Paleolithic Remains Research Articles

Paleolithic culture of Longgupo and its creators

Longgupo Site at Wushan (30°51′46.8″N, 109°39′55.8″E), Chongqing Municipality, China was discovered in 1984. The unearthed materials include Hominidae gen. et sp. indet., stone artifacts and a large quantity of vertebrate fossils. More than 1000 stone artifacts with evident human agency such as bipolar hammer, cores, flakes, choppers, points, scrapers, proto-cleavers, drilling tools, proto-picks and proto-hand-axes have been collected from Levels 2–15 successively. Bone accumulations of large amount of limbs of herbivores, indicating human agency, were unearthed from Levels 3–4 and 7–8. All of these early Paleolithic remains are termed “Longgupo culture”. The culture signifies that its creators have evolved from tool-using stage to tool-making one in their life style. Who the creators of Longgupo culture were is still a mystery. Three types of highly-evolved primate fossils have been unearthed from Longgupo Site. They are represented by a mandibular fragment with p4-m1, an upper incisor, and 14 isolated teeth of Gigantopithecus blacki respectively. All these three types could be the possible creators of Longgupo culture. On the other hand, we cannot exclude a possibility that an ancient human still unknown but similar to Homo habilis could be revealed with the forthcoming excavations.

Middle Palaeolithic remains of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus, 1758) from Biśnik Cave and other cave localities from Poland

Reindeer remains (Rangifer tarandus, Linnaeus 1758) from Middle Palaeolithic layers of Biśnik Cave were morphometrically analysed and compared to other cave localities of Europe and Asia. The measurements differed among the layers dated as MIS 7–MIS 3. Slight differences were observed between the remains from Biśnik, and those from the remaining cave localities of Poland. Comparison with the other localities of Eurasia showed that the reindeer from Poland were considerably larger than those from the western areas (except Romain-la-Roche in France), and smaller than those from the east. The antler analysis indicates that almost exclusively females are present in the material. The degree of wear of M1 indicates adults, aged 4–10 years.

Palaeolithic occupation of the Mehran Plain in Southwestern Iran

In terms of Palaeolithic studies, the Mehran Plain is already known due to the discovery of the Amar Merdeg site in 1999. But in spite of the high potential for occupation in different periods, the prehistoric settlement patterns of the plain had not been identified until the present survey in 2010, which resulted in the discovery of 15 Palaeolithic sites. Of these, 9 sites contain both Lower and Middle Palaeolithic remains and 3 more sites are attributed to the Middle Palaeolithic as well 3 sites to Upper Palaeolithic period and beyond. The distribution pattern indicates that easy access to raw materials, which are now visible among the chert pebbles scattered over hillocks on the plains, was the main reason to establish settling.

The depositional Environment at Shuidonggou Locality 2 in Northwest China at ∼72–18 kaBP

Abstract:Shuidonggou site has abundant Paleolithic remains of Late Pleistocene deposition. Studying the evolution of depositional environments is essential to the comprehensive understanding of the living conditions of ancient populations. To reconstruct the depositional environment at Shuidonggou, we carried out archaeological excavations and collected systematic deposition samples at the key position of Shuidonggou Locality 2 for grain size analysis and sporopollen statistics. The environmental evolution around the Shuidonggou site generally underwent four stages at ∼72–18 kaBP. During the first stage (∼72–41 kaBP), the river developed with gravel and sand stratums. During the second stage (41∼34 kaBP), a swamp with numerous aquatic plants formed. In the third stage (34–29 kaBP), site formation was characterized by shallow lake depositional conditions; the climate was relatively warm and humid. The marginal bank depositional conditions deteriorated during the fourth stage (29–18 kaBP), and the site underwent several dry events; the climate also became drier and colder.

