Exploring lithic variability during the Gravettian in Iberia: lithic technology, use-wear analysis and raw material sourcing from the Gravettian occupation of L’Arbreda Cave (Catalunya, Spain)

Abstract

The Paleolithic sites from the region of Serinyà, (Catalonia, Spain), provide a complete and important chronostratigraphic record for the Middle and Upper Paleolithic sequence of Northeast Iberian Peninsula. From this territory, the site of l’Arbreda Cave shows the most important evidence for the initial phase of the Upper Paleolithic, illustrated by Aurignacian and Gravettian occupations [1, 2, 3]. Recently the origins and expansion of the Gravettian in Iberia has been one of the most debate topics, particularly regarding the meaning of the variability of the Gravettian lithic industries in this region. In this work we focus on the study of the Gravettian lithic assemblage from level E of Arbreda Cave dated from c.26 kaBP [4], combining techno-typological, use-wear analysis and raw material characterization and sourcing. Technological analysis shows that Gravettian lithic assemblage from Arbreda is characterized by prismatic reduction strategies focuses on laminar debitage, reflected in the high frequency of backed technology among retouched tools, including well-preserved La Gravette and Microgravette points. Preliminary use-wear analysis focused on macro analysis of the projectile points and preservation conditions of micro wear traces. Local flint, in NE Iberia, is characterized by small nodules with low quality, and during the Gravettian laminar debitage was preformed on imported raw materials from sources that are located north of the Pyrenees Basin Narbonne-Sigean (approx. 100 km away to the north of Arbreda) and Costières du Gard (about 240 km) in the Rhone river mouth. Combining all lithic analyses, our data shows that, during the Gravettian, the site occupation was likely characterized by the exploitation of local resources, during which, hunting might have been one of the most important human activities at the site. Data presented here contributes to our investigation on the lithic variability, in order to understand how humans adapt during the origins of the Gravettian in Iberia.