the first settlement phase of La Draga, a rapid fall of the pollen values of deciduous Quercus sp. is observed, and a stabilisation of these values is found until ca. 6000 cal BP. The causes for such changes in vegetation cover are discussed, taking into consideration environmental data to calibrate the role of climate in vegetation dynamics, as well as archaeobotanical data to evaluate impact of the management of vegetal resources on the landscape. The discussion of the data shows that climate could not have been the main cause for the decrease of broadleaf deciduous forests, and that the need of gathering raw material for the construction of dwellings played a major role in this change. The fact that these plant community does not recover during the occupation or after the abandonment of La Draga would confirm that human impact continued over time and that forest clearances were maintained for various purposes.
This article presents a summary of new evidence for the Mesolithic in the Dinaric Alps of Montene... more This article presents a summary of new evidence for the Mesolithic in the Dinaric Alps of Montenegro. The region is one of the best areas in southeastern Europe to study Early Holocene foragers and the nature of the transition to Neolithic lifeways at the end of the seventh and the beginning of the sixth millennium cal BC thanks to the existence of biodiverse landscapes and numerous karstic features. We argue that harpoons found at two different sites in this regional context represent a curated technology that has its roots in a local Mesolithic cultural tradition. The continued use of this standardized hunting tool kit in the Neolithic provides an important indication about the character of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. We also use this regional case study to address wider questions concerning the visibility and modes of Mesolithic occupation in southeastern Europe as a whole.
Level TE9c of the Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) is one of the oldest sites ... more Level TE9c of the Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) is one of the oldest sites with evidence of human occupation in western Europe. We began excavating level TE9c in 2003, and the work there continues today. The studies of the archaeology, palaeontology and geology from this locality have provided an indispensable dataset with which to capture a picture in the scenario of the origin of humans in Europe. Based on these data, we raise and discuss several topics, such as the possible origin of the lineage of the first hominins that inhabited western Europe; their capacity to have active hunting or scavenging abilities; whether their subsistence strategies were successful; and what the environment and habitats where these hominin groups settled was like. The aim of this paper is to present the results and discussions obtained from the research team and to establish the primary features of early human occupations in southwestern Europe. Tentatively, we may conclude, based on the events recorded at TE9c, that the first humans were in the Iberian peninsula at around 1.2 Ma they used the caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca as shelters probably during their hunting activities; the cavities were surrounded by Mediterranean forest, rivers and water ponds, and varied habitats as suggested by the rich and diverse assemblage of fossils of vertebrates (fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds, large and small mammals); where humans possibly caught what they found in the surroundings.
Page 1. Figueiral and Mosbrugger, 2000). Taking into account the limits of the disciplines, the d... more Page 1. Figueiral and Mosbrugger, 2000). Taking into account the limits of the disciplines, the data obtained from charcoal allow us to under-stand local vegetation patterns and their transformation through time. In order to describe ...
INTRODUCCIÓ El jaciment de Mas d'en Boixos -1 es situa en una suau ondulació del terreny al c... more INTRODUCCIÓ El jaciment de Mas d'en Boixos -1 es situa en una suau ondulació del terreny al costat del riu Foix, al centre de la depressió prelitoral del Penedès, dins del terme municipal de Pacs del Penedès (Fig. 1). La zona, situada entre uns 217 i 225 metres sobre el nivell del mar, té una composició geològica quaternària –principalment d'argiles i graves–, encara que en el sector de llevant també hi afloren argiles miocèniques. L'espai intervingut fins ara és d'unes 6 hectàrees, si bé les restes arqueològiques semblen estendre's pels sectors limítrofs. Fins a dia d'avui s'hi ha dut a terme nou campanyes d'excavacions arqueològiques preventives en les quals s'han deixat al descobert 451 estructures excavades al subsòl que estarien associades a cabanes i altres estructures construïdes no conservades. Es tracta majoritàriament de sitges, però també s'han documentat forns, forats de pal, grans retalls, enterraments, etc., que abracen des del n...
"The site of Balma Guilanyà (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the... more "The site of Balma Guilanyà (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the beginning of MIS 1, based on a variety of archaeobotanical indicators, although
its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bølling/Allerød amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of
the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years), which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain
ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerød. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanyà, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this
site."
"The objective of this paper is to present the anthracological data of the Parco cave sequence. T... more "The objective of this paper is to present the anthracological data of the Parco cave sequence. This cave, excavated since the last 25 years, shows a stratigraphic sequence from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze age.
