Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Use and selection of bone fragments in the north of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Palaeolithic: bone retouchers from level 4 of Prado Vargas (Burgos, Spain)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bone specimens showing a large amount of markings that include scratching, cutting, and fracture provide us with a clear idea of the use of animals from an archaeological site for butchery-related work. Nevertheless, there is one type of damage that stands out from the rest—the stigmas associated with retouch work. There is a great deal of evidence concerning the use of bones by Neanderthal groups as retouchers. In particular, we present a sample of 65 retouchers from the level 4 of Prado Vargas (Burgos, Spain). This level has yielded an important assemblage of retouchers; however, very few retouched tools have been retrieved, a fact that has led us to consider their peculiarity. Through this investigation, we seek to explore the question as to how the inhabitants of Prado Vargas used bone retouchers during the Middle Palaeolithic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrams G, Bello SM, Di Modica K, Pirson S, Bonjean D (2014) When neanderthals used cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) remains: Bone retouchers from unit 5 of Scladina cave (Belgium). Quaternary International 326–327:274–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.10.022

  • Ahern JCM, Karavanić I, Paunović M, Janković I, Smith FH (2004) New discoveries and interpretations of hominid fossils and artifacts from Vindija Cave, Croatia. Journal of Human Evolution 46(1):27–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2003.09.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alonso-García P (2017) Programa experimental sobre hueso: retocadores óseos del nivel 4 de Prado Vargas. Bachelor dissertation. Universidad de Burgos.

  • Alonso-García P (2018) Retocadores óseos del nivel 4 de Prado Vargas. Master dissertation. Universidad de Burgos

  • Bagolini B (1968) Ricerche sulle dimensione dei manufatti litici prehistorici no ritocati. Annali dell’Università diFerrara, Sezione XV, pp 195–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargalló A, Mosquera M, Lorenzo C (2016) Identifying handedness at knapping; an analysis of the scatter pattern of lithic remains. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 10(3):587–598. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-016-0378-0

  • Baudoin M (1907) “Ossements d'animaux, préparés et façonnés pour utilisation, de l'époque moustérien- ne”, en Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthro- pologie de Paris, Serie V, no 8, pp. 521–529.

  • Bermúdez de Castro J, Bromage TG, Jalvo YF (1988) Buccal striations on fossil human anterior teeth: evidence of handedness in the middle and early Upper Pleistocene. Journal of Human Evolution 17(4):403–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-2484(88)90029-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blasco R, Rosell J, Cuartero F, Fernández Peris J, Gopher A, Barkai R (2013) Using Bones to Shape Stones: MIS 9 Bone Retouchers at Both Edges of the Mediterranean Sea. PLoS ONE 8(10):e76780. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourguignon L (2001) Apports de l’experimentation et de l’analyse techno-morfo-fonctionelle à la reconnaisance de processus d’amenagement de la retouche Quina, Prehistoire et approche expérimenta- le. Prehistoire 5:35–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Chase PG (1990) Tool‐making tools and Middle Paleolithic behavior. Current Anthropology 31:443–447. https://doi.org/10.1086/203869

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costamagno S, Bourguignon L, Soulier M, Meignen L, Beauval C, Rendu W, Maureille B (2018) Bone retouchers and site function in the Quina Mousterian: The case of Les Pradelles (Marillac‐le‐Franc, France). In: Hutson JM, García‐Moreno A, Noack ES, Turnet E, Villaluenga A, Gaudzinski‐Windheuser S (eds) The origin of bone tool technologies. “Retouching the Palaeolithic: Becoming human and the origins of bone tool technology”, Conference at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, 21‐23 October 2015. RGZM‐TAGUNGEN, Hannover, Germany, pp 165–196. https://doi.org/10.11588/propylaeum.408

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Daujeard C, Moncel MH, Fiore I, Tagliacozzo A, Bindon P, Raynal JP (2014) Middle Paleolithic bone retouchers in Southeastern France: Variability and functionality. Quaternary International 326–327:492–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.12.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daujeard C, Valensi P, Fiore I, Moigne AM, Tagliacozzo A, Moncel M‐H et al (2018) A reappraisal of Lower to Middle Palaeolithic bone retouchers from southeastern France (MIS 11 to 3). In: Hutson JM, García‐moreno A, Noack ES, Turner E, Villaluenga A, Gaudzinski‐Windheuser S (eds) The origin of bone tool technologies. “Retouching the Palaeolithic: Becoming human and the origins of bone tool technology”, Conference at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, 21.‐ 23. October 2015. Hannover, RGZM‐TAGUNGEN, pp 93–132

