Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Alton Parrish (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

One of the Greatest Concentrations of Elephant and Mammoth Remains in Europe Found in Madrid

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Researchers from the CENIEH have participated in a paper published in the journal Quaternary International which brings out the importance of the valleys of the rivers Manzanares and Jarama in studying the relationship between human groups prior to our own species and proboscideans

Susana Rubio Jara and Joaquín Panera, archaeologists at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), have participated in a paper published in the journal Quaternary International which reviews more than 40 Pleistocene archaeological sites in the vicinity of Madrid, in the valleys of the rivers Manzanares and Jarama where one of the greatest concentrations of remains of elephants and mammoths in Europe is found.

Jaw and rib of Mammuthus cf. intermedius found in the archaeological site WWTP Culebro 1 (Madrid)

 
Credit: Joaquín Panera

The study of the remains of these large mammals, from the taphonomic point of view, has allowed it to be determined that, while the number of sites where their use is documented during the Lower Palaeolithic is generally much higher in Europe, in these Madrid valleys they are more frequent in the Middle Palaeolithic.

“This indicates that for the Neanderthals who wandered around the valleys of the Manzanares and Jarama, the proboscideans comprised an essential resource too, and implies that human groups with different lithic technologies, Acheulean and Mousterian, exploited this animal resource repeatedly over time”, comments Rubio.

A key region

Ever since remains of elephants and mammoths associated to lithic pieces were documented in the mid-nineteenth century on the San Isidro Hill in Madrid (opposite the former Vicente Calderón football stadium), there have been numerous discoveries of these large mammals in fluvial deposits of the middle and lower courses of the valleys of the rivers Manzanares and Jarama.

 
Mammuthus primigenius “Hebior Mammoth specimen” bearing tool/butcher marks, cast skeleton produced and distributed by Triebold Paleontology Incorporated
Credit: MCDinosaurhunter / Wikimedia Commmons

As Susana Rubio explains, this is a key area for studying the relationship between human groups prior to our own species and proboscideans. “Elephants and mammoths are key species in the ecosystems they frequent, and their trails are used by other mammals, including hominins. Thanks to their complex mental maps, they know the location of sources of water, mineral and plant resources and their annual variations, which would have facilitated the occupation of new territories for our ancestors”.

 

Contacts and sources:
Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH),
In this paper, entitled Hominins and proboscideans in the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in the Central Iberian Peninsula, José Yravedra, lead author, and Juan Antonio Martos, from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the Museo Nacional de Arqueología respectively, also participated.
 


Source: http://www.ineffableisland.com/2018/04/one-of-greatest-concentrations-of.html


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!


Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST


Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser!  Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover -  Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.