After the Last Glacial Maximum in the refugium of northern Iberia: Environmental shifts, demographic pressure and changing economic strategies at Las Caldas Cave (Asturias, Spain). (15th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, J.R.; Marín-Arroyo, A.B.; Corchón Rodríguez, M.S.; Richards, M.P.
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 262(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-15
• Subjects: Cantabrian Spain -- Las Caldas Cave -- Last Glacial Maximum -- Upper Palaeolithic -- Archaeozoology -- Stable isotopes -- Climate change -- Environmental change; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106931
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: The Late Upper Palaeolithic of Europe, particularly the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM: 26-19 kyr cal BP), was a time of dramatic climatic changes. Fauna, and the humans that preyed on them, were forced to adapt their behaviours in response to climate changes to survive. The Cantabrian Region of northern Spain was continuously inhabited during this period when many other areas of Europe were inhospitable. The site of Las Caldas (Asturias) was repeatedly occupied by hunter-gatherers during the Solutrean (26.1–20.3 kyr cal BP) and Magdalenian (18.5–14.3 kyr cal BP). This paper uses δ 13 C and δ 15 N stable isotope analysis of red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and Spanish ibex ( Capra pyrenaica ) remains to reconstruct past environments, ungulate niches and habitats, and to understand how this impacted on their availability as a prey source. Results show that during the Solutrean, cold and potentially wet LGM conditions were experienced and ibex lived in lower altitudes, likely due to reduced vegetation, and even small glaciers on the higher mountain slopes. Improved environmental conditions in the Magdalenian allowed ibex to live in their preferred habitat of higher altitudes. Ameliorated Late Glacial conditions correspond with changing economic hunting strategies at the site. Humans exploited wider ecological zones, over larger distances, which coincides with population growth, and greater connectivity across the Cantabrian region. This research highlights the importance of characterising the complex interactions between humans, animals and environments during the Late Pleistocene and how they responded to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Highlights: Bone collagen δ 13 C and δ 15 N values used to reconstruct environments and faunal niches between 26 and 14 kyr cal BP in N. Spain. Harsh Solutrean conditions affected ibex habitats, and they moved to lower altitudes. Improved Magdalenian conditions coincided with exploitation of wider ecological zones. Increased Magdalenian human populations pressured resources, affecting subsistence strategies.