- Mousterian, Classification (Archaeology), Lithic Refitting, Prehistory, Paleolithic Europe, Lithic Technology, and 41 moreNeanderthals (Palaeolithic Archaeology), Aurignacian, Middle to Upper Paleolithic Transition, Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic, Early Upper Paleolithic lithic technology, Archaeology, Lithics, Chronostratigraphy, 14C dating (Archaeology), Chatelperronian, Materialismo Filosófico,Gustavo Bueno, Digital Archaeology, Modern Human Behavior, Symbolism, Paleolithic, Evolution, Cognitive Science, Psycholinguistics, Stone tools, Modern human dispersal, Australian prehistory, Indian Palaeolithic, Neanderthals, 3D Analysis, History of Archaeology, Chaîne Opératoire, CGI, Animation, Web Design, Animation Theory, Stop-motion Animation, Computer Animation, 3D animation, Digital Animation, Disney Animation Film, Game Design, Video Game Design, Android, Android Development, and Android Programmingedit
- Follow my recent work on
https://santamadavid.wixsite.com/wikilithicsedit
Vídeo presentado en el "Congreso Internacional de Arte Rupestre Paleolítico. Cien años del descubrimiento de la cueva de la Peña de Candamo", celebrado en Oviedo entre los días 3 y 5 de julio de 2014. Título de la ponencia: "Relación... more
Vídeo presentado en el "Congreso Internacional de Arte Rupestre Paleolítico. Cien años del descubrimiento de la cueva de la Peña de Candamo", celebrado en Oviedo entre los días 3 y 5 de julio de 2014. Título de la ponencia: "Relación entre la estratigrafía y los grabados parietales del primer horizonte gráfico del abrigo de La Viña (La Manzaneda, Oviedo, Asturias)".
Autores: María González-Pumariega, Marco de la Rasilla, David Santamaría, Elsa Duarte, Gabriel Santos
Autores: María González-Pumariega, Marco de la Rasilla, David Santamaría, Elsa Duarte, Gabriel Santos
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A reassessment of the dates for the Aurignacian in Western Europe based on C14 dates from anthropogenically modified bone from L'Abreda, Labeko Koba and La Vina.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper examines the Upper Solutrean–Archaic Magdalenian/Badegoulian succession on the base of lithic and bone tool production, chrono-stratigraphic data and radiocarbon dates from the Cantabrian and Mediterranean regions of Iberia,... more
The paper examines the Upper Solutrean–Archaic Magdalenian/Badegoulian succession on the base of lithic and bone tool production, chrono-stratigraphic data and radiocarbon dates from the Cantabrian and Mediterranean regions of Iberia, mainly the areas of Asturias and Valencia (Spain). The discussion considers a reduced number of variables (characteristic stone tools, bone points and decoration techniques) and highlights the elements in common. The analysis concerning the transformation of lithic production at Cova del Parpalló provides new data for the Upper Solutrean–Archaic Magdalenian/ Badegoulian transition.
Research Interests:
Ce travail synthétise et actualise les nouvelles données du gisement d’El Sidrón (Asturies, Nord de l’Espagne). Depuis 2000, le site d’El Sidrón, daté d’environ 49 000 ans, délivre systématiquement de nouveaux restes d’Homo... more
Ce travail synthétise et actualise les nouvelles données du gisement d’El Sidrón (Asturies, Nord de l’Espagne). Depuis 2000, le site d’El Sidrón, daté d’environ 49 000 ans, délivre systématiquement de nouveaux restes d’Homo neanderthalensis. L’assemblage osseux se trouve en position secondaire et provient certainement d’un lieu extérieur attenant. L’échantillon est composé presque exclusivement de restes humains. Un modeste outillage lithique (n ≈ 415) du Paléolithique moyen est présent tandis qu’il n’y a que très peu de restes de macro-faune. Tous les éléments squelettiques sont bien conservés, y compris un os rare comme l’os hyoïde. Les dents sont très nombreuses (n = 213), les restes crâniens bien représentés, mais fragmentaires, tout comme le postcrâne, pour lequel on note spécialement la présence des os des mains et des pieds. Un nombre minimum de 13 individus a été identifié, représentant plusieurs stades de développement des jeunes enfants jusqu’aux adultes. La paléobiologie des humains d’El Sidrón est conforme à celle trouvée dans d’autres échantillons