The Magdalenian human remains from El Mirón Cave, Cantabria (Spain). (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carretero, José Miguel; Quam, Rolf M.; Gómez-Olivencia, Asier; Castilla, María; Rodríguez, Laura; García-González, Rebeca
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 60(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Upper Paleolithic -- Ritual human burial -- Cantabrian Spain -- Paleoanthropology -- Skeletal morphology; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archéologie -- Périodiques; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2015.03.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4403

Abstract

Abstract: In 2001 and between 2010 and 2013 El Mirón cave in northern Spain yielded a partial human skeleton in a Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian deposit. The skeleton has been directly radiocarbon dated to 15, 460 ± 40 BP. The archaeological context suggests that the human remains were deposited at the site as a result of a deliberate burial. Here we present a complete inventory and anthropological study of this individual. The remains belong to a single, middle-aged, robust female individual of ca. 160 cm in height and weighing ca. 60 kg, with good health status. The individual is represented by the mandible, numerous teeth and many postcranial bones, including significant portions of the vertebral column, costal skeleton, hands and feet. The Magdalenian context of El Mirón cave provides additional data on the otherwise poorly known Upper Paleolithic populations of Southwestern Europe. Highlights: The only human burial of Magdalenian age yet to be found in the Iberian Peninsula. Reliable stratigraphic context and direct dating of the human skeleton. Medium to tall, robust and healthy woman buried in a highly ritualized context. Insight into the skeletal anatomy, biology and behavior of Southwestern Europe Late Upper Paleolithic humans.