https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/16 2026-08-03T05:17:30Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3580 Title: What Is the Acheulean? Authors: Moncel, Marie-Helene; Cucart-Mora, Carolina; Arzarello, Marta; Ashton, Nick; Baena, Javier; Barsky, Deborah; Torre, Ignacio de la; Galanidou, Nena; García-Medrano, Paula; Hertler, Christine; Herzlinger, Gadi; Ingicco, Thomas; Li, Hao; Ma, Dongdong; Mosquera, Marina; Ollé, Andreu; Pappu, Shanti; Pei, Shuwen; Tian, Chun; Wang, Wei; Bae, Christopher J. Abstract: The Acheulean represents the longest cultural period known to human history, lasting globally for more than 1.75 million years. It may have emerged as early as 1.95 Ma in Africa, spreading throughout much of the continent and then into Eurasia and lasting up to 350–200 ka in western Europe and South Asia, and even later in eastern Asia. Originally defined in the 1870s, the term Acheulean is one of the earliest and most contested classifications in prehistoric archaeology. Almost 150 years after its first appearance, it remains a source of continuous debate. This paper summarizes roundtable discussions that took place at the Musée de l'Homme (Paris) in November 2025 that focused on the meaning of the Acheulean and the diversity of its manifestations across Eurasia. Some 20 researchers, from various institutions across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific participated in this event, during which it became clear that the Acheulean had different meanings to the participants. Among the major points raised during the meeting was the question of how different specialists differentiate the Acheulean from the older Oldowan techno-complex, with specificities emerging from each of their respective regions of study. The geographic origins and hominin species' attribution of the Acheulean toolmakers were also brought to the fore since important questions have been raised in the last decades by the growing record of hominin taxa that existed during this timeframe across Eurasia and the relatively late arrival of this techno-complex in Europe. These issues become even more important when we consider the recent evidence emanating out of Asia, which indicates that hominins were present well before their earliest appearance in Europe. The purpose of this paper is not only to make a statement regarding how to define the Acheulean, but also to illustrate its diversity across Eurasia. 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3560 Title: Technological innovations and regional diversity in Western Europe at ca. the MIS 11 threshold: a cladistic approach Authors: Rineau, Valentin; García-Medrano, Paula; Zeitoun, Valery; Zaragüeta, René; Ashton, Nick; Arzarello, Marta; Ollé, Andreu; Lamotte, Agnes; Peretto, Carlo; Moncel, Marie-Hélène Abstract: The ca Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial is considered to be a threshold for behavioural innovations in Western Europe. Innovations both in technology and subsistence are observed, as well as the appearance of Neanderthal anatomical features. Core technologies and Large Cutting Tools reflect changes in behaviours and innovations, with for instance, the onset and diffusion of the iconic Levallois core technology associated with more complex and standardized debitage. Following the severe glacial event of MIS 12, the lithic assemblages yield evidence of both innovations, but the chronology of their appearance remains unclear. For tracking these innovations and generally characterizing the technological and typological features of this period of time, a large database of the available ca. MIS 11 assemblages (from MIS 12 to MIS 10) has been built including a revision of some of the assemblages. In order to unravel the relationship between sites of this period, we applied a cladistic approach using three-item analysis, considering the assemblages themselves as the object of analysis, with an emphasis on core technology. We show how three-item analysis is an efficient method capable of correctly analysing characters from lithic technologies that appear to be intrinsically hierarchical. Our results suggest that Levallois core technology survived during the glacial event of MIS 12 and diversified during the long interglacial of MIS 11. Our results also show the absence of cultural endemism, which may be linked to significant mingling between northern and southern Europe. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3547 Title: Technological Strategies and Diversity of Management of Limestone Pebbles at the Site of Terra Amata (southeast, France) in the Context of MIS11 in Western Europe Authors: García-Medrano, Paula; Arzarello, Marta; Ashton, Nick; Ollé, Andreu; Moncel, Marie-Hélène Abstract: The open-air site of Terra Amata (Nice) is located in southeast France. The sequence yields several phases of marine transgression and regression and two main stratigraphic units with human occupation. C1 and C1b units are dated to MIS11/10, with recurrent occupations attributed to the Acheulean associated with a Middle Pleistocene fauna. Recent discoveries during the last decade show that in western Europe from MIS 12 to MIS 9, a technological threshold is recorded with behavioural innovations in technology, modes of subsistence, fire, and the earliest Neanderthal anatomical features. Terra Amata is one example offering the opportunity to investigate in depth the technological strategies used by hominins during the long interglacial of MIS 11. The lithic assemblages are characterized by a large diversity of artefacts mainly made on limestone pebbles/cobbles. Among these artefacts, there are some Large Shaped Tools –e.g. choppers, bifaces, cleavers and picks– and cores or core-related tools. These are mainly characterized by a minimal shaping and by the extensive use of simple flaking and short centripetal sequences, including occasional more elaborate centripetal and discoidal core technologies. Terra Amata illustrates the diversity of heavy-duty tools and how MIS 11 hominins managed, often minimally, limestone pebbles, available in great quantity on the site, showing high flexibility and adaptation of the technology to local features and possible evidence of regionalization. Furthermore, the technological traits at Terra Amata appear within a mixed repertoire context that includes both traditional and simple technologies and advanced occupational strategies, a pattern observed in other western European sites. 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3528 Title: Lithic technology from level 22 at Nasera (Tanzania): The Kisele industry revisited Authors: Solano-Megías, Irene; Maíllo-Fernández, José Manuel; Marín, Juan; Martín-Perea, David M.; Gidna, Agness; Mabulla, Audax Z.P. Abstract: This study presents a techno-typological analysis of level 22 at the site of Nasera (northern Tanzania), shedding new light on the Kisele industry (Middle Stone Age) in the region. The lithic assemblage is predominantly characterized by discoid methods and the use of sidescrapers and points, both bifacial and unifacial. The raw materials used are primarily local in origin, including quartz and chert from Olduvai. However, the presence of a small number of obsidian pieces originating from Lake Naivasha basin suggests long-distance contact between MSA groups. In addition to the discoid methods, other operational schemes, such as the Levallois or the single platform, have been identified in smaller numbers, with higher-quality materials such as chert used in the Levallois. This indicates a greater variability in the number of production methods used than that previously identified for the Kisele industry. Comparisons with other regional industries, such as the older Sanzako, or contemporaneous ones like VCS and DGS at Olduvai or Loiyangalani in the Serengeti, show techno-typological differences that present a scenario of greater technological complexity and diversity than previously known for northern Tanzania. 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z