Vegetation, climate and human settlement interactions at the late Mesolithic site of Cueva Blanca (Hellín, Albacete, SE Spain)

Abstract

Archaeobotanical analyses conducted on material from the Cueva Blanca rockshelter have provided much-needed data on past landscapes, vegetation change and woodland exploitation by late Mesolithic groups settled in the ‘Campos de Hellín’, a region of SE Spain. Radiocarbon ages indicate occupations in the period between 7610 ± 40 BP (8450–8370 cal. BP) and 6730 ± 40 BP (7660–7560 cal. BP). The seasonal short character of human occupation, major vegetation features and the site chronology relate it to the 8.2 ka cal. BP cooling event and the subsequent aridity responsible for open landscapes and the becoming of human settlement in SE Spain. A Mediterranean open coniferous woodland composed of Pinus and Juniperus has been inferred around the site where Pinus halepensis and Rhamnus lycioides were the main sources of firewood managed by late Mesolithic inhabitants. Steppe and scrub conditions are also identified by the abundance of Ephedra and Asteraceae. Environmental factors, such as an irregular rainfall regime, are also suggested to explain the fluctuations of the main woody taxa identified. Furthermore, pollen and charcoal data were also correlated with the palynological and anthracological information available for the western Mediterranean area. However, human impact is scarce, as indicated by the nature of human occupation. The increase of Poaceae and Amaranthaceae as well as the appearance of Boraginaceae, Cichorioideae, Plantago lanceolata and Cerealia towards the top of the sequence (L1A) are indicative of human activities carried out at the site during later prehistoric periods.