Selection of cave shelter by Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) and spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) at the Calvero de la Higuera sites (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid Region, Spain)

Abstract

The locality of Calvero de la Higuera, near the village of Pinilla del Valle (Madrid Region) in Spain's Central System mountain range, is home to a number of karstic sites containing the fossils of vertebrates, mostly from the Late Pleistocene. Taphonomic studies have led to some of these sites being interpreted as the dens of spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and others as places that were occupied by Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis). The present work describes the characteristics of each type, and provides a series of criteria to be met for occupation by one or the other species. The Neanderthals of the Calvero de la Higuera area selected open areas towards the edge of the karst system, while the hyaenas preferred to establish their dens in small galleries in the same or slightly more inner areas of this system. Along with the evidence provid-ed by fossilized bones, this might be a factor to bear in mind when trying to determine which - or whether both - species once occupied sites of interest.