MULTIPALEOIBERIA: hacia un nuevo escenario sobre las dinámicas de poblamiento y adaptaciones culturales de los últimos neandertales y primeros humanos modernos en el interior de la península ibérica

Historically, the Iberian peninsula has accounted for a relevant record concerning our knowledge of Palaeolithic societies. However, when it comes to the first modern human occupation and the Neandertal demise, such a record shows an important problem: the odd scarcity of evidence in the large regions of inland Iberia. The MULTIPALEOIBERIA project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), assumes that this scarcity is due to a historical research bias. Consequently, it poses the hypothesis that the human occupation of the inland Iberia during this period was more complex and stable than previously thought, and hence it aims at gathering unprecedented data to put the classic views into the test. This project is devised as an interdisciplinary and collaborative macro-project applied to several regions of the Iberian hinterland, and it embraces human-climate-environment interactions as its main research focus. Its methodology involves searching new sites, fieldwork in at least 24 known archaeological, palaeoecological, and rock art locations, a wide program of chronometric cross-dating, a detailed multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, and the study of techno-economic, symbolic, mobility, and land-use strategies of the last Neandertals and first modern humans in inland Iberia. It is expected that the results of this project will have a high impact on topics such as the potential late survival of Neandertals in southern Europe, the nature and timing of the first modern human settlement of Iberia, or the cultural adaptations of Pleistocene hunter-gatherers to ecologically risky environments. In this paper, we present the hypotheses, objectives, theoretical and methodological framework, as well as the first results of MULTIPALEOIBERIA.Históricamente, la península ibérica ha presentado un registro de gran relevancia para el conocimiento de las sociedades paleolíticas. Sin embargo, en lo referido a la primera ocupación de humanos modernos y la desaparición de los neandertales, dicho registro presenta un problema fundamental: la anómala escasez de evidencias en las amplias regiones del interior peninsular. El proyecto MULTIPALEOIBERIA, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC), asume que dicha escasez se debe a un déficit histórico de la investigación. Por ello, plantea la hipótesis de que la ocupación humana del interior de Iberia durante este periodo fue más compleja y duradera de lo asumido tradicionalmente, y tiene como objetivo principal obtener nuevos datos para contrastar las visiones clásicas. Se plantea como un macro-proyecto interdisciplinar y colaborativo aplicado a varios territorios de las dos submesetas ibéricas, y con la interacción entre cultura, ambiente y clima como marco de investigación fundamental. Su metodología implica la búsqueda de nuevos yacimientos, trabajo de campo en al menos 24 localizaciones arqueológicas, paleoecológicas o rupestres, un amplio programa de datación cronométrica, una detallada reconstrucción paleoambiental multi-proxy, así como el análisis de las estrategias tecno-económicas, simbólicas, de movilidad y uso del territorio de los últimos neandertales y primeros humanos modernos en el interior peninsular. Se espera que sus resultados presenten un alto impacto en temas como la potencial pervivencia tardía de neandertales en el sur de Europa, la naturaleza y cronología de la primera ocupación de humanos modernos de la península, o las adaptaciones culturales de cazadores-recolectores pleistocenos a contextos de rigurosidad climática y alto riesgo ecológico. En este artículo se presentan las hipótesis, objetivos, marco teórico-metodológico y primeros resultados de MULTIPALEOIBERIAEuropean Research Council (ERC

Archaeological Survey in Guadalajara: Human Occupation in Central Spain during the Late Pleistocene

The central Meseta is a high plateau located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Abundant evidence of Lower and Middle Palaeolithic occupations of the region contrasts with scarce evidence of a human presence during the early Upper Palaeolithic. On this basis, it has been suggested that climatic downturns triggered the temporary abandonment, or near abandonment, of the central Meseta during the Last Glacial period. We conducted three archaeological surveys in Guadalajara province, located in the southern part of the region, in 2009, 2010, and 2017. Survey results, interpreted in the light of a habitat suitability model, support a hypothesis of climate-driven abandonment (or near-abandonment) of the central plateau during the Last Glacial Maximum and suggest that the Tagus River Valley, which links the Spanish interior to the Atlantic seaboard, was a focus for the Palaeolithic occupation of the region at other times

New investigations at Los Casares cave (Riba de Saelices, Guadalajara, Spain). A comprehensive research project on a classic site of the Iberian Palaeolithic

