Fragmentary bodies or fragmentary perceptions? Mortuary practices of early mesolithic communities in South-western Iberia (c. 11,200–8500 cal BP)

•First ever direct radiocarbon dates are reported for southwest Iberian Early Mesolithic human remains.•No confirmed primary burials have been found for the SW Iberian Early Mesolithic.•Early Mesolithic fragmentary and disconnected remains resemble the Final Upper Palaeolithic’s pattern.•Post-depositional taphonomy seems unable to entirely explain this apparent pattern of loose bones.•This dissimilarity reflect distintct territorial attitudes and lifestyles between Early and Late Mesolithic of SW Iberia.