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Papers by Maria Borao

Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology , 2023

In this work, we present a preliminary analysis of the Solutrean antlerworking at Hort de Cortés-... more In this work, we present a preliminary analysis of the Solutrean antlerworking at Hort de Cortés-Volcán del Faro (Valencia, Spain) (ca. 26-21 ka cal BP). A restudy of its archaeological sequence, which came to encompass the Early Upper Palaeolithic to the Magdalenian period, has been a mandatory subject in the last years. This site became an archaeological reference since the beginning of its excavation in the 1960s but has not been systematically studied. The implementation of more specialized studies is used a) to observe the distribution of technical pieces in the stratigraphy and identify possible stratigraphic alterations and b) to restudy a huge lithic, osseous, and faunal collection which can provide new information that may clarify them. The aim is to develop a systematic study, from a technological point of view, to identify and characterize operational schemes and to define the modalities of antlerworking. The technological analysis of waste products, blanks, roughouts, and objects allows us to observe how raw material is obtained and transformed into a toolkit following the refitting by default method. It will help us analyze some questions about the raw material acquisition and transformation like (1) selection between hunted and shed antlers and its possible explanation, (2) the existence of planning of tool manufacture, and (3) the step-by-step production of the debitage. We will extract conclusions and analyze different social aspects: (1) by identifying technical traditions and comparing them with other studied sites and periods and (2) by knowing a new aspect of the way of life of these human groups.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

This paper analyses the Badegoulian and Magdalenian bone industries from a technological perspect... more This paper analyses the Badegoulian and Magdalenian bone industries from a technological perspective. Following the Refitting by default method, we analyse the different product categories (waste products, blanks, roughouts, and objects) to identify technical traditions in both periods and compare them with each other and with other studied sites. The identification of three Operational Schemes of transformation (Fracturing sensu lato, Extraction and Segmentation) arises important information in this sense. This study will enable us to explore different questions: 1-the relationship between hunted fauna for butchering and technical purposes, 2-the existence of planning for manufacturing tools, 3-the presence or absence of a standardised industry, and 4-the link between typology and raw material choice. Finally, it helps to identify possible stratigraphic alterations similar to those that occur during old excavations by observing how the technical pieces are distributed in the stratigraphy.

Quaternary International, 2016

The excavations carried out by L. Pericot from 1929 to 1931 in the Cova del Parpalló documented t... more The excavations carried out by L. Pericot from 1929 to 1931 in the Cova del Parpalló documented the Gravettian in the base, a Solutrean layer, and a Magdalenian. These sequences comprise an exceptional assemblage of portable art because of the number of plaquets/objects and the great chronological amplitude. With all this information, Parpalló was included in the reduced list of reference sites to organize the European Upper Paleolithic sequence in the first half of the 20th century. The Magdalenian layers were organized in four phases, following H. Breuil's classical proposal. Changes in bases morphology and decorative topics on osseous points permitted this correlation, identifying for the first time the oldest Magdalenian in the south of Europe.
With this precedent, we show in this work a preliminary technological and typological study of the Ancient Magdalenian or Badegoulian Parpalló's type osseous industry. The main objective is to identify the operational schemes that characterize the osseous material transformation working. We analyse the different artefact categories which belong to the production operational sequence (wastes, blanks, preforms, and finished objects). We compare these data with a sample of finished objects. They belong to
the production of an assemblage composed of spear points, half-round rods and awls.
The first approach reveals that in Parpallo, debitage by fracturing is predominant. The use of Double Grooving Procedure is documented as well. Both were used to obtain flat blanks to make objects like
simple bevel points, double points or simple based points. We make a valuation between technotypological transformations in lithic industries and radiocarbon dating. This is put in relation to the transformations produced in SW Europe in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Resumen Se dan a conocer dos piezas singulares del Paleolítico superior de la región central medi... more Resumen
Se dan a conocer dos piezas singulares del Paleolítico superior de la región central mediterránea ibérica, que por sus
características tipológicas y decoración permiten establecer la existencia de contactos intergrupales de cierta amplitud
que apuntan al Cantábrico y el sur de Francia. Se trata de un bastón perforado de la cova del Badall (Gandia,
València) y un candil decorado del Magdaleniense de la cova del Parpalló (Gandia, València). Esta última pieza combina
representaciones figurativas y signos cuyos paralelos cabe situar en la propia secuencia del yacimiento y en contextos
magdalenienses septentrionales, lo que indica que en periodos de marcada regionalización regional no dejaron,
sin embargo, de darse contactos intergrupales de elevado interés para comprender la dinámica cultural de
Paleolítico superior del suroeste de Europa.
Palabras clave: Arte mueble paleolítico. Bastón perforado. Tecnología y tipológica de la industria ósea. Candil decorado.
Solutrense. Magdaleniense.
Abstract
We expose here two singular pieces from the central Mediterranean region of the Iberian Peninsula. Both of them are
from the Upper Palaeolithic. Typological and decorative characteristic allow us to stablish the existence of wide intergroup
relationship between this region, cantabric area and the south of France. These pieces are a perforated baton
from Badall cave (Gandia, València) and a decorated tine from the Magdalenian layers of Cova del Parpalló (Gandia,
València). The decorated tine from Parpalló combines figurative representations and signs which parallels can be
located in its own site sequence and septentrional magdalenian contexts. It indicates that when the regionalization is
highest, connections between different groups still happening. These pieces are interesting to establish long-distance
exchange networks between the groups of hunter-gatherers living in south-western Europe.
Keywords: Paleolithic portable art, perforated baton, osseous technology and typology, decorated tine, Solutrean,
Magdalenian.

