[Tortosa, J. E.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Tortosa, J. E.] [Guillem Calatayud, Pere M.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Guillem Calatayud, Pere M.] [Martínez Valle, R.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Martínez Valle, R.] [Pérez-Ripoll, M.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Pérez-Ripoll, M.] [Villaverde Bonilla, Valentin|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Villaverde Bonilla, Valentin]
Title:
Big Game and Small Prey: Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic Economy From Valencia (Spain)
Journal:
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
Number:
3
Volume:
9
Year:
2002
Pages:
215-268
Keywords:
Middle and Upper Paleolithic; zooarchaeology; paleoeconomy; hunting strategies; evolution; Spain
ISBN:
ISSN:
URL:
Abstract:
This study analyzes the faunal assemblages corresponding to the Middle and Upper Paleolithic and the Early Epipaleolithic for the central Spanish Mediterranean Region dated from between 135,000 and 9,000 B.P. To interpret these data, we employ a zooarchaeological and paleoeconomic perspective. Human large and small game hunting systems are analyzed through the identification of the origins of faunal assemblages, bone breackage patterns, and prey selection patterns. Our study shows that hunting systems changed significantly through time, which may be related to the characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystem and, above all, to cultural changes.
