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 heat...

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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, Joao, Finlayson, Stewart, Martrat, Belen, Van Drooge, Barend L., Jiménez-Moreno, Gonzalo, García-Alix, Antonio, Lozano Rodríguez, Jose Antonio, Albert, Rosa María, Ohkouchi, Naohiko, Ogawa, Nanako, Suga, Hisami, Camuera, Jon, Martínez-Ruiz, Francisca, Villanueva, Joan, Teruel, Oriol, Davtian, Nina, Moreira, Noel, Belaústegui Barahona, Zain, Rodríguez-Vidal, Joaquín, Munuera, Manuel, Menez, Alex, Finlayson, Geraldine, Finlayson, Clive
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/219217
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/219217
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Paleolític
Geoquímica
Palinologia
Home de Neandertal
Paleoecologia
Paleolithic period
Geochemistry
Palynology
Neanderthals
Paleoecology
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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