Actas de las II Jornadas de Jóvenes en …, Jan 1, 2011

Chapters by Maria Borao

Osseous Projectile Weaponry. Towars an Understanding of Pleistocene Variability, 2016

We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence ... more We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence in this archaeological site is one of the most complete in the Upper Paleolithic from the southwest of Europe. We have analyzed 334 pieces from an assemblage that includes well over 2000 fi nished objects, and consider these weapons as a representative sample from two well differentiated Magdalenian phases. The fi rst period studied dates to the Badegoulian (layer 2.40–2.20 m), while the second is Upper Magdalenian (layer 0.80–1.00 m). The main aspects of this analysis are typological evaluation (hafting kinds or bases, sections, mor-phometry) and fracture patterns (position and kinds of fractures , distinguishing between use, post-depositional or recent fractures). These two assemblages are compared before the Upper Magdalenian of Parpalló is contextualized within the rest of the Upper Magdalenian from Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula. The assemblages from Cova de les Cendres and Cueva de Nerja lead us to establish a relationship between the studied sites and create a general vision of the geographic articulation of these cultures, including an evaluation of harpoons and gorges from these archaeological sites.

We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence ... more We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence in this archaeological site is one of the most complete in the Upper Paleolithic from the southwest of Europe. We have analyzed 334 pieces from an assemblage that includes well over 2000 finished objects, and consider these weapons as a representative sample from two well differentiated Magdalenian phases. The first period studied dates to the Badegoulian (layer 2.40–2.20 m), while the second is Upper Magdalenian (layer 0.80–1.00 m). The main aspects of this analysis are typological evaluation (hafting kinds or bases, sections, morphometry) and fracture patterns (position and kinds of fractures, distinguishing between use, post-depositional or recent fractures). These two assemblages are compared before the Upper Magdalenian of Parpalló is contextualized within the rest of the Upper Magdalenian from Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula. The assemblages from Cova de les Cendres and Cueva de Nerja lead us to establish a relationship between the studied sites and create a general vision of the geographic articulation of these cultures, including an evaluation of harpoons and gorges from these archaeological sites

