Investigation of Upper Palaeolithic adhesive residues from Cueva Morín, Northern Spain

This paper presents the results of a multi-methodological approach to investigate residual spots preserved on several artefacts from the lithic assemblages at Cueva Morín (Cantabria, Spain), dating from the Aurignacian and Gravettian periods. In analysing their composition, our focus was twofold: to determine whether their origins are natural or anthropogenic and verify their presumed Pleistocene age assignment. The latter point was particularly important since being stored for more than 40 years in a museum complicated the surface preservation of many of the lithic artefacts. A combination of analytical techniques was used: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX). Using these techniques, both the anthropogenic background and the Pleistocene dating were verified. Furthermore, the results of the spectral analysis of residues led to their functional interpretation as adhesives with diachronic chemical alternations in the production process. Further use-wear analysis could add important information about the functions of these artefacts.