Middle Palaeolithic, Transitional or Upper Palaeolithic: Geoarchaeological revision of the southern part of the loess site Dzierżysław 1, SW Poland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Wiśniewski ◽  
Zdzisław Jary ◽  
Piotr Moska ◽  
Katarzyna Pyżewicz ◽  
Magdalena Ciombor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Sw Poland

scholarly journals Pleistocene sediment DNA reveals hominin and faunal turnovers at Denisova Cave

Nature ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena I. Zavala ◽  
Zenobia Jacobs ◽  
Benjamin Vernot ◽  
Michael V. Shunkov ◽  
Maxim B. Kozlikin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Zone ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Mt Dna ◽  
Southern Siberia ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Pleistocene Sediment

AbstractDenisova Cave in southern Siberia is the type locality of the Denisovans, an archaic hominin group who were related to Neanderthals1–4. The dozen hominin remains recovered from the deposits also include Neanderthals5,6 and the child of a Neanderthal and a Denisovan7, which suggests that Denisova Cave was a contact zone between these archaic hominins. However, uncertainties persist about the order in which these groups appeared at the site, the timing and environmental context of hominin occupation, and the association of particular hominin groups with archaeological assemblages5,8–11. Here we report the analysis of DNA from 728 sediment samples that were collected in a grid-like manner from layers dating to the Pleistocene epoch. We retrieved ancient faunal and hominin mitochondrial (mt)DNA from 685 and 175 samples, respectively. The earliest evidence for hominin mtDNA is of Denisovans, and is associated with early Middle Palaeolithic stone tools that were deposited approximately 250,000 to 170,000 years ago; Neanderthal mtDNA first appears towards the end of this period. We detect a turnover in the mtDNA of Denisovans that coincides with changes in the composition of faunal mtDNA, and evidence that Denisovans and Neanderthals occupied the site repeatedly—possibly until, or after, the onset of the Initial Upper Palaeolithic at least 45,000 years ago, when modern human mtDNA is first recorded in the sediments.

Preliminary Report on Stone Age Reconnaissance in north-eastern Iran

1964 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 382-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. M. McBurney
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Report ◽  
British Museum ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Pleistocene ◽  
Eastern Iran ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The One

The following is a preliminary report on the results achieved during approximately six weeks' archaeological fieldwork in north-eastern Iran in July and August 1963. The primary objective was to explore the area for traces of the local Upper Pleistocene cultural sequence, and in particular to establish if possible the date and character of the local Upper Palaeolithic. In the event no traces of Upper Palaeolithic were obtained. However, a start was made towards defining the problem by the discovery of two well-stratified deposits, the one yielding a Middle Palaeolithic (Mousterian) industry with distinctive regional affinities, and the other an early Post-glacial Mesolithic industry. Reliable samples were obtained for defining the statistical properties of both, together with carbon samples, traces of vertebrate fauna, and some other climatic data.Representative collections were lodged with the Musée Iran Bastan at Teheran; and the expedition's share is to be offered in part to the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Cambridge and in part to the British Museum. The expedition was financed mainly by a grant from the British Academy, supplemented by further grants from the Crowther-Beynon Fund and the British Museum.

scholarly journals NEW PERSPECTIVES ON THE LION MAN FIGURINE OF HOHLENSTEIN-STADEL CAVE (SOUTHWESTERN GERMANY)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wolf ◽  
N. Ebinger-Rist ◽  
C.-J. Kind ◽  
K. Wehrberger
Keyword(s):  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Stratigraphic Sequence ◽  
Western Germany ◽  
The Right

In the Hohlenstein-Stadel Cave in 1939 excavators uncovered nearly 200 mammoth ivory fragments, which were refitted as a therianthrope figurine with the head and torso of a cave lion but with the legs of a human being. It was thus named the Lion Man. During recent excavations in the Stadel Cave between 2008 and 2013, a stratigraphic sequence was discovered that extended from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Aurignacian. It became clear that the location of the Lion Man during the excavations of 1939 corresponded to layer Au of the recent 2008-2013 excavations part of the excavation back dirt from 1939 was also uncovered. Here, 575 fragments of mammoth ivory were found that partially belonged to the Lion Man figurine that was carved from a complete tusk. In 2012/2013 the Lion Man was therefore newly restored. The figure was completed to the greatest possible extent. It became apparent that the Lion Man represents a male. We also obtained new perpectives on the position and the sinistral ornamentation of the figurine. The snout, the back and the right side were refitted and the Lion Man also gained volume due to the refitted pieces. New insight underlines the intentional deposition of the formerly complete figurine during the Aurignacian. Wehrberger, K. (Ed.) (2013). The Return of the Lion Man. History Myth Magic. Ostfildern: Jan Thorbecke Verlag. Kind, C.-J., Ebinger-Rist, N., Wolf, S., Beutelspacher, T., Wehrberger, K. (2014). The Smile of the Lion Man. Recent Excavations in Stadel Cave (BadenWrttemberg, south-western Germany) and the Restoration of the Famous Upper Palaeolithic Figurine. Quartr, 61, 129145

