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A symbolic Neanderthal accumulation of large herbivore crania

Author

Listed:
  • Enrique Baquedano

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid
    Institute of Evolution in Africa)

  • Juan L. Arsuaga

    (Complutense University of Madrid
    UCM-ISCIII Research Centre for Human Evolution and Behaviour)

  • Alfredo Pérez-González

    (Complutense University of Madrid)

  • César Laplana

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid)

  • Belén Márquez

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid)

  • Rosa Huguet

    (Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social
    University Rovira i Virgili
    Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales)

  • Sandra Gómez-Soler

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid
    University of Alcalá)

  • Lucía Villaescusa

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid
    University of Alcalá)

  • M. Ángeles Galindo-Pellicena

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid
    University of Alcalá General Foundation)

  • Laura Rodríguez

    (University of León
    University of Burgos)

  • Rebeca García-González

    (University of Burgos)

  • M.-Cruz Ortega

    (UCM-ISCIII Research Centre for Human Evolution and Behaviour)

  • David M. Martín-Perea

    (Institute of Evolution in Africa
    Complutense University of Madrid
    National Natural Sciences Museum—CSIC)

  • Ana I. Ortega

    (National Research Centre for Human Evolution (FA-CENIEH)
    Ibeas de Juarros)

  • Lucía Hernández-Vivanco

    (Institute of Evolution in Africa
    University of Alcalá)

  • Gonzalo Ruiz-Liso
  • Juan Gómez-Hernanz

    (Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de la Comunidad de Madrid)

  • José I. Alonso-Martín
  • Ana Abrunhosa

    (National Research Centre for Human Evolution (FA-CENIEH)
    University of Algarve)

  • Abel Moclán

    (Institute of Evolution in Africa
    National Research Centre for Human Evolution (FA-CENIEH)
    Universidad de Burgos)

  • Ana I. Casado

    (Complutense University of Madrid
    Institute of Geosciences (IGEO, UCM-CSIC))

  • Marina Vegara-Riquelme

    (Institute of Evolution in Africa
    University of Alcalá)

  • Ana Álvarez-Fernández

    (University of Burgos)

  • Ángel C. Domínguez-García

    (Complutense University of Madrid)

  • Diego J. Álvarez-Lao

    (Oviedo University)

  • Nuria García

    (Complutense University of Madrid
    UCM-ISCIII Research Centre for Human Evolution and Behaviour)

  • Paloma Sevilla

    (Complutense University of Madrid)

  • Hugues-Alexandre Blain

    (Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social
    University Rovira i Virgili)

  • Blanca Ruiz-Zapata

    (University of Alcalá)

  • M. José Gil-García

    (University of Alcalá)

  • Adrián Álvarez-Vena

    (Oviedo University)

  • Teresa Sanz
  • Rolf Quam

    (UCM-ISCIII Research Centre for Human Evolution and Behaviour
    Binghamton University (SUNY)
    American Museum of Natural History
    Universidad de Alcalá)

  • Tom Higham

    (University of Oxford
    University of Vienna
    University of Vienna)

Abstract

This work examines the possible behaviour of Neanderthal groups at the Cueva Des-Cubierta (central Spain) via the analysis of the latter’s archaeological assemblage. Alongside evidence of Mousterian lithic industry, Level 3 of the cave infill was found to contain an assemblage of mammalian bone remains dominated by the crania of large ungulates, some associated with small hearths. The scarcity of post-cranial elements, teeth, mandibles and maxillae, along with evidence of anthropogenic modification of the crania (cut and percussion marks), indicates that the carcasses of the corresponding animals were initially processed outside the cave, and the crania were later brought inside. A second round of processing then took place, possibly related to the removal of the brain. The continued presence of crania throughout Level 3 indicates that this behaviour was recurrent during this level’s formation. This behaviour seems to have no subsistence-related purpose but to be more symbolic in its intent.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrique Baquedano & Juan L. Arsuaga & Alfredo Pérez-González & César Laplana & Belén Márquez & Rosa Huguet & Sandra Gómez-Soler & Lucía Villaescusa & M. Ángeles Galindo-Pellicena & Laura Rodríguez & R, 2023. "A symbolic Neanderthal accumulation of large herbivore crania," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(3), pages 342-352, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:7:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1038_s41562-022-01503-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01503-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jacques Jaubert & Sophie Verheyden & Dominique Genty & Michel Soulier & Hai Cheng & Dominique Blamart & Christian Burlet & Hubert Camus & Serge Delaby & Damien Deldicque & R. Lawrence Edwards & Cather, 2016. "Early Neanderthal constructions deep in Bruniquel Cave in southwestern France," Nature, Nature, vol. 534(7605), pages 111-114, June.
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