With Impressions Chosen from Another Time

Core Technologies and Debitage Production at the Lower Palaeolithic Site of Notarchirico (670–695 ka; layers F to I2)

Bibliographic Data

ID9401466
AuthorsMarco Carpentieri (0000-0003-4611-3089, University of Ferrara, corresponding author), M H Moncel (0000-0002-0398-2316, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Eramo Giacomo (0000-0001-9621-908X, University of Bari Aldo Moro), Marta Arzarello (0000-0003-3379-1112, University of Ferrara)
Year2023
Volume6
Issue1
Pages27-27
Publication date2023-09-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Paleolithic Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2520-8217 • E-ISSN: 2520-8217
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s41982-023-00154-y
PMID37675140
OpenAlexW4386425222
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited83

The earliest evidence of bifaces in western Europe is dated to the initial phase of the Middle Pleistocene (la Noira, Notarchirico, Moulin Quignon, 700-670 ka), with the findings of Barranc de la Boella (1.0-0.9 Ma) considered to be an earlier local evolution. No transition assemblages are recorded during this time frame, and the "abrupt" appearance of bifaces during this time frame is associated with significant cognitive shifts in human technological behaviours (Acheulean techno-complex). The new investigations conducted at the site of Notarchirico unearthed 30 ka of repeated human occupation (695-670 ka, layers F-I2) during MIS 17, with evidence of bifacial tools in layer G (680 ka) and F along with other heavy-duty implements (LCTs, pebble tools, etc.). Massive production of debitage products realised on local raw materials collected in situ through simple and efficient core technologies characterises a large part of the lithic assemblage with a high ratio of diversified light-duty tools, including modified chert nodules. Despite core and flake assemblages being a recurrent trait of Lower Pleistocene contexts, the increase in retouched implements recorded at the onset of the Middle Pleistocene has been considered a significant technological shift. The technological analysis of the debitage products presented in this work highlights recurrent and systematic technological behaviours of the hominins of Notarchirico-who proved to efficiently overcome the raw materials dimensional constraints-even in the layers without bifaces. This may shed light on the meaning of cultural and behavioural innovation that the Acheulean techno-complex is thought to bring over Europe. It is plausible that given the substantial homogeneity of the lithic strategies within the sequence of Notarchirico, which only the "introduction" of the bifaces in the upper layers seems to interrupt, a supposed behavioural or cultural change in the site might have already occurred in the lowermost portion of the sequence. In this work, we evaluate the degree of change-if any-from a technological perspective by analysing the debitage reduction sequences

Acheulean · Archaeology · Assemblage (archaeology · Debitage · Early Pleistocene · Experimental archaeology · Geography · Knapping · Lithic technology · Paleoanthropology · Pebble · Pleistocene · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Evolution and Paleontology Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology · Paleontology

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