Neanderthal Fossils, Mobile Toolkit and a Hyena Den: The Archaeological Assemblage of Lateral Gallery 1 in Cova Del Gegant (NE Iberian Peninsula)

A comprehensive analysis of Lateral Gallery 1 (GL1) in Cova del Gegant reveals that Neanderthals likely used the cave as a transient stop, alongside hyenas, during the Middle Palaeolithic. The study integrates lithic artifacts, human remains, and faunal data to reconstruct environmental conditions and Neanderthal behavior in the coastal NE Iberian Peninsula during Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 4 and 3. Evidence suggests a diverse ecosystem with open environments and woodland-edge taxa, indicating repeated human visits. The presence of abandoned ergonomic tools and body placements points to brief, strategic use by Neanderthals, while carnivore activity, such as hyena denning, also shaped the site's archaeological record.

Daura, J., Sanz, M., Vaquero, M., López-García, J. M., Blain, H.-A., & Marco, A. S. (2022). Neanderthal Fossils, Mobile Toolkit and a Hyena Den: The Archaeological Assemblage of Lateral Gallery 1 in Cova Del Gegant (NE Iberian Peninsula). Quaternary, 5(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/quat5010012