    Google Scholar 

  • David E Y, Pelegrin J (2009) “Possible Late Glacial bone « retouchers » in the Baltic Mesolithic: The contribution of experimental tests with lithics on bone tools” en M. Street, R. N. E. Barton y T. Terberger (Ed.): Humans, environment and chronology of the Late Glacial of the North European Plain; Proceedings of workshop 14 (Commission XXXII) of the XVth Congrès de l’Union internationale des sciences préet protohistoriques UISPP, Lisboa, 4th-9th of September 2006. Mainz, pp. 155–168

  • De la Fuente Juez H, García Domínguez S, Navazo Ruiz M, Blasco López R (2020) Tafonomía del registro fósil de macromamíferos del Pleistoceno Superior en el nivel 4 de la Cueva de Prado Vargas (Cornejo, Burgos, España). Munibe Antropologia-Arkeologia 71. https://doi.org/10.21630/maa.2020.71.02

  • Diez C, Alonso A, Bengoechea A, Colina J, Jordá F, Navazo M et al (2008) El Paleolítico medio en el Valle del Arlanza (Burgos). Los sitios de La Ermita, Millán y La Mina. Revista Cuaternario Y Geomorfología 22:135–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Díez-Fernandez Lomana C, Navazo Ruiz M (2005) “Apuntes sociales y geográficos a partir de los yacimientos del Paleolítico Medio en la zona nororiental de la Meseta castellano leonesa” en R. Montes y J. A. Lasheras (Ed.): Neandertales Cantábricos. Estado de la cuestión. Museo de Altamira, Monografías no 20. Madrid, pp. 39–54

  • Dominguez-Ballesteros, Arrizabalaga (2014) Laterality in the first Neolithic and Chalcolithic farming communities in northern Iberia, Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357650X.2014.982130

  • Dominguez-Ballesteros E, Arrizabalaga A (2015a) Flint knapping and determination of human handedness. Methodological proposal with quantifiable results. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 3:313–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357650X.2014.982130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dominguez-Ballesteros E, Arrizabalaga A (2015b) Laterality in the first Neolithic and Chalcolithic farming communities in northern Iberia. Laterality 20(3):371–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.06.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feustel R (1973) Technik der Steinzeit. Archäolithikum-Mesolithikum. Veröffentlichungen des Museums für Urund Frühgeschichte Thüringens, vol 4. Weimar, Böhlau, pp 178–180

  • Frayer DW, Clarke RJ, Fiore I, Blumenschine RJ, Pérez-Pérez A, Martinez LM, Bondioli L (2016) OH-65: The earliest evidence for right-handedness in the fossil record. Journal of Human Evolution 100:65–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357650X.2010.529451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman LG (1971) El hueso trabajado musteriense de Cueva Morín. Cueva Morín. Excavaciones. 1966-1968:135–159

  • Henri‐Martin L (1906) Maillets ou enclumes en os: provenant de la couche moustérienne de la Quina (Charente). Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française 3:155–162. https://doi.org/10.3406/bspf.1906.11456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henri‐Martin L (1907). Présentation d'ossements utilisés de l'époque moustérienne. In A propos des os utilisés. Période Paléolithique. Communications faite à la Société préhistorique de France le 23 mai 1907 (pp. 8–16). Le Mans: Imprimerie Monnoyer. https://doi.org/10.3406/bspf.1907.11559

  • Henri‐Martin L (1907‐1910) Recherches sur l'évolution du Moustérien dans le gisement de La Quina (Charente). Premier volume: industrie osseuse. Schleicher Frères, Paris, p 315

    Google Scholar 

  • Jéquier CA, Romandini M, Peresani M (2012) A comparison between Latest Mousterian and Uluzzian bone retouching tools. Comptes Rendus Palevol 11(4):283–292

