A Neanderthal's specialised burning structure compatible with tar obtention

descriptionPublicationkeyboard_double_arrow_right Article 01 Dec 2024 Italy, Spain English Publisher:Elsevier BVJournal:Quaternary Science Reviews, volume 346, page 109,025 (issn: 0277-3791,

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Authors: Ochando, Juan; Jiménez-Espejo, Francisco; Giles-Guzmán, Francisco; Neto de Carvalho, Carlos; Carrión, Jose; Muñiz, Fernando; Rubiales, Juan; +24 Authors

doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109025

handle: 10261/378499 , 2445/219217 , 10261/372243 , 10317/17798 , 11365/1301994

A Neanderthal's specialised burning structure compatible with tar obtention

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Abstract

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.

Countries

Italy, Spain

Related Organizations

Gibraltar Museum
Gibraltar
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Spain
University of Seville
Spain
University of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Spanish Institute of Oceanography
Spain

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Keywords

[CHIM.INOR] Chemical Sciences/Inorganic chemistry, Gibraltar caves, Paleolític, Retene, [SDU.STU.GC] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geochemistry, 24 Ciencias de la Vida::2416 Paleontología::2416.03 Palinología, Neanderthals, Palaeolithic, [SHS.ARCHEO] Humanities and Social Sciences/Archaeology and Prehistory, Geochemistry; Gibraltar caves; Neanderthals; Palaeoecology; Palaeolithic; Palynology; Retene; Tar, 24 Ciencias de la Vida::2417 Biología Vegetal (Botánica)::2417.10 Paleobotánica, Paleolithic period, Botánica, 550501, Palaeoecology, 15. Proteger, restablecer y promover el uso sostenible de los ecosistemas terrestres, gestionar sosteniblemente los bosques, luchar contra la desertificación, detener e invertir la degradación de las tierras y detener la pérdida de biodiversidad, Home de Neandertal, [CHIM.ORGA] Chemical Sciences/Organic chemistry, Palynology, 51 Antropología, Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss, Geochemistry, Paleoecologia, http://metadata.un.org/sdg/15, Tar, Geoquímica, 550502, Paleoecology, Palinologia

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