néandertaliens : forte fréquence d’hypoplasies dentaires et de sillons interproximaux, bien qu’il n’y ait aucune lésion traumatique sérieuse. De plus, des traces de modifications anthropiques (cannibalisme) ont été identifiées clairement sur les restes humains : traces de découpes, marques de percussions, fractures conchoïdales et éclats de remontage. Il semble y avoir eu un traitement différencié des individus. Morphologiquement, les humains d’El Sidrón montrent un grand nombre de caractères dérivés néandertaliens même si certains traits placent l’échantillon à la limite de la variation néandertalienne. L’intégration des mandibules et des os occipitaux d’El Sidrón à un plus large échantillon néandertalien révèle une possible variation géographique, avec des Néandertaliens du Sud présentant des faces plus larges associées à des hauteurs faciales plus basses. Des analyses d’ADN ancien ont été menées en développant un protocole de fouille anti-contamination afin de minimiser les risques de contamination par l’ADN moderne. Ainsi, de l’ADN mitochondrial mais aussi nucléaire ont été extraits des restes dentaires et osseux. Curieusement, les analyses comparatives d’ADNm suggèrent une affinité des Néandertaliens de la Péninsule ibérique avec les Néandertaliens d’Europe centrale. Les analyses de l’ADN nucléaire ont permis l’identification de quelques gènes fonctionnels tels que le récepteur de la mélanocortine 1 (MC1R) qui régule la pigmentation des cheveux et de la peau ; le FOXP2, un gène impliqué dans le développement du langage ; et le gène impliqué dans le système des groupes sanguins ABO. Aujourd’hui l’échantillon humain d’El Sidrón est le plus important de la Péninsule ibérique et augmente le registre fossile de la lignée évolutive européenne, confirmant ainsi une variabilité écogéographique au sein des populations néandertaliennes.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Neanderthals disappeared sometime between 30,000 and 24,000 years ago. Until recently, Neanderthals were understood to have been predominantly meat-eaters; however, a growing body of evidence suggests their diet also included plants. We... more
Neanderthals disappeared sometime between 30,000 and 24,000 years ago. Until recently, Neanderthals were understood to have been predominantly meat-eaters; however, a growing body of evidence suggests their diet also included plants. We present the results of a study, in which sequential thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were combined with morphological analysis of plant microfossils, to identify material entrapped in dental calculus from five Neanderthal individuals from the north Spanish site of El Sidrón. Our results provide the first molecular evidence for inhalation of wood-fire smoke and bitumen or oil shale and ingestion of a range of cooked plant foods. We also offer the first evidence for the use of medicinal plants by a Neanderthal individual. The varied use of plants that we have identified suggests that the Neanderthal occupants of El Sidrón had a sophisticated knowledge of their natural surroundings which included the ability to select and use certain plants.
Research Interests:
Torres et al. (2010) published a series of radiocarbon, AAR, ESR and OSL dates from the site of El Sidrón, northern Spain, which is notable for the discovery of the partial remains of 12 Neanderthals. Whilst the non-radiocarbon methods... more
Torres et al. (2010) published a series of radiocarbon, AAR, ESR and OSL dates from the site of El Sidrón, northern Spain, which is notable for the discovery of the partial remains of 12 Neanderthals. Whilst the non-radiocarbon methods suggested an age beyond 32 600–46 300 years, direct radiocarbon dates on the human fossils were inconsistent, ranging between 10 000 and 50 000 bp. This study uses the ultrafiltration pre-treatment protocol to obtain a date of 48 400 ± 3200 bp (OxA-21 776) on a bone fragment and confirm the antiquity of the Neanderthal assemblage. Moreover, it demonstrates the comparability of the ultrafiltration and ninhydrin bone radiocarbon pre-treatment protocols, and highlights the need for appropriate screening methods where valuable collections with poor biomolecular preservation are sampled for collagen extraction.
