DOCSLIB.ORG

Manuei Santonja the Iberian Peninsula

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Manuei Santonja the Iberian Peninsula Luis Raposo 1 The earliest occupation of Europe: Manuei Santonja the Iberian peninsula A review of the Iberian evidence demonstrates that the the lack of solid dating evidence (sites in the Portuguese oldest traces ofhuman occupation date from the earlier littoral and the Cadiz region), or because of doubts relating part of the Middle Pleistocene. Though rare, the oldest to the artificial character of the finds (the Guadix-Baza lithic industries appear in all important river valleys of the sites), or because the few and isolated lithic artefacts found Continental interior. Larger assemblages already contain in the interior of the Iberian peninsula will have to be Acheulean bifaces, implying that the idea of an Iberian disregarded (Santonja and Querol 1982) as they are pre-Acheulean industrial ('pebble-culture') stage must be insufficiënt evidence to support a hypothesis. In our present treated with caution. state of knowledge, it can be argued that the most ancient palaeolithic sites in Iberia can be dated to the beginning of 1. Introduction the Middle Pleistocene. No sound evidence supports older In the last two decades, it has become common practice dates (Santonja and Villa 1990; Aguirre 1991; Rolland (o poslulale the existence of archaic lithic industries in the 1992; Carbonell Roura 1992). Iberian peninsula, documenting an ancient human Severe limitations exist for the chronologica] framework occupation. These ideas were partially due to the of the Middle Pleistocene in Iberia, and sites are often conception of an original Iberian Acheulean ("meridional difficult to date accurately within that period. With the Acheulean", F. Bordes 1971), presumably related to the exception of Atapuerca and Bolomor, these sites are all North African Acheulean, and based on the occurrence of open-air localities and mostly related to fluvial sequences. a high percentage of cleavers (Alimen 1975) and on the Their chronological position is mainly determined by abundant use of quartzite as raw material. These ideas were relative criteria. Absolute dating evidence for the initial considerably slrenghtened as a consequence of the impact Middle Pleistocene (prior to OIS 9) is only available from caused in Iberia by Biberson's work in the 1960s in the site of Atapuerca (Burgos) and the Guadalquivir Morocco, where he claimed to have defined a "civilisation terraces. Two projects are presently in progress in order to du galet aménagé" (Biberson 1961), older than the obtain more absolute dates: one is concerned with such Acheulean and apparently very similar to the Pebble classic and important sites as Torralba and Ambrona Industries reported in the Portuguese littoral since the 1940s (Soria), Bolomor (Valencia) and Cuesta de la Bajada (Breuil and Zbyszewski 1942-45). (Teruel), the other is directed towards the open-air sites The later discovery of some identical finds, i.e. pebble located in the Spanish sector of the Tagus basin. tools, in the higher terraces of the Guadalquivir river Nevertheless, when the Middle Pleistocene sites of Iberia (Bordes and Viguier 1971) and, more importantly, the are studied in detail, they may provide evidence for placing identification (Bordes and Thibault 1977) and subsequent them in a relative temporal sequence and it might thus be excavation (Querol and Santonja 1983) of the site of El possible to differentiate between different major moments Aculadero in the littoral near Cadiz, contributed to the within that time-period. Even with these scarce data it recognition (or at least to the positive expectation) of an might be possible to order the sites chronologically for the archaic human occupation in the Iberian peninsula: an entire Middle Pleistocene, from its initial phases onwards. occupation dating back to the Early Pleistocene, culturally defined as pre-Acheulean. Reeently, the same idea has been 2. Towards a relative chronology reinforced by the discoveries in the Guadix-Baza depression The sequences of terraces known in detail, mainly from of a small fragment of an occipital bone, supposedly human the Iberian Continental interior, give us the most complete (Gibert 1985; Vega Toscano 1989), as well as of some data presently available for placing the lithic industries in a lithic artefacts (Carbonell et al. 1982). chronological order. In addition, factors such as faunal Today, however, it is widely believed that none of these associations, pedologic characteristics of the soils and some finds