A road to nowhere? The non-transitional sequence at El Esquilleu (Cantabria, Spain)

El Esquilleu cave has one of the most complete Middle Paleolithic stratigraphies northern Iberia with a chronological framework almost continuous from beginning MIS3. The analysis materials including last section sequence corresponding to interval occupation in region shows clear evolutionary tendencies by important changes composition lithic assemblage. Its study confirms without any gaps during Mousterian until recent dates but Upper presence. This sequence, referenced settlement Picos de Europa mountains, testifies existence presence no relation other Cantabrian areas. Consequently, its break crucial phase end suggests non-transitional process history local Neanderthal groups.