Research Interests:
Since the late 1980s, northern Iberia has yielded some of the earliest radiocarbon dated Aurignacian assemblages in Western Europe, probably produced by anatomically modern humans (AMHs). This is at odds with its location furthest from... more
Since the late 1980s, northern Iberia has yielded some of the earliest radiocarbon dated Aurignacian assemblages in Western Europe, probably produced by anatomically modern humans (AMHs). This is at odds with its location furthest from the likely eastern entry point of AMHs, and has also suggested to some that the Châtelperronian resulted from cultural transfer from AMHs to Neanderthals. However, the accuracy of the early chronology has been extensively disputed, primarily because of the poor association between the dated samples and human activity. Here, we test the chronology of three sites in northern Iberia, L'Arbreda, Labeko Koba and La Viña, by radiocarbon dating ultrafiltered collagen from anthropogenically modified bones. The published dates from Labeko Koba are shown to be significant underestimates due to the insufficient removal of young contaminants. The early (c.44 ka cal BP [thousands of calibrated years before present]) Aurignacian chronology at L'Arbreda cannot be reproduced, but the reason for this is difficult to ascertain. The existing chronology of La Viña is found to be approximately correct. Together, the evidence suggests that major changes in technocomplexes occurred contemporaneously between the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions of northern Iberia, with the Aurignacian appearing around 42 ka cal BP, a date broadly consistent with the appearance of this industry elsewhere in Western Europe.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
We present the matter state about the Mousterian of Asturias through the results coming from the present reference sites: Llonin, Sopeña, El Conde, La Güelga, El Sidrón y La Viña. The information and the interpretation are sometimes... more
We present the matter state about the Mousterian of Asturias through the results coming from the present reference sites: Llonin, Sopeña, El Conde, La Güelga, El Sidrón y La Viña. The information and the interpretation are sometimes determined by physical and biological processes or by the lack of artefacts; nevertheless, we have a series of results that provide an interesting and original view of different matters about the Neanderthal population and behaviour in the asturian region.
Research Interests:
Una de las líneas de investigación desarrollada en los últimos años en el Área de Prehistoria de la Universidad de Oviedo es la caracterización de los recursos líticos explotados en el yacimiento de El Sidrón, así como la localización de... more
Una de las líneas de investigación desarrollada en los últimos años en el Área de Prehistoria de la Universidad de Oviedo es la caracterización de los recursos líticos explotados en el yacimiento de El Sidrón, así como la localización de las fuentes de aprovisionamiento de dichos recursos minerales. Ese estudio se hace extensivo a los grupos humanos del Paleolítico medio y superior presentes en los yacimientos asturianos de La Viña, Cueto de la Mina y Llonín. Hasta la fecha se han identificado dos tipos de sílex, uno cenozoico –sílex de Piedramuelle– y otro mesozoico –sílex de Piloña–*, cuya presencia en algunos yacimientos asturianos (p. ej. La Viña o El Sidrón) supera respectivamente el 80-90 % de los sílex registrados. Además, se han localizado algunas zonas de captación de esas y otras materias primas, como la cuarcita. Uno de dichos sílex (Piloña) tiene un radio medio de movilidad de ca. 50 km, aunque recientemente ha sido identificado en otros yacimientos de la cornisa cantábrica localizados a ~120 km (El Linar, Cualventi y Las Aguas); se trata, por tanto, del sílex asturiano con mayor movilidad de todos los identificados hasta el momento. Por otra parte, se ha realizado una caracterización mineralógica y geoquímica de los sílex de Piloña de procedencia tanto geológica
como arqueológica.
como arqueológica.
Research Interests:
Este artículo examina, primero, algunos problemas metodológicos relacionados con la datación absoluta/numérica de los niveles arqueológicos (fiabilidad del radiocarbono, contaminación de las muestras…), con especial énfasis en la... more
Este artículo examina, primero, algunos problemas metodológicos relacionados con la datación absoluta/numérica de los niveles arqueológicos (fiabilidad del radiocarbono, contaminación de las muestras…), con especial énfasis en la transición del Paleolítico medio al superior (ca. 40.000- 30.000 años BP), y se evalúan los efectos potenciales de la contaminación con carbono moderno de las muestras arqueológicas. Como corolario se exponen algunos requisitos ‘estratigráficos/químicos’ que debe cumplir cualquier nivel ‘datado/datación’, a fin de minimizar la incertidumbre que supone evaluar la fiabilidad de una fecha absoluta o numérica cuya edad real se desconoce. En segundo lugar, se analizan desde un punto de vista estratigráfico, tecnotipológico y cronológico tres yacimientos puestos como aval de una pervivencia musteriense/neandertal en el norte y sur de la Península Ibérica (El Esquilleu y Gorham’s Cave) y de un intercambio genético (hibridación) entre las poblaciones sapiens y neandertales (La Sima de las Palomas). Para terminar, se discute la validez de estos modelos, basados en la cronología absoluta/numérica, y se propone un nuevo escenario asentado en la cronología relativa, y caracterizado por la no convivencia-coexistencia de las poblaciones musterienses y auriñacienses en la Península Ibérica.