can be accepted as proof of such antiquity because of morphostratigraphic particularities of each area, can also bc 8 THE EARLIEST OCCUPATION OF EUROPE used for a correlation between different fluvial valleys INITIAL MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE (prior to OIS 13): and/or distinct ten-aces levels. faunal associations of the Hence the knowledge of the different terrace systems - "C" group: Mimomys savini with Pitymys gregaloides constitutes one of the most important elements in the and Pliomys episcopalis, together with evolved Mammuthus chronologica] order of the palaeolithic sites. In general, it meridionalis and, at the end of this time-period, can bc said that the present Iberian hydrographic systems Mammuthus trogontherii, Dicerorhinus hemitoechus, Bison began to be formed after the deposition of the Villa- schoetensacki voigstedtensis, different Cervidae, such as franchian high detritic surfaces ("ranas"), dated to 2.5/2 Megaceros, Dama clactoniana and Cervus elaphus. Myr BP (Pérez Gonzaïez 1982 and 1982a; Molina 1991). Documented in sites such as Atapuerca TD-3 to TD-6, Therefore, the highest river terraces in each major Iberian Huéscar 1 and Cueva del Congosto. river can be attributed to the beginning of the Pleistocene. From that moment on a sedimentary process began, LATE MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE: primarily controlled by tectonic factors and by the nature of faunal associations of the groups the geological substratum. Climatic changes only had a - "D": Arvicola moshachensis (= A. terrestris secondary influence on this process. According to the canüana) instead of Mimomys savini, together with number of terrace levels listed, three different terrace Panthera (Leo) fossilis, Mammuthus trogontherii, Elephas sequence formation models were identified in the antiquus, some archaic horses - Equus altidens, Equus continental Iberian interior (Pérez Gonzaïez et al. 1982): suessenbornensis - and Dicerorhinus etruscus, Bison priscus, different Cervidae, etc. Documented in such sites 1. The valleys with a large number of terrace levels (more as Cüllar de Baza I, Pinedo, Torralba and Ambrona (lower than 20), with the highest at more than 150 m above the levels) and present river level. - "E": similar to the preceding, without Praemegaceros 2. The valleys with an intermediate number of terraces and Dolichodoriceros, but with Oryctolagus cuniculus, (8 to 10), and Equus caballus germanicus and Capreolus capreolus. 3. Valleys with only a few terraces, with the highest at a Documented in such sites as Aridos, Solana del mere 40 meters above the present river level. Zamborino, Atapuerca TD-TG 10-11 and TN-2 to 6, Pinilla This great diversity causes enormous problems, not only del Valle, Ambrona (upper levels). in the correlation between different river valleys, but also in INITIAL LATE PLEISTOCENE: the correlation between different geomorphological sectors faunal association of the within the same valley. Nonetheless, it is possible to make - "F" group: including the last Elephas (P.) antiquus some general correlations and, in the case of the more and Dicerorhinus hemitoechus, with the appearance of developed valleys, it is even possible to isolate different Rangifer tarandus, Capra pyrenaica, Rupicapra rupicapra, series of terraces, based on the dimension of their Equus caballus gallicus. escarpments, and to attribute them to consecutive periods Documented in Zafarraya, Carihuela, Cova Negra, within the Middle Pleistocene. Lezetxiki, Valdegoba, La Ermita, Abri Romani, etc. The almost complete lack of significant faunal asso- However, the biostratigraphical limitations of these ciations in most open-air fluvial palaeolithic sites makes it groups are stressed by Aguirre himself, either because very difficult to use any biostratigraphic reference tables, of the uncertainty and chronological overlapping between such as for instance the one established by E. Aguirre several groups, or because of the clearly occurring (1989): different "transitional" assemblages, especially those EARLY PLEISTOCENE: from around the Early/Middle Pleistocene boundary. faunal associations of the groups In addition, it must be emphasised that almost all the - "A": Allophaiomys pliocaenicus, together with associations used to establish the oldest phases are found Villafranchian carnivora like Acinonyx, Viretailurus in purely palaeontological sites. The few Iberian open-air schaubi, Xenocyon rosi. lower palaeolithic sites with important faunal assemblages, Documented in sites such as Cueva Victoria, Orce 4, well-placed morphostratigraphically in the local terrace Incamal and Bagur 2 and sequences and containing convincing anthropogenic - "B": Allophaiomys pliocaenicus, without Villa- evidence, are all too recent to be considered in this frachian carnivora, but with Cuon priscus, Mosbach wolf paper. and new Bovidae, such as Capra and Soergelia. To summarise, it can be concluded that the discussion Documented in sites such as Venta Micena 2, Barranco concerning the most ancient human occupation of Iberia is León and Orce 7. limited, primarily by the insufficiency of the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Blades), Side Scrapers
