A Neanderthal's specialised burning structure compatible with tar obtention

Here we present multiproxy evidence of a new type of Neanderthal hearth discovered in Vanguard Cave (VC) (Gibraltar), which is dated ∼ 65 kyr, and associated with Middle Paleolithic stone artefacts. The hearth structure coincides with predictions from theoretical studies which require the use of hea...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ochando, Juan, Jiménez-Espejo, Francisco J., Giles-Guzmán, Francisco, Neto de Carvalho, Carlos, Carrión, Jose S., Muñiz, Fernando, Rubiales, Juan Manuel, Cura, Pedro, Belo, João, Finlayson, Stewart, Martrat, Belen, van Drooge, Barend L., Jiménez-Moreno, Gonzalo, García-Alix, Antonio, Lozano Rodríguez, José Antonio, Albert, Rosa María, Ohkouchi, Naohiko, Ogawa, Nanako, Suga, Hisami, Camuera, Jon, Martínez-Ruiz, Francisca, Villanueva, Joan, Teruel, Oriol, Davtian, Nina, Moreira, Noel, Belaústegui, Zain, Rodríguez-Vidal, Joaquín, Munuera, Manuel, Menez, Alex, Finlayson, Geraldine, Finlayson, Clive
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/372243
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/372243
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85208542993
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Tar
Geochemistry
Gibraltar caves
Neanderthals
Palaeoecology
Palaeolithic
Palynology
Retene
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/15
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Descripción
Sumario:Here we present multiproxy evidence of a new type of Neanderthal hearth discovered in Vanguard Cave (VC) (Gibraltar), which is dated ∼ 65 kyr, and associated with Middle Paleolithic stone artefacts. The hearth structure coincides with predictions from theoretical studies which require the use of heating structures for obtaining birch tar, commonly used in hafting. We propose that the structure was used for heating rockroses (Cistaceae) under anoxic conditions by burning herbs and shrubs, over a guano mixed with sand layer. We tested this hypothesis experimentally with success. The presence of levoglucosan and retene in the structure's matrix points to combustion of higher resinous plant-derived material. Our results advance our understanding of Neanderthal behaviour, as the ability to organize activities related with the use of fire.

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