Abstract

The Iberomaurusian refers to a Later Stone Age industry characterized by microlithic backed bladelets and to the people who produced this industry, and is recorded at numerous sites from inland and coastal areas of the Maghreb. At Grotte des Pigeons at Taforalt in Morocco, the Iberomaurusian industry is present from at least 21,160 Cal BP and a major sedimentary transition is documented at approximately 15,000 Cal BP leading to the rapid accumulation of massive ashy midden layers known as the ‘Grey Series’. This abrupt change is associated with an intensification of human occupation at the site and evidence for systematic harvesting of wild plants and other resources. Human bone samples from burials in a spatially demarcated area at the back of the cave are dated between 15,077 Cal BP and 13,892 Cal BP implying a simultaneous intensification of funerary and economic activities at Grotte des Pigeons.