Lower Pleistocene Site Research Articles

Plio-Pleistocene hydrothermal events of the Baza Basin (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain) and their paleoecological implications

AbstractThe Lower Pliocene to upper Middle Pleistocene continental sedimentary infillings of the Baza Basin (Guadix-Baza Depression, SE Spain) are worldwide unique by their high stratigraphic completeness and exceptional preservation of their fossil record of terrestrial vertebrates. These sediments were deposited in fluvio-lacustrine environments and preserve huge assemblages of large mammals, including the oldest evidence of hominin presence in Western Europe at the late Lower Pleistocene sites of Barranco León and Fuente Nueva-3, dated to ∼1.4 Ma. Since latest Miocene times, the basin was subject to intense tectonic activity, showing sedimentary deposits originated from ancient hot springs. These hot springs were developed in a spatio-temporal network related to tectonic fractures, showing a higher concentration in the Orce sub-basin during Late Pliocene to Holocene times. Compositional analyses of cherts and other facies associated with these hot springs show geochemical and mineralogical markers linked to hydrothermal scenarios. The contribution of hot springs in the Baza Basin resulted in rich and productive biotopes, which supported a high diversity and biomass of terrestrial mammals. Similar geological, hydrochemical and ecological environments are found along hotspot lines in East Africa, the Levantine Corridor and the circum-Mediterranean realm. We hypothesize here that the presence of these hot springs corridors favored the dispersal of hominins and other large mammals during the Plio-Pleistocene, which led to the first hominin arrival in Europe.

THE QUIBAS SITE (MURCIA, SPAIN): NEW HERBIVORES FROM THE EARLY-MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE TRANSITION

The Lower Pleistocene site of Quibas, in Sierra de Quibas (Murcia, Spain) was discovered in 1994 and has since then provided abundant material of typical Epivillafranchian taxa. This biochron belongs to the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition (1.2 – 0.78 Ma), characterised by a change in orbital cyclicity from a 41 kyr cycle to 100 kyr that intensified the climate and culminated in the most important faunal turnover of the Pleistocene regarding large mammals. The Group of Palaeoanthropology of the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC, Spain) and the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA, Spain) carried out four field seasons from 2015 to 2018. Here we present the large herbivorous mammals recovered from the field, including the first citation of two taxa new to the locality: Stephanorhinus cf. etruscus and Bison cf. voigtstedtensis. We also provide the first description of previously mentioned taxa: Dama cf. vallonnetensis and Sus sp. Together with the remaining herbivores, the faunal community shows a strong European affinity with some regionalism. Compared with other Iberian localities, the site of Quibas stands out for the lack of hominin fossils or any evidence supporting their presence in the area, a peculiar scenario given that the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition broadly speaking sees the arrival of humans into Europe.

Bone modifications by the giant hyaena Pachycrocuta brevirostris on large-sized ungulate carcasses from the Lower Pleistocene site of Tsiotra Vryssi (Mygdonia Basin, Greece)

ABSTRACT The Early Pleistocene mammal communities of Europe are characterised by a great diversity of large carnivorans. Among them, the largest ever hyaenid, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, a fierce predator with great bone-cracking adaptations that has left its taphonomic signature on several fossiliferous sites. Here, we perform a rigorous taphonomic analysis focusing on bone surface modifications and damage patterns on large-sized ungulate bones from the site Tsiotra Vryssi (1.78 to ~1.5 Ma; Mygdonia Basin, Greece), aiming to identify the main biotic agent responsible for the modifications. Results reveal significant carnivore ravaging of the assemblage, and selective consumption of bones/bone portions related to nutrient value. Comparisons with modifications on similar-sized ungulate carcasses produced by extant and extinct predators, and similarities with Pachycrocuta-modified assemblages, indicate that Pachycrocuta was the principal agent of modification. Overall, this study not only provides taphonomic evidence for the interpretation of Tsiotra Vryssi, but also offers insights into the palaeobiology, and particularly carcass consumption behaviour of the giant hyaena. Hence, it advances our knowledge on carnivoran guild dynamics and prey–predator relationships during this epoch and has important implications for the investigations of the subsistence behaviour of the meat-eating hominins, who entered Eurasia at ~1.8 Ma, roughly synchronously with Pachycrocuta.