  • Kozłowski JK, Ginter B (eds) (1982) Excavation in the Bacho Kiro Cave (Bulgaria). Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe

  • Malerba G, Giacobini G (1996) “Les retouchoirs sur éclats diaphysaires du Paléolitique moyen et supérieur de l’abri de Fumane et de la grotte de San Bernardino (Vénétie, Italia Nord Orientale)”. En Abstracts (Vol.2), XIII internacional congress of UISPP. Forli, 167–171

  • Malerba G, Giacobini G (2002) “Fiche éclats diaphysaires avec marques transversales d'utilisation” en M. Patou-Mathis (Ed.): Fi- ches typologiques de l’industrie osseouse préhistori- que. Cahier X: Retouchoirs, compresseurs, percu- teurs. Os à impressions et à eraillures. Paris, pp 29–37

  • Mallye JB, Thiébaut C, Mourre V, Costamagno S, Claud É, Weisbecker P (2012) The Mousterian bone retouchers of Noisetier Cave: Experimentation and identification of marks. Journal of Archaeological Science 39(4):1131–1142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Moreno J (2006) Las industrias óseas “poco elaboradas” de Lezetxiki y Axlor. Munibe no 57(2):83–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez‐Moreno MJ (2005) Comportamientos y tecnologías polémicas: las industrias en hueso “poco elaboradas” y objetos simbólicos del Paleolítico Medio Cantábrico. In: Lasheras Corruchaga JA, Montes Barquin R (eds) Actas de la Reunión Científica “Neandertales cantábricos, estado de la cuestión”, celebrada en el Museo de Altamira entre los días 20 y 22 de Octubre de 2004. Ministerio de cultura, Madrid, pp 349–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Moigne AM, Valensi P, Auguste P, García-Solano J, Tuffreau A, Lamotte A, Moncel MH (2016) Bone retouchers from Lower Palaeolithic sites: Terra Amata, Orgnac 3, Cagny-l’Epinette and Cueva del Angel. Quaternary International 409:195–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.06.059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moncel M‐H, Moigne A‐M, Combier J (2012) Towards the Middle Palaeolithic in Western Europe: The case of Orgnac 3 (southeastern France). Journal of Human Evolution 63:653–666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012.08.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mozota Holgueras M (2012) El hueso como materia prima: el utillaje óseo del final del Musteriense en el sector central del norte de la Península Ibérica, Doctoral Thesis. Universidad de Cantabria

  • Mozota Holgueras M (2015) Un análisis tecno-funcional de los retocadores óseos musterienses del norte de la Península Ibérica, y su aplicación al estudio de los grupos neandertales. Munibe Antropologia-Arkeologia 66(1):5–22. https://doi.org/10.21630/maa.2015.66.01

  • Mortillet G, Mortillet H (1910) Préhistoire – Origine et Antiquité de l’Homme, Schleicher, Paris, 709:163–165

  • Navazo Ruiz M, Díez Fernández-Lomana JC (2008) Prado Vargas y la variabilidad tecnológica a finales del Paleolítico Medio en la meseta norte. Variabilidad Técnica En el Paleolítico Medio en el Sudoeste de Europa:121–139

  • Navazo Ruiz M, Díez Fernández-Lomana JC, Torres T, Colina A, and Ortiz JE (2005). La Cueva de Prado Vargas: Un yacimiento del Paleolítico Medio en el Sur de la Cordillera Cantábrica. Actas de La Reunión Científica “Neandertales Cantábricos, Estado de La Cuestión”, Held at the Museum of Altamira, 20 and 22 of October 2004, 151–166

  • Neruda P, Lázničková‐Galetová M (2018) Retouchers from mammoth tusks in the Middle Palaeolithic: A case study from Kůlna Cave layer 7a1 (Czech epublic). In J. M. Hutson, A. García‐Moreno, E. S. Noack, E. Turner, A. Villaluenga, & S. Gaudzinski‐Windheuser (Eds.), The origin of bone tool technologies. “Retouching the Palaeolithic: Becoming human and the origins of bone tool technology”, Conference at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, 21.‐ 23. October 2015 (pp. 215–234). Hannover, Germany: RGZM‐TAGUNGEN. 10.11588/propylaeum.408

