Neanderthal and carnivore interplay at Escoural Cave: preliminary evidence from the archaeofaunal and spatial analysis of two new test pits

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Escoural Cave (Portugal) represents a key window into Neanderthal-carnivore interactions during the Middle Paleolithic. Excavations in the 60’s and 90’s unearthed abundant archaeological findings, including Neolithic burial grounds, cave art and Upper and Middle Paleolithic remains. The Middle Paleolithic layers are characterized by abundant quartz industries and faunal remains. U-Th dating suggests an age of approximately 48 ka. This research presents the results of a zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the fauna recovered from two recently excavated test pits –outside and inside the cave. Additionally, spatial analysis on the vertical axis was employed to discern Neanderthal and carnivore occupations. Preliminary findings suggest that both Neanderthals and carnivores contributed to the accumulation of remains, but that Neanderthal visits were sporadic. While human and carnivore alterations seem intermixed in the vertical section, there is no current evidence indicating overlap or scavenging events between the two. The complexity of the cave system, site formation processes, and the unknown connection between external and internal cave sediments challenge our understanding of the interactions between Neanderthals and carnivores, underscoring the importance of re-examining previous finds and undertaking new excavations. This study sets the foundation for future research, anticipating deeper insights into prehistoric dynamics.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38882.0