The beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Baetic Mountain area (Spain)

Abstract

I address the issue of the beginning of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in the Baetic mountains area, which is a poorly understood process, and which is thought to be delayed compared with other regions. The beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Baetic Mountain area should occur between 34-25 ka cal BP and be related to Gravettian techno-typological traditions. This time-span corresponds to the final phase of Marine Isotope Stage 3, a paleoclimatic period that saw drastic changes within a short time. I explore the possibility that climate factors induced the beginning of the Early Upper Palaolithic. This study presents El Palomar rock shelter as a starting point for the archaeological discussion. Its technology and stratigraphy are discussed and a review of different paleoclimatic proxies is also offered. This area has privileged prehistoric and paleoenviromental evidence.