Ancient Stone Blades in Central Spain Reveal Extensive Paleolithic Social Networks

Discovery at Peña Capón Rock Shelter

Archaeologists have unearthed imported Paleolithic stone blades in central Spain, providing compelling evidence of extensive social networks that connected distant communities across Western Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum. The discovery was made at the Peña Capón rock shelter, located approximately 100 kilometers north of Madrid, in the Upper Tagus River basin, specifically near Muriel, Tamajón, and Guadalajara.

The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, indicate that these stone tools, made from chert, originated from outcrops in southwestern France, a remarkable distance of 600 to 700 kilometers (370 to 435 miles). This represents the longest confirmed distance a stone tool has been found from its source in the European Paleolithic period.

Evidence of Long-Distance Exchange

The research team, including Manuel Alcaraz-Castaño of the University of Alcalá and colleagues, and led by Marta Sánchez de la Torre, analyzed five stone blades made from yellowish chert. The geological 'fingerprints' of the stone matched sources north of the Pyrenees, confirming their French origin. The presence of these 'ultraexotic' raw materials suggests a sustained exchange over a period of about 1,400 years, between 26,000 and 22,000 years ago.

According to Alcaraz-Castaño, 'Their presence some 700 kilometers from their source these societies had a more complex social structure than previously assumed, one that connected diverse groups across very broad territories.' This challenges the traditional view of hunter-gatherer societies as primarily localized.

Implications for Paleolithic Societies

The existence of such extensive networks implies a sophisticated level of social organization among Ice Age Europeans. Researchers propose that these connections facilitated more than just the exchange of goods; they likely fostered the circulation of information, enabled kinship ties, and potentially involved shared identity and belief systems.

During the bitterly cold conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum, these long-distance social ties may have served as a crucial 'safety net,' helping communities mitigate subsistence risks and ensuring survival by sharing knowledge about the land, animal migration patterns, and even potential mates.

Life at Peña Capón

During the period when these tools were in use, the inhabitants of the Peña Capón rock shelter engaged in activities such as fishing for salmon and hunting animals like deer, horses, and rabbits. The site's location by the Sorbe River provided access to these resources. The challenging conditions of the excavation, which required crossing a reservoir by boat and working during specific months due to water levels, underscore the dedication to uncovering these ancient connections.