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|||0000-0003-0848-2350, Jiménez-Espejo, Francisco J.|||0000-0002-0335-8580, Giles-Guzmán, Francisco|||0000-0002-8092-7302, Neto de Carvalho, Carlos, Carrión, José S., Muñiz, Fernando, Rubiales, Juan Manuel|||0000-0002-2321-3493, Cura, Pedro, Belo, João, Finlayson, Stewart, Martrat, Belen|||0000-0001-9904-9178, van Drooge, Barend L.|||0000-0002-6434-3390, Jiménez-Moreno, Gonzalo|||0000-0001-7185-8686, García-Alix, Antonio|||0000-0002-1823-488X, Lozano Rodríguez, Jose Antonio, Albert Cristóbal, Rosa Maria|||0000-0003-1722-9445, Ohkouchi, Naohiko|||0000-0002-6355-7469, Ogawa, Nanako|||0000-0002-3823-6444, Suga, Hisami, Camuera, Jon|||0000-0002-6799-7269, Martínez-Ruiz, Francisca|||0000-0002-8301-4453, Villanueva, Joan|||0000-0001-6877-0528, Teruel, Oriol|||0009-0002-0439-1232, Davtian, Nina|||0000-0002-3047-6064, Moreira, Noel|||0000-0003-0415-1474, Belaústegui, Zain|||0000-0002-1707-9670, Rodríguez-Vidal, Joaquín|||0000-0002-9475-3307, Munuera, Manuel|||0000-0003-1459-3348, Menez, Alex|||0009-0000-0233-0722, Finlayson, Geraldine, Finlayson, Clive
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:303433
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/303433
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109025
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Geochemistry
Gibraltar caves
Neanderthals
Palaeoecology
Palaeolithic
Palynology
Retene
Tar
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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