50.000 years ago, a group of Neanderthals settled at Teixoneres Cave (Moi�, Barcelona) with a singular focus: hunt. This hypothesis is corroborated by the discovery of more than twenty spear points, recovered during the ongoing archaeological season at this site under the direction of IPHES (Institut Catal� de Paleoecologia Humana I Evoluci� Social).
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Excavations at Teixoneres Cave
[Credit: IPHES] |
Several of these points show diagnostic fractures typical of impacts over hard surfaces, probably over the prey bones. This discovery makes Teixoneres Cave an authentic hunting station and the Catalonian archaeological site, and probably one of the Iberian Peninsula, with the highest number of these weapons. In concomitance of the presentation of these finds an agreement has been signed between IPHES and the Moi� Municipality with the objective of promoting research, teaching and outreach in the field of the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage.
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Spear points of about 50.000 years ago
[Credit: IPHES] |
The diversity of Neanderthal prey, living around Teixoneres Cave about 50.000 years ago, suggests that these groups of hunter-gatherers were not focused on specific animals. In fact, remains of horses, aurochs, red deer, wild asses, roe deer, goat, chamois, rhinos and rabbits are very abundant and were found on the cave surface showing clear evidences of intensively roasting and consumption.
This evidence indicates a significant change in the occupational dynamic of the cave. The previous layers pointed out that Teixoneres Cave was used as a den by large carnivores, mainly by hyenas, and occasionally by Neanderthals during their displacements through the territory.
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Excavations at Toll Cave
[Credit: IPHES] |
This hypothesis is supported by the archaeological record showing clear differences regarding the origin and the uses of the raw materials. The toolkit of the travelling Neanderthals was mainly composed by exogenous chert, sandstone, etc, whereas in the current level the most utilized raw material is the quartz that could be found in shape of rounded cobbles in the neighbouring of the cave.
At the same time, the archaeologists also worked at Toll Cave. This site is known for having one of the best cave bears collection in the Iberian Peninsula. This year the work was focused in a layer dated about 50.000 years ago, the same chronology of the hunting camp from Teixoneres Cave.
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Cave bear skull dating to 50.000 years ago found
in Toll Cave [Credit: IPHES] |
The number and the quality of the recovered finds are spectacular (around 300 remains of cave bear). Among them stand out a skull and several limb bones from an adult male, that has been named Pyros, in honour of the oldest bear known so far from the Pyrenees. These finds will contribute to understand the behaviour of these animals that many time could have competed with Neanderthals for the use of the caves.
Source: The Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) [August 25, 2015]
