The discovery of the Magdalenian Girl, also known as the Red Lady of El Mirón, offers a direct glimpse into the lives of people inhabiting Europe thousands of years ago. Her remains provide valuable insights, helping researchers reconstruct aspects of human existence during the Upper Paleolithic period, shedding light on ancient human adaptations and cultures.
Unearthing the Magdalenian Girl
The remains of the Magdalenian Girl were discovered in 2010 within El Mirón Cave, Cantabria, Spain. The initial finding involved a jaw and tibia, both covered in red ochre, in a narrow space behind a large limestone block. This cave has a long cultural sequence, showing continuous human occupation from the Middle Paleolithic through to the early Bronze Age, including rich Magdalenian levels.
The excavation team, co-directed by Lawrence Straus and Manuel González Morales, found over 100 bones of the woman. This indicated an intentional burial, an unusual practice as Magdalenian people rarely buried their dead in caves where they lived. The bones, dated to approximately 18,700 years ago, were coated with a red, iron-based pigment, leading to her moniker, the “Red Lady of El Mirón.”
Life in the Magdalenian Era
The Magdalenian period, part of the Upper Paleolithic, spanned approximately 17,000 to 12,000 years ago, coinciding with the end of the last Ice Age. Much of continental Europe experienced tundra-like conditions, with cold, dry weather and abundant reindeer herds. This environment required Magdalenian people to be adaptable hunter-gatherers.
They lived a nomadic lifestyle, often residing in caves or rock shelters, and established temporary seasonal camps during warmer hunting months. Their tool-making techniques were advanced, utilizing materials such as flint, bone, and antler to create efficient weapons and implements like spear-points, harpoon-heads, and needles. Magdalenian sites frequently contain evidence of hunting red deer, ibex, chamois, wild horses, and fishing for salmon.
The Magdalenian culture is also recognized for its artistic achievements, including elaborate cave paintings and portable art. Famous sites like Lascaux and Altamira showcase vibrant depictions of animals such as bison, reindeer, and extinct aurochs. Portable art included carved figurines, decorated tools, and engraved stones and bones, often featuring animals like seals, fish, and mammoths.
What Her Remains Revealed
Analysis of the Red Lady’s remains provided key information. Researchers initially estimated her age at death to be around 15-16 years, but later analysis, specifically of her wisdom teeth, indicated she was likely between 35 and 40 years old. This re-evaluation of her age suggested a potential shift in human diet earlier than previously thought.
Isotopic analysis of her bone collagen offered insights into her diet, showing her primary protein source was the meat of large terrestrial herbivores. While ibex, red deer, and fish were consumed, the analysis indicated that saiga antelope, though abundant in faunal remains at her site, was not her main protein source. This dietary pattern suggests a less opportunistic hunting behavior than attributed to humans of that period.
Genetic studies of Magdalenian individuals, including those from the El Mirón Cluster, indicate a close relationship to populations that lived in Northern Europe around 20,000 years prior. These studies propose that Magdalenian peoples descended primarily from earlier Western European Cro-Magnon groups, like the Gravettians, who sought refuge in southwestern Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Her Enduring Historical Significance
The discovery of the Magdalenian Girl enhances our understanding of human populations in Ice Age Europe. Her well-preserved burial, a rare occurrence for the Magdalenian period, provides unique insights into mortuary practices and social distinctions within these ancient communities. The red ochre on her bones and the engraved limestone block near her burial suggest special treatment, indicating her importance.
Her remains contribute to knowledge of human migration patterns across the continent, particularly how populations survived and expanded after the Last Glacial Maximum. The scientific details gleaned from her skeleton, such as dietary information and age at death, allow for a more nuanced reconstruction of daily life and adaptations of individuals during this challenging era. Her story offers a window into the experiences of people who lived nearly 19,000 years ago.