DUGi

Source area of Scaphopoda and other tubular shells from the Upper Palaeolithic record of the Reclau caves (Serinyà, NE Iberian Peninsula)

http://dugi.udg.edu/item/http:@@@@hdl.handle.net@@10256@@28384

This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic analysis of a sample of 176 tubular shell ornaments from Upper Palaeolithic layers of the Reclau caves (Seriny`a, NE Iberian Peninsula). Traditionally referred to as “dentalium”, these ornaments actually represent a six species of Scaphopoda (Antalis dentalis, A. inaequicostata, A. vulgaris,Fustiaria rubescens, Paradentalium inaequale and P. sexangulum), one gastropod (Vermetus granulatus), and the ichnogenus Teredolites longissimus. The analysis reveals that only 69.3 % of the ornaments are true scaphopods, while 26.1 % are Teredolites and 4.5 % are Vermetus. Notably, fossil species of Paradentalium (10.0 % of Gravettian and 37.4 % of Solutrean assemblages) likely originated from nearby Pliocene outcrops in Alt Empord`a. Their natural accumulation and fragmented state facilitated both collection and manufacture. Conversely, Teredolites were probably sourced from contemporary driftwood, given their current abundance and ease of transport. The ornaments appear in small numbers during the Aurignacian, increase during the Gravettian, and peak in the Solutrean period. The study emphasizes the need for precise taxonomic classification and highlights the strategic selection of both fossil and contemporary materials for ornament production in Upper Palaeolithic Iberia

His work was partially supported by project PID2022-138590NB-C44 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), and by project ARQ001SOL-206-2022 funded by the Culture Department in the Government of Catalonia.

Elsevier