Light, Human Evolution, and the Palaeolithic

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Pettitt ◽  
Stefanie Leluschko ◽  
Takashi Sakamoto
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Light Production ◽  
Constituent Component ◽  
Palaeolithic Art ◽  
Cave Art

Human light-producing technology (i.e. the controlled use of fire) evolved during the Palaeolithic. Among its more obvious advantages to survival (heat, cooking, protection), fire-provided light in the form of hearths and lamps probably had considerable evolutionary significance. As human symbolic systems spread with the late Middle Palaeolithic and Upper Palaeolithic in Eurasia, it became a constituent component of European cave art. After reviewing the biological basis of human perception in low-light situations, we examine the existing evidence for the evolution of controlled use of fire (light production), and focus on its use in the performance of Upper Palaeolithic art and other activities in the deep caves of Western Europe.

scholarly journals On Making of Micoquian Bifacial Backed Tools at Pietraszyn 49a, SW Poland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Wiśniewski ◽  
Marcin Chłoń ◽  
Marcel Weiss ◽  
Katarzyna Pyżewicz ◽  
Witold Migal
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Structured Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Sw Poland ◽  
Marine Isotope Stage 3 ◽  
Early Upper

Abstract This paper attempts to show that manufacture of Micoquian bifacial backed tools was structured. Data for this study were collected using a comprehensive analysis of artefacts from the site Pietraszyn 49a, Poland, which is dated to the beginning of Marine Isotope Stage 3. Based on the whole data set, it was possible to distinguish four stages of the manufacturing process. During manufacturing, both mineral hammer and organic hammer were used. The tools were usually shaped due to distinct hierarchization of faces. The study has also shown that the shape of bifacial tools from Pietraszyn 49a is very similar to the other Micoquian examples from central Europe. The ways of shaping of some tools are finding their counterparts also in the Early Upper Palaeolithic inventories, but the similarities are rather limited to the narrow range of preparation of bifacial form.

A Preliminary Lithic Analysis of the Mousterian Site of ’Ain Difla (WHS Site 634) in the Wadi Ali, West-Central Jordan

1987 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Lindly ◽  
Geoffrey Clark
Keyword(s):  
Phase 1 ◽  
Lithic Analysis ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Lithic Assemblage ◽  
West Central ◽  
Central Jordan ◽  
Length Width ◽  
Analytical Frameworks

Test excavations in 1984 at the middle palaeolithic rockshelter of 'Ain Difla (Wadi Hasa Survey Site 634) in west-central Jordan produced a lithic assemblage dominated by elongated levallois points with very few retouched tools. Length/width ratios of the levallois points and width/thickness ratios of a sample of complete flakes suggest an affinity with Tabun D/Phase 1 mousterian sites. This kind of assemblage is generally thought to occur during the early Levantine mousterian. However, there is evidence of persistence of Tabun D assemblages in the southern Levant until the middle/upper palaeolithic transition. Comparing the ’Ain Difla lithic assemblage with those of other Levantine mousterian sites underscores problems with the analytical frameworks used to ‘date’ sites through technological and metrical analyses. A rather coarse-grained regional paleoenvironmental sequence exacerbates these problems.

scholarly journals Elongation as a factor in artefacts of humans and other animals: an Acheulean example in comparative context

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1630) ◽  
pp. 20130114 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. J. Gowlett
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Capuchin Monkeys ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome ◽  
New Caledonian Crows ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Individual Variables