Research Interests:
We evaluate the statistical robustness of the Mousterian facies identified in the Iberian Peninsula (Charentian, Typical and Denticulate Mousterian) as discrete typological groups in order to check their validity for explaining the... more
We evaluate the statistical robustness of the Mousterian facies identified in the Iberian Peninsula (Charentian, Typical and Denticulate Mousterian) as discrete typological groups in order to check their validity for explaining the typological Mousterian variability in this territory.
Research Interests:
This paper presents the first detailed analysis of the lithic industry from El Sidrón Cave. Previously we have published other works concerning Anthropology and Palaeogenetics. The lithic assemblage contains 415 artefacts coming from both... more
This paper presents the first detailed analysis of the lithic industry from El Sidrón Cave. Previously we have published other works concerning Anthropology and Palaeogenetics. The lithic assemblage contains 415 artefacts coming from both unofficial and official excavations and is largely flake-based. The raw material derives from the immediate cave environment, and is mostly chert, with quartzite in a lesser proportion. To date, 67 artefacts have been refitted, including some tools and cores. The spatial distribution of the refitted lithic artefacts confirms, on the one hand, the unity of the assemblage and, on the other, its secondary context.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
La Cueva de Gabasa fue un alto de caza especializado en el abatimiento de caballos y ciervos jóvenes, cuya ocupación alternaron los neandertales con otros depredadores a lo largo de más de 10.000 años. Las cadenas operativas identificadas... more
La Cueva de Gabasa fue un alto de caza especializado en el abatimiento de caballos y ciervos jóvenes, cuya ocupación alternaron los neandertales con otros depredadores a lo largo de más de 10.000 años. Las cadenas operativas identificadas en el conjunto lítico se relacionan principalmente con las diferentes modalidades del método discoide y en menor medida con los métodos Levallois y Quina. Los soportes obtenidos (productos corticales, lascas con dorso desbordante, lascas ordinarias y centrípetas) fueron transformados principalmente en raederas y, en menor medida, en denticulados y muescas, y utilizados, junto con algunas lascas no retocadas, en el procesamiento de las presas (ciervos y caballos juveniles).
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Incrementamos el escaso número de efectivos hispanos con las dos lámparas que se presentan procedentes de sendas cuevas asturianas. Una de ellas pertenece al Magdaleniense superior y la otra está arqueológicamente fuera de contexto, y... more
Incrementamos el escaso número de efectivos hispanos con las dos lámparas que se presentan procedentes de sendas cuevas asturianas. Una de ellas pertenece al Magdaleniense superior y la otra está arqueológicamente fuera de contexto, y ambas ponen de manifiesto su exclusiva presencia en el interior de cavidades que, además, contienen representaciones artísticas. Se realiza un estudio técnico, morfológico y funcional de esas lámparas, que permite su comparación con las conocidas de la península y de Francia; prestando especial atención a los elementos (materia prima y procesos tecnológicos) implicados en su variabilidad morfológica.
Research Interests:
El Solutrense es pródigo en la invención de piezas líticas con una significativa carga de información técnica, a la vez que su peculiar reparto por la geografía, en un momento climático y con una distribución de la población europea... more
El Solutrense es pródigo en la invención de piezas líticas con una significativa carga de información técnica, a la vez que su peculiar reparto por la geografía, en un momento climático y con una distribución de la población europea especialmente articulares, ofrece datos que permiten demarcar territorios y difusión de elementos de cultura.
Research Interests:
Se exponen los resultados obtenidos del estudio conjunto de los niveles G y H (excavaciones 1914-1915) y las novedades entregadas por el nivel VII (excavaciones 1981-1986), integrados con los datos paleoclimáticos e isotópicos.
