Microstratigraphic and multianalytical evidence for advanced Neanderthal pyrotechnology at Abric Romani (Capellades, Spain)

Autor: Marie-Agnès Courty, Eudald Carbonell, Ruman Banerjee, Josep Vallverdú Poch
Přispěvatelé: Història i Història de l'Art, Universitat Rovira i Virgili., Procédés, Matériaux et Energie Solaire (PROMES), Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Catala Paleoecolgia humana & evolucio social (IPHES), IPHES
Rok vydání: 2012
Předmět:
Zdroj: Quaternary International
Quaternary International, Elsevier, 2012, 247, pp.294-312. ⟨10.1016/j.quaint.2010.10.031⟩
Repositori Institucional de la Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
ISSN: 1040-6182
Popis: The complexity of social behaviour by Neanderthal communities is consolidated by illustrating the sophistication of fire-linked activities in their home-based contexts. This was achieved by relating the microfacies analysis of cultural deposits to combustion structures at the Abric Romani (Capellades, Spain). The geometry and nature of cultural microfacies from a selection of hearths and their surrounding empty areas were characterized in thin sections. The related bulk fraction from the distinctive individual microstrata was extracted, water-sieved and examined under the binocular microscope. The selective micro-sampling was performed from the collection of undisturbed blocks in combustion structures of layer J (1995 excavation). The procedure was applied to combustion structures from the lower layer O (2009 excavation). The integrated micromorphological observation and binocular sorting allowed identification of a similar assemblage of components that are closely linked to distinctive anthropic microfacies. Individual grains were characterized by ESEM-EDAX, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectrometry. X-ray fluorescence analysis was performed on the host matrix. The specific association of remarkable components/cultural microfacies is identical for the combustion structures of layers O and J. The four groups components identified comprise carbonaceous polymorphs, allochthonous mineral clasts, organo-phosphatic compounds, and native metals. The phase association of organic and mineral phases allowed recognition of a common natural precursor rich in hydrocarbon species and metallic compounds that were probably extracted from a Miocene source. Microscale analysis in thin sections linked the combustion microfacies to the transformation contexts of the metal-rich carbonaceous precursors. Heat-resistant polymers and graphitic components associated with wood ash are suggested to trace pyrolitic residues from flaming combustion. The intimate mixing of the metal-rich carbonaceous polymorphs to finely crushed heated bones allowed identification of pyrogenic transformations of the fossil fuel with fresh biomass. Analysis at microscale in thin sections linked the processed by-products to finely prepared and meticulously consolidated surfaces showing distinctive colours: yellow, brown, blue, green, red, white, and black. The repeated surface preparation and their exceptional preservation at microscales illustrate the great concern of Neanderthal occupants for maintaining the long term memory of their carefully designed home space. The recognition of advanced pyrotechnology by using fossil fuels for lighting, firing, spatial design, colouring in the combustion structures of Abric Romani incites speculation on the exceptional social status of this home-based camp site. Further development of the microfacies/multi-analytical analysis should more deeply penetrate the social sophistication of Neanderthal communities.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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