FIRST REVIEW OF THE LYNCODONTINI MATERIAL (MUSTELIDAE, CARNIVORA, MAMMALIA) FROM THE LOWER PLEISTOCENE ARCHAEO-PALAEONTOLOGICAL SITES OF ORCE (SOUTHEASTERN SPAIN)

Two archaeo-palaeontological Lower Pleistocene sites of Orce (Baza Basin, SE Spain), Fuente Nueva 3 (1.3 Ma) and Barranco Leon (1.4 Ma), preserve some of the earliest evidences of human presence in the European continent. During the 2013 field season, a small Lyncodontini mustelid mandible was found at Fuente Nueva-3. This finding was accompanied by a lower canine (c1), also from the same site, and a lower fourth premolar (p4) from Barranco Leon. Here, we report on the morphological and biometrical study of these materials, in comparison to other Eurasian Pliocene-Pleistocene species of the tribe Lyncodontini. The analyses revealed an affinity between the taxon from Fuente Nueva-3 and Barranco Leon with the small-sized European species Martellictis ardea (Gervais, 1848-1852), allowing us to ascribe the described material to the latter species. The presence of M. ardea in the sites of Orce is the southernmost occurrence of the species in the Iberian Peninsula and an important finding in the scarce fossil record of Lyncodontini in Europe.

Les nodules sphériques de basalte de l’unité archéologique US2 du site de « Bois-de-Riquet », France : origine et caractérisation d’une sélection

Sometimes represented in high percentages, manuports constitute an important component of the tools in Lower Pleistocene sites. As such, they greatly participate in the established models for the understanding of Plio-Pleistocene hominin behaviour and territorial organization in Africa and Europe. However, their role among this component remains hypothetical. The lithic assemblage of US2 at the Bois-de-Riquet site has yielded 100 nodules. Their abnormal presence in the context of the cavity questions the anthropic nature of their introduction and therefore of their possible use. The BDR industry is therefore participating in the open debate on the function of manuports. The main objective here is to demonstrate that these objects, although originating from local formation, are neither produced in the cavity, nor introduced naturally, but that they have been the object of an anthropic contribution among the lithic assemblage within the bone remains and probably related to them. The anthropic introduction of natural nodules from several local sources will be demonstrated here. For this, sampling was carried out in all local volcanic contexts where nodules are naturally present in a primary or secondary position. Each of these samples has been compared to the archaeological artefacts from US2. A local historical anthropic context, where these nodules were used for building a roman road, completes this comparison to serve as an anthropic reference. The results demonstrate the anthropic introduction of basalt balls into the US2 of Bois-de-Riquet site and also make possible the identification of raw material sources in which US2 lithic assemblage was selected.

The saber-toothed cat Homotherium latidens (Owen, 1846) from the lower Pleistocene locality Dafnero, Western Macedonia, Greece

The homotheres, although known from the Greek fossil record since the beginning of the 1930's, have only been recorded from fragmentary material, sometimes undescribed and with questionable determinations. In 2017, the discovery of an almost complete cranium and a fairly complete humerus of a machairodontine in Dafnero-3, a lower Pleistocene site from Western Macedonia (Greece), confirm the presence of homotheres in Greece. The Dafnero-3 material is described and compared with Eurasian specimens. We conclude that in morphology and size the Dafnero-3 specimen coincides with Homotherium latidens (Owen, 1846). The taxonomy, geographic and stratigraphic distribution of HomotheriumFabrini, 1890 is also discussed. A biostratigraphic revision gives the distribution of the genus in Greece. Homotherium is referred from six Greek localities and its distribution covers the time span from the early Villafranchian (early Villafranchian, locality Milia, Western Macedonia; MN16, 3.0-2.5 Ma) to the middle Pleistocene (locality Tourkovounia near Athens, c. 0.4 Ma).

Level U3.1, a new archaeological level discovered at BK (upper bed II, Olduvai Gorge) with evidence of megafaunal exploitation

Excavations at Bell Korongo (BK) have yielded important evidence to infer different behaviours of early hominins in several archaeological levels since 1935. The present study shows the results for a newly geological and archaeological of BK (Level U3.1). This paper describes the geology of this newly discovered level, along with a taphonomical analysis of the archaeological remains to better understand the assemblage formation processes. This new level was deposited at the base of LA Unit 3, in decantation facies over a point-bar. Although these facies, found throughout the site furnish ideal conditions for preservation, this is the first time in BK level U3.1 that any archaeological or paleontological remains have been found embedded within them. The taphonomic study suggests that the assemblage is the result of a short time span involving processes accumulating remains from different thanatocoenoses created over a time span of less than one year, consistent with a sedimentation process triggered by flooding of the channel during the annual heavy rains in the wet season. Furthermore, a large percentage of bones, including megafaunal remains, appear cutmarked, percussion marks and anthropgenic green fractures. Level U3.1 is the youngest level at BK, and adds to the evidence of the megafaunal exploitation behaviour of early Pleistocene hominins, which has already been extensively reported in BK Levels 4 and 5 and other African Lower Pleistocene sites.

