RT Journal Article
T1 Subsistence strategies in the early upper Paleolithic of central Iberia: evidence from Abrigo de la Malia
A1 Téllez, Edgar
A1 Rodríguez Hidalgo, Antonio
A1 Rodríguez Almagro, Manuel
A1 Nuñez Lahuerta, Carmen
A1 Arteaga Brieba, Andion
A1 Pablos Fernández, Adrián
A1 Sala Burgos, Nohemi
AB Knowledge of early Anatomically Modern Humans settlements in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula remains limited. Traditional perspectives have long assumed that this region, known as the Iberian Plateau, was abandoned after the disappearance of Neanderthals and remained largely uninhabited until the end of the Last Glacial. In contrast, coastal areas have so far been the primary focus of archeological studies, as they are where the majority of known sites are located and where the most research has been conducted on subsistence practices. The recent discovery of the Abrigo de la Malia rock shelter site (Tamajón, Guadalajara) has challenged this paradigm, providing evidence of occupation in Central Iberia during the Aurignacian and Gravettian periods (36,200–26,260 cal BP). This work is focused on the zooarcheological and taphonomic analysis of the Paleolithic faunal assemblage from the Malia rock shelter, aiming to reconstruct the subsistence strategies of the earliest Anatomically Modern Humans inhabiting central Iberia during the early Upper Paleolithic. The results indicate anthropogenic activities focused on the processing of medium- and large-sized ungulates, with carnivores either playing a marginal role. The combined data suggest that the Malia rock shelter was used for short but recurrent occupations, likely by small groups engaged in hunting expeditions. This study highlights the adaptability of these populations who inhabited this region during MIS-3 as they faced severe climatic conditions while exploiting the available environmental resources.
PB Elsevier
YR 2025
FD 2025-09
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124326
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124326
LA eng
NO Téllez, E., Rodríguez-Hidalgo, A., Rodríguez-Almagro, M., Núñez-Lahuerta, C., Arteaga-Brieba, A., Pablos, A., & Sala, N. (2025). Subsistence strategies in the early upper Paleolithic of central Iberia: Evidence from Abrigo de la Malia. Quaternary Science Advances, 19, 100297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2025.100297
NO Junta Castilla La Mancha
NO CENIEH
NO European Research Council
NO MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033
DS Docta Complutense
RD 25 mar 2026