Enhancing rescue-archaeology using geomorphological approaches: Archaeological sites in Paredes (Asturias, NW Spain)

Palaeolithic remnants, a Necropolis (Roman villa), and another minor archaeological site were discovered in Paredes (Spain). These sites were the focus of multidisciplinary research during the construction of a large shopping centre in Asturias (NW Spain). The aims of this study are (1) to contribute to archaeological prospection in the sites and (2) to develop evolutionary models of the sites based on geomorphological inferences. Detailed archaeological prospection (103 trenches), geomorphologic mapping, stratigraphic studies (36 logs) and ground penetration radar (GPR) surveys on five profiles indicate that the location of the settlement source of the Necropolis is outside the construction perimeter, farther to the southeast. The Pre-Holocene evolution of the fluvial landscape is marked by the development of two terraces (T1 and T2) that host the Early Palaeolithic remains in the area (ca 128–71 ka). The Holocene evolution of the landscape was marked by the emplacement of the Nora River flood plain, covered by alluvial fans after ca. 9 ka BP (cal BC 8252–7787). Subsequently, Neolithic pebble pits dated ca. 5.3 ka BP (cal BC 4261–3963 and 4372–4051) were constructed on T2, at the area reoccupied as a Necropolis during the Late Roman period, 1590 ± 45 years BP (cal AD 382–576). Coeval human activity during the Late Roman period at 1670 ± 60 years BP (cal AD 320–430) is also recorded by channel infill sediments in a minor site at the margin of an alluvial fan located to the southeast. This work shows that a rescue-archaeological study can be significantly enhanced by the implementation of multidisciplinary scientific studies, in which the holistic view of geomorphologic settings provide key insights into the geometry and evolution of archaeological sites.

ReOSL dating of aeolian and fluvial sediments from Nihewan Basin, northern China and its environmental application

The Nihewan Formation, consisting of thick fluvio–lacustrine sediments with abundant mammalian faunas and Paleolithic remains, is widely distributed in the Nihewan Basin, northern Hebei Province, China. In this study the fluvio–lacustrine sediments of the Nihewan Formation and the loess–paleosol sequence evident in the Haojiatai Section were dated by recuperated OSL (ReOSL) of fine-grained quartz (Wang, X.L., Lu, Y.C., Wintle, A.G., 2006a. Recuperated OSL dating of fine-grained quartz in Chinese loess. Quaternary Geochronology 1, 89–100.). The preliminary ReOSL dating results show that: (i) the loess–paleosol sequence in the upper part of the profile started to develop at about 128 ka ago; (ii) the unconformity separating the loess–paleosol from the underlying Nihewan Formation represents a sedimentation break of about 130 ka. On the basis of the ReOSL dates and related stratigraphic evidence it is proposed that the ancient Lake Nihewan dried shortly after about 266 ka.

The Omo I hominin clavicle: Archaic or modern?

Assessment of clavicular curvatures projected onto two perpendicular planes to decompose the three dimensional shape into cranial and dorsal primary curvatures has shown that two morphological groups of clavicle exist within the genus Homo. The first one includes all species from Homo habilis to Neandertals, while the second includes only Upper Paleolithic remains and more recent modern humans. These morphological differences are associated with different shoulder architectures. The morphology of the Omo I left clavicle is sufficiently complete to compare its curvatures to other clavicles of several species of Homo. Its overall morphology, assessed by its curvatures, is similar to that of Upper Paleolithic remains and modern humans, confirming the conclusions of previous descriptions of the Omo I remains in general and of its clavicles in particular.

Modern hunting behavior in the early Middle Paleolithic: Faunal remains from Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel

Understanding the behavioral adaptations and subsistence strategies of Middle Paleolithic humans is critical in the debate over the evolution and manifestations of modern human behavior. The study of faunal remains plays a central role in this context. Until now, the majority of Levantine archaeofaunal evidence was derived from late Middle Paleolithic sites. The discovery of faunal remains from Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel (>200 ka), allowed for detailed taphonomic and zooarchaeological analyses of these early Middle Paleolithic remains. The Misliya Cave faunal assemblage is overwhelmingly dominated by ungulate taxa. The most common prey species is the Mesopotamian fallow deer ( Dama mesopotamica), followed closely by the mountain gazelle ( Gazella gazella). Some aurochs ( Bos primigenius) remains are also present. Small-game species are rare. The fallow deer mortality pattern is dominated by prime-aged individuals. A multivariate taphonomic analysis demonstrates (1) that the assemblage was created solely by humans occupying the cave and was primarily modified by their food-processing activities; and (2) that gazelle carcasses were transported complete to the site, while fallow deer carcasses underwent some field butchery. The new zooarchaeological data from Misliya Cave, particularly the abundance of meat-bearing limb bones displaying filleting cut marks and the acquisition of prime-age prey, demonstrate that early Middle Paleolithic people possessed developed hunting capabilities. Thus, modern large-game hunting, carcass transport, and meat-processing behaviors were already established in the Levant in the early Middle Paleolithic, more than 200 ka ago.

구석기 유물 유적을 활용한 지구과학 학습자료 개발 및 활용 방안

This study developed earth science learning materials based on paleolithic remains in the Youngsan River basin to provide students with curiosity and interest of science. These materials consist of four activities such as orientation, tour of museum, field trip to paleolithic sites, and making of remains. More than 60% of the teachers said that these materials are likely to improve the scientific process skills of students and also suggested that these could be applied to club activity, field trip, and homework. In addition, materials seemed to help students to understand the properties of the mineral and rock. We suggested that these materials could broaden teachers` subject of teaching in science.

Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) eggs in the pleistocene site of Menez-Dregan, France (300,000-500,000 years before present).

On the archaeological site of Menez-Dregan in Brittany, France, dated 300,000-500,000 years-old, paleoparasitological analysis of cave deposits led to the detection of well-preserved helminth eggs, which morphology and morphometry pointed to the diagnosis of Toxocara canis eggs, a parasite of carnivore mammals. Paleolithic remains suggested a parasitism of the hyena Crocuta spelaea or other canids that inhabited the region.

Figurines du Paléolithique supérieur en matière minérale plastique cuite d’ Afalou Bou Rhummel ( Babors, Algérie). Premières analyses par spectroscopie d’absorption Infrarouge

From 1983 to 1993, S. Hachi’s last excavations at the Afalou Bou Rhummel (Algeria) Babors coastal shelter have contextually produced numerous anthropological and zoological, clay figurines, all hand made and cooked, among Iberomaurusian Late Upper Palaeolithic remains. Regarding Maghrebian territories (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya), these so peculiar documents are strictly related to 15 000–11 000 BP levels, although deeper archaeological levels are 18 000 BP. Twenty eight small samples (less 1mg) were analysed through infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) so as to precise, through typical transformation of the major mineral involved: kaolinite, smectites, and amorphous silicates, the final degree of temperature reached after cooking. These documents were all intentionally cooked between 500 and 800 °C. Local clay was obviously picked up for figurine elaboration.

A new find of a Middle Pleistocene mandible from Bilzingsleben, Germany

The Middle Pleistocene site at Bilzingsleben is being excavated by the Forschungsstelle Bilzingsleben, FSU Jena. It is a living floor with structures of settlement and a great number of Lower Palaeolithic cultural remains. So far, 28 human skull fragments have been discovered, which can be reconstructed into two individual skulls. Recently, the right mandible has also been discovered (Bilzingsleben E7). Morphological comparisons indicate that there is a great similarity to the mandibles of HI and BI of Sinanthropus. A strong likeness to Arago II and XIII was also discovered. There are various different archaic features which assign the Bilzingsleben mandible and the two skulls to the advanced Homo erectus.

Human remains from the Moravian Gravettian: the Dolní Vĕstonice 3 postcrania.

