THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF A NEANDERTHAL GROUP FROM EL SIDRÓN CAVE (ASTURIAS, SPAIN)

TLDR

Prior studies have examined the anthropology and palaeogenetics of the El Sidrón Cave region. This study provides the first detailed analysis of the lithic industry from El Sidrón Cave. The assemblage comprises 415 flake-based artefacts made mainly of chert sourced from the immediate cave environment, with a smaller quartzite component. Sixty‑seven artefacts were refitted, and their spatial distribution confirms the assemblage’s unity while indicating a secondary context.

Abstract

Summary This paper presents the first detailed analysis of the lithic industry from El Sidrón Cave. Previously we have published other works concerning Anthropology and Palaeogenetics. The lithic assemblage contains 415 artefacts coming from both unofficial and official excavations and is largely flake‐based. The raw material derives from the immediate cave environment, and is mostly chert, with quartzite in a lesser proportion. To date, 67 artefacts have been refitted, including some tools and cores. The spatial distribution of the refitted lithic artefacts confirms, on the one hand, the unity of the assemblage and, on the other, its secondary context.