    226 • PaleoAnthropology 2008 Figure 5. Tool types assigned to the Tres Ancien Paléolithique and the Lower Paleolithic. blades), side scrapers (single, double, and transverse), In Romanian archaeology, it is used as a synonym for the backed knives (naturally backed and with retouched back), Pebble Culture and is meant to designate Mode I indus- and notches/denticulates (Figure 6). tries, as can be inferred from the typology of the material (see Figure 5). Discussion A very difficult issue is learning what meaning under- tErMINoLOGY lies the term Lower Paleolithic itself. In order to clarify this This is a topic that is still very unclear for the Lower Pa- problem, one must look back a few decades, when there leolithic record of Romania. Inconsistencies regarding the was a belief that the cultures that postdate the Pebble Cul- terms are mentioned here. ture were the Abbevillian, Acheulian and Clactonian, all emerging from Pebble Culture industries. After the cul- tres Ancien Paléolithique (tAP) tural meaning of the Abbevillian and the Clactonian were This term refers, sensu Bonifay (Bonifay and Vandermeer- challenged, in Romanian archaeology the framing of this sch 1991), to industries that were prior to the emergence period became more cautious. There was no explicit shift of developed Acheulian bifaces and Levallois technology. defended in publications, but gradually the two terms fell Figure 6. Tool types assigned to the Premousterian. Lower Paleolithic of Romania • 227 out of use in defining distinct industries and became just supposed to be either Clactonian or Premousterian. Some- a typological and a technical description, respectively. At times, due to the particular morphology of the piece, ad- the same time, the existence of the Acheulian north of the ditional interpretations were made regarding the piece’s Danube was no longer claimed, but the term still was used various presumed functions, such as cutting, crushing and in classification of bifaces.
    [Show full text]
  • The Basques of Lapurdi, Zuberoa, and Lower Navarre Their History and Their Traditions
    Center for Basque Studies Basque Classics Series, No. 6 The Basques of Lapurdi, Zuberoa, and Lower Navarre Their History and Their Traditions by Philippe Veyrin Translated by Andrew Brown Center for Basque Studies University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada This book was published with generous financial support obtained by the Association of Friends of the Center for Basque Studies from the Provincial Government of Bizkaia. Basque Classics Series, No. 6 Series Editors: William A. Douglass, Gregorio Monreal, and Pello Salaburu Center for Basque Studies University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada 89557 http://basque.unr.edu Copyright © 2011 by the Center for Basque Studies All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Cover and series design © 2011 by Jose Luis Agote Cover illustration: Xiberoko maskaradak (Maskaradak of Zuberoa), drawing by Paul-Adolph Kaufman, 1906 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Veyrin, Philippe, 1900-1962. [Basques de Labourd, de Soule et de Basse Navarre. English] The Basques of Lapurdi, Zuberoa, and Lower Navarre : their history and their traditions / by Philippe Veyrin ; with an introduction by Sandra Ott ; translated by Andrew Brown. p. cm. Translation of: Les Basques, de Labourd, de Soule et de Basse Navarre Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: “Classic book on the Basques of Iparralde (French Basque Country) originally published in 1942, treating Basque history and culture in the region”--Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-877802-99-7 (hardcover) 1. Pays Basque (France)--Description and travel. 2. Pays Basque (France)-- History. I. Title. DC611.B313V513 2011 944’.716--dc22 2011001810 Contents List of Illustrations..................................................... vii Note on Basque Orthography.........................................
