Santander, February 19th-22nd 2008 - Aranzadi

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ALICIA ESTRADA, JOSÉ M. TEJERO, XAVIER MANGADO, MARIA A. PETIT, JOSEP M. FULLOLA, XAVIER ESTEVE & RAÚL BARTROLÍ
a seasonal, recurrent and relatively long term temporary
settlement.
2. TAXONOMICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DES-
CRIPTION OF SHELLS
- Taphonomic aspects
The condition of the malacological evidences
at the site is generally good. In some elements
(Dentalium, Cyclope) there are signs of erosion
after deposition due to rolling in the sand.
Fractures can be observed at the perforation level
probably related to the use to which pieces have
been put and which will be determined in future
studies of the whole remains. Also, as mentioned
in the materials description, some of the shells
show ochre remnants (bivalves) and one, a
Homalopoma (7D-2025), shows thermo alteration.
We have documented six different types of
malacological evidence among the archaeological
remains provided by the excavation of level II
since 1991 to 2008 (Table 2. Fig. 3):
Taxon Manipulates Non TOTAL Origine Class
manipulates
Chlamys sp. 1 1 Marine shell bivalves
Theodoxus fluviatilis 6 6 Fluvial shell gastropodes
Homalopoma sanguineum 8 17 25 Marine shell gastropodes
Cyclope neritea 1 4 5 Marine shell gastropodes
Cyclope sp. 1 1
Dentalium sp. 2 2 Marine shell scaphopodes
Glycymeris sp. 1 1 Marine shell bivalves
TOTAL 18 23 41
Table 2. Taxonomical distribution of manipulated shells from Magdalenian levels.
Figure 3. Taxonomical distribution of manipulated shells from Magdalenian levels.
A/ Manipulated evidences (NR=18):
The microscopic study of the collection has
been carried out with a stereoscopic microscope
(stereomicroscope) Kyowa SDZ-P at between 7 to
40 magnifications.
Three different types of manipulation have
been observed:
- Perforated malacofauna
Cyclope neritea shell is perforated by indirect
percussion, without any previous cut. In any case
abrasion traces have not been documented. As a
result, the perforation is not more than 2 - 2,5 mm
(Fig. 4).
Five Theodoxus fluviatilis. Their system of perforation
was made by indirect percussion; only in
one case a previous cut was documented. One of
these shells presents a double perforation, whose
sizes are between 1 and 2 mm.
Eight Homalopoma sanguineum perforated
shells. Basically, they present irregular shapes and
elongated morphologies. In one case, double perforated.
Perforations are about 1 to 2.5 mm (Tejero
2005). In those cases where the technique for
making the perforation can be determined they
have been made by indirect percussion. The
manufacturing process has been determined
based on bibliographic references of other authors
(Taborin 1993, D'Errico et al. 1993).
- Malacological remains with ochre smudges.
The bivalve (Chlamys). This fact could be related
with the use of this kind of shell as a little container
for colorant.
- Shaping remains
Two Dentalium with sawing stries related to
lithic edge skidding.
B/ Not manipulated evidence but with other
evidence perforated in the site (NR= 23)
They are fragments of Cyclope neritea,
Theodoxus fluviatilis and Homalopoma sanguineum.
Some pieces shows a similar type of fracture;
next to this fracture, it could be suggested the
limit of a perforation. We think that, even they are
fractured, they were ornaments, probably broken
in situ, as shown by the same species well preserved
described above.
C/ Not manipulated shells (intact or fragments)
in the site (NR=1)
Glycymeris shell does not shows any manipulation,
for its emplacement in the site (next to
the others perforated shells) and taking into
MUNIBE Suplemento - Gehigarria 31, 2010
S.C. Aranzadi. Z.E. Donostia/San Sebastián