Lithic assemblage, percussive technologies and behavior at the Oldowan site of Barranco León (Orce, Andalucía, Spain)

Identifier:  TDX:3130

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3130

Authors:  Titton, Stefania

Abstract:
This doctoral thesis deals for the first time with the study of the Barranco León stone tool assemblage in its entirety, providing a typological, morpho-technological, as well as taphonomic analysis of a lithic assemblage over 1.4 million years old. The limestone and flint operational chains are analyzed, identifying internally different chains of actions. The reconstruction of the formation of the depositional sequence carried out in this work through the combination of geological and archeological data, has allowed to determine hominin activities in a primary context: selection of the raw materials, cobble size and shape, knapping and percussion activities, and abandonment of the tools produced and used by the hominins. The combination of classical and innovative methodologies allows to better understand the core, hammer and tool management strategies. The identification of heavy-duty scrapers and sub-spheroids as intentionally obtained morphologies now place Barranco León in the Late Oldowan.