Large flake acheulean in the middle of Tagus basin (Spain): middle stretch of the river Tagus valley and lower stretches of the rivers Jarama and Manzanares valleys

Abstract

The highest concentration of Palaeolithic sites known in the Iberian Peninsula is located in the lower stretches of the Manzanares and Jarama rivers. This area, together with a number of zones in the Tagus valley, constitutes one of the most important archives for the knowledge of the European Pleistocene. The purpose of this paper is to establish the chronological frame and the technological strategies implemented in manufacturing lithic tools during the Acheulean techno-complex in the middle stretch of the Tagus basin. Use of large flakes for making bifaces is common in the Acheulean assemblages from this area, as well as in the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and the south of France. The earliest Acheulean evidence has been dated to between MIS 15 and MIS 13. From MIS 11/MIS 9 on, this techno-complex is widespread in the region, until MIS 6, when the last evidence has been recorded. Handaxes, cleavers on flake and trihedral picks dominate in the châines opératoires of façonnage, which are present in significant percentages. Short châines opératoires of débitage prevail in quartzite, and discoid and polyhedric in flint. Most retouched tools are seldom elaborate. Lithic assemblages with châines opératoires of façonnage exclusively represented by handaxes start to be recorded towards the end of the Middle Pleistocene. These handaxes are more elaborate than previous and the retouched tools are more complex. Among the activities identified in the sites excavated in overbank facies, exploitation of large mammals, particularly proboscideans, is outstanding, as well as the manufacture of lithic tools and the exploitation of primary flint outcrops. The recording of long recurrent settlements on the same location is remarkable.