Southeastern Iberian during a stadial phase
Palaeolandscape reconstruction of the southeastern Iberian coastal mountains during a Neanderthal stadial phase. Based on a synthesis of data by Carrión et al. (2024c), with emphasis on pollen data from Sima de las Palomas (Carrión et al., 2003). The landscape is dominated by woody plants, including trees such as Quercus faginea, Q. ilex, Q. suber, Q. coccifera, Pinus pinaster, P. nigra, Fraxinus, Corylus, and Juniperus species. The thermophilous Mediterranean scrub shows high diversity, including Ibero-North African taxa like Periploca angustifolia (foreground, left). Representative fauna includes goats, deer, rabbits, and foxes.
Carrión JS, Amorós G, Amorós A, Marín-Arroyo AB. Beyond the Cold Steppes: Neanderthal Landscapes and the Neglect of Flora. Quaternary Science Reviews, invited paper. Volume 371, January 2026, 109673