    [Show full text]
  • C H a P T E R VII Comparison of Stone Age Cultures the Cultural
    158 CHAPTER VII Comparison of Stone Age Cultures The cultural horizons ami pleistocene sequences of the Upper Son Valley are compared with the other regions to know their positions in the development of Stone Age Cultures* However, ft must not be forgotten that the industries of various regions were more or less in­ fluenced by the local factors: the environment, geology f topography, vegetation, climate and animals; hence some vsriitions are bound to occur in them* The comparison is first made with industries within India and then with those outside India. i) Within India • Punjab Potwar The Potwar region, which lies between the Indus and Jhebm, including the Salt Range, was examined by Oe Terra and Pater son. The latter has recently published a revised 2 stuiy of the cultural horizons. 1. De Terra, H., and Paterson, T.T., 1939, Studies on the Ice Age in India and Associated Human Culture, pp.252-312 2. Paterson, T.T., and Drummond, H.J.H., 1962, Soan,the Palaeolithic of Pakistan. These scholars had successfully located six terraces (Including TD) in the Sohan Valley: "nowhere else in the Potwar is the leistocene history so well recorded as along the So&n Hiver and its tributaries.w The terraces TD and TI placed in the Second Glacial and Second Inter- glacial, respectively fall in the Middle Pleistocene, terraces ? and 3 originated in Third Glacial and Inter- glaual period. Th succeeding terrace viz., T4 has bean connected with the Fourth Glacial period. The last terrace - T5 - belongs to Post-glacLal and Holacene time. The oldest artifacts are located in the Boulder Con­ glomerate and are placed in the earliest Middle Pleisto­ cene or Lower Pleistocene.
    [Show full text]
  • Palacio De Bornos D.O. Rueda Señorío De Sarría D.O. Navarra Bodegas Lleiroso D.O. Ribera Del Duero Dominio De Bornos D.O
    PALACIO DE BORNOS D.O. RUEDA SEÑORÍO DE SARRÍA D.O. NAVARRA BODEGAS LLEIROSO D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO DOMINIO DE BORNOS D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO MARTÍNEZ CORTA D.O.C. RIOJA OROT D.O. TORO GUELBENZU FINCA LA LOMBANA 7 WINERIES • 6 WINE REGIONS • OVER 500 HECTARES OF OWN VINES • DISTRIBUTION IN OVER 25 COUNTRIES Bornos is a Wine Group in which the different wineries making up SEÑORÍO BODEGAS DOMINIO LLEIROSO DE SARRÍA the group continue to maintain their own history, character and DE BORNOS D.O. NAVARRA D.O. RIBERA D.O. RIBERA positioning in the market. At the same time, however, they are all DEL DUERO DEL DUERO OROT managed by a common philosophy and work methods that place D.O. TORO MARTÍNEZ CORTA high value on quality, innovation, sustainability, and customer D.O.C. RIOJA GUELBENZU PALACIO FINCA DE BORNOS LA LOMBANA satisfaction. The Group is growing and evolving in order to adapt D.O. RUEDA to the market’s new trends, tastes and requirements. BORNOS BODEGAS & VIÑEDOS COMPRISES SIX WINE REGIONS AND SEVEN WINERIES Palacio de Bornos (D.O. Rueda), Señorío de Sarría (D.O. Navarra), Bodegas Lleiroso and Dominio de Bornos (D.O. Ribera del Duero), Martínez Corta (D.O.C. Rioja), Orot (D.O. Toro) and Guelbenzu (Finca La Lombana). PALACIO DE BORNOS | 2 PALACIO DE BORNOS SEÑORÍO DE SARRÍA BODEGAS LLEIROSO DOMINIO DE BORNOS D.O. RUEDA D.O. NAVARRA D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO [PAG. 4-6] [PAG. 7-9] [PAG. 10-11] [PAG. 12-13] MARTÍNEZ CORTA OROT GUELBENZU D.O.C.
