A new multidisciplinary study led by Iván Rey Rodríguez (Mapas Lab,University of Vigo) and Hugo Bal García (University of Santiago de Compostela) has revealed how the last Neanderthals lived in the mountains of eastern Galicia around 41,000 years ago. Conducted at the emblematic Cova Eirós site (Triacastela, Lugo), the research is published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

The analysis of over 1,000 faunal remains from Layer 3 of the cave allowed researchers to reconstruct the climate and environment Neanderthals inhabited. They lived in a considerably colder setting—with an estimated 3 °C lower average annual temperature—but with similar rainfall to current levels. The region functioned as a climatic refuge, maintaining a relatively rich ecosystem of open forests and wet meadows, which supported the survival of these human groups longer than in other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

The data also indicate high mobility and extensive use of the territory by Neanderthals, who exploited a wide range of resources, with deer as their main prey, but also including cave bears. The cave’s ecotonal location (between ecosystems) provided access to a greater diversity of resources.

Iván Rey, a micropaleontologist and member of the UVigo’s “Terra” research group, contributed by analyzing small mammal teeth to reconstruct the paleoecology and climate of the site. He describes the project as highlinterdisciplinary, involving specialists from multiple institutions across Spain.

📌 Source: DUVI