Highlighting the role of carnivores as a multifunctional resource among the Middle Magdalenian: The case of the Lower Galley of La Garma (Cantabria, Spain) ( vol 30 , 102221 , 2020)

The Magdalenian of the Cantabrian region is a well-known archaeological period with many sites contributing to the understanding of the economic and social organization dating ca. 14,800 cal BCE. Nevertheless, concerning the faunal management little is known on the role of carnivores as resource during this chronology, although they appear in many sites and archeozoological collections. Generally, carnivores have been related with site formation processes as bone accumulators and modifiers although they also play an important role as a multifunctional resource. The Lower Gallery of La Garma, is a site where exceptional preservation conditions allows archaeologist to analyze and interpret faunal remains with a unique perspective, that shows how carnivores can be seen as a resource linked with meat exploitation, fur procurement, ornament production or social/symbolic activities during the Magdalenian.