Talks by Maria Borao

Book Chapters by Maria Borao

ARTE, PENSAMIENTO SIMBÓLICO Y MODOS DE VIDA EN LA PREHISTORIA, 2024

Cueva de Nerja has one of the largest collections of fine bone points from the Final Paleolithic ... more Cueva de Nerja has one of the largest collections of fine bone points from the Final Paleolithic in southern Europe. They come from the Magdalenian and microlaminar facies levels. They are characterized by an average thickness that does not reach 1.5 mm and they offer a variable length, with extreme cases between 14 and 70 mm. The stigmata observed on the objects surface allows us to make afirst approximation to the debitage and shaping. These tools have been traditionally associated with the exploitation of small preys, particularly marine resources, common in the archaeological assemblage. The studied use-wear fractures allow us to propose hypothesis of use. This contribution pretends to provide new elements to the discussion on manufacture techniques chosen at the end of the Final Paleolithic, its evolution and the use of Prehistoric hunting and fishing toolkits.

De los niveles con industrias microlaminares magdalenienses de la Cueva de Nerja procede uno de los conjuntos más numerosos de puntas finas de hueso conocidos del Paleolítico final del sur de Europa. Su espesor medio no alcanza los 1,5 mm y ofrecen una longitud variable, con casos extremos entre los 14 y 70 mm. Los estigmas presentes en los objetos permiten hacer una primera aproximación al débitage y confección de estos. Igualmente, las fracturas que presentan permiten plantear hipótesis de uso, muy determinadas hasta ahora por su asociación a la explotación de pequeñas presas y particularmente con los recursos marinos. Esta contribución pretende aportar elementos para la discusión de las técnicas de fabricación aplicadas al hueso al final del Paleolítico y también a la propia evolución y uso de los equipos y aparejos de caza y pesca de la Prehistoria.

In: Olària Puyoles C. (Coord.). Cingle del Mas Nou: Vida y Muerte en el 7000 BP. Un campamento temporal del Mesolítico reciente, inmerso en los procesos. De neolitización, con inhumación colectiva (Parque rupestre de Gassulla, Ares del Maestre, Alto Maestrazgo, Castellón, España)”, 2020

Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology , 2023

In this work, we present a preliminary analysis of the Solutrean antlerworking at Hort de Cortés-... more In this work, we present a preliminary analysis of the Solutrean antlerworking at Hort de Cortés-Volcán del Faro (Valencia, Spain) (ca. 26-21 ka cal BP). A restudy of its archaeological sequence, which came to encompass the Early Upper Palaeolithic to the Magdalenian period, has been a mandatory subject in the last years. This site became an archaeological reference since the beginning of its excavation in the 1960s but has not been systematically studied. The implementation of more specialized studies is used a) to observe the distribution of technical pieces in the stratigraphy and identify possible stratigraphic alterations and b) to restudy a huge lithic, osseous, and faunal collection which can provide new information that may clarify them. The aim is to develop a systematic study, from a technological point of view, to identify and characterize operational schemes and to define the modalities of antlerworking. The technological analysis of waste products, blanks, roughouts, and objects allows us to observe how raw material is obtained and transformed into a toolkit following the refitting by default method. It will help us analyze some questions about the raw material acquisition and transformation like (1) selection between hunted and shed antlers and its possible explanation, (2) the existence of planning of tool manufacture, and (3) the step-by-step production of the debitage. We will extract conclusions and analyze different social aspects: (1) by identifying technical traditions and comparing them with other studied sites and periods and (2) by knowing a new aspect of the way of life of these human groups.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

This paper analyses the Badegoulian and Magdalenian bone industries from a technological perspect... more This paper analyses the Badegoulian and Magdalenian bone industries from a technological perspective. Following the Refitting by default method, we analyse the different product categories (waste products, blanks, roughouts, and objects) to identify technical traditions in both periods and compare them with each other and with other studied sites. The identification of three Operational Schemes of transformation (Fracturing sensu lato, Extraction and Segmentation) arises important information in this sense. This study will enable us to explore different questions: 1-the relationship between hunted fauna for butchering and technical purposes, 2-the existence of planning for manufacturing tools, 3-the presence or absence of a standardised industry, and 4-the link between typology and raw material choice. Finally, it helps to identify possible stratigraphic alterations similar to those that occur during old excavations by observing how the technical pieces are distributed in the stratigraphy.

