Neanderthal resilience and adaptability

Insights from the Abric Pizarro faunal assemblage during the MIS 4

Bibliographic Data

ID11776617
AuthorsEboni Westbury (0000-0002-5474-9688, Australian National University, corresponding author), Sofia C Samper Carro (0000-0002-0743-4026, Australian National University), Sofia Samper Carro, Susana Vega Bolivar (0000-0001-8066-8649), Jezabel Pizarro, Jorge Martínez-Moreno (0000-0002-6326-7058), Rafael Mora Torcal (0000-0001-7824-6818), Rafael Mora (0000-0003-2162-0076)
Year2024
Volume3
Publication date2024-05-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Environmental Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2813-432X • E-ISSN: 2813-432X
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fearc.2024.1405535
OpenAlexW4396775694
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited65

The examination of faunal assemblages through zooarchaeological analyses constitutes a fundamental approach for gaining insight into the intricate behaviours of Neanderthals. Previous investigations have primarily focused on periods of relative environmental stability, and this has provided a wealth of relevant archaeological data. However, our understanding of Neanderthal resilience during the MIS 4, a period presumably characterised by harsh environmental conditions, remains limited. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the faunal assemblages from Levels M and P at Abric Pizarro. The geographic location of Abric Pizarro in the southeast Pre-Pyrenees, combined with chronometric dating, offers a unique opportunity to explore Neanderthal behaviours during a poorly known chronological period. The detailed zooarchaeological analysis comprised taxonomic identification, taphonomic analysis and age-at-death profiling to explore the adaptability and flexibility in the Neanderthal diet. The findings indicate that Neanderthal groups incorporated a diverse range of protein resources from small herbivores (e.g., caprids) to very large herbivores (e.g., Bos/Bison). These results not only demonstrate an adaptability to changing environments in an area traditionally deemed unsuitable for long-term occupation, but also contributes significantly to our understanding of the complex behaviours exhibited by Neanderthals

Adaptability · Archaeology · Assemblage (archaeology · Biology · Geography · Neanderthal · Resilience (materials science · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Evolution and Paleontology Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Ecology