Cut marks and raw material exploitation in the lower pleistocene site of Bell's Korongo (BK, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania): A geometric morphometric analysis

The Lower Pleistocene site of Bell's Korongo (BK) in Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) has been a key site for the study of the origin of human behaviour. The lower archaeological levels of BK are characterized by anthropogenic activity related to the exploitation of megafauna (elephant, hippopotamus, Sivatherium) and smaller game (zebra, wildebeest and antelopes). These remains display a high frequency of cut marks. The exceptional state of preservation of the BK fossil assemblage has allowed a wide range of different analyses that, among other things, detected the use of quartzite in butchering activities through the study of cut marks. Following up previous analyses, this paper presents the study of a series of cut marks from the BK faunal assemblage using a 3D geometric morphometric methodological approach in order to determine the mineralogical properties of the quartzite used at the site. BK cut marks are compared with experimentally produced cut marks using 9 mineralogically different quartzite types from Olduvai Gorge. This comparative analysis provides valuable hints about the exact nature of the raw materials used in butchering activities. The results presented here identify a preferential use of quartzite with a finer granular composition, suggesting that hominin populations were already selecting the best raw materials for their use in specific activities 1.3 Mya.

A 2Ma old baboon-like monkey from Northern Greece and new evidence to support the Paradolichopithecus – Procynocephalus synonymy (Primates: Cercopithecidae)

A new fossil cranium of a large papionin monkey from the Lower Pleistocene site of Dafnero-3 in Western Macedonia, Greece, is described by means of outer and inner morphological and metric traits using high-resolution micro-computed tomography. Comparisons with modern cercopithecids and contemporaneous Eurasian fossil taxa suggest that the new cranium could equally be ascribed to either the Eurasian Paradolichopithecus or to the East Asian Procynocephalus. The combination of the available direct and indirect fossil evidence, including the new cranium from Dafnero, revives an earlier hypothesis that considers these two sparsely documented genera as synonyms. The timing and possible causes of the rise and demise of Paradolichopithecus - Procynocephalus are discussed.

The last giant continental tortoise of Europe: A survivor in the Spanish Pleistocene site of Fonelas P-1

The presence of remains of a giant tortoise in the lower Pleistocene site of Fonelas P-1 (Guadix Basin, Betic Ranges; Granada, southeastern Spain) is reported and analyzed herein for the first time. This finding represents the youngest evidence of a large tortoise in continental Europe, dating the age of extinction of this successful lineage as several hundred thousand years younger than previously thought. So far, the most recent record known for continental Europe was at least 400,000years older than the occurrence reported herein (Vaterá, Greece), that for the Spanish record being about 1.3millionyears older (Las Higueruelas). This finding is justified as the youngest evidence of Titanochelon, a genus recorded in Europe since the beginning of the Miocene, which includes the largest terrestrial turtles known for the entire European fossil record. The decrease in the biogeographical distribution area and the final extinction of these temperature-sensitive animals in Europe is here recognized as a result of the climate changes documented during the Pliocene and lower Pleistocene. The identification of taxa with environmental and ecological requirements as restrictive as those known for the extant and extinct large tortoises, living in continental Europe 2.0Ma, has important consequences. Thus, although the paleoclimatic inferences generally assumed for the whole of Europe interpret cooler and drier conditions at the end of the Pliocene, by the increase of the seasonality and the beginning of the glacial activity in the Northern Hemisphere, the record of Fonelas P-1 indicates that, in southern Europe or, at least, in the endorheic basins of the Betic Ranges, warmer climatic conditions than in the rest of the continent continued being present in these chronologies of the lower Pleistocene, being favorable for the persistence of these large tortoises.

Limestone percussion tools from the late Early Pleistocene sites of Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain).

In recent years, there is growing interest in the study of percussion scars and breakage patterns on hammerstones, cores and tools from Oldowan African and Eurasian lithic assemblages. Oldowan stone toolkits generally contain abundant small-sized flakes and their corresponding cores, and are characterized by their structural dichotomy of heavy- and light-duty tools. This paper explores the significance of the lesser known heavy-duty tool component, providing data from the late Lower Pleistocene sites of Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain), dated 1.4-1.2 Myr. Using quantitative and qualitative data from the large-sized limestone industries from these two major sites, we present a new methodology highlighting their morpho-technological features. In the light of the results, we discuss the shortfalls of extant classificatory methods for interpreting the role of percussive technology in early toolkits. This work is rooted in an experimental program designed to reproduce the wide range of percussion marks observed on the limestone artefacts from these two sites. A visual and descriptive reference is provided as an interpretative aid for future comparative research. Further experiments using a variety of materials and gestures are still needed before the elusive traces yield the secrets of the kinds of percussive activities carried out by hominins at these, and other, Oldowan sites.