Quaternary International, 2016

The excavations carried out by L. Pericot from 1929 to 1931 in the Cova del Parpalló documented t... more The excavations carried out by L. Pericot from 1929 to 1931 in the Cova del Parpalló documented the Gravettian in the base, a Solutrean layer, and a Magdalenian. These sequences comprise an exceptional assemblage of portable art because of the number of plaquets/objects and the great chronological amplitude. With all this information, Parpalló was included in the reduced list of reference sites to organize the European Upper Paleolithic sequence in the first half of the 20th century. The Magdalenian layers were organized in four phases, following H. Breuil's classical proposal. Changes in bases morphology and decorative topics on osseous points permitted this correlation, identifying for the first time the oldest Magdalenian in the south of Europe.
With this precedent, we show in this work a preliminary technological and typological study of the Ancient Magdalenian or Badegoulian Parpalló's type osseous industry. The main objective is to identify the operational schemes that characterize the osseous material transformation working. We analyse the different artefact categories which belong to the production operational sequence (wastes, blanks, preforms, and finished objects). We compare these data with a sample of finished objects. They belong to
the production of an assemblage composed of spear points, half-round rods and awls.
The first approach reveals that in Parpallo, debitage by fracturing is predominant. The use of Double Grooving Procedure is documented as well. Both were used to obtain flat blanks to make objects like
simple bevel points, double points or simple based points. We make a valuation between technotypological transformations in lithic industries and radiocarbon dating. This is put in relation to the transformations produced in SW Europe in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Resumen Se dan a conocer dos piezas singulares del Paleolítico superior de la región central medi... more Resumen
Se dan a conocer dos piezas singulares del Paleolítico superior de la región central mediterránea ibérica, que por sus
características tipológicas y decoración permiten establecer la existencia de contactos intergrupales de cierta amplitud
que apuntan al Cantábrico y el sur de Francia. Se trata de un bastón perforado de la cova del Badall (Gandia,
València) y un candil decorado del Magdaleniense de la cova del Parpalló (Gandia, València). Esta última pieza combina
representaciones figurativas y signos cuyos paralelos cabe situar en la propia secuencia del yacimiento y en contextos
magdalenienses septentrionales, lo que indica que en periodos de marcada regionalización regional no dejaron,
sin embargo, de darse contactos intergrupales de elevado interés para comprender la dinámica cultural de
Paleolítico superior del suroeste de Europa.
Palabras clave: Arte mueble paleolítico. Bastón perforado. Tecnología y tipológica de la industria ósea. Candil decorado.
Solutrense. Magdaleniense.
Abstract
We expose here two singular pieces from the central Mediterranean region of the Iberian Peninsula. Both of them are
from the Upper Palaeolithic. Typological and decorative characteristic allow us to stablish the existence of wide intergroup
relationship between this region, cantabric area and the south of France. These pieces are a perforated baton
from Badall cave (Gandia, València) and a decorated tine from the Magdalenian layers of Cova del Parpalló (Gandia,
València). The decorated tine from Parpalló combines figurative representations and signs which parallels can be
located in its own site sequence and septentrional magdalenian contexts. It indicates that when the regionalization is
highest, connections between different groups still happening. These pieces are interesting to establish long-distance
exchange networks between the groups of hunter-gatherers living in south-western Europe.
Keywords: Paleolithic portable art, perforated baton, osseous technology and typology, decorated tine, Solutrean,
Magdalenian.

