Cova del Bolomor (Catalan) | |
 Parietal fragment of Neanderthal, 130,000 yrs. old | |
  Location of Cuevas del Bolomor Show map of Province of Valencia Cueva de Bolomor (Valencian Community) Show map of Valencian Community Cueva de Bolomor (Spain) Show map of Spain | |
| Location | Tavernes de la Valldigna |
|---|---|
| Region | Valencian Community |
| Coordinates | 39°03′35″N0°15′00″W / 39.0598°N 0.2499°W /39.0598; -0.2499 |
| Altitude | 100 m (328 ft)[1] |
| Type | Intermittent settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | lateMiddle/early Late Pleistocene |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | since 1989 |
| Website | www |
Cueva de Bolomor, orBolomor Cave, is an archaeological site nearTavernes de la Valldigna in theValencian Community, Spain. It was occupied over a long period of time, between 350,000 and 120,000 years ago.
FourNeanderthal remains have been recovered in excavations that were begun in 1989: a fragment of afibula, two teeth, and a nearly completeparietal bone from an adult. All date from the lateMiddle/early Late Pleistocene. The thickness of thecortical bone in the fibula indicates it came from non-modern man.[2]
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The cave is located in theLa Valldigna valley, which is demarcated by theLes Creus mountain range to the north, whose highly eroded reliefs slope towards the valley, and theMondúver range to the south. The valley is covered by sediments from theQuaternary period, and opens in the east to a marshy landscape with dunes, which connects to the coastal Mediterranean plain. The Cueva de Bolomor is on the right side of a cliff; it is akarst cave[3] at 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level,[1] surrounded by karstified hills.[3]
The cave today is more arock shelter, of about 35 metres (115 ft) in length and 17 metres (56 ft) wide, and 20 metres (66 ft) deep with an irregular interior. Formerly, it was a much wider cave, before its dome fell in (probably due to seismic activity). Today's mouth of the cave overhangs the valley and offers a view of the coastal area, including the town ofCullera.[3]
Archaeologists recognize astratigraphy of 17 layers, dated between 350 and 121,000 years ago.[1] Three main periods of occupation are recognized: 350,000 years ago, 200,000 to 150,000 years ago, and 120,000 years ago.[4] Human occupants ate a wide variety of animals,[5] includingungulates of all sizes,[1] besidestortoises[6] and birds.[7] Throughout the occupation, they ate youngelephants.[1] A relative rarity for the Middle Pleistocene is the frequency with which the remains of rabbits, marked with cuts, are found; such small, quick prey is unusual for the period, and is most likely a specific feature of a unique locality.[8]
Any prey, including young elephants, would have had to be carried up the steep 100-metre (330 ft) slope.[1] Flake production dominated the flint technology, fire was habitually used, and there was lithic recycling; theLevallois technique was not often used, and no handaxes were found. It is postulated that the site represents a transition from anAcheulean to a post-Acheulean mode of living,[1] which may have taken place betweenMarine Isotope Stages 9 and 7. Bolomor is one of "numerous European sites [that] attest new technological behavior oriented toward long and complex knapping methods, with long and complex repetitive core reduction, predetermined flake shape, and tool standardization".[9] Layers withscrapers anddenticulate tools alternate.[10] Fifteen hearths, in age ranging between 250,000 and 100,000 years old, are being studied.[11] Some of the hearths were lined with stone.[12]
The site has been excavated annually since 1989, during a 30-day period. Research is supported by the Prehistoric Investigation Service of the Valencian Council, and the material deposited in thePrehistory Museum of Valencia.[3]
Neanderthal sites in theValencian Community, Spain | ||
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