    [Show full text]
  • A CRITICAL EVALUATION of the LOWER-MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD of the CHALK UPLANDS of NORTHWEST EUROPE Lesley
    A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE LOWER-MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD OF THE CHALK UPLANDS OF NORTHWEST EUROPE The Chilterns, Pegsdon, Bedfordshire (photograph L. Blundell) Lesley Blundell UCL Thesis submitted for the degree of PhD September 2019 2 I, Lesley Blundell, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Signed: 3 4 Abstract Our understanding of early human behaviour has always been and continues to be predicated on an archaeological record unevenly distributed in space and time. More than 80% of British Lower-Middle Palaeolithic findspots were discovered during the late 19th/early 20th centuries, the majority from lowland fluvial contexts. Within the British planning process and some academic research, the resultant findspot distributions are taken at face value, with insufficient consideration of possible bias resulting from variables operating on their creation. This leads to areas of landscape outside the river valleys being considered to have only limited archaeological potential. This thesis was conceived as an attempt to analyse the findspot data of the Lower-Middle Palaeolithic record of the Chalk uplands of southeast Britain and northern France within a framework complex enough to allow bias in the formation of findspot distribution patterns and artefact preservation/discovery opportunities to be identified and scrutinised more closely. Taking a dynamic, landscape = record approach, this research explores the potential influence of geomorphology, 19th/early 20th century industrialisation and antiquarian collecting on the creation of the Lower- Middle Palaeolithic record through the opportunities created for artefact preservation and release.
    [Show full text]
  • The Earliest Evidence of Acheulian Occupation in Northwest
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The earliest evidence of Acheulian occupation in Northwest Europe and the rediscovery of the Moulin Received: 5 December 2017 Accepted: 19 August 2019 Quignon site, Somme valley, France Published: xx xx xxxx Pierre Antoine1, Marie-Hélène Moncel2, Pierre Voinchet2, Jean-Luc Locht1,3, Daniel Amselem2, David Hérisson 4, Arnaud Hurel2 & Jean-Jacques Bahain2 The dispersal of hominin groups with an Acheulian technology and associated bifacial tools into northern latitudes is central to the debate over the timing of the oldest human occupation of Europe. New evidence resulting from the rediscovery and the dating of the historic site of Moulin Quignon demonstrates that the frst Acheulian occupation north of 50°N occurred around 670–650 ka ago. The new archaeological assemblage was discovered in a sequence of fuvial sands and gravels overlying the chalk bedrock at a relative height of 40 m above the present-day maximal incision of the Somme River and dated by ESR on quartz to early MIS 16. More than 260 fint artefacts were recovered, including large fakes, cores and fve bifaces. This discovery pushes back the age of the oldest Acheulian occupation of north-western Europe by more than 100 ka and bridges the gap between the archaeological records of northern France and England. It also challenges hominin dispersal models in Europe showing that hominins using bifacial technology, such as Homo heidelbergensis, were probably able to overcome cold climate conditions as early as 670–650 ka ago and reasserts the importance of the Somme valley, where Prehistory was born at the end of the 19th century.