Research Interests:
The age of Neanderthal remains and associated sediments from El Sidrón cave has been obtained through different dating methods (14CAMS, U/TH, OSL, ESR and AAR) and samples (charcoal debris, bone, tooth dentine, stalagmitic flowstone,... more
The age of Neanderthal remains and associated sediments from El Sidrón cave has been obtained through different dating methods (14CAMS, U/TH, OSL, ESR and AAR) and samples (charcoal debris, bone, tooth dentine, stalagmitic flowstone, carbonate-rich sediments, sedimentary quartz grains, tooth enamel and land snail shells). Detrital Th contamination rendered Th/U dating analyses of flowstone unreliable. Recent 14C contamination produced spurious age-values from charcoal samples as well as from inadequately pretreated tooth samples. Most consistent 14C dates are grouped into two series: one between 35 and 40 ka and the other between 48 and 49 ka. Most ESR and AAR samples yielded concordant ages, ranging between 39 and 45 ka; OSL dating results permitted adequate bracketing of the sedimentary layer that contained the human remains. Our results emphasize the value of multi-dating approaches for the establishment of reliable chronologies of human remains.
Research Interests:
Fossil evidence from the Iberian Peninsula is essential for understanding Neandertal evolution and history. Since 2000, a new sample 43,000 years old has been systematically recovered at the El Sidron cave site (Asturias, Spain). Human... more
Fossil evidence from the Iberian Peninsula is essential for understanding Neandertal evolution and history. Since 2000, a new sample 43,000 years old has been systematically recovered at the El Sidron cave site (Asturias, Spain). Human remains almost exclusively compose the bone assemblage. All of the skeletal parts are preserved, and there is a moderate occurrence of Middle Paleolithic stone tools. A minimum number of eight individuals are represented, and ancient mtDNA has been extracted from dental and osteological remains. Paleobiology of the El Sidro´n archaic humans fits the pattern found in other Neandertal samples: a high incidence of dental hypoplasia and interproximal grooves, yet no traumatic lesions are present. Moreover, unambiguous evidence of human-induced modifications has been found on the human remains. Morphologically, the El Sidron humans show a large number of Neandertal lineage-derived features even though certain traits place the sample at the limits of Neandertal variation. Integrating the El Sidro´n human mandibles into the larger Neandertal sample reveals a north–south geographic patterning, with southern Neandertals showing broader faces with increased lower facial heights. The large El Sidro´n sample therefore augments the European evolutionary lineage fossil record and supports ecogeographical
variability across Neandertal populations.
variability across Neandertal populations.
Research Interests:
The distribution of subvertical grooves on interproximal wear dental facets from the El Sidron(Asturias, Spain) Neandertals is described and analyzed. Out of 93 teeth, 64.5% present subvertical grooves, including a high frequency (50%) on... more
The distribution of subvertical grooves on interproximal wear dental facets from the El Sidron(Asturias, Spain) Neandertals is described and analyzed. Out of 93 teeth, 64.5% present subvertical grooves, including a high frequency (50%) on the anterior dentition. Contrary to some studies, subvertical grooves from adjacent facets perfectly overlap each other and do not interdigitate, probably forming small channels. Both the facet and the groove surface share the same polished appearance, suggesting a common origin. Statistical analyses reveal that the number of grooves is neither dependent on the degree of occlusal
wear, nor on the position on the tooth or the individual’s age. However, facet width is an important factor determining the number of subvertical grooves. The etiology of subvertical grooves formation on Neandertal teeth remains unclear.
wear, nor on the position on the tooth or the individual’s age. However, facet width is an important factor determining the number of subvertical grooves. The etiology of subvertical grooves formation on Neandertal teeth remains unclear.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The remains of 12 Neandertal individuals have been found at the El Sidrón site (Asturias, Spain), consisting of six adults, three adolescents, two juveniles, and one infant. Archaeological, paleontological, and geological evidence... more
The remains of 12 Neandertal individuals have been found at the El Sidrón site (Asturias, Spain), consisting of six adults, three adolescents, two juveniles, and one infant. Archaeological, paleontological, and geological evidence indicates that these individuals represent all or part of a contemporaneous social group of Neandertals, who died at around the same time and later were buried together as a result of a collapse of an underground karst. We sequenced phylogenetically informative positions of mtDNA hypervariable regions 1 and 2 from each of the remains. Our results show that the 12 individuals stem from three different maternal lineages, accounting for seven, four, and one individual(s), respectively. Using a Y-chromosome assay to confirm the morphological determination of sex for each individual, we found that, although the three adult males carried the same mtDNA lineage, each of the three adult females carried different mtDNA lineages. These findings provide evidence to indicate that Neandertal groups not only were small and characterized by low genetic diversity but also were likely to have practiced patrilocal mating behavior.