Hunter-gatherer adaptations and the Younger Dryas in central and southern Portugal

Only a small number of archaeological sites in Portugal are dated to the Younger Dryas (12,800- 11,600 cal BP). In contrast, many sites are dated prior to or after the event. Because highly flexible cultural, economic and technological systems characterize the regional Upper Paleolithic, it seems humans were able to adapt to the increased aridity, lowered temperatures, and important changes in vegetation that took place during the Younger Dryas. The present study focuses on human adaptation to environmental change across the cold episode of the Younger Dryas in Central and southern Portugal. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.