To add to our knowledge of European earlier Upper Paleolithic (especially Pavlovian) human biology, the postcranial skeleton of the Dolní Vĕstonic 3 partial skeleton was excavated and reassembled. It represents the remains of an adult female, who was buried in a tightly flexed position with the ventral side down and turned slightly to the left. Subsequent compaction led to extensive damage to the axial skeleton and long bone epiphyses. It nonetheless retains the C1 and C2, fragments of the C5 to S3, portions of the pelvis, most of the long bone diaphyses, and a number of manual and pedal remains. Dolní Vĕstonice 3 was a relatively gracile individual in terms of diaphyseal robusticity and especially muscular attachment rugosity, despite the strong development of femoral and tibial diaphyseal structural buttresses. Upper limb asymmetry is slight and variable. She is similar to other earlier Upper Paleolithic remains in having warm temperate to tropical body proportions but is at the lower limit of Gravettian variation in body size indicators. There is no evidence of significant antemortem lesions on the preserved postcrania.

Upper pleistocene loess stratigraphy and paleolithic site chronology on the Russian plain

AbstractLoess stratigraphy provides the best existing means of establishing an accurate geochronology for the Paleolithic of the Russian Plain, especially for time periods beyond the range of radiocarbon dating. Loess/paleosol sequences in adjoining regions, particularly Central Europe where correlation with oxygen‐isotope stratigraphy has been achieved, represent a useful standard for the correlation and dating of loess deposits on the Russian Plain. However, better control is needed over local paleoenvironmental conditions and colluvial redeposition. Correlation is facilitated by two key marker horizons: buried soils of the Last Interglacial (127,000‐116,000 B.P.) and the terminal Middle Pleniglacial (30,000‐25,000 B.P.); assignment of paleosols and loess beds between these markers to time‐stratigraphic units in the Upper Pleistocene sequence is sometimes problematic. Paleolithic remains on the Russian Plain are typically contained in colluvial loam, but can often be related to primary loess stratigraphy. Analysis of the latter suggests sharp contrasts with Western and Central Europe in the timing and distribution of Paleolithic settlement, apparently reflecting the harsher environments of the Russian Plain.

Studies on early dog remains from Northern Europe

Discriminant function analysis is a useful statistical tool for the solution of taxonomic problems. This technique has been applied to the identification of early dog finds from archaeological sites in Northern Europe. These finds were compared by multivariate means with Upper Palaeolithic wolves, Early Mesolithic dogs and modern comparative samples of the wolf and dingo. Analysis confirms that the canid remains from Mezin (Upper Palaeolithic) are closest to captive wolves and probably represent an initial stage in the domestication of the wolf; those from Dobritz-Kniegrotte (Upper Palaeolithic) and Star Carr (Early Mesolithic), which were previously identified as dogs, and those from Drigge (Late Mesolithic?), also come into this category. The Upper Palaeolithic remains from Bonn-Oberkassel and Senckenberg, originally identified as dogs, are classified as dogs. The canid finds from Knabstrup and Ertebolle, originally identified as wolves, are classified as wolves.

The Acheulean in Asia?: A Review of Research on Korean Palaeolithic Culture.

A recent monograph written by three prominent Korean archaeologists reports on the results of the past 20 years of research on Korean palaeolithic sites. Discussed are tasks completed, projects underway, and suggestions for future work to be done on palaeolithic remains in the Korean Peninsula. Particularly significant is the chapter on the archaeology of the Jǒngok-ni site which has produced many palaeolithic artefacts; among these the excavators find a high percentage of handaxes and other core bifaces, a cultural phenomenon claimed to be unique in East Asian prehistoric technology.

Palaeolithic remains at the Hadar in the Afar region

Studies of Plio–Pleistocene deposits along the Awash River in the Hadar region of Ethiopia have revealed for the first time several Palaeolithic sites. In addition to a large number of artefacts which provide evidence of early to late Stone Age industries the deposits have also yielded a rich vertebrate fauna including what may be the earliest hominid remains yet discovered.

Palaeolithic Remains in Upper Egypt

Excavations along the banks of the Nile have produced finds which indicate that Late Palaeolithic Upper Egypt was technologically less backward than it was thought to be.

Quaternary Geology of the Nyu Hills, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu with Special Reference to the Palaeolithic Remains

Quaternary Geology of the Nyu Hills, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu with Special Reference to the Palaeolithic Remains

Lunar Notation on Upper Paleolithic Remains

Lunar Notation on Upper Paleolithic Remains