RT Journal Article
T1 Experimental use-wear on non-flint tools: Unraveling butchering processes at the Cueva Des-Cubierta site (Pinilla del Valle, Spain)
A1 Álvarez Fernández, Ana
A1 Márquez, Belén
A1 García González, Rebeca
A1 Arsuaga Ferreras, Juan Luis
A1 Pérez González, Alfredo José
A1 Baquedano, Enrique
AB The Cueva Des-Cubierta site (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain) contains a peculiar association of crania from large horned herbivores, which were deposited over generations by Neanderthals. To understand the anthropogenic modification of the crania, an experimental program has been carried out from multiple perspectives, with functionality being one of them. This paper presents the results obtained during the creation of a microwear reference collection using raw materials other than flint, such as quartzite, quartz, and porphyry.It has been possible to obtain a sample of experimental use traces that we consider characteristic of the complex butchering activity. Specifically, one type of striation seems particularly characteristic of this type of work on large herbivores. The performance of the different types of raw materials is also described, confirming that all the materials used in the experiment—and thus by Neanderthals—have sufficient durability to perform these tasks, regardless of size.
PB Elsevier
SN 2352-409X
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/120993
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/120993
LA eng
NO Álvarez-Fernández, A., Márquez, B., García-González, R., Arsuaga, J. L., Pérez-González, A., & Baquedano, E. (2025). Experimental use-wear on non-flint tools: Unraveling butchering processes at the Cueva Des-Cubierta site (Pinilla del valle, spain). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 62, 105056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105056
NO Comunidad de  Madrid
NO European COmmission
DS Docta Complutense
RD 30 dic 2025