Actas de las II Jornadas de Jóvenes en …, Jan 1, 2011

Osseous Projectile Weaponry. Towars an Understanding of Pleistocene Variability, 2016

We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence ... more We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence in this archaeological site is one of the most complete in the Upper Paleolithic from the southwest of Europe. We have analyzed 334 pieces from an assemblage that includes well over 2000 fi nished objects, and consider these weapons as a representative sample from two well differentiated Magdalenian phases. The fi rst period studied dates to the Badegoulian (layer 2.40–2.20 m), while the second is Upper Magdalenian (layer 0.80–1.00 m). The main aspects of this analysis are typological evaluation (hafting kinds or bases, sections, mor-phometry) and fracture patterns (position and kinds of fractures , distinguishing between use, post-depositional or recent fractures). These two assemblages are compared before the Upper Magdalenian of Parpalló is contextualized within the rest of the Upper Magdalenian from Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula. The assemblages from Cova de les Cendres and Cueva de Nerja lead us to establish a relationship between the studied sites and create a general vision of the geographic articulation of these cultures, including an evaluation of harpoons and gorges from these archaeological sites.

We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence ... more We have focused our study on the projectile points of Cova de Parpalló. The Magdalenian sequence in this archaeological site is one of the most complete in the Upper Paleolithic from the southwest of Europe. We have analyzed 334 pieces from an assemblage that includes well over 2000 finished objects, and consider these weapons as a representative sample from two well differentiated Magdalenian phases. The first period studied dates to the Badegoulian (layer 2.40–2.20 m), while the second is Upper Magdalenian (layer 0.80–1.00 m). The main aspects of this analysis are typological evaluation (hafting kinds or bases, sections, morphometry) and fracture patterns (position and kinds of fractures, distinguishing between use, post-depositional or recent fractures). These two assemblages are compared before the Upper Magdalenian of Parpalló is contextualized within the rest of the Upper Magdalenian from Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula. The assemblages from Cova de les Cendres and Cueva de Nerja lead us to establish a relationship between the studied sites and create a general vision of the geographic articulation of these cultures, including an evaluation of harpoons and gorges from these archaeological sites

ARTE, PENSAMIENTO SIMBÓLICO Y MODOS DE VIDA EN LA PREHISTORIA, 2024

Cueva de Nerja has one of the largest collections of fine bone points from the Final Paleolithic ... more Cueva de Nerja has one of the largest collections of fine bone points from the Final Paleolithic in southern Europe. They come from the Magdalenian and microlaminar facies levels. They are characterized by an average thickness that does not reach 1.5 mm and they offer a variable length, with extreme cases between 14 and 70 mm. The stigmata observed on the objects surface allows us to make afirst approximation to the debitage and shaping. These tools have been traditionally associated with the exploitation of small preys, particularly marine resources, common in the archaeological assemblage. The studied use-wear fractures allow us to propose hypothesis of use. This contribution pretends to provide new elements to the discussion on manufacture techniques chosen at the end of the Final Paleolithic, its evolution and the use of Prehistoric hunting and fishing toolkits.

De los niveles con industrias microlaminares magdalenienses de la Cueva de Nerja procede uno de los conjuntos más numerosos de puntas finas de hueso conocidos del Paleolítico final del sur de Europa. Su espesor medio no alcanza los 1,5 mm y ofrecen una longitud variable, con casos extremos entre los 14 y 70 mm. Los estigmas presentes en los objetos permiten hacer una primera aproximación al débitage y confección de estos. Igualmente, las fracturas que presentan permiten plantear hipótesis de uso, muy determinadas hasta ahora por su asociación a la explotación de pequeñas presas y particularmente con los recursos marinos. Esta contribución pretende aportar elementos para la discusión de las técnicas de fabricación aplicadas al hueso al final del Paleolítico y también a la propia evolución y uso de los equipos y aparejos de caza y pesca de la Prehistoria.

In: Olària Puyoles C. (Coord.). Cingle del Mas Nou: Vida y Muerte en el 7000 BP. Un campamento temporal del Mesolítico reciente, inmerso en los procesos. De neolitización, con inhumación colectiva (Parque rupestre de Gassulla, Ares del Maestre, Alto Maestrazgo, Castellón, España)”, 2020