Recycling economy in the Mousterian of the Iberian Peninsula: The case study of El Esquilleu

In this paper we study the development of Formal Recycling and Formal Maintenance processes in three lithic assemblages coming from the Mousterian sequence of El Esquilleu Cave (Cantabria, Spain). Each of these assemblages is dominated by a different knapping method (Discoid, Levallois and Quina), and shows a different strategy of resource exploitation. Through the study of raw materials quality, volumetric reduction of cores and tools, and knapping strategies, we show how lithic recycling and maintenance processes are related to the techno-economic behaviors documented in each occupation.