Goldra: premier gisement karstique en Algarve, faune et industries

Abstract

Epipaleolithic) - Karst - Goldra - Algarve, Portugal. A bone breccia from Goldra, near Loulé, is studied. It corresponds to the infilling of a karst depression, consisting of: rather wom and probably transponed dolomite pebbles at the bottom; accumulations of frequently bumt bone scraps, much broken and with acute edges (no ' transport), certainly debris of human food , suggesting habitat level (s); in association with the former, stone (flint, quartz, quartzite, graywacke) rather uncharacteristic artifacts that seem compatible with middle and upper Paleolithic, or with Epipaleolithic; and small mammal teeth and bones. Fauna includes an extinct species, Microtus brecciensis recognized for the first time in Portugal. It is not older than Riss-Würm interglacial, and may be of this age or later, maybe that of one of Würm's frrst interstades. Fauna points out to a varied landscape with open country and woods; and to a rather warm and dry temperate, or dry subtropical mediterranean climate. Climate differences shquld not be significant in comparison with the extant situation. The presence of the marnmal species found so far is consistent with modern distribution.