Magdalenian lithic implements at El Horno (Cantabria, Spain): procurement, production and use

Abstract

El Horno Cave is located in the middle River Asón valley (eastern Cantabria Province, North Spain), at about 200 m above sea level and 20 km from the present coastline. A surface area of 3.5 m² was excavated there from 1999 to 2007. The intact part of the archaeological deposit (Levels 1, 2 and 3) yielded a series of remains which can be attributed to upper Magdalenian occupations. Fieldwork in 2000 and 2001 retrieved 1,724 lithics from intact levels. The presentation will focus on the results of the technological study of the whole lithic assemblage, including retouched artefacts, the larger knapping debris, and the smaller waste products. Based on previous raw material studies, the different chaînes opératoires have been reconstructed and the strategies to obtain the blanks (flakes and blades) determined. In addition, the objectives of the production that were identified in the technological study acquire greater significance through the use-wear analysis that has been performed.