The anthracological data that we are presenting correspond to the sequence corresponding to the Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic layers. The anthracological data show a dominance of Scots pine at the bottom and of junipers at the top of the deposit, suggesting a landscape transformation though time. From these results we
discuss aspects related to the vegetal formations during this period. Moreover, this study has the intention of integration the anthracological record with the archaeological data already published concerning subsistence, technology and paleoecology to a better understanding to human behaviour during this period."
... 2003, Muestreo arqueobotánico de yacimientos al aire libre en medio seco, in La recogida de m... more ... 2003, Muestreo arqueobotánico de yacimientos al aire libre en medio seco, in La recogida de muestras en arqueobotànica: objetivos y propuestas ... EUBA, I., ALLUÉ, E. 2003, Anàlisi antracològica de les restes d'un forn del Bronze final de Can Viola (Montcada i Reixac ...
A refugium is generally understood as an area where temperate species survive cold periods, such ... more A refugium is generally understood as an area where temperate species survive cold periods, such as the Iberian, Italian, or Balkan Peninsulas in Europe. Strictly speaking, this definition refers to what is known as a glacial refugium. However, there are various types of lesser-known refugia such as the interglacial refugium, which denotes a mountainous region at low latitudes, such as the Pyrenees, where species adapted to the cold survive during interstadial periods. The small-vertebrate association from the sequence of Cova Colomera, which is located on the southern face of the Pyrenees and contains the final cold spell of the Late Pleistocene and the beginnings of the temperate period in which we currently find ourselves (the Holocene), could constitute the first fossil evidence of such an interglacial refugium, thus providing new paleoecological data on the phenomenon.
ABSTRACT The site of Balma Guilanya (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation du... more ABSTRACT The site of Balma Guilanya (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the beginning of MIS 1, based on a variety of archaeobotanical indicators, although its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bolling/Allerod amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years). which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerod. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanya, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this site.
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from ... more ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from Lake Banyoles (Girona, Spain) and its contextualisation with other archaeobotanical records (charcoal, seed and wood remains) from the early Neolithic lakeshore settlement of La Draga. Around ca.7250 cal BP, coinciding with the first settlement phase of La Draga, a rapid fall of the pollen values of deciduous Quercus sp. is observed, and a stabilisation of these values is found until ca. 6000 cal BP. The causes for such changes in vegetation cover are discussed, taking into consideration environmental data to calibrate the role of climate in vegetation dynamics, as well as archaeobotanical data to evaluate impact of the management of vegetal resources on the landscape. The discussion of the data shows that climate could not have been the main cause for the decrease of broadleaf deciduous forests, and that the need of gathering raw material for the construction of dwellings played a major role in this change. The fact that these plant community does not recover during the occupation or after the abandonment of La Draga would confirm that human impact continued over time and that forest clearances were maintained for various purposes.
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from ... more ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the high-resolution pollen analysis of one new pollen record from Lake Banyoles (Girona, Spain) and its contextualisation with other archaeobotanical records (charcoal, seed and wood remains) from the early Neolithic lakeshore settlement of La Draga. Around ca.7250 cal BP, coinciding with the first settlement phase of La Draga, a rapid fall of the pollen values of deciduous Quercus sp. is observed, and a stabilisation of these values is found until ca. 6000 cal BP. The causes for such changes in vegetation cover are discussed, taking into consideration environmental data to calibrate the role of climate in vegetation dynamics, as well as archaeobotanical data to evaluate impact of the management of vegetal resources on the landscape. The discussion of the data shows that climate could not have been the main cause for the decrease of broadleaf deciduous forests, and that the need of gathering raw material for the construction of dwellings played a major role in this change. The fact that these plant community does not recover during the occupation or after the abandonment of La Draga would confirm that human impact continued over time and that forest clearances were maintained for various purposes.
This article presents a summary of new evidence for the Mesolithic in the Dinaric Alps of Montene... more This article presents a summary of new evidence for the Mesolithic in the Dinaric Alps of Montenegro. The region is one of the best areas in southeastern Europe to study Early Holocene foragers and the nature of the transition to Neolithic lifeways at the end of the seventh and the beginning of the sixth millennium cal BC thanks to the existence of biodiverse landscapes and numerous karstic features. We argue that harpoons found at two different sites in this regional context represent a curated technology that has its roots in a local Mesolithic cultural tradition. The continued use of this standardized hunting tool kit in the Neolithic provides an important indication about the character of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. We also use this regional case study to address wider questions concerning the visibility and modes of Mesolithic occupation in southeastern Europe as a whole.
