Quartz and quartzite refits at Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos): Connecting lithic artefacts in the Middle Pleistocene unit of TD10.1

Abstract

This paper expands upon the preliminary refit analysis of the NW area of unit TD10.1 at Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain) (López-Ortega et al., 2011). The refit study described here has been conducted on the quartz and quartzite assemblage recovered from unit TD10.1, consisting of a total of 4302 artefacts (709 quartz and 3593 quartzite pieces). Following the previously established methodological protocol, we found additional elements associated with already known connections as well as new refits in quartz and quartzite. The association between refits and raw material units (RMUs) has allowed us to distinguish specific concentrations and spatial clusters that could correspond to singular knapping events, and to identify the movements of pieces within the same raw material unit outside of their clusters, which could point to the use of these artefacts. These results, together with the presence of artefacts of every phase of the chaîne opératoire, point to developed knapping activities carried in the settlement and the areas where they took place. A new interdisciplinary study will identify the role played by intentionally moved pieces.