In this article we present a research project focused on the reevaluation and study of the archaeological record of Los Casares Cave (inland Iberia). This project started in 2014 and is aimed at the systemic recording of the archaeological site and prehistoric graphic expressions found in the cave interior. We have adopted an interdisciplinary approach, allowing for a complete documentation and understating of both the historical/anthropological meaning of the site and its heritage value. This approach includes a multi-proxy geoarchaeological, palaeoecological and techno-economic investigation, as well as the topographic and digital recording of the cave graphic expressions, including 3D modelling and photogrammetric techniques. We present preliminary results of these investigations based on our current state of knowledge concerning the prehistoric human presence at the cave.Presentamos un nuevo proyecto de reestudio de la realidad arqueológica de la cueva de Los Casares (Riba de Saelices, Guadalajara). En marcha desde 2014, el proyecto persigue documentar de manera integral tanto el yacimiento de ocupación como el conjunto de grafías prehistóricas que encierra la cavidad. Para ello se ha adoptado un enfoque interdisciplinar que permita cubrir todos los aspectos necesarios para comprender el valor histórico y patrimonial de la gran cueva castellana; desde el corpus analítico para conocer los procesos de formación y la evolución paleoambiental y tecno-económica registrada en su yacimiento hasta la implementación de tecnologías de registro espacial y tridimensional para estudiar sus manifestaciones rupestres. En estas líneas glosamos los primeros resultados obtenidos y planteamos una primera aproximación a la historia de la frecuentación humana de la cueva.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónEuropean Research Council (ERC

La Cueva de Los Casares (Riba de Saelices, Guadalajara) y su contenido gráfico pleistocénico: un nuevo proyecto de análisis contextual

We present the basic lines and first preliminary results of a new research project aimed at the systemic study of the Quaternary graphic expressions of Los Casares Cave. This site is located in inland Iberia (Guadalajara province, Spain), and a comprehensive and updated study of the rock art found on its walls has been lacking since the pioneering work of Juan Cabré in the 1930"s. Our methods are focused on (1) the systemic recording of cave depictions and their topographic and geological setting through 3D laser-scanning and terrestrial photogrammetry, and (2) the contextual analysis of graphic expressions by means of archaeological excavations beneath decorated panels, chronometric dating of black pigments and calcite crusts, and spectroscopic analysis of pigments. Fieldworks started in the summer of 2018, and thus results are still scarce and preliminary. However, they have already shown some evidence that enables us to shed light on the Palaeolithic graphic activity and associated human behaviors that took place in Los Casares cave.European Research Council (ERC)Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónJunta de Castilla-La Manch

A solutrean site in the Western Betic Range: El Higueral- Guardia cave (Cortes de la Frontera, Málaga, Spain)

En el verano de 2011 se iniciaron trabajos de sondeo en la cueva del Higueral-Guardia (Málaga, España). Los sondeos han determinado la existencia de una importante secuencia con niveles del Paleolítico superior y medio todavía en estudio. No obstante, la actividad perpetrada por los clandestinos en la cueva, ha limitado significativamente las posibilidades de interpretación de los niveles solutrenses. En este trabajo pretendemos, además de realizar una presentación preliminar de los datos obtenidos, establecer una discusión sobre el valor que este tipo de registros puede tener de cara a establecer interpretaciones de rango mayor. Aspectos como la intensidad de la ocupación, la diacronía del registro, o la funcionalidad del sitio son discutidos en este sentidoIn the summer of 2011 several test pits were made in the Higueral-Guardia Cave (Málaga, Spain). The sondages have determined the existence of an important Upper and Middle Paleolithic archaeological sequence, still under study. However, the illegal digging activity in the cave have significantly limited the possibilities of interpretation of the Solutrean levels. In this paper we present some preliminary results of the field work, and at the same time, establish a discussion about the value of such records in order to establish deeper anthropological interpretations. Aspects such as the intensity of the occupation, the diachronic value of the archaeological record, or the functionality of the site are discusse