Level TE9c of the Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) is one of the oldest sites ... more Level TE9c of the Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) is one of the oldest sites with evidence of human occupation in western Europe. We began excavating level TE9c in 2003, and the work there continues today. The studies of the archaeology, palaeontology and geology from this locality have provided an indispensable dataset with which to capture a picture in the scenario of the origin of humans in Europe. Based on these data, we raise and discuss several topics, such as the possible origin of the lineage of the first hominins that inhabited western Europe; their capacity to have active hunting or scavenging abilities; whether their subsistence strategies were successful; and what the environment and habitats where these hominin groups settled was like. The aim of this paper is to present the results and discussions obtained from the research team and to establish the primary features of early human occupations in southwestern Europe. Tentatively, we may conclude, based on the events recorded at TE9c, that the first humans were in the Iberian peninsula at around 1.2 Ma they used the caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca as shelters probably during their hunting activities; the cavities were surrounded by Mediterranean forest, rivers and water ponds, and varied habitats as suggested by the rich and diverse assemblage of fossils of vertebrates (fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds, large and small mammals); where humans possibly caught what they found in the surroundings.
Page 1. Figueiral and Mosbrugger, 2000). Taking into account the limits of the disciplines, the d... more Page 1. Figueiral and Mosbrugger, 2000). Taking into account the limits of the disciplines, the data obtained from charcoal allow us to under-stand local vegetation patterns and their transformation through time. In order to describe ...
INTRODUCCIÓ El jaciment de Mas d'en Boixos -1 es situa en una suau ondulació del terreny al c... more INTRODUCCIÓ El jaciment de Mas d'en Boixos -1 es situa en una suau ondulació del terreny al costat del riu Foix, al centre de la depressió prelitoral del Penedès, dins del terme municipal de Pacs del Penedès (Fig. 1). La zona, situada entre uns 217 i 225 metres sobre el nivell del mar, té una composició geològica quaternària –principalment d'argiles i graves–, encara que en el sector de llevant també hi afloren argiles miocèniques. L'espai intervingut fins ara és d'unes 6 hectàrees, si bé les restes arqueològiques semblen estendre's pels sectors limítrofs. Fins a dia d'avui s'hi ha dut a terme nou campanyes d'excavacions arqueològiques preventives en les quals s'han deixat al descobert 451 estructures excavades al subsòl que estarien associades a cabanes i altres estructures construïdes no conservades. Es tracta majoritàriament de sitges, però també s'han documentat forns, forats de pal, grans retalls, enterraments, etc., que abracen des del n...
"The site of Balma Guilanyà (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the... more "The site of Balma Guilanyà (southeastern Spain) records an extensive human occupation during the beginning of MIS 1, based on a variety of archaeobotanical indicators, although
its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bølling/Allerød amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of
the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years), which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain
ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerød. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanyà, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this
site."
"The objective of this paper is to present the anthracological data of the Parco cave sequence. T... more "The objective of this paper is to present the anthracological data of the Parco cave sequence. This cave, excavated since the last 25 years, shows a stratigraphic sequence from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze age.
The anthracological data that we are presenting correspond to the sequence corresponding to the Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic layers. The anthracological data show a dominance of Scots pine at the bottom and of junipers at the top of the deposit, suggesting a landscape transformation though time. From these results we
discuss aspects related to the vegetal formations during this period. Moreover, this study has the intention of integration the anthracological record with the archaeological data already published concerning subsistence, technology and paleoecology to a better understanding to human behaviour during this period."
... 2003, Muestreo arqueobotánico de yacimientos al aire libre en medio seco, in La recogida de m... more ... 2003, Muestreo arqueobotánico de yacimientos al aire libre en medio seco, in La recogida de muestras en arqueobotànica: objetivos y propuestas ... EUBA, I., ALLUÉ, E. 2003, Anàlisi antracològica de les restes d'un forn del Bronze final de Can Viola (Montcada i Reixac ...
A refugium is generally understood as an area where temperate species survive cold periods, such ... more A refugium is generally understood as an area where temperate species survive cold periods, such as the Iberian, Italian, or Balkan Peninsulas in Europe. Strictly speaking, this definition refers to what is known as a glacial refugium. However, there are various types of lesser-known refugia such as the interglacial refugium, which denotes a mountainous region at low latitudes, such as the Pyrenees, where species adapted to the cold survive during interstadial periods. The small-vertebrate association from the sequence of Cova Colomera, which is located on the southern face of the Pyrenees and contains the final cold spell of the Late Pleistocene and the beginnings of the temperate period in which we currently find ourselves (the Holocene), could constitute the first fossil evidence of such an interglacial refugium, thus providing new paleoecological data on the phenomenon.
