The Llonin Cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias, Spain), level III (Galería): techno-typological characterisation of the Badegoulian lithic and bone assemblages

Abstract

Llonin cave is located in the Cares river valley, between the sea and the Cantabrian Cordillera. In level III, hunted fauna comes from a rocky and mountainous biotope with chamois predominance over red deer and Spanish ibex. On top of this level there is an Upper Magdalenian level (II) and underneath an Upper Solutrean one (IV). Level III is formed by materials linked to fire, with a specific functionality, and there is an extraordinary association of elements: raclettes, singlebeveled points (Placard type) and “pseudoexcisa” decoration. In addition, the substrate tools dominate, beginning with the splintered pieces, which are the best represented, both in quartzite and flint, followed by notches and denticulates in quartzite. Flakes are the priority blanks; blade production is low and bladelets are scarce. Actually the archaeological record is not related to the Cantabrian Solutrean or the Magdalenian, but agrees with the Badegoulian. The level has been dated ~18.000 BP (21584–21935 cal BP). La grotte de Llonin est située dans la vallée du Cares, entre la mer et la cordillère cantabrique. La faune chassée du niveau III correspond à celle d’un biotope rocheux et montagnard où le chamois The Llonin Cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias, Spain), level III (Galería): tec... La conquête de la montagne : des premières occupations humaines à l’anthropisation du milieu 31