Analysis of lithic technology of Lower Pleistocene sites and environmental information in the Nihewan Basin, North China

The Nihewan Basin is an important area for studying the evolution of early hominids in China. Among 15 recently discovered and reported Lower Pleistocene sites in the Basin, eight (Majuangou, Xiaochangliang, Dachangliang, Banshan, Donggutuo, Feiliang, Huojiadi, Xujiapo) have been specifically analyzed by the authors. This paper is a synthesis of results of analysis of lithic technology and palaeoenvironmental information of these sites. Three distinct arrangements of techniques are identified from the eight sites, which represent the different lithic techniques, cognitive capability and cultural contents. The “DGT Core” from Donggutuo indicates that the cognitive capability and the culture deepness of early hominids in China surpassed expectations. Re-evaluation is required of early human technology and behavioral mode in China.

New views on an old move: Hominin migration into Eurasia

Current knowledge of hominin migration into Eurasia is severely biased by poor age constraints at many Lower Pleistocene sites. This contribution analyzes the current status of the chronology for the most important sites in the Circum-Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on those sites for which the archaeological remains (fossils and/or artifacts) are found in an unambiguous stratigraphic context. Taken together, current data shows an apparent occupation window of between 0.9 and 1.8 Ma for the bulk of Lower Paleolithic Sites in Western Eurasia. Noticeably, the oldest known sites, Dmanisi and Atapuerca TE9 (1.8 and 1.2 Ma respectively), are among the most geographically disparate sites in Eurasia. The time gap between these sites could be an artifact of the incomplete archaeological record, but it might also relate to distinct pulses of hominin migration into Eurasia. The uncertainty in existing ages prevents ascertaining whether the main climatic events in the Plio-Pleistocene match migration pulses of human dispersal into Eurasia.

A new Lower Pleistocene archeological site in Europe (Vallparadís, Barcelona, Spain)

Here we report the discovery of a new late Lower Pleistocene site named Vallparadís (Barcelona, Spain) that produced a rich archeological and paleontological sequence dated from the upper boundary of the Jaramillo subchron to the early Middle Pleistocene. This deposit contained a main archeological layer with numerous artifacts and a rich macromammalian assemblage, some of which bore cut marks, that could indicate that hominins had access to carcasses. Paleomagnetic analysis, electron spin resonance-uranium series (ESR-US), and the biostratigraphic chronological position of the macro- and micromammal and lithic assemblages of this layer reinforce the proposal that hominins inhabited Europe during the Lower Pleistocene. The archeological sequence provides key information on the successful adaptation of European hominins that preceded the well-known fossil population from Atapuerca and succeeded the finds from Orce basin. Hence, this discovery enables us to close a major chronological gap in the early prehistory of Iberia. According to the information in this paper and the available data from these other sites, we propose that Mediterranean Western Europe was repeatedly and perhaps continuously occupied during the late Matuyama chron.

Le « nucléus Donggutuo » et sa signification dans l’industrie du paléolithique inférieur de Donggutuo, bassin de Nihewan, Chine du Nord

As one of the most important Lower Pleistocene sites of the Nihewan basin in North China, Donggutuo (DGT) site is well known for its fine retouched small tools and characters of flake industry. However, new excavations still reveal some new discoveries and educe some new issues to us. For example, the “DGT core” introduced in this article is a new discovered typotechnology and indicates new economic strategy of the local people, which was never known before in this area at the time of 1.1 Ma B.P. The paper provides general background and statistic analysis of DGT industry including special method applied to the “DGT core” and discusses possible influence of environmental change for the emerging of the “DGT core”. The “DGT core” shows a germinated microlithic tradition and reflects a cultural diversity of early humans in the Lower Paleolithic in North China.

Impact probable du volcanisme sur le décès des Hominidés de Dmanissi

The human remains unearthed at the Lower Pleistocene site of Dmanisi (Georgia), are numerous, well preserved and show no evidence of transportation or predation. They were discovered over a small surface and correspond to at least five Homo georgicus individuals, whose age at death is regularly distributed from the teenager to the elder over 40 years old. These characteristics evoke a family group who died suddenly. Granulometry and chemical analyses of ca. 30 volcanic tephra samples prove its unicity and its primary position. Since this tephra cannot correspond to a nuée ardente, it is probable that the Dmanisi Hominids were surprised and asphyxiated, 1 810 000 years ago, by volcanic ashfalls.

