Subsistence strategies in the early upper Paleolithic of central Iberia: Evidence from Abrigo de la Malia

Knowledge of early Anatomically Modern Humans settlements in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula remains limited. Traditional perspectives have long assumed that this region, known as the Iberian Plateau, was abandoned after the disappearance of Neanderthals and remained largely uninhabited until the end of the Last Glacial. In contrast, coastal areas have so far been the primary focus of archeological studies, as they are where the majority of known sites are located and where the most research has been conducted on subsistence practices. The recent discovery of the Abrigo de la Malia rock shelter site (Tamajón, Guadalajara) has challenged this paradigm, providing evidence of occupation in Central Iberia during the Aurignacian and Gravettian periods (36,200–26,260 cal BP). This work is focused on the zooarcheological and taphonomic analysis of the Paleolithic faunal assemblage from the Malia rock shelter, aiming to reconstruct the subsistence strategies of the earliest Anatomically Modern Humans inhabiting central Iberia during the early Upper Paleolithic. The results indicate anthropogenic activities focused on the processing of medium- and large-sized ungulates, with carnivores either playing a marginal role. The combined data suggest that the Malia rock shelter was used for short but recurrent occupations, likely by small groups engaged in hunting expeditions. This study highlights the adaptability of these populations who inhabited this region during MIS-3 as they faced severe climatic conditions while exploiting the available environmental resources.