    [Show full text]
  • Medina Del Campo Groundwater Body
    MAR in the Spanish Medina del Campo groundwater body as a tool to meet the objectives of European Water Framework Directive José Antonio de la Orden Gómez Department of Reserach in Geological Resources Geological Survey of Spain (IGME) BSMAR16 San Diego, 5 – 8 march, 2018 DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy The purpose of this Directive is to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater Environmental objectives for groundwater (art. 4): - to prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater and to prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater, - to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of groundwater, ensure a balance between abstraction and recharge of groundwater, with the aim of achieving good groundwater status at the latest 15 years after the date of entry into force of this Directive - to reverse any significant and sustained upward trend in the concentration of any pollutant resulting from the impact of human activity in order progressively to reduce pollution of groundwater Los condicionantes legales de la recarga artificial. El caso particular de las aguas regeneradas como fuente de agua para la recarga. BSMAR16. San Diego, 5-7 march, 2018 2 ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE OF GROUNDWATER (MAR) IN THE EUROPEAN WATER FRAMEWROK DIRECTIVE. Art. 11: Each Member State shall ensure the establishment for each river basin district, of a programme of measures, in order to achieve the environmental objectives: f) controls, including a requirement for prior authorisation of artificial recharge or augmentation of groundwater bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • Glaciation (Oakley, 1950). Variations in the Proposed Beginning Dates
    EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN HAND AMD THE GREAT HAND-AXE TRADITION Grover S. Krantz The hand-axe is both the earliest and the longest persisting of standar- dized stone tools. They present a continuous history of one tool type from the first to the third interglacial periods, a span.of at least 200,000 years and perhaps as many as half a million. Equally remarkable is their geographical range which covers all of Africa, western Europe and southern Asia--fully half of-the then habitable Old Vorld. Aside from differences in the local stone that was utilized, hand-axes from this whole area are constructed on the same plan and show no clear regional typology. Other tool types occur with hand-axes: utilized flakes are found at all levels, and in the later half of the sequence there-are cleavers, ovates, trimmed flakes and spherical stone balls. Throughout the sequence, however, the basic design of the hand-axe continues with its intended formnapparently unchanged. We thus have a continuous record of man's attempts to produce a single type of 'implement over mst of his tool making history. (See Figure 1.) Recent discoveries of fossil man have made it increasingly evident that biological evolution of the human body was also in progress coincident with the development of ancient stone tool types. 'While the exact time of appearance of Homo siens is still in some dispute (see Stewart, 1950 and Oakley., 1957), it is no nowseriously maintained that the earliest tool makers necessarily approximated the modern or even the neanderthal morphologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Non-Biface Assemblages in Middle Pleistocene Western Europe. A
    University of Southampton Research Repository ePrints Soton Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination http://eprints.soton.ac.uk UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON FACULTY OF LAW, ART and SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Non-Biface Assemblages in Middle Pleistocene Western Europe. A comparative study. by Hannah Louise Fluck Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2011 1 2 Abstract This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the Clactonian assemblages of Middle Pleistocene souther Britain. By exploring other non-biface assemblages (NBAs) reported from elsewhere in Europe it seeks to illuminate our understanding of the British assemblages by viewing them in a wider context. It sets out how the historical and geopolitical context of Palaeolithic research has influenced what is investigated and how, as well as interpretations of assemblages without handaxes. A comparative study of the assemblages themselves based upon primary data gathered specifically for that purpose concludes that while there are a number of non-biface assemblages elsewhere in Europe the Clactonian assemblages do appear to be a phenomenon unique to the Thames Valley in early MIS 11.
