Lorraine Williamson
In a groundbreaking discovery, fossilised remains of reindeer have been unearthed in the Sierra de Atapuerca, close to the Spanish city of Burgos.
This find challenges centuries of belief, as reindeer have traditionally been linked to colder northern regions, far removed from southern Europe. The discovery sheds new light on the climatic conditions of ancient Iberia, offering a surprising glimpse into life on the peninsula during the Pleistocene era.
An ancient relic: The reindeer tooth
Among the fossilised remains, scientists found a tooth of a reindeer (Rangifer), aged between 243,000 and 300,000 years. Published in the scientific journal Quaternary, this fossil represents the oldest evidence of reindeer on the Iberian Peninsula and, notably, the southernmost specimen ever discovered in Eurasia. The significance of this find cannot be overstated: it rewrites our understanding of the animal’s range, previously thought to be confined to colder northern climates.
Coexisting with early humans
What makes this discovery even more remarkable is the context in which it was found. The reindeer tooth was discovered in the same layer of earth that contained part of a human skull and various stone tools. This suggests that reindeer once roamed the Iberian Peninsula alongside early humans, providing critical evidence that these cold-resistant animals adapted to the region’s climate, which must have mirrored the icy conditions of the Ice Age.
Pushing back the arrival of reindeer
Previously, scientists believed reindeer first appeared in southern Spain around 190,000 years ago, based on finds in caves like Mollet and El Castillo. The discovery in Atapuerca has moved this timeline forward by at least 100,000 years, proving that reindeer were present in southern Europe much earlier than anticipated. This revelation provides fresh insights into the migration patterns of Ice Age animals and their ability to thrive in more temperate climates.
Southern Europe as a refuge
Research from leading institutions, including the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), CENIEH, and IPHES-CERCA, suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as a refuge for species not suited to extreme cold. The presence of reindeer further south than previously believed points to a broader migration of cold-adapted species across Europe. The region served as a sanctuary, offering a climate more conducive to survival during the most intense ice ages.
The mammoth steppe
The discovery of reindeer in Atapuerca also offers new insights into the ecosystem of the “mammoth steppe.” This vast region, which spanned much of Europe, was home to some of the most iconic Ice Age creatures: mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, and reindeer. These animals even reached as far south as Madrid and Granada, far beyond the previously established range. The reindeer fossils in Atapuerca further confirm the southern expansion of these species, reshaping our understanding of their distribution during the Pleistocene.
Revising climate understanding of the Iberian Peninsula
For Dutch researcher Jan van der Made, who works at the MNCN-CSIC, the reindeer fossil offers a key to understanding the intensity of the glacial periods on the Iberian Peninsula. This find not only helps with the precise dating of geological layers but also serves as a reminder of the severity of past climate changes that impacted the continent’s ecosystems. The presence of reindeer in southern Spain is an important marker in the study of glacial periods and the adaptations of species to fluctuating climates.
A shifting view of Iberia’s Ice Age past
This discovery in Atapuerca rewrites the historical narrative of Ice Age Europe, revealing that reindeer were present in southern Spain long before scientists previously thought. It not only challenges our understanding of animal migration patterns but also offers a glimpse into the climate and ecosystems that shaped life in Iberia during the Pleistocene. With ongoing research, this fascinating find will continue to offer new insights into the past, reshaping our perceptions of how life once thrived on the Iberian Peninsula.
Source: Informacion.es