6533b838fe1ef96bd12a5245
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Palaeoecological implications of Neanderthal occupation at Unit Xb of El Salt (Alcoi, eastern Spain) during MIS 3 using small mammals proxy
Rafael MarquinaM. Dolores Marin-monfortM. Dolores Marin-monfortAna FagoagaBertila GalvánFrancisco Javier Ruiz-sánchezFrancisco Javier Ruiz-sánchezCésar LaplanaHugues-alexandre Blainsubject
010506 paleontology010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciencesbiologyErinaceusEcologyPalaeoecologySorexbiology.organism_classification01 natural sciencesTalpidaeLate PleistoceneEl SaltCrociduraApodemusArvicolaSmall mammalsEliomysMiddle PalaeolithicMicrotus0105 earth and related environmental sciencesEarth-Surface ProcessesNeanderthalsdescription
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.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-01 |