Estudio virtual de un probable meningioma en un cráneo de época romana

[ES] Las enfermedades han acompañado a las poblaciones humanas desde la prehistoria. Conocer las paleopatologías y sus consecuencias puede ayudar a entender cómo han influido en las formas de vida de las poblaciones del pasado. Los estudios tafonómicos y paleopatológicos son claves para entender el origen de las lesiones; también pueden aportar información sobre las causas de muerte, el comportamiento de las poblaciones analizadas, así como la existencia de conflictos interpersonales o el cuidado de los enfermos. Se obtienen datos sobre la existencia de determinadas enfermedades en el registro arqueológico. Aquí presentamos el análisis de cuatro lesiones encontradas en un cráneo romano de la cueva de Marcenejas, situada en el norte de España. El análisis antropológico de este cráneo ha revelado que corresponde a un individuo masculino adulto. Este trabajo se centra en el diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones para discernir las etiologías más probables. Se han aplicado las siguientes técnicas: análisis morfológico clásico, análisis tafonómico forense y análisis virtual. La microtomografía computarizada (MicroTC) y la microscopía 3D se han empleado como herramientas esenciales para el análisis virtual del cráneo y sus lesiones. Los resultados obtenidos han revelado la existencia de un tumor y tres traumatismos exocraneales, todos ellos ante mortem. La localización del tumor, así como su morfología junto con otros aspectos apoyan el meningioma como tipo de tumor más probable. Este meningioma representa el primer caso para estas cronologías en la Península Ibérica, donde hay pocos casos documentados. Las tres lesiones traumáticas revelan la existencia de lesiones producidas tanto por objetos contundentes como cortantes, relacionadas con eventos de violencia interpersonal. La aplicación del análisis 3D virtual ha demostrado que es factible identificar tumores en aquellas regiones craneales internas donde la lesión no es visible, aportando nuevos datos comparativos para el registro paleopatológico de poblaciones del pasado.[EN] Diseases have accompanied human populations since prehistoric times. Knowing the paleopathologies and their consequences derived from them can help us to understand their impact and how have been decisive in our ancestors' ways of life. Taphonomic and paleopathological studies are key to understanding how injuries occurred; they can provide information on causes of death, analyzed populations behaviour, such as the existence of interpersonal conflicts or how they took the care of the sick. Those studies also confirm the existence of certain diseases, mentioned in the archaeological record. This paper explains the analysis of four lesions found in a Roman-era cranium from Sima de Marcenejas, located in Northern Spain. An anthropological analysis of this cranium has revealed that it corresponds to an adult male individual. This work focuses on the differential diagnosis of the lesions, to be able to discern the most likely aetiologies. The following techniques have been implemented: classical morphological analysis, forensic taphonomic analysis and virtual analysis. MicroCT and 3D microscopy have been used as essential tools for the virtual analysis of the cranium and its lesions. The results obtained revealed the existence of a tumour and three exocranial traumas, all of them antemortem. The location of the tumour, as well as its morphology together with other aspects, support the meningioma as the most probable tumour type. This possible ancient meningioma represents the first case for these chronologies on the Iberian Peninsula, where there are few documented cases. The three traumatic lesions reveal the existence of injuries produced by both, blunt and sharp objects, related to events of interpersonal violence. By applying virtual 3D analyses, the researchers have demonstrated that it is viable to identify tumours in those internal cranial regions, where the lesion is not visible, thus providing new comparative data for the paleopathological record of past populations. Highlights: Meningiomas are rare in the archaeological record which complicates tracing themin ancient human populations. The use of computerized microtomography (MicroCT) and virtual 3D models makes it possible to identify tumoursin those internal cranial regions where the lesions are not visible. Paleopathological analysis of a Roman cranium has revealed, in addition to cranial trauma, a new possible case of meningioma.Rodríguez-Iglesias, D.; Pantoja-Pérez, A.; Fernández-Colón, P.; Pablos, A.; Alcaraz-Castaño, M.; Sala, N. (2023). Virtual assessment of a possible meningioma in a Roman-period cranium. Virtual Archaeology Review. 14(29):14-25. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2023.1968014251429Arbizu, J., Domínguez, P. D., Diez-Valle, R., Vigil, C., García-Eulate, R., Zubieta, J. L., & Richter, J. A. (2011). Neuroimagen de los tumores cerebrales. Revista Española de Medicina Nuclear, 30(1), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.remn.2010.11.001Berger, T. D., & Trinkaus, E. (1995). Patterns of trauma among the Neandertals. Journal of Archaeological Science, 22, 841–852. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4403(95)90013-6.Bourekas, E. C., Cohen, M. L., Kamen, C. S., Tarr, R. W., Lanzieri, C. F., & Lewin, J. S. (1996). Malignant Hemangioendothelioma (Angiosarcoma) of the Skull: Plain Film, CT, and MR Appearance. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 17, 1946–1948.Brothwell, M., & Brothwell, D. (2016). Evidence for ancient meningiomas and a probable case from Medieval Tarbat, Scotland. International Journal of Paleopathology, 13, 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2016.01.004Brotwell, D. (1965). Digging up bones. The excavation, treatment and study of human skeletal remains. New York: Cornelll University Press.Campillo, D. (1991). The possibility of diagnosing meningiomas in palaeopathology. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 1(3–4), 225–230. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.1390010315Campillo, D. (1993). Paleopatología. Los primeros vestigios de la enfermedad. Barcelona: Fundación Uriach.Casas Parera, I., Báez, A., Banfi, N., Blumenkrantz, Y., Halfon, M. J., Barros, M., … Lozano, C. (2016). Meningiomas en neurooncología. Neurologia Argentina, 8(3), 210–226. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.117113108Cook, D. C., & Danforth, M. E. (2022). Meningiomas in ancient human populations. Cancers, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14041058De Salvo, S., Pavone, V., Coco, S., Dell’agli, E., Blatti, C., & Testa, G. (2022). Benign bone tumors: An overview of what we know today. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030699Del Cura Allende, G., Bermejo Espinosa, N., Loizaga Ingunza, E., Angulo Gorriño, M., Arechaga Vidales, L., & Olabarria Vicente, I. (2018). Lesiones de calota en adultos: Diagnóstico por imagen. 33 Congreso Nacional Sociedad Española de Radiografía Médica (SERAM) (pp. 1-21). Bilbao, España.Erfan, M., El-Sawaf, A., Al-Tohamy Soliman, M., Sarry El-Din, A., Kandeel, W. A., Abd El-Shafy El-Banna, R., & Azab, A. (2009). Cranial trauma in ancient Egyptians from the Bahriyah oasis, Greco-Roman period. Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 4(1), 78–84.Fenton, W. T., deJong, L. J., & Haut, C. R. (2003). Punched with a fist: the etiology of a fatal depressed cranial fracture. Journal Forensic Science, 48(2), 1–5.Garvin, H. M., Sholts, S. B., & Mosca, L. A. (2014). Sexual dimorphism in human cranial trait scores: Effects of population, age, and body size. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 154(2), 259–269. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22502Gomez, C. K., Schiffman, S. R., & Bhatt, A. A. (2018). Radiological review of skull lesions. Insights into Imaging, 9(5), 857–882. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-018-0643-0Gracia-Téllez, A., Arsuaga, J. L., Martínez, I., Martín-Francés, L., Martinón-Torres, M., Bermúdez de Castro, J. M., … Lira, J. (2013). Orofacial pathology in Homo heidelbergensis: The case of Skull 5 from the Sima de los Huesos site (Atapuerca, Spain). Quaternary International, 295, 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.02.005Guyomarc’H, P., Campagna-Vaillancourt, M., Kremer, C., & Sauvageau, A. (2010). Discrimination of falls and blows in blunt head trauma: A multi-criteria approach. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(2), 423–427. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01310.xHernández Varela, A., Basulto Vega, S., Nápoles Domínguez, M., Betancourt Mosquera, G., Roura León, H., Da Conceiçao Almeida, F., & Cardoso Núñez, O. (2006). Metástasis craneales sobre los senos durales de la convexidad. Informe de nueve casos. Revista Mexicana de Neurocirugía, 7(3), 240–245.Ichimura, S., Takahara, K., & Fujii, K. (2019). Fibrous meningioma with skull invasion. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 10(4), 707–710. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3399600Kakkar, A., Nambirajan, A., Suri, V., Sarkar, C., Kale, S. S., Singh, M., & Sharma, M. C. (2016). Primary bone tumors of the skull: Spectrum of 125 cases, with review of literature. Journal of Neurological Surgery, Part B: Skull Base, 77(4), 319–325. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1570347Kanazawa, R., Yoshida, D., Takahashi, H., Matsumoto, K., & Teramoto, A. (2003). Osteosarcoma arising from the skull-case report. Neurologia Medico Chirug (Tokyo), 43, 88–91. https://doi.org/10.2176/nmc.43.88Kang, S. H., Park, S. W., Kwon, K. Y., & Hong, W. J. (2010). A solitary skull lesion of syphilitic osteomyelitis. Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 48(1), 85–87. https://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.48.1.85Kimmerle, E. H., & Baraybar, J. P. (2008). Skeletal Trauma. Identification of Injuries Resulting from Human Rights Abuse and Armed Conflict. Boca Raton: CRC Press.Leyva-Pérez, I., Guerrero-Avendaño, G., & Ramón Hernández-Paz, J. (2013). Meningiomas: apariencia por tomografía y por resonancia magnética. Localizaciones más frecuentes. Anales de Radiología México, 1, 36–44.Lin, Y. C., Commins, D. L., Fedenko, A. N., & Pinsky, G. S. (2005). A rare case of periosteal osteoblastoma located in the frontal cranial bone. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 129(6), 787–789. https://doi.org/10.5858/2005-129-787-ARCOPOLovejoy, C. O. (1985). Dental Wear in the Libben Population: Its Functional Pattern and Role in the Determination of Adult Skeletal. Age at Death. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68, 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330680105Martin-Francés, L., Martinon-Torres, M., Gracia-Téllez, A., & Bermúdez de Castro, J. M. (2015). Evidence of stress fracture in a Homo antecessor metatarsal from Gran Dolina Site (Atapuerca, Spain). International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 25(4), 564–573. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2310Martín-Francés, L., Martinón-Torres, M., Gracia-Téllez, A., & Bermúdez de Castro, J. M. (2016). Evidence of trauma in a ca. 1-million-year-old patella of Homo antecessor, Gran Dolina-Atapuerca (Spain). Comptes Rendus - Palevol, 15(8), 1011–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2016.04.014Meindl, R. S., & Lovejoy, C. O. (1985). Ectocranial Suture Closure: A revised method for the determination of skeletal age at death based on the lateral-anterior sutures. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330680106Mena, H., L. Ribas, J., H. Pezeshkpour, G., N. Cowan, D., & E. Parisi, J. (1991). Hemangiopericytoma of the Central Nervous System: A Review of 94 Cases. Human Pathology, 22(1), 84–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/0046-8177(91)90067-YMerczi, M., Marcsik, A., Bernert, Z., Józsa, L., Buczkó, K., Lassányi, G., … Molnár, E. (2014). Skeletal metastatic carcinomas from the Roman period (1st to 5th Century AD) in Hungary. Pathobiology, 81(2), 100–111. https://doi.org/10.1159/000357435Miles, A.-E.-W. (1963). Dentition in the estimating of age. Journal of Dental Research, 42, 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345630420012701Moreno-Ibáñez, M. Á., Saladié, P., Morales, J. I., Cebrià, A., & Fullola, J. M. (2021). Was it an axe or an adze? A cranial trauma case study from the Late Neolithic – Chalcolithic site of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain). International Journal of Paleopathology, 32, 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2020.11.002Navas-García, M., Pulido-Rivas, P., Pascual-Garvi, J. M., Manzanares-Soler, R., & Sola, R. G. (2011). Quiste óseo aneurismático frontal. Caso clínico y revisión de la bibliografía. Revista de Neurología, 52(6), 349–354.Ortner, D. J., & Putschar, W. G. J. (1981). Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.Politi, M., Romeike, B., & Reith, W. (2005). Intraosseous hemangioma of the skull with dural tail sign: radiologic features with pathologic correlation. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 26(8), 2049–2052.Rutkowski, M. J., Sughrue, M. E., Kane, A. J., Aranda, D., Mills, S. A., Barani, I. J., & Parsa, A. T. (2010). Predictors of mortality following treatment of intracranial hemangiopericytoma. Journal of Neurosurgery, 113(2), 333–339. https://doi.org/10.3171/2010.3.JNS091882Sala, N., Arsuaga, J. L., Pantoja-Pérez, A., Pablos, A., Martínez, I., Quam, R. M., … Carbonell, E. (2015). Lethal interpersonal violence in the Middle Pleistocene. PLoS ONE, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126589Sala, N., Pantoja-Pérez, A., Arsuaga, J. L., Pablos, A., & Martínez, I. (2016). The Sima de los Huesos Crania: Analysis of the cranial breakage patterns. Journal of Archaeological Science, 72, 25–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2016.06.001Spekker, O., Váradi, O. A., Szekeres, A., Jäger, H. Y., Zink, A., Berner, M., … Tihanyi, B. (2022). A rare case of calvarial tuberculosis from the Avar Age (8th century CE) cemetery of Kaba–Bitózug (Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary) – Pathogenesis and differential diagnostic aspects. Tuberculosis, 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tube.2022.102226Stubenvoll, R. W., & Hunsaker, D. H. (1987). Eosinophilic granuloma of frontal bone. Military Medicine, 152(6), 327–329.Walker, P. L. (2008). Sexing skulls using discriminant function analysis of visually assessed traits. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 136(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20776Walker, P. L., Bathurst, R. R., Richman, R., Gjerdrum, T., & Andrushko, V. A. (2009). The causes of porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia: A reappraisal of the iron-deficiency-anemia hypothesis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 139(2), 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.21031Watts, J., Box, G., Galvin, A., Brotchie, P., Trost, N., & Sutherland, T. (2014). Magnetic resonance imaging of meningiomas: A pictorial review. Insights into Imaging, 5(1), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-013-0302-4Wu, X. J., Schepartz, L. A., Liu, W., & Trinkaus, E. (2011). Antemortem trauma and survival in the late Middle Pleistocene human cranium from Maba, South China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108(49), 19558–19562. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1117113108Zoubov, A. (1968). Otonlogía. Metódica de las investigaciones antropológicas. Moscú: Nauka

