Tecnología lítica i variabilitat de les indústries del pleistocè mitjà i superior inicial del nord-est de la península ibèrica i sud-est de frança: nivell G de la caune de l'Aragó, la Selva i Conques del Rosselló, Ter i Lacustre de Banyoles

Identifier:  TDX:390

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX390

Authors:  Garcia i Garriga, Joan

Abstract:
OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS<br/><br/>The scientific objectives of the present Doctoral Thesis entitled: Lithic Technology and Variability of the Industries of the Middle and Initial Upper Pleistocene in the North-Eastern Iberian Peninsula and South-Eastern France: G Level of La Caune de l'Arago, La Selva, the River Basins of Roussillon, the Ter and Lacustrine Basin of Banyoles, are to study the technological processes of the Lower Palaeolithic in these geographical areas, and its implication in the paleo-ecosocial behaviour of the prehistoric human societies. Starting from the study of the lithotechnical records of archaeological sites located in different ecosystems (plains of Tautavel, the Roussillon, the Ter, la Selva and the Banyoles lacustrine basin), and their industries found in sedimentary deposits preserved in caves (G level of La Caune de l'Arago) or shelters (lower levels of Mollet I), in other open-air industries recovered from the surface of ancient paleosoils (Puig d'Esclats, Casa Nova d'en Feliu and Can Burgés), fluvial flood plains (Domeny Industrial), the foot of deposits dismantled by erosional action on slopes (Costa Roja, Mas d'en Galí and Puig d'en Roca III), and in ancient fossil fluvial terraces (Mas Ferréol, La Plane d'en Bourgat and La Butte du Four-Llabanère), this questions are discussed according to the reflection and conceptualization of the methodological instruments of the the Logical Analytical System. <br/><br/>The hypothesis, put forward in the present Doctoral Thesis, for the definition of the evolutionary dynamics of the industries during the Middle and initial Upper Pleistocene in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula and south-eastern France revolves around the technological interrelation established between the Technical Operation Systems with bifaces and the Levallois method on the one hand, and between those that developed other tools and alternative systems on the other hand. Is proposed an evolutionary scheme characterized by the absolute adaptive dynamism and flexibility for the industries objective of our study, make it quite evident that there are conceptual limitations in the Modes as defined by Graham Clark (1977). These expositions have strong implications in connection with the cultural, subsistence and territorial patterns of behaviour, based on the presence of the same operative and conceptual technologies structures, or 'technical traditions', in a single ecological or regional unit throughout the Lower Palaeolithic. The proposal presented is also founded on a general model of population and occupation of the territory, based on the existence of hominid communities deeply rooted in permanent life in the same biotopes and ecologic systems (regions in the broad sense of the word). The exploitation and maximum use of these systems during the Middle and initial Upper Pleistocene must have enabled the subsistence and evolution of populations who were capable of perpetuating themselves in differentiated spaces, throughout the Lower Palaeolithic. <br/><br/>This would, in reality, constitute a purely structural ecologic behaviour, which could help us determine the human communities who generated the analyzed lithotechnical records, based on the existence of a complex network of territories and regions, with a hierarchical system and organization, but separate from each other -not due to geographic features acting as limiting spaces or frontiers, but rather on account of the existence of populations with different cultures-. The results of the lithotechnical analyses have also enabled us to document the differentiated adaptive patterns of mesopleistocene hominids (reflected in the industries' level of technological variability) between the geographical areas. The empirical data on which we base our support of this hypothesis originate from the study conducted in connection with three parameters: the areas from whence the necessary raw materials for knapping were obtained -we must underline the existence of strict patterns by which, exclusively, local rocks were used-, the study of the technical production systems characteristic of each regional unit, and the diachronic interval of these settlements obtained both, by relative chronology as well as through the application of absolute dating techniques. <br/><br/> Joan Garcia Garriga