Celtis remains from the Lower Pleistocene of Gran Dolina, Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allué, Ethel; Cáceres, Isabel; Expósito, Isabel; Canals, Antoni; Rodríguez, Anna; Rosell, Jordi; Bermúdez de Castro, José María; Carbonell, Eudald
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 53(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 570
• Page End: 577
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Atapuerca -- Lower Pleistocene -- Homo antecessor -- Celtis -- Archaeobotany -- Food plants; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archéologie -- Périodiques; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2014.11.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4403

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper we present the archaeobotanical record from level TD6 of the Gran Dolina site (Burgos, Spain). The results show the presence of mineralized Celtis (hackberry) seed remains – concentrated primarily in the area where most of the archaeological material was found. Spatial distribution data indicate that the seeds are associated with archaeological remains resulting from human occupation of the cave. Celtis remains were preserved due to biomineralization of seed endocarps. The results presented here contribute to analysis of archaeobotanical Celtis remains as part of the Pleistocene human plant food consumption. Highlights: Recent evidence of biomineralized Celtis seeds from the Lower Pleistocene at Atapuerca. Archaeostratigraphy reveals the association of Celtis remains with other archaeological materials from level TD6. The association of Celtis with other archaeological materials suggests human consumption.