Elongation is a commonly found feature in artefacts made and used by humans and other animals and can be analysed in comparative study. Whether made for use in hand or beak, the artefacts have some common properties of length, breadth, thickness and balance point, and elongation can be studied as a factor relating to construction or use of a long axis. In human artefacts, elongation can be traced through the archaeological record, for example in stone blades of the Upper Palaeolithic (traditionally regarded as more sophisticated than earlier artefacts), and in earlier blades of the Middle Palaeolithic. It is now recognized that elongation extends to earlier Palaeolithic artefacts, being found in the repertoire of both Neanderthals and more archaic humans. Artefacts used by non-human animals, including chimpanzees, capuchin monkeys and New Caledonian crows show selection for diameter and length, and consistent interventions of modification. Both chimpanzees and capuchins trim side branches from stems, and appropriate lengths of stave are selected or cut. In human artefacts, occasional organic finds show elongation back to about 0.5 million years. A record of elongation achieved in stone tools survives to at least 1.75 Ma (million years ago) in the Acheulean tradition. Throughout this tradition, some Acheulean handaxes are highly elongated, usually found with others that are less elongated. Finds from the million-year-old site of Kilombe and Kenya are given as an example. These findings argue that the elongation need not be integral to a design, but that artefacts may be the outcome of adjustments to individual variables. Such individual adjustments are seen in animal artefacts. In the case of a handaxe, the maker must balance the adjustments to achieve a satisfactory outcome in the artefact as a whole. It is argued that the need to make decisions about individual variables within multivariate objects provides an essential continuity across artefacts made by different species.

scholarly journals The New evidence for the Palaeolithic on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros), North Eastern Aegean

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcin Erdogu ◽  
Nejat Eyüp Yücel ◽  
Kerem Demir
Keyword(s):  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
The North ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Eastern Aegean ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
North Aegean ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Lower Palaeolithic

Eksino, on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros) in the Northeast Aegean, is a new open-air site with evidence of Palaeolithic cultural remains. Stone tools collected by an initial survey have clarified an assessment of the site from the Lower Palaeolithic, and brought to light new evidence from the Middle Palaeolithic as well as transition to the Upper Palaeolithic. Eksino is probably one of the most significant Lower Palaeolithic tool collections in the North Aegean, and finds such as chopper or chopping tools and Acheulean bifacial handaxes from the site show that the North Aegean may be another possible dispersal route from hominids to Europe via the East and Northeast Mediterranean during the Lower Palaeolithic. Middle Palaeolithic finds are frequent in the site and finds resemble the typical Mousterian type which is characterized by discoidal cores, Levallois cores and flakes, scrapers, denticulates, notches and points. Upper Palaeolithic finds are rare in the site, and a bifacial leaf point and large crescent-shaped backed pieces made on blades may reveal the presence of the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition on the island. This new data from Palaeolithic Gökçeada is likely to fill key geographic gaps associated with the initial dispersal of hominins through the northeast Aegean islands.

scholarly journals A chrono-cultural reassessment of levels III-V from El Cuco rock-shelter: a new sequence for the late Middle Palaeolithic – early Upper Palaeolithic boundary in the Cantabrian region (northern Iberia)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro RASINES DEL RÍO ◽  
Julià MAROTO ◽  
Emilio MUÑOZ-FERNÁNDEZ ◽  
José Manuel MORLOTE-EXPÓSITO ◽  
undefined Pedro María CASTAÑOS-UGARTE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Upper Palaeolithic ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Modern Humans ◽  
Rock Shelter ◽  
Cantabrian Region ◽  
Anatomically Modern Humans ◽  
Early Upper

The Iberian Peninsula is one of the key areas for studying the last populations of Neanderthals and the arrival in Europe of the first anatomically modern humans. In the Cantabrian region, this process can be traced in just a few sites with levels dating to the final stages of the Middle Palaeolithic and the earliest phases of the Upper Palaeolithic. One of these singular enclaves is El Cuco rock-shelter, where the sequence was initially dated by 14C only to the early Upper Palaeolithic sensu lato. However, new studies and datings now place this archaeological sequence in the late Mousterian and the Aurignacian. In this article we present a chrono-cultural reassessment of the upper levels of El Cuco (III-V), including a study of the large mammals. Levels Vc and Vb (>43.5-40.5 ky uncal BP) date from the late Mousterian, whereas levels Va, IV and III (c. 36.5-30 ky uncal BP) cover an interval extending at least from the Early Aurignacian to the Evolved Aurignacian. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery in level Va of a set of decorative beads made from marine shells in a context of possible symbolic behaviour.

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