We present the results of the charcoal analysis of the site of Irikaitz (Zestoa, Basque Country, Spain). This is an open air site with an archaeological sequence which includes Lower Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic and post-Palaeolithic, the only site so far with Lower Palaeolithic occupations in primary position in the Basque region. Archaeobotanical studies of these early chronologies in the Iberian Peninsula are particularly scarce. Irikaitz adopted from the beginning of the research project a systematic sampling strategy and recovery methodology through flotation in order to retrieve all types of plant macro-remains. Some finds have also been hand-picked in situ. Macro-remains recovered at the site present a very good preservation. 2878 charcoal fragments have been analysed. The most important taxon in all samples is Quercus subgenus Quercus (deciduous oaks). Some species possibly linked to wet soils along streams are also very important, such as: Corylus avellana (hazel), Salix (willow) and Fraxinus excelsior (ash). Taxa linked to shrub and open communities have also been identified (Ericaceae, Leguminosae). The general results suggest species living under mild climatic conditions which might correspond to the Eemian or the Holsteinian.
