Micro-lithic production at Abric Romaní levels L and Ob: Exploring economic and evolutionary implications for Neanderthal societies

•Micro-flakes in Iberian Middle Palaeolithic sites constitutes more than half of the archaeological record in each level.•Micro-Levallois and micro-Discoid operational chains are described.•Micro-cores are completely exhausted and leaved and, in many cases, appear recycled as tools.•This economic behaviour seems to be related with the different occupational patterns. The phenomenon of microlithism continues to be one of the most interesting topics in the prehistoric archaeology of the Middle Palaeolithic period because it is key to understanding the technology and cultural and economic organisation of Neanderthal societies. The aim of this research is to characterise small-flake industries based on two archaeological levels from the Abric Romaní which present different occupation patterns. Level L is characterised by a shorter and more opportunistic occupational pattern, while the occupations found at archaeolevel Ob were longer and more complex, indicating a greater degree of planning involved in subsistence activities. The analysis was conducted using a technological approach to assess the different operating chains used; particular attention was devoted to the typometric analysis and the production objectives for obtaining small supports. The results indicate that a wide variety of procedures were used to produce microliths, some of an expedient nature and others which were much more complex, such as the different Levallois methods. The data obtained are discussed in the context of the Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula, which is compared to the rest of the sites located in this area in order to reveal the possible similarities and differences between them.