The archaeological context of the graphic expressions found at the Tito Bustillo cave (Asturias, Spain): new evidences and perspectives

We present an updated synthesis on the archaeological context of the graphic expressions found at the Tito Bustillo Cave. The integrative study of industrial, spatial and topographic evidence, together with rock and mobile graphic expressions, enable us to propose a complex and hierarchized model of human settlement in the cave during the Middle-Upper Magdalenian. Our results provide further support for considering Tito Bustillo as an aggregation site for hunter-gatherers at least during these chronologies.Presentamos una síntesis actualizada del contexto arqueológico en el que se enmarcan las grafías rupestres de la cueva de Tito Bustillo. Se ofrece una visión de conjunto que tiene en cuenta los elementos industriales, espaciales y topográficos presentes en la cavidad para, en conjunto con los grafismos, plantear un modelo complejo y jerarquizado de ocupación de los espacios cavernarios, principalmente durante el Magdaleniense Medio-Superior. Ello nos ha permitido incidir en la caracterización de Tito Bustillo como sitio de agregación de cazadores-recolectores durante estas cronologías

New data on chert catchment analysis in inland Iberia during the Late Pleistocene

In this paper, we present the first results obtained after new fieldwork and laboratory studies of chert catchment sources during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic in inland Iberia, a region that has been traditionally depicted as marginal and sparsely populated during the last glacial due to its harsh ecological conditions compared to the coastal areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Our main aim is to determine the mobility strategies and social networks of the last Neandertals and first modern humans settled in inland Iberia and neighbouring regions, and eventually test the hypothesis that the last glacial human settlement in the Iberian hinterland was more dense and complex than previously thought. In this study, we focus on the cherts exploited at two archaeological sites: the Peña Cabra and Peña Capón rock shelters. These sites are located in the southeastern foothills of the Central System range, in the province of Guadalajara (Spain), and they have yielded a sequence of human occupations from the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic, respectively. To obtain a detailed picture of the mobility patterns and catchment strategies of the hunter-gatherers settled at these sites, our fieldwork focussed on identifying chert outcrops that could have been frequented and exploited by them. After two field seasons, 22 chert outcrops from eight geological formations were identified and more than 300 samples were collected and analysed. We conducted textural, micropalaeontological, petrographical and geochemical analyses, with the aim of comprehensively characterising the various rock resources available in the study area. Results have shown that different siliceous varieties were available in the area surrounding the sites and both Neandertals and modern humans could have provisioned there. Also, they suggest the potential existence of a network connecting the Tagus and Ebro valleys, but this is a working hypothesis to be tested with future research.European Research Council (ERC)Agencia Estatal de Investigació

Degenerations of Jordan Superalgebras

We describe degenerations of three-dimensional Jordan superalgebras over $\mathbb{C}$. In particular, we describe all irreducible components in the corresponding varieties.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1611.0645