Pelorovis howelli nov. sp. (Mammalia, Artiodactyla): a new bovine from the Lower Pleistocene site of Aïn Hanech (El-Kherba locus), Northeastern Algeria

The archaeological investigations recently undertaken in the vicinity of the Lower Pleistocene site of Aïn Hanech led to the identification of additional Oldowan horizons and the discovery of new loci, among which was the locus of El-Kherba. Besides the lower Pleistocene faunal remains associated with Oldowan artifacts, the 1999 excavations, carried out at El-Kherba, exposed a bovine skull with complete horn cores. It belonged to a taxon never been previously encountered or described in the Plio-Pleistocene and Lower Pleistocene deposits of the Maghreb. It receives here its first description.

Melanopsis from the Pleistocene site of ’Ubeidiya, Jordan Valley: direct evidence of early hybridization (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea)

’Ubeidiya is a 1.4 Myr-old Lower-Pleistocene site in the Jordan Valley. Its rich Melanopsis fauna was found to include five species: buccinoidea, costata, turriformis, phanesiana obediensis and multiformis. These species and their conchiometrics are described. M. buccinoidea and costata occur in the Levant also today whereas turriformis, p. obediensis and multiformis are extinct. These findings suggest considerable faunal connections between the Jordan, the Orontes and perhaps also Rodhos during the lower Pleistocene. During the late Miocene, when the Mediterranean Sea level dropped, coastal-plain freshwater habitats could have expanded and Melanopsis species could then have invaded the Rift Valley via coastal rivers. In addition they could have reached later, via the Rift Valley. Species frequencies of Melanopsis throughout ‘Ubeidiya suggest three’ Melanopsis landscapes’: an early period dominated by buccinoidea, a later one by costata and an upper one by p. obediensis. It is reasonable to speculate that the buccinoidea landscape represents a spring or perhaps a deep lake with a nearby stream; the costata landscape a shallow, nonturbulent, well-aerated lake with a slow current; and the p. obediensis landscape a turbulent, well-aerated lake. Intermediates were found between buccinoidea and costata. Their low frequency and their chrono-distribution suggest they are hybrids, rather than evolutionary transitions between species. The 1.4 Myr old fossils of ‘Ubeidiya may be the earliest direct evidence of hybridization among molluscs in nature, that is still going on today in the same region and aquatic system, among the same species. The Melanopsis hybrid populations may perhaps act as filters that prevent the introgression of most genes, but allow others to disperse into the range of the parent species. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 75, 39–57.

Analyse morphométrique comparée des dents humaines de Gran Dolina (TD6) et de Sima de los Huesos d'Atapuerca

Comparative Morphometric Analysis of the Human Dental Samples of Gran Dolina (TD6) and Sima de los Huesos caves sites at Atapuerca. We present a comparative morphometric study of the human dental samples yielded by the Lower Pleistocene site of Gran Dolina (TD6 Aurora Stratum) and the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH) from the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). The remarkable size and shape differences between the TD6 and SH sample concern, especially, to the anterior vs. posterior size relationship. In the SH hominids, the strong size reduction of the posterior teeth, which reached a degree similar to that of the modern populations, implied the appearance of a set of derived traits, such as the crown and root simplification of the lower premolars, the absence of cingulum, the relative greater size reduction of the lower second premolar and second molar, or the reduction and absence of cusps of the upper and lower molars (hypocone and hypoconulid). The TD6 hominids, in contrast, exhibit a size balance between the anterior dentition and the posterior one, together with the retention of most plesiomorphies for the genus Homo. These observations imply important differences for certain dental development parameters of the two hominid populations, which justifies their taxonomical distinction. On the other hand, the SH hominids and the Neandertalians exhibit a similarity of most dental traits examined, which supports the hypothesis of a reproductive continuity (phyletic evolution) in Europe during the Middle and early Upper Pleistocene.

Une faune très diversifiée du Pléistocène inférieur de la Sierra de Quibas (province de Murcia, Espagne)

The Quaternary karstic site of Sierra de Quibas (Abanilla, province of Murcia, Spain) has provided a wide faunal list with more than 60 species. The assemblage of the taxa Arvicola deucalion, Castillomys rivas rivas, Eliomys intermedius, Equus altidens, Capra sp. aff. C. alba and cf. Praeovibos allows the correlation with other Spanish Lower Pleistocene sites in the Betic Cordillera, as Plines 1, Orce 3 and Venta Micena. Therefore Quibas can be located between 1.3 and 1.0 Ma. The palaeoenvironmental features of the area around the karstic cavity and the palaeoclimatic regime are inferred.