This volume aims to offer an up-to-date summary of knowledge relating to human predatory societies settled in Iberia. The archaeological record of the region is essential for the reconstruction of human evolution in Europe in biological, behavioural and cultural domains as it reserves the earliest and more significant records of the humanization of the continent and because it allows the reconstruction of the main trends in that process. This is possible thanks to a rich, large and complete record, encompassing all the stages of that development and all the adaptive and cultural modes. Moreover, the discovery of that record is amongst the earliest known archaeological occurrences in the history of archaeology. The book offers a systematic presentation of the current empirical data written by the same research teams already working every year on site excavations. Included is current knowledge of the main archaeo-palaeontological sites with the most significant records. Sites are arranged in eight physiographic and geological regions, with the aim of making clear the adaptive ways of human societies to similar environments. Over 400 illustrations, tables and figures, most in colour.

This volume presents the proceedings of the Workshop of the UISPP Commission XXXII held at Greifswald in 2002 which focused on man's reaction to the dramatic climatic, and subsequent environmental, change that marked the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the warmer Holocene. Focusing on northern and central Europe, contributors discuss the types of changes that took place in vegetation, fauna and landscape across this region before looking at specific case studies. These examine, for example, the problems of dating environmental deposits or bone artefacts. Sites discussed include Lundby and Bornholm in Denmark, Norregard, the Polish plain, Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg in Germany, the Havelland, northern Germany and Italy. A final study examines evidence from this transitional period further afield on the Japanese islands. All papers are in English.

The people who inhabited Southwest Europe from 30,000 to 13,000 years ago are often portrayed as big game hunters – and indeed, in some locations (Cantabrian Spain, the Pyrenees, the Dordogne) the archaeological record supports this interpretation. But in other places, notably Mediterranean Iberia, the inhabitants focused their hunting efforts on smaller game, such as rabbits, fish, and birds. Were they less effective hunters? Were these environments depleted of red deer and other large game? Or is this evidence of Paleolithic people’s adaptability? This volume explores these questions, along the way delving into the history of the “bigger equals better” assumption; optimal foraging theory and niche construction theory; and patterns of environmental and subsistence change across the Pleistocene-Holocene transition.