From archival historiography to 3D modelling: An accurate reconstruction of the Palaeolithic landscape in El Castillo Cave to explore the spatial dynamics of hand stencil dispersion

IF 2.6 1区地球科学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY

Journal of Archaeological Science Pub Date : 2025-02-27 DOI:10.1016/j.jas.2025.106189

Olga Spaey , Martin Arriolabengoa , Iñaki Intxaurbe , Sergio Salazar , Antonio Torres , Aritz Irurtzun , Diego Garate

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Abstract

We propose a comprehensive approach for the reconstruction of the prehistoric state of El Castillo Cave (Puente Viesgo, Cantabria) that allows a precise spatial analysis of the distribution of its parietal motifs.

The cave has undergone numerous changes over time due to both geological and anthropic processes, which have altered its original appearance. In the aim of understanding how Palaeolithic societies used the space for creating rock art, we combined the study of historical archival data of different types with modern scanning and 3D modelling techniques.

We began carrying out field data recollection, as well as archival research, including historical photographs, maps, excavation records and written and oral sources, supplemented by geomorphological analyses to assess natural and anthropic alterations of the cavity. In a second phase, using a 3D modelling software, we developed a three-dimensional model where we virtually removed modern modifications (e.g., staircases and lighting) and restored ancient soil levels, to reconstruct the cave as it likely appeared during the Upper Palaeolithic period. This work served as a basis for spatial analyses of the hand stencil motifs through Geographic Information Systems. This approach provides promising results in terms of interpretation of different types of space by suggesting they are a motif particularly easily accessible for a large viewership, therefore bringing us closer to the apprehension of prehistoric human behaviour and symbolic practices.

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来源期刊

Journal of Archaeological Science 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

7.10%

发文量

112

审稿时长

49 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Archaeological Science is aimed at archaeologists and scientists with particular interests in advancing the development and application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. This established monthly journal publishes focus articles, original research papers and major review articles, of wide archaeological significance. The journal provides an international forum for archaeologists and scientists from widely different scientific backgrounds who share a common interest in developing and applying scientific methods to inform major debates through improving the quality and reliability of scientific information derived from archaeological research.