Agriculture and livestock economy among prehistoric herders based on plant macro-remains from El Mirador (Atapuerca, Burgos)

Plant macro-remains including charcoal, fruits and seeds from El Mirador contribute to the study of different aspects related to Neolithic and Bronze Age human groups. The El Mirador deposit has yielded a sequence from 3390-3140 to 7970-7770 yrs cal BP, which was formed by dung layers that were systematically burned, producing a fumier, a unique context for the preservation of archaeobotanical material. The anthracological record provides data recording abundant evidence of deciduous and evergreen oaks with slight modifications over time. The seed and fruit record includes crop plants, synanthropic plants and wild fruits. Both assemblages make it possible to thoroughly analyze the uses of plants in relation to a mixed economy based on agriculture and herding. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.