Bajondillo Cave
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bajondillo Cave (Spanish: Cueva Bajondillo) is an archaeological site located on the south-central coast of the Iberian Peninsula, within the municipality of Torremolinos near Malaga in Spain.[1][2][3] It is approximately 127 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar.[4] Archaeologically, the region is sometimes referred to as "southern Iberia".[4]
The cave is believed to have served as a shelter for early modern humans and Neanderthals.[3]
Findings
An archaeological excavation of Bajondillo Cave was completed in 2011.[3] The study yielded significant information about the early arrival of modern humans in the region, including insights into their diets and behaviors. Some findings challenge previous assumptions regarding the timing of interaction and replacement between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans ("AMH") in this area.[1][5] Specifically, previous misperceptions about the systematic consumption of shellfish by Neanderthals were contradicted.[1][6] The cave's unique position and elevation provided an exceptional location for early hominid occupation and for the preservation of fossils and other remnants. Although no human remains were found,[2] large quantities of both lithic and non-lithic fragments and artifacts were available for examination. Stratigraphic and dating analyses provided evidence of continuous hominid occupation from at least 150 thousand years Before Present (ka BP).[1]
The 2011 excavation produced important data regarding the collection and consumption of shellfish by early hominids in the Iberian region. The elevation of the cave, which was never below or at sea level, indicates that the large quantities of mollusk and mussel remnants found were deposited by humans.[1][5] Bajondillo Cave is also significant for understanding the connection between Iberian Neanderthals and AMHs, as many coastal Neanderthal sites are now submerged and inaccessible.[5] Moreover, many of the bones, shells, and other finds show evidence of intentional fracturing and/or thermoalteration,[5] consistent with cooking.[1][5]
The cave was excavated in several phases, and twenty archaeological levels were identified.[1][4][6] The first seventeen levels were documented according to stratigraphic sequencing.[1] Approximately 5.7 meters of sediment were excavated. Over 10,000 shellfish and related fragment samples were collected and catalogued with relative certainty to species, genus, or class levels.[1][4] Thousands of handmade tools were also recovered and labeled. Extensive testing yielded twenty-nine "absolute dates",[1] indicating contiguous early hominid occupation from the Middle Paleolithic Era (MIS 6) to the Neolithic (MIS 1).[1]
Primary site researchers from the University of Seville, Miguel Cortes-Sanchez, et al., defend the structural integrity of the site and excavation, refuting challenges to the technical accuracy of their findings. The researchers assert that "improved radiocarbon protocols have …yielded reliable dates for Bajondillo," while rejecting claims of "displacement erosion" and cross-level contamination within the site, whether naturally occurring or manmade.[7]
History
According to researchers, the stratigraphy within the cave indicates a lengthy chronological-cultural succession encompassing the "Middle Paleolithic, Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdalenian, Epipaleolithic and Neolithic" eras.[3] Twenty well-defined excavation levels[1][2][3] further suggest that this cave was occupied by early hominids almost continuously for nearly 200,000 years.[3]
The cave's unique position relative to the sea made it an ideal protective shelter. Significant fossils, physical remnants, and artifacts indicate epochs of occupation, tool making, use of fire, and the cooking of several mammal species. There is also substantial evidence of shellfish consumption.[1][2]
The excavation was performed in phases. Beginning in 1989 upon discovery, seventeen levels were excavated to a depth of 5.6m.[1] Later phases exposed an additional 0.006 m of sediment, bringing the number of "bones, shells, and hearths"[1] and other remnants collected to over 10,000 pieces.[1][3][4]