Fig 1.
Geographical position of Ardales on the Iberian Peninsula.
In grey Region Autonoma de Andalucia.
Fig 2.
The entrance area of the Cueva de Ardales and the excavation areas.
Fig 3.
Location of a niche with human remains in speleothem pillars along the main stair case.
Table 1.
Radiocarbon dates for human occupations in the Galerías Bajas of Cueva de Ardales.
Fig 4.
Excavation plan and sections: Zone 4.
Fig 5.
Post-excavation view of zone 2.
The plan shows the arrangement of the excavation squares.
Fig 6.
Zone 2 sections.
Table 2.
U/Th Datings of flowstone layers in zone 2 and zone 3 of Cueva de Ardales.
Table 3.
Lithic assemblages found in zone 2.
Layer 1–12 are mixed layers mainly from Holocene context. Layers 13–14 are dated to the Upper Palaeolithic and could represent Solutrean remains. Layers 15–16 were sealed by a flowstone layer and date to the Gravettian.
Table 4.
Potential ochre finds from excavation zone 2,3,5.
Table 5.
Faunal remains (NISP) from excavation zones 2–5 divided by layers.
Fig 7.
Personal adornment made of mollusks.
Left, Gravettian specimens from zone 5, A: Antalis sp.; B: Ditrupa sp.; C: Theodoxus fluviatilis. Right, a double perforated specimen of Trivia monacha found in a disturbed context in zone 2.
Fig 8.
Calcified rope suggesting that the cave was visited in historical times.
Fig 9.
Post-excavation view of zone 5.
The plan shows the arrangement of the excavation squares.
Fig 10.
Sections in zone 5.
Table 6.
Lithic assemblages from zone 5.
Surface layer 1 is a mix of Holocene and Gravettian finds. Layer 2 dates to the Gravettian. Layer 3 is slightly earlier than layer 2 and could belong to an Aurignacian context. Layer 4 dates into the Middle Palaeolithic.
Fig 11.
Special finds from layer 2, zone 5.
a) broken tip of a Gravette point; b) medial fragment of a marginal inversely retouched bladelet; c) perforated red deer canine.
Fig 12.
Post-excavation view of zone 3.
The plan shows the arrangement of the excavation squares.
Fig 13.
Sections in zone 3.
Fig 14.
Lithics from the Middle Paleolithic layers of zone 3.
A: Quartzite core or heavy duty tool, B: Blade, C: Levallois flake, D: Sidescraper.
Table 7.
Lithic assemblage from zone 3.
Finds from the surface layer date mainly to the Holocene. Layers k to 6 all date to the Middle Palaeolithic.
Fig 15.
Radiocarbon dates for the Palaeolithic occupation of Cueva de Ardales.
Fig 16.
Capped stalagmite used as a stationary lamp during the Epipalaeolithic.
Fig 17.
Capped stalagmite used as a stationary lamp during the Neolithic/Copper Age.
Fig 18.
Distribution of rock art sites with non-figurative red paintings and handstencils in Andalusia and Gibraltar: 1: Moro, 2: Estrellas, 3: Palomas I, 4: Palomas IV, 5: Atlanterra, 6: Horadada, 7: Gorham, 8: Pileta, 9, Pecho Redondo, 10: Ardales, 11: Calamorro, 12: Navarro, 13: Victoria, 14: Higuerón, 15: Nerja, 16: Malalmuerzo.
Table 8.
Rock art sites with non-figurative red paintings and handstencils (P = Positive; N = Negative) in Andalusia and Gibraltar.