The Mousterian site of Roca San Miguel (Aren, Huesca Pre-Pyrenees)

The Mousterian archaeological site of Roca San Miguel (RSM) is located in the upper course of the Noguera Ribagorzana River, in the Pre-Pyrenean area of Huesca Province. Although nowadays an open-air site, a currently eroded sandstone projection formed a rock shelter habited by Neanderthals. Three archaeological trenches have been excavated: among them, the upper and intermediate ones provide the most relevant information. Five stratigraphic units have been identified, comprising several archaeological levels. The OSL ages of Unit A, with numerous hearths, indicate a chronology consistent with the Penultimate Glacial Period (PGP) under an extremely cold climate. Unit B has not been excavated yet. Unit C contains many lithic and faunal remains and is consistent with the Eemian up to the MIS 5d in the Last Glacial Period (LGP). Unit D gathers materials coming from the upper slope and establishes the abandonment of the site 81.2 +/- 4.7 ka ago. Lastly, Unit E covered the area during the MIS 2, when the site was partially eroded. The OSL age of the Qt5 fluvial terrace, located in the site surroundings, relates the site with the Segre-Cinca terrace system and the glacial phase of its headbasins. All this information allows to draw a geoarchaeological evolutionary model covering from the MIS 6d up to the MIS Sa. Thus, the archaeological site represents today the oldest Neanderthal occupation of the Pre-Pyrenean area, supported by an accurate chronological framework.

Automated summary

The Mousterian archaeological site of Roca San Miguel (RSM) is located in the Pre-Pyrenean area of Huesca Province, representing the oldest Neanderthal occupation in the region. Through excavations and analysis, a geoarchaeological evolutionary model from the Penultimate Glacial Period to the Last Glacial Period has been delineated.