Wood resource exploitation by Cantabrian Late Upper Palaeolithic groups (N Spain) regarding MIS 2 vegetation dynamics

A series of charcoal analyses for nine Upper Palaeolithic caves in northern Spain chronologically placed in MIS 2 (19.6–10.3 ka uncal BP) is presented in this paper. Juniperus, Fabaceae and Salix, together with Hippophae and minor occurrences of Betula, Corylus and deciduous Quercus are recorded in some sites dated prior to 13 ka BP. This open vegetation was still dominant between 13 and 11 ka BP, although the sharp increase of Betula and deciduous taxa indicates greater environmental diversity. Pinus, Betula and deciduous Quercus are dominant between 11 and 10 ka BP. However, the manifestation of charcoal data is conditioned by the interaction of several natural and human factors that are the focus of anthracology. This paper discusses the vegetal landscape surrounding Cantabrian archaeological sites in relation with the major vegetation dynamics outlined in MIS 2 high-resolution pollen records from SW Europe, the available woody resources, and the human exploitation of these plant communities throughout the Late Upper Palaeolithic.