Middle Magdalenian human occupation at Coímbre Cave, Zone A (Asturias, northern Iberia)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the interdisciplinary study of level Co.A.3 in Zone A of Coímbre Cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias, northern Iberian Peninsula), corresponding to a human occupation attributed to the Middle Magdalenian. Despite the limited extent of the excavation, the stratigraphic integrity, contextual coherence, and volume of recovered materials allow for meaningful comparisons with other sectors of the site, particularly Zone B. Flint provenance analysis reveals a marked eastern orientation in raw material procurement, suggesting long-distance acquisition networks or exchange systems, in contrast to the low representation of western sources despite their geographic proximity. The zooarchaeological study indicates a subsistence strategy focused primarily on ibex and red deer, with evidence of systematic processing and a broad age range among the hunted individuals. Spatial modelling through cost-distance analysis defines a restricted catchment area of 57.96 km2, shaped by the rugged topography between the Sierra del Cuera and the Picos de Europa, and suggests predominantly east–west mobility patterns along the Cares River. Finally, AMS radiocarbon dates confirm the presence of a chronological hiatus between the Lower and Middle Magdalenian occupations, consistent across both excavated areas. Altogether, these findings provide new insights into settlement dynamics, mobility strategies, and regional interaction patterns during the Middle Magdalenian, supporting the hypothesis of a cultural and territorial reconfiguration in the Cantabrian region at the onset of this phase.