    [Show full text]
  • Tool Industries of the European Paleolithic: Insights Into Hominid Evolution and Shifts in Archaeological Theory and Practice from the James B
    TOOL INDUSTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN PALEOLITHIC: INSIGHTS INTO HOMINID EVOLUTION AND SHIFTS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL THEORY AND PRACTICE FROM THE JAMES B. BULLITT COLLECTION by Sophie K. Joseph Honors Thesis Department of Anthropology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2020 Approved: ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– R. P. Stephen Davis, PhD (Advisor) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Laurie C. Steponaitis, PhD –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Silvia Tomášková, PhD ABSTRACT From early archaeological excavation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to modern conceptions of Paleolithic stone tool evolution, radiometric dating techniques and studies of paleoenvironment have revolutionized the study of relationships and divisions between these different lithic industries. In addition, there has been a shift from the formal to the functional approach when categorizing lithic industries through time. This project aims to examine how lithic industries in France changed through the Paleolithic and early Neolithic using a curated sample from Dr. James B. Bullitt’s contribution to the North Carolina Archaeological Collection. Early and contemporary archaeological literature about early stone tools are compared and connected to broad theoretical shifts in the field since the 1800s. Because many artifacts in the Collection are used as teaching aids, it is hoped that this project provides insight into the value of the Collection to the study of about Paleolithic hominid evolution. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank my advisor and thesis committee chair Dr. Davis: without his diligent guidance and investment of time, this project truly would not have been possible. Furthermore, the James B. Bullitt Collection and larger North Carolina Archeological Collection would not be in the incredibly organized and accessible state they are today without Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Policarpo Sánchez Yustos Fernando Diez Martín
    HISTORIA DE LAS INVESTIGACIONES PALEOLÍTICAS EN LA PROVINCIA DE VALLADOLID. EL CASO MUCIENTES POLICARPO SÁNCHEZ YUSTOS FERNANDO DIEZ MARTÍN* Resumen: En este trabajo se aborda un repaso a la historia de la investigación sobre el Paleolítico en el territorio de la actual provincia de Valladolid, desde sus comienzos hasta el desarrollo de las últimas líneas de trabajo abiertas actualmente. Además, se evalúa la problemática de los conjuntos líticos del entorno de Mucientes, una de las zonas más singulares, ricas y complejas en el panora- ma de la arqueología provincial. Palabras clave: Historia de la investigación, Paleolítico, Valladolid, Mucientes. Abstract:. This work introduces a revision of the research on the Palaeolithic carried out in the territory of the present province of Valladolid, from its beginnings to the work avenues opened to date. Besides, special attention is paid to the problematic in which the lithic assemblages recove- red in the area of Mucientes (one of the most singular and complex issues in the archaeology of Valladolid) are involved. Keywords: Research history, Palaeolithic, Valladolid, Mucientes. Marco Geográfico La provincia de Valladolid comprende una extensión de 7.880 Km² y se localiza en la Cuenca media del río Duero. Se sitúa en pleno corazón de Castilla * Área de Prehistoria, Universidad de Valladolid. Plaza del Campus, s/n, 47011 Valladolid. BSAA arqueología, LXXII-LXXIII, 2006-2007, pp. 7-38 8 POLICARPO SÁNCHEZ YUSTOS - FERNANDO DIEZ MARTÍN y León, alejada de los sistemas montañosos que encierran la Submeseta Norte. Se trata de un territorio poco diversificado paisajísticamente, en el que se des- pliegan espaciosamente dos niveles de planicies: las campiñas y los páramos.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Origins of the Acheulean – Past and Present Perspectives
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UCL Discovery The origins of the Acheulean – past and present perspectives on a major transition in human evolution Ignacio de la Torre* *Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK Abstract: The emergence of the Acheulean from the earlier Oldowan constitutes a major transition in human evolution, the theme of this special issue. This paper discusses the evidence for the origins of the Acheulean, a cornerstone in the history of human technology, from two perspectives; firstly, a review of the history of investigations on Acheulean research is presented. This approach introduces the evolution of theories throughout the development of the discipline, and reviews the way in which cumulative knowledge led to the prevalent explanatory framework for the emergence of the Acheulean. The second part presents the current state of the art in Acheulean origins research, and reviews the hard evidence for the appearance of this technology in Africa around 1.7 million years ago, and its significance for the evolutionary history of Homo erectus. Keywords: Acheulean; History of palaeoanthropology; Early Stone Age; Archaeology of human origins 1 Introduction Spanning c. 1.7-0.1 million years (Myr), the Acheulean is the longest-lasting technology in Prehistory. Its emergence from the Oldowan constitutes one of the major transitions in human evolution, and is also an intensely investigated topic in current Early Stone Age research. This paper reviews the evidence for the origins of the Acheulean from two perspectives: the history of research, where changes in the historiographic conception of the Acheulean are discussed, and the current state-of- the-art on Acheulean origins, which will include a review of the hard evidence and an assessment of its implications.
    [Show full text]