Hearth-Related Wood Remains from Abric Romani Layer M (Capellades, Spain)

The tufa sedimentary environment of the Middle Paleolithic layers of Abric Romani has resulted in particularly well-preserved wood remains. Level M, dated to ca. 50 kyr BP, has yielded a very well preserved assemblage, including 114 wood imprints. The present study is based on the morphological characterization of the wood remains, their taphonomic analysis, and the spatial distribution of hearth-related assemblages. This evidence allows discussion of wood gathering for fuel by Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, based on typological analyses of wood remains according to size and distribution patterns. In addition, we discuss the significance of the presence and distribution of fuel remains related to the occupation of layer M. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]