학술논문
Among stones and bison. The lithic assemblage of Gran Dolina TD10.2 (Atapuerca). Technological and spatial implications of a specialised Middle Pleistocene Kill-butchering site
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Author
Source
TDX (Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa)
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
La subunidad TD10.2 se localiza al yacimiento de Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, y se encuentra datado en torno a los 400,000 años. En esta subunidad se ha identificado la evidencia más antigua de caza comunal monoespecífica de bisontes, proporcionando importantes datos sobre las capacidades cognitivas y sociales de las poblaciones pre-Neandertales. Nuestra investigación se centra en el análisis del conjunto lítico y la organización espacial de TD10.2. El estudio tiene como objetivo principal caracterizar el conjunto lítico asociado a un lugar de caza comunal. Para ello se ha utilizado una metodología encaminada a comprender la compleja naturaleza del depósito, que engloba: La revisión arqueoestratigrafica sistemática, complementada por métodos cuantitativos de machine learning; la caracterización tecno-tipológica del conjunto, y el análisis espacial mediante métodos estadísticos de patronas de puntos. La integración en esta metodología de los remontajes líticos ha ofrecido datos de alta resolución. Este enfoque nos ha permitido identificar tres subniveles y caracterizar carias ocupaciones de caza estacional, de corta duración y alta intensidad. El conjunto lítico presenta un aprovisionamiento especializado en sílex local y cadenas operativas completas focalizadas en la producción de pequeñas lascas y una gran diversidad de herramientas, que indican actividades intensivas de talla in situ y estrategias de aprovisionamiento planificadas.
The subunit TD10.2 is located at the Gran Dolina site, in Atapuerca, and is dated to approximately 400,000 years ago. This subunit has revealed the earliest evidence of monospecific bison mass-communal hunting, providing significant insights into the cognitive and social capabilities of pre-Neanderthal populations. Our research focuses on the analysis of the lithic assemblage and the spatial organisation within TD10.2, aiming to characterise the lithic set associated with a kill-butchering site. To this end, we have employed a methodology designed to understand the complex nature of the deposit, encompassing: systematic archaeostratigraphic review complemented by quantitative machine learning methods; techno-typological characterisation of the assemblage; and spatial analysis using statistical point pattern methods. The incorporation of lithic refits into this methodology has yielded high-resolution data. This approach has enabled us to identify three sub-levels and characterise various short-term, high-intensity seasonal hunting occupations. The lithic assemblage demonstrates specialised procurement of local chert and complete chaîne operatoires, focused on the production of small flakes and a diverse range of small tools, indicating intensive in situ knapping activities and planned procurement strategies. The results reveal significant technological and subsistence changes, aligning with transformations occurring in Europe during the Early Middle Palaeolithic. Comparative analyses with other similar sites highlight the need for a re-evaluation of archaeological theoretical models when interpreting the diversity of kill-butchery sites.
The subunit TD10.2 is located at the Gran Dolina site, in Atapuerca, and is dated to approximately 400,000 years ago. This subunit has revealed the earliest evidence of monospecific bison mass-communal hunting, providing significant insights into the cognitive and social capabilities of pre-Neanderthal populations. Our research focuses on the analysis of the lithic assemblage and the spatial organisation within TD10.2, aiming to characterise the lithic set associated with a kill-butchering site. To this end, we have employed a methodology designed to understand the complex nature of the deposit, encompassing: systematic archaeostratigraphic review complemented by quantitative machine learning methods; techno-typological characterisation of the assemblage; and spatial analysis using statistical point pattern methods. The incorporation of lithic refits into this methodology has yielded high-resolution data. This approach has enabled us to identify three sub-levels and characterise various short-term, high-intensity seasonal hunting occupations. The lithic assemblage demonstrates specialised procurement of local chert and complete chaîne operatoires, focused on the production of small flakes and a diverse range of small tools, indicating intensive in situ knapping activities and planned procurement strategies. The results reveal significant technological and subsistence changes, aligning with transformations occurring in Europe during the Early Middle Palaeolithic. Comparative analyses with other similar sites highlight the need for a re-evaluation of archaeological theoretical models when interpreting the diversity of kill-butchery sites.