This study presents the results of a multi-proxy analysis conducted to improve our understanding ... more This study presents the results of a multi-proxy analysis conducted to improve our understanding of the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the freshwater and brackish marshes of Cal Maurici (Barcelona, Spain) and the human impact on them during the mid-Holocene (6171–3891 cal. yr BP). The study integrates data from pollen, phytolith, diatom, charcoal, seeds and malacological analyses and helps to reconstruct the ecological conditions during the early establishment of farming communities in western Mediterranean facade. The results indicate a landscape dominated by Mediterranean vegetation with aquatic plants in the shallow marshes and well-developed forests in the nearby area, providing for the first time in the Holocene of NE Iberian Peninsula the palaeoecological conditions of deltaic areas. Ecofactual evidence indicates an initial landscape dominated by brackish marshes (6171–5773 cal. yr BP) in which Ruppia cf. maritima was predominant and human impact was low. Between 5026 and 4839 cal yr. BP, freshwater conditions expanded with an increase in Potamogeton sp. and the presence of Typha angustifolia and Spirogyra sp. algae with well-developed oak woodlands and deciduous trees in nearby areas. The expansion of evergreen forest occurred later (from 4960 to 4825 cal. yr BP until 3712 cal. yr BP), with the decline of deciduous woodland and the expansion of evergreen oaks, pinewoods, wild olive trees and box, coinciding with a period of increased human activity in the area. Additionally, the presence of marine resources at several archaeological excavation sites and domestic plants at Cal Maurici provides an opportunity to evaluate the interaction between earlier farmers and marine or deltaic ecosystems.
Our session welcomes papers from any geographical and chronological context in archaeobotany, eth... more Our session welcomes papers from any geographical and chronological context in archaeobotany, ethnoarchaeology and/or experimentation dealing with microanatomical features visible on charcoal or wood and their archaeological relevance. Possible approaches include: anthracological signature studies (vitrification, fungal degradation patterns, radial cracks), characterisation of mineral inclusions or deposits hindering identification, dendrology, morphometry or wood traceology. We will also provide the opportunity for researchers to put their charcoal fragments under a microscope connected to a camera in order to share experiences of microanatomical signatures. We would be very happy if you could participate! The abstract deadline is February 15 th 2018, and you can find more information on the congress website at https://www.e-a-a.org/eaa2018
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its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bølling/Allerød amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of
the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years), which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain
ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerød. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanyà, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this
site."
The anthracological data that we are presenting correspond to the sequence corresponding to the Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic layers. The anthracological data show a dominance of Scots pine at the bottom and of junipers at the top of the deposit, suggesting a landscape transformation though time. From these results we
discuss aspects related to the vegetal formations during this period. Moreover, this study has the intention of integration the anthracological record with the archaeological data already published concerning subsistence, technology and paleoecology to a better understanding to human behaviour during this period."
its sequence contains gaps in the record of human occupation. The study of different archaeological proxies recovered from its sequence, especially charcoal, seeds and fruits, allows analysis of the ecological changes that occurred at the southern flanks of the Pyrenees from the Bølling/Allerød amelioration to the Boreal. The analyses also illuminate the strategies developed by hunter-gatherers of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, and especially of
the changes in firewood used at this site over a long time (over 5000 years), which indirectly provide information about the transformation of the plant communities of mountain
ecosystems. In parallel, a growing interest in re-collecting wild fruits can be perceived. The results suggest that this activity was widely in use during the early Holocene, although it may go back to the Allerød. These results suggest that despite the limitations of the archaeobotanical record of Balma Guilanyà, we can recognize different patterns in the management of plant resources by the hunter-gatherers that intermittently visited this
site."
The anthracological data that we are presenting correspond to the sequence corresponding to the Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic layers. The anthracological data show a dominance of Scots pine at the bottom and of junipers at the top of the deposit, suggesting a landscape transformation though time. From these results we
discuss aspects related to the vegetal formations during this period. Moreover, this study has the intention of integration the anthracological record with the archaeological data already published concerning subsistence, technology and paleoecology to a better understanding to human behaviour during this period."
deltaic ecosystems.
The abstract deadline is February 15 th 2018, and you can find more information on the congress website at https://www.e-a-a.org/eaa2018