Palaeoecological implications of Neanderthal occupation at Unit Xb of El Salt (Alcoi, eastern Spain) during MIS 3 using small mammals proxy

• Published in: Quaternary international Vol. 481; pp. 101 - 112
• Main Authors: Fagoaga, Ana, Ruiz-Sánchez, Francisco J., Laplana, César, Blain, Hugues-Alexandre, Marquina, Rafael, Marin-Monfort, M. Dolores, Galván, Bertila
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 10-07-2018
• Subjects: El Salt; Late Pleistocene; Middle Palaeolithic; Neanderthals; Palaeoecology; Small mammals; Palaeoecology; Late Pleistocene; Neanderthals; Middle Palaeolithic; El Salt; Small mammals
• ISSN: 1040-6182; 1873-4553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2017.10.024

Nearly 250 small mammal remains from Unit Xb of El Salt Middle Palaeolithic site have been studied in order to reconstruct the palaeoecological conditions during a phase of Neanderthal occupation in this locality at 52.3 ± 4.6 ka. A total of 7rodents (Microtus arvalis, M. agrestis, M. (Terricola) duodecimcostatus, Microtus (Iberomys) cabrerae, Arvicola sapidus, Eliomys quercinus and Apodemus sylvaticus), 4 insectivores (Erinaceus cf. europaeus, Crocidura sp., Sorex sp. and Talpidae indet.) and 1 lagomorph (Oryctolagus cf. cuniculus) have been identified. Applying the Mutual Ecogeographic Range and Habitat Weighting methods, Unit Xb may correspond to a relatively cold (−3.3 °C in comparison with present values) and slightly more humid (+113.3 mm in comparison with present values) period. The environment was mainly composed of open woodlands (58%) followed by dry (20%) and humid (14%) meadows. These results suggest that supramediterranean conditions were present in the surroundings of the site at 52.3 ± 4.6 ka instead of mesomediterranean conditions present today.