Palaeoecological implications of Neanderthal occupation at Unit Xb of El Salt (Alcoi, eastern Spain) during MIS 3 using small mammals proxy. (10th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fagoaga, Ana; Ruiz-Sánchez, Francisco J.; Laplana, César; Blain, Hugues-Alexandre; Marquina, Rafael; Marin-Monfort, M. Dolores; Galván, Bertila
• Is Part Of: Quaternary international. Volume 481(2018)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2018-07-10
• Subjects: El Salt -- Late Pleistocene -- Middle Palaeolithic -- Small mammals -- Palaeoecology -- Neanderthals; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2017.10.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6182

Abstract

Abstract: Nearly 250 small mammal remains from Unit Xb of El Salt Middle Palaeolithic site have been studied in order to reconstruct the palaeoecological conditions during a phase of Neanderthal occupation in this locality at 52.3 ± 4.6 ka. A total of 7rodents ( Microtus arvalis, M. agrestis, M. ( Terricola ) duodecimcostatus, Microtus ( Iberomys ) cabrerae, Arvicola sapidus, Eliomys quercinus and Apodemus sylvaticus ), 4 insectivores ( Erinaceus cf. europaeus, Crocidura sp., Sorex sp. and Talpidae indet.) and 1 lagomorph ( Oryctolagus cf. cuniculus ) have been identified. Applying the Mutual Ecogeographic Range and Habitat Weighting methods, Unit Xb may correspond to a relatively cold (−3.3 °C in comparison with present values) and slightly more humid (+113.3 mm in comparison with present values) period. The environment was mainly composed of open woodlands (58%) followed by dry (20%) and humid (14%) meadows. These results suggest that supramediterranean conditions were present in the surroundings of the site at 52.3 ± 4.6 ka instead of mesomediterranean conditions present today.