  • Patou‐Mathis M (2002) Compresseurs, percuteurs, retouchoirs. Os à impressions et éraillures. Fiches de la Commission de Nomenclature sur l'industrie de l'os préhistorique cahier X

  • Patou-Mathis M, Schwab C (2002) Fiche générale. In: Patou-Mathis, M. (Ed.), Industrie de l’os préhistorique: compresseurs, percuteurs, retouchoirs, vol. X. Société préhistorique française, pp 11–20

  • Pérez L, Hernández CM, Galván B (2018, 2019) Bone retouchers from the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt, Stratigraphic Unit Xa (Alicante, Spain): First data and comparison with the Middle to Upper Pleistocene European record. Int J Osteoarchaeol.:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2732

  • Raynal JP, Santagata C, Deaujard C, Fernandes P, Guadelli J-L, y Kiefer G (2010) “Fouille programmée annuelle. Polignac. Site de la grotte de Sainte-Anne 1”, en Bilan scientifique de la Région Auvergne, 2008, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Paris, pp. 83-86

  • Rigaud A (1977) Analyse typologique et technologique des grattoirs magdaléniens de La Garenne à Saint-Marcel (Indre), Gallia préhistoire, t.20 f.1, pp. 1-43. https://doi.org/10.3406/galip.1977.1547

  • Rosell J, Blasco R, Campeny G, Díez JC, Alcalde RA, Menéndez L, Carbonell E (2011) Bone as a technological raw material at the Gran Dolina site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain). Journal of Human Evolution 61(1):125–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.02.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosell J, Blasco R, Fernández Peris J, Carbonell E, Barkai R, Gopher A (2015) Recycling bones in the middle pleistocene: Some reflections from Gran Dolina TD10‐1 (Spain), Bolomor cave (Spain) and Qesem cave (Israel). Quatern Intl 361:297–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.08.009

  • Semenov SA (1981) Prehistoric technology. Akal Universitaria, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Siret ML (1925) Emploi de l'os dans la retouche des silex moustériens. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France 22(5):208–210

  • Vallejo Rodríguez S, Urtiaga Greaves K, Navazo Ruiz M (2017) Characterization and supply of raw materials in the Neanderthal groups of Prado Vargas Cave (Cornejo, Burgos, Spain). Quat Int 435:35–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.09.054

  • Valoch, K. (1988) “Die Erforshung der Kulna-Hïhle 1961-1976” Anthropos, v. 24, Nº especial 16

  • Verna C, d’Errico F (2011) The earliest evidence for the use of human bone as a tool. Journal of Human Evolution 60(2):145–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.07.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent A, (1993) L’outillage osseux au Paléolithique moyen: une nouvelle approche. Ph.D. Dissertation, Université de Paris X.

Download references

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, thanks to Marcos Terradillos, without whom we could not have undertaken the experimentation required to gather the information we needed; to Héctor de la Fuente and Sandra García for their wonderful work on the taphonomic and taxonomic identification of the remains at the site; to CENIEH, who allowed us to use the reference collection at their Comparative Anatomy Laboratory to identify the taxa at the site; to the University of Burgos’ Science and Technology Park for providing us with the tools needed for conducting this investigation and its analysis; and finally, and no less importantly, to all our colleagues on the excavation who over recent years have worked so hard to recover the material we have today.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Humanidades y Comunicación, Departamento de Historia, Geografía y Comunicación, Área de prehistoria, Universidad de Burgos, Calle Paseo de los Comendadores S/N, Burgos, 09001, Spain

    Pedro Alonso-García & Marta Navazo Ruiz

  2. Centro Nacional de Investigación Sobre La Evolución Humana (CENIEH), Paseo Sierra de Atapuerca 3, Burgos, 09002, Spain

    Ruth Blasco

Authors
  1. Pedro Alonso-García
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marta Navazo Ruiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ruth Blasco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pedro Alonso-García.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alonso-García, P., Navazo Ruiz, M. & Blasco, R. Use and selection of bone fragments in the north of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Palaeolithic: bone retouchers from level 4 of Prado Vargas (Burgos, Spain). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 218 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01097-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01097-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation